Alabama football got a huge victory last week over the Georgia Bulldogs and of the things that Crimson Tide fans were proud of the most, seeing its defensive front look dominant was the biggest one.
After generating consistent pressure versus Missouri, the defensive line was almost a non-factor against Texas A&M and Mississippi.
It had some struggles in the first half with the Bulldogs; however, the halftime adjustments were spotless. Alabama shut Georgia off the scoreboard — after trailing 24-20 at halftime — and its front line was a huge part of it.
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The group of DJ Dale, Christian Barmore, Justin Eboigbe, Byron Young, Phidarian Mathis, Jamil Burroughs and Tim Smith forced five of the Tide’s 10 pass breakups, while allowing the Bulldogs to convert just two of seven third down attempts.
Alabama’s push up front resulted in three turnovers (all interceptions), two sacks, one forced fumble, and propelling its offense to control the remainder of the game with the rushing attack. In making Stetson Bennett feel uncomfortable, he attempted 40 passes and completed 18 of them for a 45 percent completion rating. The Crimson Tide also held sophomore Zamir White to his second-lowest rushing total of the year. He posted just 57 yards rushing on 10 carries as the Tide earned a 41-24 win over Georgia.
On Tuesday, Dale told local reporters the biggest thing Alabama did was finish.
“We were well prepared for the game,” Dale said. “We went into the locker room with our heads high and we knew we just needed to finish.”
It surrendered five of nine conversions on third down in the first half. When it returned to the field from the break, Alabama’s defensive line bought in on batting passes down. Dale said the adjustment gave the team a lot of momentum.
“The whole week Coach (Saban) was on us about getting our hands up when the quarterback is about to throw the ball,” he said. “We knew we were going to play a shorter quarterback and the batted passes were huge.”
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The Tide was able to have success without LaBryan Ray. He did not play (elbow); however, Burroughs and Smith kept the intensity going off the bench. Nick Saban wanted to see the next group of players step up with a couple of guys hurt, and the true freshmen did a great job.
Dale said both Burroughs and Smith came into Alabama ‘with a work ethic.’
“They just work hard,” he said. “Coach (Saban) actually told them to keep doing what they were doing and it was going to come a time during the season where they were going to have to step up and they did.”
Saban stated on Monday that Burroughs has done well with the scout team.
“They were having a tough time blocking him over there.” Saban said of Burroughs. “We are going to continue to work him in and hopefully, he can continue to make progress.”
Overall, Dale is excited about the physicality that the unit is starting to build.
“I feel like we have been getting better each week,” Dale said. “We still have room to improve, but we are getting better.”
Alabama now has to focus on dominating a Tennessee team that should easily be at 3-1 this year. Turnovers hurt the Volunteers in its losses to Georgia and Kentucky. The Tide cannot afford to take it lightly.
Saban wants to see the defensive front build off its success.
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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.
