VICTORY/LATE SHIFT OPEN THREAD
Alabama hosted South Florida for what should have been another uneventful paycheck game. Instead, we got an ugly, mistake filled affair that left Alabama in a serious dogfight as a 30 point home favorite.
The first half was horrendous. The offensive line was called for holding on seemingly every explosive play the Tide managed, and all but one seemed to be a good call. Jalen Milroe did his level best to push the ball down the field, but the deep ball just wasn’t connecting. Fortunately his legs were still working well enough to score twice, and the Tide took a 14-6 lead into the break.
The second half got off to a disastrous start. Kendrick Law made a great return of the opening kick, only to fumble the ball at midfield. South Florida recovered and immediately got a first down via penalty on a facemask from Jihaad Campbell. The defense bowed up from there and got the stop, ending in a long missed field goal attempt. Unfortunately the offense squandered the opportunity, Milroe taking a ridiculous loss on a sack after a poor Fran Tarkenton impersonation.
The defense managed yet another stop, only to watch Jam Miller fumble the football right back to South Florida in Alabama territory. This time the defense was unable to step up, and with 9:35 left in the third quarter, the Bulls pulled to within one at 14-13. The rest of the third quarter was just as disgusting, as neither team had much luck moving the football thanks to the penalties. Headed into the fourth quarter, Alabama’s offensive line alone had nine accepted penalties. Right tackle Wilkin Formby was the main offender.
On the last play of the third quarter, Cole Adams converted a third down and got injured in the process. That staked Milroe and company to a first and goal situation from the five to open the final quarter. After Robbie Outzs caught a pass in the flat and made seemingly little effort to get to the pylon, Milroe went under center and immediately fumbled the snap. For those who wonder why shotgun/pistol teams stay in their typical formations in short yardage, this is the reason. The goal line is no place to be using something that gets limited reps.
The defense stood up yet again to force a three and out. Jaylen Mbakwe made a nice punt return in Adams’ stead, again setting the Alabama offense up in plus territory at the 34. Finally, the offense was able to take advantage as Milroe connected across the middle with Kobe Prentice for an eight point advantage at 21-13.
This time it was the Alabama defense that couldn’t handle prosperity. Bulls RB Nay’quon Wright sandwiched two explosive runs around a targeting penalty on LB Justin Jefferson and South Florida found themselves inside the 10. QB Byrum Brown was stuffed on third down at the five yard line and the Bulls made the dubious decision to settle for three to pull within five.
The Tide got the ball back with six minutes to play, and Elijah Pritchett entered the game in place of Formby. Whether that was the difference or not, things certainly improved. Jam Miller immediately ripped off two successful runs, then Ryan Williams caught a hitch, made a move and raced to the end zone for a 43 yard score. After one last stand by the defense, Miller put the nail in the coffin with a long touchdown run. Justice Haynes added another in garbage time for the 42-16 final score that lies about the way the game went down.
We will have more on this game tomorrow. Needless to say, the Tide had better get some stiff fixed in short order as it only gets substantially tougher from here.
There is some ball left for you tonight.
Roll Tide.