He spent six years with Brian Kelly at Notre Dame (2017-22), but did Louisiana State University become the moment for him to ditch the Fighting Irish playbook and embrace being at the University of Alabama?
It felt that way for Alabama fans watching Tommy Rees against the Tigers. The 30-year-old dug more into the Lane Kiffin/Steve Sarkisian/Michael Locksley playbook and pulled out gems. He turned in his best game of the year versus his former employer and propelled the Crimson Tide’s offense to its second 40-point game against a Southeastern Conference opponent. Rees gave Tide fans the creativity they’ve been craving from him. Alabama used motion, misdirection, read option, and design quarterback runs.
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It came out in different formations, including a shotgun with two running backs flanking Jalen Milroe in the backfield.
Rees involved wide receivers Kendrick Law and Kobe Prentice more. Law had two catches for 25 yards and Prentice was targeted three times. He caught a pass for 22 yards. Rees also had running backs Jase McClellan and Jam Miller catch a pass on broken plays that became beautiful. The designed quarterback runs for Jalen Milroe frustrated LSU. Rees put Milroe in attack mode on the edge, and the sophomore had his first career 100+ yard rushing performance. Milroe became the first quarterback in school history to record four rushing touchdowns in a game. He had 155 yards rushing on 20 carries, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt.
Rees’ play-calling provided balance as the Tide rushed for 288 yards and threw for 219 yards.
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Alabama outscored LSU, 21-7, in the second half to earn a 42-28 victory. People had doubts about Rees, but he finally put together a game plan that used Milroe to his strengths. Alabama was balanced and hung with LSU in a mini-shootout.
It finished with 507 yards offensively and converted 11 of 14 third-down attempts. Rees stepped up to the challenge and excelled.
We will see if continues this growth next week against Kentucky.
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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.
