So many aspects played into Alabama football securing a win versus Missouri for homecoming over the weekend; however, the biggest one was the performance of Lyndell “Mack” Wilson at inside linebacker.
After what Nick Saban categorized as a disappointing effort against Arkansas, the junior from Montgomery (Ala.) took responsibility for what happened and shared with fans through social media that the effort showed versus the Razorbacks won’t happen again. Wilson stayed true to his promise, as Alabama allowed 212 yards to Drew Lock and the Tigers in a 39-10 victory.
With the crowd yelling passionately for all four quarters, Wilson got the Tide into perfect calls on run defense – limiting Missouri to 70 net rushing yards on two yards per carry. Despite some National Football League scouts coming to see Lock perform, the former five-star made the moment about Alabama’s defense as he would also be credited with one of four total sacks.
Wilson paced the unit with 11 tackles; the most he has had all season.
Nick Saban and the rest of his coaching staff challenged players all week in practice, but to see everyone return to the intensity on defense that fans became accustomed to seeing was great.
“I think we did a really good job today,” Saban said on the Tide’s defensive front seven versus Missouri during his post-game presser. “They tried to run the football and at times in the first half, they did… But I think when we settled into the game and saw what they were trying to do, the guys did a really good job up front. I was pleased with the pressure that they put on the quarterback with four guys rushing for the most part. So, I was really pleased and we had to play that way so that we could play nickel. It was a challenge for them and they responded well.”
As for Wilson himself, he took pride in studying details.
“I felt like I had to study more film and not just a little bit,” he said.
“That’s kind of what I did throughout the week. I was here extra every night after practice. I went to tutoring and came back for extra and that helped us out tremendously. I was able to make the calls and checks smoothly and I knew what plays were coming, therefore, I was telling the others guys and we were able to make plays.”
Before the season started, defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi talked about how Wilson was one of the players being challenged every day to become a leader. Following this performance, he finally looks comfortable in this role and the Tide can really start doing damage on defense.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
