Crimson Conclusions: Alabama vs. Texas A&M

Alabama beat Texas A&M for the third consecutive year Saturday 41-20 on the back of running back Derrick Henry’s first career 200 plus yard rushing performance and a defense that returned three interceptions for touchdowns in a wild game. The Tide started the game off extremely strong leading 14-3 in the first half and ended the first half up 28-13, but several special teams blunders led to A&M eventually cutting the lead to just eight points only for the Tide to once again gain control of the game.

Derrick Henry Beasts Despite Injury Plagued Line
For the first time in his career, Derrick Henry ran for over 200 yards gaining 236 yards on 32 carries and recording two more touchdowns. Henry was the biggest shining star on the Tide offense all game long even with the offensive line struggling at times. In the first half, Henry regularly gashed the Texas A&M defense for 10+ yards including a 55-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Things got a little tougher for Henry in the second half when All-SEC center Ryan Kelly went out with a possible concussion. Backup sophomore JC Hassenauer struggled a lot in his first real game action and was routinely whipped early in plays allowing defensive linemen in the backfield. The Aggie defense had more than ten tackles for losses, most of them coming in the second half. Despite that the Tide offensive line still wore out the Aggie defense in the second half and Henry managed to ice the game for Alabama.

Next: Alabama vs. Texas A&M: Inside The Stats

Kenyan Drake struggled throughout the game and also left with a thigh injury at one point though he returned some in the second half. Henry continues to be the most important part of the Alabama offense, but Kelly has been shown to be extremely important as well and he will be needed down the stretch.

Coker Plays Tough, Efficient Game
Jacob Coker’s stats weren’t eye-popping against Texas A&M, but they also weren’t terrible either. He didn’t throw a touchdown but didn’t have any turnovers in the game either. He managed to play a very efficient game without making any terrible throws despite facing a lot of pressure in the second half. Coker’s best throw of the day came on a beautiful 28-yard pass to Calvin Ridley, who has become by far Coker’s biggest weapon in the passing game, but Coker’s finest plays may have come on a few third down scrambles in the second half.

Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter as Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Daeshon Hall (10) attempts to make a tackle at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

On one play, Coker absolutely leveled an Aggie defender on the sideline on a scramble in which it seemed he was going to be sacked. Coker has become more and more confident making plays with his feet as the season has progressed, and his toughness is unquestionable at this point.

Horrible Special Teams Effort
There is no way around it. Alabama’s special team play was downright atrocious against Texas A&M. Cyrus Jones fumbled on a punt return, JK Scott had a punt blocked (primarily due to a horrible snap), Damien Harris bobbled a kickoff into the end zone and had to take it out getting nailed inside the ten, Shaun-Dion Hamilton was ejected on a targeting penalty on a punt return, and the Tide special teams allowed a punt return touchdown that kept Texas A&M in the game in the first half.

Despite that horrible game, Adam Griffith had a solid day kicking field goals and on kickoffs and JK Scott had a pretty solid day other than his blocked punt, which wasn’t really his fault. The most positive thing about all of that is that Alabama still managed to win by 20+ points despite all of that, but special teams truly must become more consistent.

Incredible Defensive Performance
The Alabama defense recorded four interceptions with three of them going for a school-record three touchdowns. Minkah Fitzpatrick returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns, which was a school record. Eddie Jackson also had two interceptions and he returned one of those for a 93-yard touchdown. The Alabama defense was in both Texas A&M quarterbacks faces all day and at least three of the interceptions were a result of pressure. On Kyle Allen’s first pick, DJ Pettway bull rushed the tackle into Allen’s face causing a high throw which Fitzpatrick snagged out of the air and returned for a 33-yard touchdown. Jonathan Allen, Reggie Ragland, and Ronnie Harrison were downright dominating in their performances this afternoon.

Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Ragland recorded a team-high 9 tackles along with a tackle-for-loss and a sack while Allen had five tackles with four of those going for a loss of a yardage and two sacks with a forced fumble. Harrison added four tackles of his own along with a tackle-for-loss, a pass breakup, and a sack. The Tide defense recorded six sacks on the game and three more quarterback hurries, but the defensive line didn’t breakup a single pass for the first time this year. A&M only managed 32 yards rushing which really hurt the Aggies and allowed Alabama the chance to really get after the quarterback during the game.

One of Texas A&M’s favorite pass routes is the “stop fade” to the wide side of the field —it is the pass play that Mike Evans gave Alabama fits with a few years ago—but Alabama did a great job of shutting that down in the first half. Texas A&M managed to hit a few of them in the second half as A&M was gaining some momentum only for Eddie Jackson to sniff one of them out and intercept the pass that was one of the last times A&M went to that play.

FINAL STATS
PASSING
Jake Coker: 19-25, 138 yards; 7 carries, 13 yards

RUSHING
Derrick Henry: 32 carries, 236 yards, 2 TD; 1 catch, 18 yards
Kenyan Drake: 5 carries, 11 yards; 2 catches, 0 yards

RECEIVING
Calvin Ridley: 7 catches, 52 yards
Richard Mullaney: 4 catches, 32 yards
OJ Howard: 3 catches, 35 yards
ArDarius Stewart: 1 catch, 4 yards
Derek Kief: 1 catch, -3 yards

DEFENSE
Reggie Ragland: 9 TKL, 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sack
Geno Matias-Smith: 5 TKL
Jonathan Allen: 5 TKL, 4.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 FF
Ronnie Harrison: 4 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 PBU
A’Shawn Robinson: 4 TKL, 0.5 TFL, 1 QBH
Cyrus Jones: 3 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1 PBU
Ryan Anderson: 3 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack
Reuben Foster: 3 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1 PBU
Bradley Sylve: 3 TKL
Maurice Smith: 3 TKL
Minkah Fitzpatrick: 2 TKL, 2 INT, 88 yards, 2 TD
Eddie Jackson: 2 TKL, 2 INT, 119 yards, 2 TD, 2 PBU
Tim Williams: 2 TKL, 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sack
Marlon Humphrey: 2 TKL, 2 PBU
Jarran Reed: 2 TKL, 0.5 TFL, 1 QBH
Jabriel Washington: 1 TKL
Anthony Averett: 1 TKL
Denzel Devall: 1 TKL
Dalvin Tomlinson: 1 QBH

SPECIAL TEAMS
Adam Griffith: 2/2 FGs, 5/5 XPs
JK Scott: 8 punts, 48.2 YPP, Long: 56 yards
Cyrus Jones: 3 PR, 35 yards, 1 fumble
Damien Harris: 4 KOR, 61 yards

Alabama takes on rival Tennessee next week at 2:30 PM on CBS.

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