Alabama fans saw some elements of dominant football it loves from the Crimson Tide in its victory over Louisiana-Monroe at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Coach Nick Saban witnessed a few ‘hateful competitors’ on offense, defense, and special teams during a 63-7 win.
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The Tide improved to 3-0 on the season, but some aspects need improvement. Alabama has to find a quick strike attack among its receivers, and Bill O’Brien needs to be better at utilizing all of the personnel. As Saban turns his attention to Southeastern Conference play, he wants the Tide to start executing in all areas. Below are the key takeaways from Alabama’s win over ULM.
1. Special teams showed it can be a weapon for Alabama
Coach Saban challenged the players on special teams, and the response was a record-breaking performance against the Warhawks. Alabama broke a 75-year-old school record for punt return yards in a game. Kool-Aid McKinstry, a sophomore cornerback, led the charge with 136 yards on five returns. He averaged 27 yards per return, including a long run of 44 yards.
Brian Branch, a junior defensive back, recorded a 68-yard punt return touchdown. Ja’Corey Brooks and Isaiah Bond totaled positive yards on returns. Alabama finished with 262 punt return yards, surpassing its record of 204 from the 1947 season against LSU. The success in the return game set up Bryce Young and the offense in good field position. Brooks, a sophomore receiver, had his second career blocked punt. Malachi Moore, a junior, recovered it and returned it for his second career touchdown.
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The Tide is a dangerous team when it can score in bunches.
2. Tyler Booker may be the missing piece to unlock the offensive line
Alabama’s offensive line looked better in run blocking and pass protection.
Tyler Booker, a freshman, entered the game earning first-team reps at both guard positions. His physicality and toughness pushed the Crimson Tide to have 242 rushing yards and two touchdowns from its running backs. Each back averaged over five yards per carry, and Roydell Williams led the room with 57 yards rushing and a touchdown on five attempts. Booker, a five-star from Connecticut, was a dominant force at IMG Academy. He arrived in the 2022 signing class as the most versatile lineman in the cycle. Booker joins Evan Neal and JC Latham as the third product from IMG, and Saban raved about the confidence he plays with as a young name.
“I have lots of confidence in him,” Saban said of Booker.
“He’s a young player who has played extremely well. He started at tackle, we moved him to guard, and I view him as a guy who’s competing for a starting position with our other two guys. He’s physical, and we need to be more physical on the offensive line.”
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Booker could take a starting position from Javion Cohen or Emil Ekiyor Jr.
We will see what happens, but the freshman may be the missing piece.
3. Bryce Young and wide receivers need to get on the same page
Alabama misses Jameson Williams and John Metchie, but Bryce Young and this group of wide receivers need to get on the same page.
Poor communication, dropped passes, inconsistent routes, and frustration from Young have happened in two straight games.
Jahmyr Gibbs, a transfer running back from Georgia Tech, was Young’s most consistent receiver against Texas and Louisiana-Monroe. He led all receivers for receptions and yards in both matchups. Gibbs is a playmaker, but the Crimson Tide has too much talent at wide receivers for guys not to create separation and get open for Young downfield. Young tossed two interceptions versus ULM, the second multi-interception game of his career. He and Isaiah Bond did not see eye-to-eye on a play that led to the first pick, and Ja’Corey Brooks had a ball bounce out of his hands into a defender’s hand for the second turnover.
Tide fans are ready for JoJo Earle (foot) and Tyler Harrell (foot) to return, but Young and the receivers need to work these kinks out before the schedule gets difficult.
4. Terrion Arnold looks impressive as a starting cornerback
He is a redshirt freshman, but Terrion Arnold has looked impressive as a starting cornerback.
Arnold, a former five-star in the 2021 class, earned the starting job in fall camp. A native of Tallahassee, Fla., he got challenged against Utah State, Texas, and Louisiana-Monroe but performed well. Nick Saban has been pleased with Arnold and has a lot of confidence in him. He had one of three pass breakups against ULM and has two breakups this season.
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Arnold has eight solo tackles, including one for loss.
5. Alabama has to get tight ends involved more in passing game
Alabama has returned Cameron Latu from a foot injury, and a young tight end looks to emerge.
Latu caught all three of his targets in the second quarter for 51 yards, including a long reception for 38 yards. The 6-foot-5, 244-pounder does everything at tight end, and the Tide has to include him more in the passing game. He is a matchup nightmare for linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties. Latu is working his chemistry back with Bryce Young, but Alabama has to feature him.
Amari Niblack, a freshman, came to Alabama as a talented athlete from South Florida.
He posted his first career touchdown catch against ULM: a 15-yard reception from Young.
Niblack is a tight end that plays more like a receiver. He has the potential to become special on offense, but the Tide needs to look his way. Bill O’Brien coached two tight ends at New England with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Alabama fans thought O’Brien would use the tight ends more. Latu, Niblack, and others should be involved in the passing attack.
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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.
