Sunday Morning Hangover, the Good Kind: Bama 49 TAMU 42

There are many empty bottles around the man caves and Bama rooms of Crimson Tide fans this morning. However, Alabama prevailed.

While you are nursing your headaches and sore throats, here is an early Alabama injury report:

Deion Belue limped off the field in the 2nd quarter with what is now being reported as turf toe. He spent the rest of the game on the sideline in street clothes and a walking boot.

"Deion Belue hurt his toes," Nick Saban said. "I don’t know how hurt his toe is. So he’s got turf toe. He couldn’t continue to play."

Turf toe can be a lingering injury, so let's hope it is not major.

CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported that wide receiver Kevin Norwood was taken to the locker room. An unconfirmed report said he was seen on crutches.

You may recall Norwood underwent surgery shortly before spring football to repair a toe that hampered him through most of the 2012 season.

Right guard Anthony Steen left the game with concussion-like symptoms. Designated back-up OL Kellen Williams took his place for the Tide's final scoring drive.

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REFEREES

* The zebras had a less-then-spectacular day. If you were DVRing the game, I hope you recorded the two shows that followed because this game bled well into the fourth hour at 3 hours and 35 minutes. There were many stoppages of play, sometimes for unexplained reasons.

* One of the worst calls of the day was when HaHa Clinton-Dix was flagged for targeting A&M wide receiver Derel Walker in the second quarter. Replays (and live action for that matter) clearly showed, Clinton-Dix was going for the ball. In addition, there was no evidence that he lowered his head. In what could have been a crippling call, Clinton-Dix was not ejected from the game after the replay official overturned the call. However by rule, A&M was still rewarded with the 15 yards. This penalty needs some serious reexamination.

* A much improved offensive line held back the Aggie defense in both the passing and running games. However, the Tide had some problems with false starts. Arie Kouandjio had three jumping penalties while OJ Howard and Cyrus Kouandjio had one each.

* T.J. Yeldon's money-double-throat-slash thing was disappointing. That is all I will say about that.

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THIS 'N' THAT

* Vinnie Sunseri is the first Crimson Tide player to score a touchdown on an interception in back-to-back games since Antonio Langham did it in 1992 against Auburn (61 yards) and Florida (27 yards). Langham actually recorded non-offensive touchdowns in three straight games when he returned a blocked punt against Mississippi State for a five yard score the week before the Iron Bowl. Something to aim for, Vinnie.

* Kenyan Drake was back and played exceptionally well as back-up to Yeldon at running back gaining 50 yards on 7 carries. Drake was suspended for the Tide's first game against Virginia Tech for undisclosed reasons.

* Geno Smith also returned to the playing field after his suspension for the Virginia Tech game. He did not record any stats.

* TEXAS BOYS: Houston native DeAndrew White led Bama receivers with 4 catches, 82 yards, and 1 TD. True freshman A'Shawn Robinson of Fort Worth saw extensive time on the D-line recording a sack and a tackle for a loss. Southlake's Cade Foster kicked many balls into the end zone and converted all seven PATs. Another true freshman, DB Maurice Smith (Sugar Land), also saw significant time.

* FIRSTS: Sophomore Cyrus Jones recorded the first interception of his career picking off Johnny Manziel in the end zone early in the second quarter. This key play shifted momentum squarely back to the Crimson Tide. OJ Howard caught his first pass of his young career. He had three catches for 68 yards.

* PASS CATCHERS: 10 different receivers hauled in passes on Saturday led by White. Kenny Bell now has 6 career touchdown catches. They average 52 yards per catch (39, 41, 85, 39, 57, 51). In a new wrinkle, tight end Brian Vogler was often sent out in motion, splitting out wide, and had a fine day catching 3 passes for 24 yards. Is it time to start worrying about Amari Cooper? He had a few more dropped passes against TAMU and has 6 receptions for 72 yards and 0 TDs in two games. I am sure he is attracting coverage by the opponents' best DBs but he doesn't seem himself.

* NO FIELD GOAL ZONE: Alabama has yet to attempt a field goal in the young 2013 season.

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Up Next: the Colorado State Rams (1-2) and Head Coach Jim McElwain return to Tuscaloosa on Saturday, September 21. Kickoff is 6 pm CT and will be televised on ESPN2 or ESPNU.