Tide Steamrolls Utah State to open 2022 with a Bang, 55-0
Photo via Cedric Mason - Touchdown Alabama Magazine
Throughout the preseason, Nick Saban had stated how much he likes the 2022 edition of the Crimson Tide, and on Saturday, we could see why. Behind a steady offense, an efficient quarterback, a revamped offensive line, a solid defense, and a nice mix of veterans with impact transfers and rookies getting significant time, Alabama rolled in its opener at Bryant-Denny, routing the defending Mountain West champion Utah State Aggies 55-0.
The determined Tide was in control throughout, outgaining the overmatched Aggies 559 to 136 yards. By halftime, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young had tied a career high with 5 touchdown passes on his way to a 195 yard performance, completing 18 of his 28 passes. Young and backup Jalen Milroe (who went 8 for 10 for 76 yards, a touchdown, and an interception) completed passes to 11 different receivers for a combined 281 yards. Junior Traeshon Holden, junior Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton, and junior tailback Jase McClellan all caught two touchdown passes each. For the game, Holden led all receivers, snagging 5 passes for 70 yards while highly touted true freshman Kobe Prentice had a solid debut, catching 5 passes for 60 yards. On the ground, 7 Tide backs carried the ball for a combined 278 yards.
Bryce Young led all ball carriers for a career high 100 yards on just 5 carries and scored the Tide’s lone touchdown on the ground. Young’s highlight was a nifty 63 yard run in the second quarter which led to a Holden 14 yard TD reception in the second quarter. Georgia Tech transfer Jamar Gibbs showed flashes, rushing for 93 yards on 9 carries. The offensive line, an area of concern coming into the season, performed well as they gave Young plenty of time to maneuver in the pocket. Placekicker Will Reichard got his senior campaign off to a positive note by hitting both attempts from 33 and 45 yards. To top it off, punter James Burnip’s only punt that he got off (one was blocked) traveled 51 yards. By the third quarter, the bench had been emptied and Bama finished the game without any injuries.
Utah State is a good Group of Five team who had averaged 33 points a game a year ago, and gained 542 last week in a 31-20 victory over UConn. Yet on Saturday, the Aggies could not match up against the stout Tide defense and they were shut out for the first time since 2007. Utah State gained a total of 79 yards on the ground, threw for just 57 yards, picked up only 7 first downs (to the Tide’s 30), and converted 3 of 17 third down attempts. Touting six returning starters and a host of players with significant experience, the Bama “D” flexed its muscles early and often, earning the Tide’s first opening day shutout since 1988. The defensive line had their way with the experienced Utah State line. The linebackers, led by Will Anderson and Dallas Turner were aggressive and spent the evening in the Aggie backfield. Perhaps the most impressive part of the Tide defense was the secondary, defensive coordinator Pete Golding rotated four corners throughout the game and all played solid. The corners and safeties looked sharp, they played strong against the run, and after getting called constantly for holds and pass interference calls in ‘21, did not get flagged against the Aggies.
All was not perfect for the Tide (nit-picking a bit here) as Young missed several passes that should have been completed, Utah State blocked a 4th quarter punt, and Milroe under threw a possible touchdown pass that was picked off in the third quarter. Furthermore, the inside running game for the Tide was far from dominant and will need to improve before traveling to Austin to take on Texas next week. Lastly, two first half Tide drives stalled, forcing Bama to kick field goals instead of converting for touchdowns.
Next Saturday presents a different challenge as the Tide takes on former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and the upstart Longhorns. Kickoff is set for 12 EST.