Alabama’s offensive pattern of starting slow held true through the first two-quarters of play against Arkansas on Saturday.
For the first 14 minutes of the first quarter, Jalen Milroe did not complete a pass on several dropbacks as the Razorbacks rush was allowed to get home and get the Crimson Tide off the field. But on a crucial 3rd and 14, Milroe got things on track letting a 79-yard touchdown pass rip to wide receiver Kobe Prentice.
The score from Prentice has since unlocked Milroe’s comfortability with taking shots down the field which has continued to prove useful for the Alabama offense. The intermediate game still isn’t quite there, but it doesn’t really need to be if the Tide continues to run the ball effectively to set up the deep balls.
It also helps to have Jermaine Burton who has shown to be Alabama’s go-to threat down the field as he reeled in another contested catch on the sidelines for 44 yards.
From a pass-protection standpoint, Alabama has continued to show improvement from the disastrous start of the season but has largely turned in a so-so performance to start. A few of the sacks and tackles for loss on Milroe haven’t been due to to lack of protection and more not keeping track of his own internal clock. Kadyn Proctor did allow a sack off the edge to defensive lineman Landon Jackson. The rotation at the position continued throughout as Elijah Pritchett stepped in during the second quarter but the redshirt freshman allowed two sacks off the edge.
But it seems for every slow start by the offense, the defense has risen to the occasion to keep the game in hand.
The front seven has done excellent with its gap discipline in the run game and keeping the athleticism of KJ Jefferson at bay. Defensive linemen Tim Keenan and Jah-Marien Latham have been standouts up front along with linebackers Deontae Lawson and Trezmen Marshall who continue to play around the football.
Defensive back Malachi Moore was listed as a game-time decision for the Crimson Tide and it looks like he’s getting the day off as Terrion Arnold began the game at STAR.
So far the pass coverage has been solid all around but Jefferson responded well to the blitzes from Kevin Steele’s group as he picked up a pair of first downs early, but has largely been ineffective on the day.
Alabama goes to the half with a 21-6 lead over Arkansas.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
