Note/ this is compiled by Tony. So be sure and give him the props. He worked on this as we drove back from Oxford at 1:00 a.m.
By Tony Tsoukalas
OXFORD, Miss. — Another test aced. After a slow start, Alabama rallied to blow by Ole Miss in its SEC opener Saturday. The Crimson Tide allowed a 75-yard touchdown on the games first play from scrimmage before rallying for 62 straight points in a 62-7 rout of the Rebels. Here are 10 things we learned from the game.
1. Jerry Jeudy is the next Calvin Ridley, and possibly more
Alabama’s South Florida succession continues. Calvin Ridley has moved on to the NFL as did Amari Cooper before him. However, Alabama continues to ride the latest wave coming out of the Sunshine State.
Jerry Jeudy added to his torrid start to the season, tallying his first career 100-yard game with three catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns against Ole Miss. The sophomore, who grew up close to Ridley in South Florida, looked just like him Saturday night, streaking and juking past defenders with ease.
Jeudy now has two touchdowns in each of Alabama’s three games this season. His 287 yards and six touchdowns through the air lead the team and already surpass his freshman totals. Jeudy also ranks No. 5 in the nation with 26.09 yards per catch, a number that was aided by his 79-yard touchdown Saturday night.
“He made some big plays last year. He was just a freshman, and he didn’t play all the time,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. “We have four receivers who can be explosive, and we want to get them all involved,” Saban said. “Jerry plays in the slot, so when people play man-to-man, the chop block is the one that’s really difficult to defend. He does it extremely well, and he made a couple of big-play catches for us today.”
2. Alabama got punched in the mouth and got back up
For the first time this season, Alabama found itself on the wrong side of the scoreboard. It took one play for Ole Miss’ high-powered offense to introduce itself as quarterback Jordan Ta’amu hit D.K. Metcalf in stride down the left sideline for a 75-yard touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage.
From there, Alabama answered back with touchdowns on seven of its next nine possessions while keeping the Rebels off the scoreboard for the remainder of the night. The Crimson Tide limited Ta’amu to 7 of 22 passing for 133 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions.
“I think it showed tremendous resiliency to take the ball right down the field and score like nothing happened,” Saban said. “Then the defense didn’t give up any more points the rest of the game. These guys have a really explosive offense, very explosive receivers. I thought our guys did a good job after that.”
3. Patrick Surtain came up big
After Savion Smith was beaten by Metcalf on Ole Miss’ opening touchdown, Alabama elected to put in a bigger defensive back to guard the 6-foot-4 receiver. In stepped 6-foot-2 true freshman Patrick Surtain II.
Metcalf caught just one reception after the substitution. Surtain played in 51 snaps and was targeted six times by the Rebels but allowed just one reception for seven yards.
4. Deionte Thompson draws high praise
Surtain wasn’t the only player who performed well against Ole Miss’ offense. Deionte Thompson recorded his second interception of the season to go with four tackles on the night.
Through three games this season, the junior safety has a 94 defensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s also been noticed by Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, who included Thompson’s name alongside elite company.
5. Alabama’s defense can put up points
Alabama’s defense is almost outscoring its opposition. The Crimson Tide returned an interception for a touchdown for the third straight game as Xavier McKinney stepped in front of a pass from Ta’amu before trotting 30 yards untouched into the end zone. Alabama’s defense has now allowed four touchdowns on the year while accounting for three.
6. Irv Smith is becoming a big part of the offense
Don’t look now, but Alabama is finally throwing to its tight ends. Irv Smith Jr. tallied three receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown and was targeted six times Saturday night, more than any other Crimson Tide receiver.
Smith has nine receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns through three games and has been targeted 12 times this season, second to only Jeudy and DeVonta Smith with 14.
7. Alabama continues third-down success
Alabama’s third-down dominance continued as the Crimson Tide converted on 6 of 13 of its attempts while holding Ole Miss to 4 of 16. Alabama currently ranks No. 4 in the nation with a 60.47 percent success rate on third down and is No. 11 nationally, holding opponents to 24.49 percent.
“Third down is something we’ve tried to emphasize since the beginning of camp,” Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills said. “Us being able to come out here and execute, that’s big moving on. I think it’s part of our game plan that you have to really watch out for.”
8. Tua is something special
Speaking of third-down success, no one is better at it than Tua Tagovailoa. The sophomore quarterback has completed all 13 of his third-down passes for 298 yards and six touchdowns and has also picked up three first downs with his legs. Tagovailoa completed all three of his third-down passes against Ole Miss, including touchdown throws to Jeudy and Smith in the first quarter.
“I thought he played really well. I was really pleased,” Saban said. “I mean, how many points did we score while he was playing? Forty-two? I mean, I thought that was pretty good. I thought he was right on with the ball. He made two errors in judgment that weren’t that costly, but he’ll learn from it. And he made a lot of really, really good plays.”
9. Jalen is also improving
While there’s no doubt Tagovailoa is Alabama’s quarterback moving forward, the Crimson Tide has to be encouraged by Jalen Hurts’ improvement this season.
The junior quarterback completed 7 of 10 passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns with an interception and led Alabama on back-to-back scoring drives before the half after replacing Tagovailoa in the second quarter. Hurts has completed 67.9 percent of his passes this season for 248 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.
10. Kicking game still needs work
Just when Alabama fans were beginning to find hope in the kicking game, Joseph Bulovas’ 38-yard field goal attempt sailed left of the upright in the second quarter. However, the redshirt freshman was able to atone for his error, connecting from 20 yards out in the third quarter before hitting a career-high 44-yarder in the fourth quarter.
