Crimson Conclusions: Alabama vs. Georgia
On Saturday, the thirteenth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide utterly dominated the eight ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Georgia led by an efficient offense and a suffocating defense. Tide quarterback Jacob Coker had his coming out party, King Henry continued his terrific start to the 2014 season, and the Alabama defense and special teams scored touchdowns en route to the 38-10 win.
Coker Stands Tall
Coming into this game much of the pressure had been placed on the shoulders of Alabama senior quarterback Jacob Coker, and the Tide gun slinger stood up and took control of the game. Coker looked much more comfortable and in control of the Alabama offense than he has in his entire Alabama career. He was also extremely efficient with the football and did not attempt to force throws that weren’t there. He still missed on a couple of easy throws and had a couple of dropped passes or two, but overall it was an excellent performance by Coker.
Probably the most encouraging thing about Coker’s game was the fact that he finally found the deep ball on a beautiful 45-yard touchdown throw to freshman receiver Calvin Ridley. Coker also had a couple more throws down the field that were very solid and he seems to have found his go-to receiver in Ridley, who recorded the first 100-yard receiving game of the season for a Tide player this year.
Offense Very Efficient
Other than Coker, the Alabama rushing game was very solid as well gaining over 4 yards per carry with Derrick Henry rushing for a career-high 148 yards in the game. Coker also made several good runs in the game including a gorgeous looking touchdown run on a bootleg. Really the only times the Alabama offense seemed to struggle was when Kiffin wanted to switch over to the no huddle, hurry up. Otherwise, Coker was very in control of the offense and the Alabama offensive line played extremely well as well not allowing a sack and opening up nice holes for Henry. I think it may be time to retire the no huddle offense with Coker except maybe inside two minutes left in a half. Blake Sims excelled at it but it doesn’t seem that it is Coker’s game.
Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
O.J. Howard was only targeted twice in the game and he needs to be much more of a focal point for this offense going forward, as does Kenyan Drake. Kiffin just doesn’t seem to want to spotlight Drake as the only times he seems to get touches are on basic running plays. Drake is far too good of an athlete and he should be used much more in the slot at receiver and on pitches and screens. Alabama was still only 3 of 17 in third downs which needs to be a point of focus in practice for this team going forward.
Defense Smothering
Alabama’s defense was absolutely dominating in the first half not allowing the Bulldogs any type of room to move on the ground or in the passing game. They forced four turnovers in the game and even scored a touchdown on an Eddie Jackson interception. Georgia attempted to bring in their second quarterback in the second half to give their offense a spark but the Tide picked him off twice and he only completed one pass in his six attempts. The Alabama defensive line continues to make play after play as well recording three tackles for loss, two sacks, and batting down four passes as well.
Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) awaits the snap during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Freshman cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick had his best game of the season, and could be considered player of the game, recording a sack, breaking up a pass, and blocking a punt in the first half that he picked up for his first career touchdown. Redshirt freshman Marlon Humphrey also intercepted the first pass of his collegiate career.
The defense allowed Georgia to convert only one of twelve third downs in the entire game and really only had one bad play the entire game. Georgia running back Nick Chubb scored on an 83-yard touchdown run in the third quarter in a play where the defense seemed to get a bit lazy. Linebacker Reggie Ragland never ran over to his gap, and instead just stood around, while Chubb ran through it for the score. If you take away that touchdown run the Bulldogs ran for 110 yards and just 2.8 yards per carry on the other running plays in the game. They also threw for barely over 100 yards in the game.
FINAL STATS
PASSING
Jake Coker: 11-16, 190 yards, 1 TD; 6 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD
RUSHING
Derrick Henry: 26 carries, 148 yards, 1 TD
Damien Harris: 7 carries, 8 yards
Bo Scarbrough: 2 carries, 5 yards
Kenyan Drake: 6 carries, 12 yards; 1 catch, 2 yards
RECEIVING
Calvin Ridley: 5 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD
Richard Mullaney: 3 catches, 44 yards
ArDarius Stewart: 2 catches, 24 yards
DEFENSE
Reggie Ragland: 8 TKL, 1 PBU
Jarran Reed: 8 TKL
Geno Matias-Smith: 7 TKL, 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU
Shaun-Dion Hamilton: 5 TKL
A’Shawn Robinson: 5 TKL
Minkah Fitzpatrick: 4 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 PBU, 1 blocked punt, 1 TD
Eddie Jackson: 4 TKL, 1 INT, 50 yards, 1 TD
Reuben Foster: 3 TKL
Dillon Lee: 3 TKL
Marlon Humphrey: 3 TKL, 1 INT
DJ Pettway: 3 TKL, 1.0 TFL
Ryan Anderson: 3 TKL, 0.5 TFL, 1 FR
Jonathan Allen: 2 TKL, 1 PBU
Denzel Devall: 2 TKL
Cyrus Jones: 1 TKL, 1 PBU
Daron Payne: 1 TKL, 1 PBU
Dominick Jackson: 1 TKL
Tim Williams: 1 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 PBU
Ronnie Harrison: 1 TKL, 1 INT, 29 yards
Michael Nysewander: 1 TKL
Darren Lake: 1 TKL
Tony Bron: 1 TKL
Bradley Sylve: 1 TKL
Josh Frazier: 1 TKL
SPECIAL TEAMS
JK Scott: 7 punts, 41.0 YPP, Long: 54 yards
Adam Griffith: 1/1 FGs, 5/5 XPs
Cyrus Jones: 5 PR, 53 yards
Damien Harris: 3 KOR, 61 yards
Alabama plays rival Arkansas next week on ESPN.