Aside from a 75-yard touchdown from Henry Ruggs III that was deemed a run in the first quarter, Alabama lacked a rushing attack in the first half. New Mexico State’s defense held the tandem of Najee Harris and Brian Robinson to 48 yards rushing on 10 carries.
It is the connection of Tua Tagovailoa to Jerry Jeudy that has the Crimson Tide with a 38-0 lead at halftime.
Tagovailoa, a junior, now has over 5,000 career passing yards with his performance of 222 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 14 of 22 pass attempts and obtains a passer rating of 193.4
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Jeudy, a junior, has a game-high 81 yards on six catches and caught two of Tagovailoa’s three scoring tosses – including a 23-yard reception late in the first quarter. Ruggs, not to be outdone, chimes in with four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
After registering two receptions last week, the junior has five touches for 141 yards and three scores.
DeVonta Smith is third on the team in receiving with two catches for 34 yards.
Jeudy now has 19 career touchdown receptions, which places him second all-time in school history with Calvin Ridley. Ridley, who is now with the Atlanta Falcons, played at Alabama from 2015 to 2017 and was part of two College Football Playoff national title teams.
To help out the rushing numbers, Tagovailoa toted the ball 25 yards to pay dirt in the second quarter for his first rushing score of the season.
He has eight career rushing scores.
He missed two field goals versus the Blue Devils, but Will Reichard redeemed himself by drilling a 48-yard field goal late in the second quarter.
Defensively, Xavier McKinney (five) and Raekwon Davis (six) combined for 11 tackles
Shane Lee, true freshman, has four total tackles and a quartet of players – Terrell Lewis, DJ Dale, Trevon Diggs and Jared Mayden – all have two tackles. Anfernee Jennings had three tackles and one sack
The Crimson Tide has six quarterback pressures and two sacks (LaBryan Ray).
Patrick Surtain II joined the interception club with his first pick of the year. His teammates, Diggs and Jordan Battle, each recorded a takeaway in week one against Duke.
Alabama held New Mexico State to 64 total yards and one third down conversion on six attempts.
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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.
