The defense did not play well. At all. After giving up an average of 266 yards-per-game in the first two weeks, Jeremy Pruitt’s squad had given up over 350 with five minutes still left on the clock in the fourth quarter. Additionally, they gave up a season-high 23 points to the Rams of Colorado State. Fortunately for the top-ranked Crimson Tide, Jalen Hurts and company were ready to show out for their new offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll.
Jalen Hurts put up the best numbers of his 2017 campaign. In three quarters of play, he went 12-of-17 (70.5%) passing for 248 yards, two scores, and no interceptions. On top of those pristine numbers he added 103 yards and another score on 11 rushing attempts. The duo of Calvin Ridley and Robert Foster both made their share of impressive plays.
Early in the game, Ridley took a bobbling catch 78 yards to the house:
Later in the second quarter, after the Rams had brought the game back to just a seven point game, Robert Foster zoomed past every defender for this impressive score:
The question marks on defense are nerve-wracking for Alabama fans, especially after what Saban’s teams have looked like over the last few seasons. However, all is not lost as there remains plenty of talent on that side of the ball, even with all of the injuries. Hopefully, the duo of Rashaan Evans and Anfernee Jennings are able to return next week for the matchup with what could be a top-25 ranked Vanderbilt team.
The offensive explosion was a very welcome sight, though. If the defense does not get healthy soon, Daboll’s crew will be needed to keep it up as the SEC schedule begins.
