Alabama Football: The Hot Read: Bama Crushes Kent State

Following last week’s message of love for the Alabama Football team and the game of football itself by Nick Saban, the message this week was simple: dominate, start fast and finish strong. The only scoreboard Alabama would be paying attention to this week was the internal scoreboard that Saban harps on as part of The Process.

As predicted, the Tide looked like they were playing Clark Kent St , definitely not Superman St. Due to the nature of the opponent, this was an 11am kickoff on just your average 92 degree day two days into fall. Seriously, enough of summer already. The crowd was somewhat sparse at kickoff understandably and with about six minutes remaining and the score 48-0, even the diehards started filing out to seek cooler surroundings. The worst thing that could come from this game would be injuries and guess what happened?

Injuries

Damien Harris looks to be the biggest long-term concern. The initial injury looked worse than perhaps it really is. When I saw it live I cringed. All I could think about was a LCL or ACL, but it turned out to be what the Alabama staff called an ankle injury, and his status is day-to-day. (On a side note, who isn’t day to day? I know I am. ) I don’t expect him to play versus Kentucky. The coaching staff knows they can win without him, so why risk it with the teeth of your SEC schedule coming up?

Bo Scarbrough left the game also with an injury, but returned later with what was described as a thigh bruise. He was hit directly on the thigh by a helmet during a run and ended up flipping end over end before landing hard. (The Russian judge only gave him a 7 as he didn’t stick the landing. ) He should be fine going forward.

Calvin Ridley

and

Marlon Humphrey

both spent a few minutes in the pop up tent on the ‘Bama sideline. The nature of their injuries wasn’t disclosed and they returned to the game a few plays later.

Running Game Production

Overall the Tide rushed for 285 yards on 46 carries, an average of 6.2 ypc.
Joshua Jacobs, filling in for the departed Damien Harris, finished the game with 97 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns.
Jalen a Hurts had a another productive game on the ground, totaling 54 yards on just 7 carries.

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts departed early in the second quarter with the game well in hand. He threw for 164 yards on 16/24 passing.
Blake Barnett had the best pass of the day, hitting OJ Howard ( remember him?) perfectly in stride on a crossing route for a touchdown. You can see the difference with him versus Hurts in the pocket. Barnett looks frazzled somewhat, and doesn’t have the presence. The arm talent is obvious however.
There was a David Cornwell sighting!

Defense

The Tide gave up only 166 total yards. Kent St had a threat to score late in the game on a QB rollout. The backups forced him to the corner pylon and it initially was ruled a touchdown. However upon further review, it was determined he as down at the one foot line and the ball went over on downs to Alabama.

Miscellaneous

This was Alabama’s 18th shutout under Saban.

Want an even more demoralizing stat for future opponents trying to figure out the Alabama riddle? Xavian Marks scored on 75 yard punt return which was the 16th non-offensive TD in the last 16 games. Hard to beat the most talented team in the country when they are scoring like that every game.

This was Alabama’s second consecutive game with a punt return TD, their first in back to back games since 1994.

Final Analysis

Alabama did anything and everything they wanted to do. This was a clinical, efficient performance. You have to like they way they handled their business, as in years past they have had a tendency to play these cupcake games somewhat sloppily. Not yesterday. They set the tone early and often, the starters did what they should do and handed it over to the backups who carried the torch the rest of the game. Lots of players saw action. Hurts continues to progress and with the meat of their season looming, you have to like his maturity and demeanor.

As always, Roll Tide!