After a slow start, Alabama was able to establish rhythm in its 52-6 win over Southern California at AT&T Stadium. Much of the spark came from true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, despite him not getting the nod to start the game. He engineered two scoring drives in the first half, including a 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver ArDarius Stewart to put the Crimson Tide on the scoreboard.
Hurts would return in the third quarter, burning USC’s defense with a 71-yard touchdown strike to Stewart and calling his own number for two rushing scores. He did have a turnover against the Trojans, but held everything together for the most part. Sophomore Damien Harris accounted for 138 of the team’s 242 rushing yards, while netting 15.3 yards per carry on nine attempts.
Regardless of a shaky start, Blake Barnett returned with a brilliant second half.
The redshirt freshman hit on five of six pass attempts for 100 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown pass to Gehrig Dieter in the fourth quarter. Defensively, Anthony Averett led the group in tackles with eight. Minkah Fitzpatrick fell second with six tackles and two pass breakups, while Shaun Dion Hamilton, Ryan Anderson and Keith Holcombe each had five tackles. Defensive end Jonathan Allen anchored the unit in sacks with two against USC.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey made one of the more pivotal plays in the first half. He intercepted a pass off the arm of Trojans’ quarterback Max Browne and returned it for a 18-yard touchdown.
As for Alabama’s specialists, JK Scott averaged 47 yards per punt. He pinned the Trojans inside the 20-yard line on three of his five boots. Place kicker Adam Griffith accounted for four touchbacks on nine kickoffs, and nailed a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Alabama coach Nick Saban is now 9-0 in season openers, dating back to 2008. He and the Crimson Tide will return to practice next week and prepare for its home opener against Western Kentucky.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
