Alabama’s aced its first road test of the season as it traveled up to Madison where it stomped the Wisconsin Badgers 42-10.
The Crimson Tide set the tone for the afternoon on the first drive of the game where it knocked quarterback Tyler Van Dyke out of the game with transfer Braedyn Locke taking over for Wisconsin’s offense which could never muster up enough to stay in the game.
From the lopsided victory, there were a few major takeaways that stood out for Alabama on the day.
Alabama’s defense taking Kane Wommack’s turnover demands to heart
Following Alabama’s week one victory over Western Kentucky, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack claimed the defense did not play to the established standard of creating turnovers. Two weeks later, the defense appears to be honoring his demands as it forced a total of four fumbles and recovered two.
The first came just over one minute into the second quarter as defensive back Malachi Moore jarred out the football from Chez Mellusi and was recovered by Zabien Brown at the Wisconsin 28.
The second occurred with roughly three minutes to go in the third quarter but this time Deontae Lawson knocked the ball away from Cade Yacamelli with Que Robinson on the recovery.
But most importantly, both of these recoveries led to Crimson Tide touchdowns which is the exact type of effect Wommack wants his defense to have on the game.
The offensive line rebounded in a big way
Alabama’s offensive line was a bit of a mess last week against USF which was a game filled with missed assignments and penalties. But the unit which saw the return of left tackle Kadyn Proctor and Elijah Pritchett earning his first start of the season, bounced back in a big way.
It was clear from the start that the Crimson Tide offensive line was the superior group when compared to the Wisconsin front.
The line helped produce a total of 181 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the day while allowing just two sacks and zero quarterback hits.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer shared after the game that he thought the group didn’t have a bad missed assignment all game. Obviously, the staff will be reviewing the game on the way home, but morale is high following the game after so much uncertainty leading up to the win over the Badgers.
The bye week comes at a perfect time as Alabama nurses some new injuries
One major downside to Alabama’s performance today was the key injuries it suffered when it was all said and done.
Defensive back Malachi Moore, linebacker Qua Russaw and running back Richard Young all left the game and did not return.
DeBoer shared that Moore took a hit to the head and would be going through the proper concussion protocols before determining a timeline. He also mentioned that Russaw and Young’s injuries were both lower leg and would have a better idea of the severity this week as evaluations continue.
Even if the trio needs to stand on the sidelines for some time this would be the week to do it as the Crimson Tide will be off without a game this Saturday giving the team some time to get healthy.
The team will need everyone it can to be at full strength for its next game on Sept. 28 when it welcomes top-ranked Georgia into Bryant-Denny Stadium in one of the most anticipated games of the season so far.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
