2nd-ranked Tide rolls over overmatched Warhawks
Alabama smoked the Fightin’ Terry Bowden’s 63-7 to get back on track.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Will Anderson is a grown man. (Photo: Alabama Athletics)
That’s more like it.
After a close call against the Texas Longhorns, order was restored in Bama Nation as the Crimson Tide rolled over the Warhawks of Louisiana-Monroe of the Sun Belt Conference (also known as the “Fun Belt”), 63-7 on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. After a frustrating afternoon against the Horns, the Alabama offense, for the most part, returned to form to the tune of 509 total yards. Bryce Young had a good day, although he tossed two interceptions. In a little over a half of work, Young completed 13 of 18 passes for 236 yards and three scores. Eight different backs carried the ball for a combined 273 yards. Roydell Williams led the way on the ground, picking up 58 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown. Once again, Jahmyr Gibbs led the way in receiving yards with 4 catches for 65 yards and a receiving touchdown. The offensive line played much better than they did against Texas, opening large holes for the backs and maintaining a relatively clean pocket throughout the contest. All was not perfect on the offensive side of the ball, as Young and the receivers were not always on the same page and this will need to be corrected as the Tide enters SEC play.
It was a great day for the defense, as Bama gave up only 169 total yards against the Warhawks. The highlight was linebacker Will Anderson’s first career interception, which he promptly returned for a 25-yard pick-six in the first quarter. Not to be outdone, the special teams unit had a terrific afternoon, which included an Alabama-record 262 punt return yards. Kool-Aid McKinstry averaged 34 yards on 4 returns and Brian Branch returned a punt for 68 yards and a touchdown. In addition, the Tide blocked a punt for a TD. After committing 15 penalties against the Longhorns, the Tide was flagged only 6 times against ULM…not great, but a massive improvement from a week ago.
Alabama opened strong, scoring 28 points in the first quarter. Bryce Young hit Traeshon Holden from 33 yards to get the scoring started, Will Anderson returned his interception for a 14-0 lead, Malachi Moore returned a blocked punt for a TD, and a nifty 7-yard run by Bryce Young completed the scoring in the first quarter. ULM controlled the ball for eleven minutes in the second quarter, scoring their lone touchdown on a Malik Jackson 11-yard run to cap off an 8-play, 57-yard drive to cut the lead to 28-7. The Tide would end the quarter with a 15-yard Young to freshman tight end Amari Niblack touchdown pass, bringing the halftime score to 35-7. The Tide would score twice in the third quarter, a Young to Gibbs 37-yard touchdown pass and a 10-yard Williams run. Branch’s punt return and a 6-yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter by Junior back Trey Sanders completed the afternoon’s scoring.
Alabama returns to action on Saturday when they open SEC play at home against the 3-1 Vanderbilt Commodores.