Bulovas is now 3 of 4 on field goal tries and has connected on all 13 of his extra-point attempts this season.
By Tony Tsoukalas
OXFORD, Miss. — Another test aced. After a slow start, Alabama rallied to blow by Ole Miss in its SEC opener Saturday. The Crimson Tide allowed a 75-yard touchdown on the games first play from scrimmage before rallying for 62 straight points in a 62-7 rout of the Rebels. Here are 10 things we learned from the game.
1. Jerry Jeudy is the next Calvin Ridley, and possibly more
Alabama’s South Florida succession continues. Calvin Ridley has moved on to the NFL as did Amari Cooper before him. However, Alabama continues to ride the latest wave coming out of the Sunshine State.
Jerry Jeudy added to his torrid start to the season, tallying his first career 100-yard game with three catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns against Ole Miss. The sophomore, who grew up close to Ridley in South Florida, looked just like him Saturday night, streaking and juking past defenders with ease.
Jeudy now has two touchdowns in each of Alabama’s three games this season. His 287 yards and six touchdowns through the air lead the team and already surpass his freshman totals. Jeudy also ranks No. 5 in the nation with 26.09 yards per catch, a number that was aided by his 79-yard touchdown Saturday night.
“He made some big plays last year. He was just a freshman, and he didn’t play all the time,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. “We have four receivers who can be explosive, and we want to get them all involved,” Saban said. “Jerry plays in the slot, so when people play man-to-man, the chop block is the one that’s really difficult to defend. He does it extremely well, and he made a couple of big-play catches for us today.”
2. Alabama got punched in the mouth and got back up
For the first time this season, Alabama found itself on the wrong side of the scoreboard. It took one play for Ole Miss’ high-powered offense to introduce itself as quarterback Jordan Ta’amu hit D.K. Metcalf in stride down the left sideline for a 75-yard touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage.
From there, Alabama answered back with touchdowns on seven of its next nine possessions while keeping the Rebels off the scoreboard for the remainder of the night. The Crimson Tide limited Ta’amu to 7 of 22 passing for 133 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions.
“I think it showed tremendous resiliency to take the ball right down the field and score like nothing happened,” Saban said. “Then the defense didn’t give up any more points the rest of the game. These guys have a really explosive offense, very explosive receivers. I thought our guys did a good job after that.”
3. Patrick Surtain came up big
After Savion Smith was beaten by Metcalf on Ole Miss’ opening touchdown, Alabama elected to put in a bigger defensive back to guard the 6-foot-4 receiver. In stepped 6-foot-2 true freshman Patrick Surtain II.
Metcalf caught just one reception after the substitution. Surtain played in 51 snaps and was targeted six times by the Rebels but allowed just one reception for seven yards.
4. Deionte Thompson draws high praise
Surtain wasn’t the only player who performed well against Ole Miss’ offense. Deionte Thompson recorded his second interception of the season to go with four tackles on the night.
Through three games this season, the junior safety has a 94 defensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s also been noticed by Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, who included Thompson’s name alongside elite company.
5. Alabama’s defense can put up points
Alabama’s defense is almost outscoring its opposition. The Crimson Tide returned an interception for a touchdown for the third straight game as Xavier McKinney stepped in front of a pass from Ta’amu before trotting 30 yards untouched into the end zone. Alabama’s defense has now allowed four touchdowns on the year while accounting for three.
6. Irv Smith is becoming a big part of the offense
Don’t look now, but Alabama is finally throwing to its tight ends. Irv Smith Jr. tallied three receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown and was targeted six times Saturday night, more than any other Crimson Tide receiver.
Smith has nine receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns through three games and has been targeted 12 times this season, second to only Jeudy and DeVonta Smith with 14.
7. Alabama continues third-down success
Alabama’s third-down dominance continued as the Crimson Tide converted on 6 of 13 of its attempts while holding Ole Miss to 4 of 16. Alabama currently ranks No. 4 in the nation with a 60.47 percent success rate on third down and is No. 11 nationally, holding opponents to 24.49 percent.
“Third down is something we’ve tried to emphasize since the beginning of camp,” Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills said. “Us being able to come out here and execute, that’s big moving on. I think it’s part of our game plan that you have to really watch out for.”
8. Tua is something special
Speaking of third-down success, no one is better at it than Tua Tagovailoa. The sophomore quarterback has completed all 13 of his third-down passes for 298 yards and six touchdowns and has also picked up three first downs with his legs. Tagovailoa completed all three of his third-down passes against Ole Miss, including touchdown throws to Jeudy and Smith in the first quarter.
“I thought he played really well. I was really pleased,” Saban said. “I mean, how many points did we score while he was playing? Forty-two? I mean, I thought that was pretty good. I thought he was right on with the ball. He made two errors in judgment that weren’t that costly, but he’ll learn from it. And he made a lot of really, really good plays.”
9. Jalen is also improving
While there’s no doubt Tagovailoa is Alabama’s quarterback moving forward, the Crimson Tide has to be encouraged by Jalen Hurts’ improvement this season.
The junior quarterback completed 7 of 10 passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns with an interception and led Alabama on back-to-back scoring drives before the half after replacing Tagovailoa in the second quarter. Hurts has completed 67.9 percent of his passes this season for 248 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.
10. Kicking game still needs work
Just when Alabama fans were beginning to find hope in the kicking game, Joseph Bulovas’ 38-yard field goal attempt sailed left of the upright in the second quarter. However, the redshirt freshman was able to atone for his error, connecting from 20 yards out in the third quarter before hitting a career-high 44-yarder in the fourth quarter.
Bulovas is now 3 of 4 on field goal tries and has connected on all 13 of his extra-point attempts this season.
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