Alabama Football: Inside The Stats Of The LSU Game

Bama Hammer takes a look at the Alabama vs. LSU game on what went wrong, what went right, and what it could mean for the Tide going forward. Alabama football was on another level on Saturday

Alabama’s 30-16 win over SEC western division came as a shock to me, but I knew it was possible. I expected a close game with score something similar to 24-20. The major observation for me is that the final score nowhere near expresses just how bad of a loss that was for the Tigers. It was total domination from the boys in crimson.

Most analysts including and old blogger like me knew that the game would probably come down to how the two running backs would perform as well as the quarterbacks.

First, let’s talk Leonard Fournette. Alabama held a three-point over LSU going into halftime. When the players headed off the field, Fournette had only rushed for 16 yards on nine carries. When the clock hit zero, he finished with 31 yards on 19 carries. I expected him to have a good game and was hoping that it wouldn’t be enough to give the Tigers the win. Thirteen out of his total 19 carries were runs for one yard or less. Tide running back Derrick Henry actually finished with more carries than Fournette in rushing yards.

There’s not much that you can say about Henry that Alabama fans do not already know. He absolutely showed out on Saturday with 210 yards on 38 carries and three touchdowns. It was just phenomenal performance and there is no other way to put it. The staff also put the game in his hands on the final drive of the game—a drive that gets football fans more excited that a teenage girl with front row Justin Bieber tickets. The drive started at the Alabama four yard line and ended deep in LSU territory. Henry and the Tide offense ran off 9:18 on the clock to take the victory formation.

Many had faith in the Tide defense to stop the running game of the Tigers and said that if Alabama can force LSU quarterback Brandon Harris to throw, Alabama would cruise to the win. Harris only completed 6 passes on 19 tries with a touchdown. On the other side of the field, Tide quarterback Jake Coker had a mistake free game with no turnovers, completing 18 passes from 24 attempts for 184 yards. Freshman Calvin Ridley led the Tide receiving with 51 yards on 7 receptions.

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) runs the ball past LSU Tigers safety Corey Thompson (23) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

If you can’t keep the ball on offense, you can’t win the game. It’s pretty simple. Not one of LSU’s drives were over six plays. Six. They just couldn’t get it going, only running 45 plays for the night. Alabama controlled the time of possession with 39.27 to the Tigers’ 20:33.

In case anyone missed the memo after reading this, that Tide defense is still salty. They kept the pass rushing going, getting to Harris for two sacks. They also added seven tackles for loss to the box score. Linebacker Dillon Lee’s interception during LSU’s first drive out of halftime was really the turning point in the game. After that play, it was all Alabama.

What about Adam Griffith’s performance? Whatever was ailing or bothering him is apparently completely gone. Griffith was perfect on field goals with three made from 22, 29, and a 55-yard bomb that more than likely had Tide fans screaming no matter where they were.

Next: Alabama Football 3rd In AP Poll, 4th In Coaches Poll

Now, it’s time to get ready for Mississippi State this coming weekend. Mondays are a little easier to handle when your team totally dominated their opponent. And man, did it happen. I do believe that it’s now five in reaux.