Going into this game Nick Saban said he was looking for Alabama to sustain it’s intensity in performance throughout the game. So far it looks like the Crimson Tide is doing such against Southern Miss and it was apparent from the opening kick off.
Wide receiver Jameson Williams took the opening kickoff the game back for a 100-yard touchdown, setting to tone for how Alabama was going to play offensively in the opening two quarters. Much like the first quarter a week ago, Alabama was polished on offense with quarterback Bryce Young going 7/8 for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the opening quarter of the game.
Alabama also looked much better on the ground as it eclipsed 100 yards in the first quarter after being held to under that total in the entirety of the Florida game. Running backs Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams both traded long rushes in the first half as Brian Robinson looks like he’s been held out of today’s game.
Defensively, the Crimson Tide again looked much improved for the majority of the first half. It was able to hold the Golden Eagles to a 28% conversion rate on third down, and dominated the line scrimmage.
It seems as if linebacker Will Anderson’s knee injury he suffered two weeks ago might as well be nonexistent as he once again dominated the opposing offensive line.
The unit would eventually let up a score near the end of the second quarter as the Golden Hawks went five plays for 46 yards which resulted in a 14 yard catch and run by wide receiver Chandler Pittman.
Now it’s on the Crimson Tide to maintain it’s performance for the remaining half of football.
Below are the major plays from the first half:
1st quarter
-Jameson Williams runs back opening kick for 100 yards TD, 14:46
-Bryce Young pass to Jahleel Billingsley for 16 yard TD, 9:41
-DeMarcco Hellams interception, 5:26
-John Metchie fumble recovered by Cameron Latu for TD, 3:00
-Roydell Williams 55 yard run, 0:00
2nd quarter
-Roydell Williams 1 yard TD run, 14:26
-Jameson Williams 81 yard TD reception, 12:36
-Chandler Pittman 14 yard TD reception, 5:26
-Jase McClellan 9 yard TD reception, 0:15
Alabama leads Southern Miss 42-7 at the half.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
