Kalen DeBoer is 2-0 in his first year as Alabama’s head coach, but there is work to do.
South Florida had the Crimson Tide in a fight for a second straight year and could have won the game.
RELATED: Alabama football must improve in these areas after matchup versus USF
The Bulls were down 13-14 in the fourth quarter until the Tide made a change on its offensive line. DeBoer’s move to replace Wilkin Formby with Elijah Pritchett changed the trajectory of the contest in the final six minutes. Pritchett protected quarterback Jalen Milroe to toss for two touchdowns and opened huge holes for Jam Miller and Justice Haynes for rushing scores.
Pritchett’s impact helped the Tide score 28 points in the final period for a 42-16 victory.
Marquee takeaways from the game are below.
1. Alabama needs to quickly find its best 5 offensive linemen
Before it faces Georgia in a couple of weeks, Alabama needs to find its best five offensive linemen.
Elijah Pritchett showed he’s one of the best five after his performance. He moved defenders to the ground in helping Jam Miller record his first career 100-plus yard (140) rushing game. Penalties were a huge issue for the Crimson Tide as Tyler Booker, Wilkin Formby, and Geno VanDeMark were flagged a lot. Most of the Tide’s 13 penalties came against its offensive front.
Chris Kapilovic, Alabama’s offensive line coach, has to get this fixed.
2. Jalen Milroe has to improve his decisions versus pressure
Jalen Milroe was not at his best versus South Florida.
The Bulls were able to shake his confidence with pressure, and he looked as though he did not know what to do when the pocket collapsed. Milroe missed open receivers and bailed out of the pocket too quick. He needs to be more sure of himself with whatever move he makes as the quarterback. He completed 17 of 27 passes for 199 yards and totaled four touchdowns, but he could have been better. Milroe also fumbled a snap in the red zone that cost the team an opportunity at points.
3. Ryan Williams shows his playmaking ability for a second week
Ryan Williams, a freshman, came up clutch when Alabama needed him.
His catch and run for a 43-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter put the game away. He ignited the crowd inside Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium as fans had “Hollywood” signs in the air. Williams finished with four catches for 68 yards and a score.
He has six receptions for 207 yards and three touchdowns after two games.
4. Alabama’s defense played pretty well, regardless of fast tempo
It had some missed tackles and South Florida had receivers running open, but Alabama’s defense played pretty well.
Kane Wommack’s group allowed only one touchdown and two conversions on third down. The Crimson Tide forced turnovers on downs, four sacks, seven tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries, and six pass breakups. Tim Kennan III had the best day with nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a quarterback hurry at nose tackle. Jihaad Campbell led the team in tackles (11) and had 1.5 stops for loss, half a sack, and a pass breakup. Malachi Moore led the defense in pass breakups with two.
LT Overton, a transfer from Texas A&M, had a team-high four quarterback hurries.
Byrum Brown had 108 yards rushing for the Bulls, but was not accurate in the passing game.
5. James Burnip is in a groove after two games
James Burnip had one bad punt, 24 yards, versus South Florida.
He averaged 42.9 yards per attempt on seven punts. Burnip had three boots travel 50 yards, including one that dropped inside South Florida’s 20-yard line. He had one punt returned for four yards, but Burnip and Alabama’s special teams has been good.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
