Alabama routs Miami 44-13 in season opener
No Mac “Daddy,” Najee, DaVonta or Waddle? No problem! Bama cruises in dominating fashion.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Bama trolled the ‘Canes after Saturday’s drubbing (Graphic: @AlabamaFTBL)
New quarterback with a new offensive line, new receivers, new tailbacks, new offensive coordinator and new offensive line coach...no Heisman Trophy winner, no tailback that leaps over defenders, and no quarterback named Mac “Daddy”...turns out, no problem.
On a day that saw top ten teams Oklahoma, Iowa State, Notre Dame, Clemson, and North Carolina struggle (and in the case of Clemson and UNC, lose), the defending national champion and top-ranked Crimson Tide rolled over 14th ranked Miami Hurricanes in the season opener for both teams on Saturday in Atlanta, 44-13. The final score makes the game sound closer than it really was, as Nick Saban’s crew dominated from start to finish, won their FBS best 15th straight contest, and Sir Nick improved to 15-0 in openers as Bama’s head coach. To add to the “Fun Stats Department,” Alabama has now won 42 straight games when scoring on their opening possession, a streak that stretches back to 2014.
The Tide’s young and revamped offense, which returns only three starters from a year ago, scored on not only its first possession, but its first five, rolling to 501 total yards and a 27-3 halftime lead against a talented, yet overmatched Hurricane defense that simply had no answers. Sophomore quarterback Bryce Young, making his first collegiate start, torched the ‘Cane secondary, completing 27 passes on 38 attempts for 344 yards and 4 touchdowns. The yard and touchdown totals set Alabama records for a quarterback starting their first game. The California native was calm and cool throughout the game, as Miami found early success exacting pressure on the rookie quarterback. When flushed, Young simply moved the pocket, kept his eyes downfield, and calmly delivered strike after strike.
The Tide didn’t miss a beat with Bryce Young at the helm. (Photo via True Median)
By the end of the evening, 10 different Tide receivers recorded receptions. Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams had a solid debut in a Tide jersey, gaining 126 yards on just four catches, which included a 94-yard touchdown strike from Young early in the third quarter. Making his first start, junior tight end Cameron Latu, a beast of a man at 6’5, 250 pounds, who was recruited as an outside linebacker, had a terrific afternoon, hauling in three passes for 43 yards and 2 touchdowns. Steady junior John Metchie caught six passes for 76 yards, and opened up the scoring with a 37-yard catch and run for a touchdown on the Tide’s first possession. Senior tailback Brian Robinson carried the ball 12 times for 60 yards and looked strong, running over and past ‘Canes defenders. Highly-touted sophomore back Trey Sanders, who has had to this point an injury-riddled career, looked impressive and recorded his first career touchdown, a beautiful 20-yard run in the third quarter that stretched the Bama lead to 41-3. To add to the good news, junior placekicker Will Reichard went 3 for 3 on field goals, which stretched his streak of consecutive makes to 18 straight.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Tide defense was a menacing force that limited ultra-talented Miami quarterback D’Eriq King to 178 yards (23-31), one touchdown, and two interceptions. The vaunted ‘Canes attack was limited to a total of 266 yards (88 on the ground) and held Miami to 6-14 on 3rd down conversions. The Bama D reminded Crimson Tide faithful of elite defenses of old. Sophomore end Will Anderson could not be blocked and was a terror all afternoon. He should owe the ‘Canes rent due to the fact that he lived in the Miami backfield all game long. The linebackers, led by Tennessee transfer Henry To’o To’o and Christian Harris, who Miami head coach Manny Diaz called the best linebacker in college football, had brilliant openers. The Bama secondary showed improvement from last season and played rock solid. When King did complete passes, his receivers were well covered and could not break free for extra yards after a catch. Miami drove deep into Tide territory just three times only to come away with 13 total points.
It was a fabulous day for Alabama nation, yet all was not perfect as the Tide were flagged 8 times for 81 yards. The offensive line is a work in progress, as Miami’s defense was able to put pressure on Young throughout the contest and forced a Young fumble in the third quarter. Senior standout defensive end Chis Allen left the game in the second quarter with a foot injury that may sideline him for the regular season. Henry To’o’To’o excited the game in the second half with an elbow injury, although Saban commented post-game that he would be OK. On a small scale, Young missed an open Williams on a deep ball on the Tide’s first possession, sophomore back Roydell Williams coughed up the ball after a nice run in the second quarter (he recovered his own fumble), and sophomore Traeshon Holden dropped a pass that would have gone for a first down in the second quarter (he made up for it later with a nifty 12-yard reception, the first catch of his Alabama career). No doubt, we are nitpicking with those last few examples, however, that is where Alabama football appears to be these days, as we are relegated to mentioning the overall obscure as negatives.
Simply put, Miami is a good team who will have a successful season and should compete for an ACC title. King and company will put up solid numbers and better days are to come for the ‘Canes offense. Yet on Saturday, they were outmatched to a degree that was surprising. Miami entered the tussle with Alabama with confidence and the belief that they could not only compete, but could win the game. That hope or dream, whatever you would like to call it, ended quickly as the Crimson Tide machine rolled on and through one of the top teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The performance, much like Nick Saban’s smile as an old-school leather helmet was placed on his head during the post-game celebration, was masterful. What was clearly stated on Saturday is the fact that it just doesn't matter how many Crimson players or coaches are lost on a yearly basis. Alabama continues to be Alabama. If the Tide can steadily improve throughout the season and stay healthy and hungry, God help the rest of college football in 2021.