Saturday’s game against Louisiana-Monroe will serve as a stepping stone for a few freshmen that took to Bryant-Denny Stadium. On offense, Calvin Ridley shined as Alabama’s leading wide receiver. He caught four passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Jacob Coker found him for a 15-yard touchdown in the second quarter, lengthening Alabama’s lead to 14-0.
Wideout Daylon Charlot emerged in the stat column, catching an 8-yard pass in the fourth quarter off quarterback Cooper Bateman. Running back Damien Harris averaged 5.8 yards per carry, accounting for 23 yards on four attempts. He busted a 14-yard run in the third quarter, to set up a 16-yard touchdown pass from Coker to tight end Michael Nysewander.
On defense, cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick emerged as a star. He led the defense with seven total tackles, including one for loss. Marlon Humphrey registered three tackles with two for loss and a pass breakup. Defensive lineman Daron Payne chimed in with a solo tackle.
Safety Ronnie Harrison accounted for one of two turnovers created on defense.
He intercepted a pass off Louisiana-Monroe’s quarterback Garrett Smith. Alabama’s offense cashed in with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Coker to ArDarius Stewart. Harrison added a tackle and a pass breakup to go along with his interception returned for 12 yards.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
