Alabama’s defense recorded two significant stats upon the conclusion of its 52-6 victory over Southern California last week. Despite having a talented offense, USC was held without a touchdown and its best wide receiver (JuJu Smith-Schuster) was limited to one catch.
After emerging last season as a redshirt freshman, cornerback Marlon Humphrey made full use of his task against the Trojans. He lowered the boom on receiver Steven Mitchell, posting a tackle for loss and did not allow Smith-Schuster an opportunity to be effective for USC.
He averaged 103.9 yards receiving per game in 2015; however, Smith-Schuster’s lone grab against the Crimson Tide’s secondary came in the third quarter on a nine-yard pass from Max Browne.
Humphrey’s two tackles were solid, but it was his fourth career interception that started a 42-point onslaught for the Tide. He found himself in the right spot, taking a tipped pass 18 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. His efforts gave Alabama a 17-3 lead going into halftime, while accounting for its 11th non-offensive touchdown since the 2015 season (10 non-offensive scores).
Pick-6 @marlon_humphrey #BamavsUsc pic.twitter.com/50nU2qXges
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) September 4, 2016
The 6-foot-1, 196-pound sophomore was named to multiple preseason accolades and is No. 8 on Phil Steele’s top 47 draft eligible list for cornerbacks in 2017. Southern California’s passing game suffered at AT&T Stadium, as its quarterbacks completed 48.6 percent (18 of 37) for 130 yards.
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.
