Box Score and Such: Alabama vs Arkansas
Snap Judgements:
- Back below 50% on 3rd down (only against UNT have we converted more than half of our 3rd downs).
- Rushing was horrible. We just aren't going to be lining up and running right down people's throats this season. Thank goodness we have some incredibly gifted backs that can make things happen on their own.
- Penalties are rearing their ugly heads again, though honestly I didn't remember us being penalized that much from the game until I looked at the box score. Maybe I'm just used to it now?
- The defense cut Arkansas's offensive production against Georgia almost in half (485 vs 254) and made Ryan Mallet look fairly pedestrian. Marcell Dareus says "you're welcome."
Players of the Game
Offense - Trent Richardson
Take away the 52 yard TD run and suddenly Richardson has only a 1.6 ypc on 8 carries, but in a game where we struggled to run the ball (Ingram carried the load with 17 rushes for a grand total of 50 yards and a 2.9 ypc), watching Richardson break four tackles and turn what should have been a three yard loss into a 52 yard score (the first of the game, no less) seemed to spark the offense out of it's funk and opened the floodgate of big plays to follow.
Honorable Mention: Greg McElroy
McElroy continues to be the engine that drives the offense, with a stellar 17 of 24 for 291 yards and three TDs. Considering his first three incomplete passes were drops, he's as accurate as we could ever hope for a QB to be. He is pretty much carrying this team while we continue to struggle on the ground.
Defense: Javier Arenas
Five total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks (and likely more if he hadn't been held all game long). Javy hasn't done much as a CB this season with offenses throwing away from him and our remaining in that nickel/3-3-5 look with him at Star, but he's made an impact on defense nonetheless as a pass rusher.
Honorable Mention: Lorenzo Washington
Washington's blocked punt in the third quarter set up a 5 play, 35 yard TD drive to effectively end any chance of an Arkansas rally.
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Comments
On our ground game struggles
Now I am not an expert so this could be wrong, but I suspect Arkansas strategy was to sell out completely on the run and try to make the game into a shootout which would be to their advantage. The only problem with that is our defense prevented their offense from holding up their end of the bargain. That said, I agree that we are not the power-running team of a year ago, but I don’t think we are as bad as yesterday indicated. I don’t know how many teams will use that defensive strategy against us if McElroy continues to play at this level.
Trent Richardson...
…is an amazing RB, who had one of the greatest TD runs I’ve ever seen at any level, and who could end up as the best RB in Tide history before he’s done.
That said, I just can’t see anyone but GMac being named offensive MVP for yesterday’s game. The young man set individual records, was always in control, and his numbers would be more amazing if Colin Peek and friends hadn’t dropped several passes that were laid out like Christmas presents for them (yes, I know it was a wet AM in T-Town). His greatest play may have been the hard count he sold on the one-nipple line to start a beautiful 99+yard drive. We’ve got a long season ahead, but I get more impressed with Mr. McElroy every week. Roll Tide.
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Sep 27, 2009 2:26 PM CDT reply actions
He's been the Player of the Game...
….every week so far. It was time to give someone else the nod.
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