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Crimson Tide vs WKU: Hurts Looks to be the Man After 38-10 Win

By Chris Hale

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) celebrates with wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) during the third quarter against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) celebrates with wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) during the third quarter against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Alabama Crimson Tide improved to 2-0 for the season with a 38-10 win over Western Kentucky on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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After the Crimson Tide walked off the field with a win over the Hilltoppers on Saturday, it seems to be pretty evident that Jalen Hurts will be the quarterback going forward.

Hurts saw all of the snaps in the contest (23-for-36, 287 yards two touchdowns) against Western Kentucky with the exception of two drives in the second quarter in which Blake Barnett came in, going 2-for-6 on 62 yards. Those yards came on one connection to ArDarius Stewart that was negated on a bad snap the next play for a 14-yard loss.

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With Ole Miss looming on the schedule for next week in Oxford, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the Tide offense. Even though Hurts looks to be the quarterback going forward, he’s still overthrowing receivers on long passes quite a bit. That could bite Alabama against SEC defenses.

The Crimson Tide running game could not get going in the first half, only rushing for 13 yards and averaging 0.8 yards-per-carry. They did finish the day with 124 yards. The offensive line could definitely be a problem next week against the Rebels and their stout defensive line. They could hardly get any push and committed undisciplined penalties all afternoon long.

The defense? They are nasty. For the afternoon, they held an offense that put up 517 yards of offense against Rice last weekend to 239 yards and only one touchdown late in the game. Ronnie Harrison grabbed an interception in the first half and Eddie Jackson added one of his own, taking it the house for a 55-yard touchdown.

The two teams were knotted with a field goal a piece until just before the end of the first quarter. Calvin Ridley shined in the wide receiver spot on the nine play, 67-yard drive, hauling in three passes including the four-yard reception for six. Held to a quiet evening against USC, he wrapped up his day with 129 yards on nine catches and led the Crimson Tide receivers.

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) carries the ball for a touchdown against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) carries the ball for a touchdown against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Alabama extended their lead out to 24-3 with 3:48 left in the third when Hurts found ArDarius Stewart in the flat for the touchdown from eight yards out. Stewart recorded five catches for 90 yards.

Hurts and the Crimson Tide offense would post up 14 more in the fourth quarter. In the early going of the fourth, he hit Gehrig Dieter for 41-yards on a crossing route that set up first and goal. Bo Scarbrough pushed in on third and goal behind the lead block of freshman Mack Wilson in the fullback spot. Fellow freshman, B.J. Emmons scored from six yards out to give the Tide their final tally of the day and his first collegiate career touchdown as well.

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Be sure to keep it here on Bama Hammer as we talk more about Western Kentucky and get ready for Ole Miss next Saturday.

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