TUSCALOOSA—Texas A&M is still having issues stopping the run.
Alabama’s offense averaged 5.4 yards a carry in the first half, and Damien Harris led the team with 95 yards rushing on 10 carries. Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 12 of 20 passes for 146 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He connected with tight end O.J. Howard on a five-yard score in the second quarter.
Hurts now has 18 total touchdowns on the season.
Howard was targeted seven times, catching all seven passes for a team-high 59 yards.
ArDarius Stewart has 58 receiving yards on two catches, while Calvin Ridley totaled 18 yards on two grabs. Kicker Adam Griffith made a pair of field goals, giving the Tide a 13-7 lead at halftime.
Jonathan Allen accounted for five total tackles, including one for loss and a sack, moving him to third all-time in school history (24). Reuben Foster had five tackles, while Hootie Jones and Minkah Fitzpatrick had three apiece. Freshman linebacker Mack Wilson was one of five players with two tackles—both on kickoff coverage.
Marlon Humphrey brought in his second interception of the year, snatching a pass off the arm of Aggies’ quarterback Trevor Knight in the second quarter. Despite being out gained 303-150, Texas A&M finds itself trailing by six points. Knight got the Aggies on the board with a nine-yard strike to wide receiver Josh Reynolds.
Both teams have struggled on third down, and both quarterbacks have not been sharp.
Alabama has shown all year that it’s a second half team. Another dose of that will be critical, especially if it wants to represent the SEC West in Atlanta for a conference championship.
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.
