Alabama Football: Crimson Tide Tua-much for one dimensional Aggies

The Tua Tagovailoa led Alabama football offense was too much for the Aggies who went down 45-23 in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama football was unable to completely shut down Aggies’ QB, Kellen Mond. It wasn’t for lack of trying. But it didn’t matter that Mond passed and rushed for 294 yards because the Aggies had no other effective offensive weapon.

Defensively, the Aggies were outmatched trying to stop Tua Tagovailoa. Tua had four TD passes and one touchdown run. He threw for 387 yards, distributing his 22 receptions among eight Crimson Tide teammates.

The Aggies made the game a battle for about a quarter and a half by using two strengths. Mond was near unstoppable on quarterback draws. The Aggies also mostly stuffed the Alabama football rushing game until late. Until Najee Harris gained 43 yards in mostly mop-up work, the Tide running backs were ineffective. Damien Harris was the game’s leading rusher for the Crimson Tide with 52 yards. Damien got 34 of those yards in one second-half run.

Although Mond completed 16 passes, he was regularly under duress by Crimson Tide defenders. The Tide defense totaled seven sacks and 12 QB hurries (QBH). The main sack-master for the Tide was Isaiah Buggs, who made three sacks and added 3.5 tackles for a loss.

The Alabama football defense was led in tackles by Dylan Moses with nine and Xavier McKinney with seven. The Crimson Tide defense had 10 tackles-for-a-loss and five pass break-ups. Mack Wilson and Patrick Surtain Jr. each made an interception.

Jerry Jeudy was the Tide’s leading receiver with six catches. The money receiver for the Crimson Tide was tight end, Hale Hentges. Hentges had two catches, both for touchdowns. Damien Harris finished with a combined 100 yards, rushing and receiving.

Tua got the most game action of his short playing career. He looked almost human on two missed throws but otherwise, his performance was superb. Jalen Hurts worked with the first unit after entering the game in the third quarter. Jalen completed all three of his passes for 28 yards.

Most troubling aspect of the game

The Alabama football offensive line struggled with the TAMU defense in the run game. The Tide unit opened holes on a few plays but was stuffed on others. The Tide O-line did well in pass protection, not giving up any sacks and only one QBH.

Most encouraging aspect of the game

Joseph Bulovas made a 47-yard field goal. It was drilled right down the middle of the uprights.

Next up for the Alabama Crimson Tide is Louisiana-Lafayette. Nick Saban made it 13-for-13 against former assistants with the Tide beating the Aggies. He can add another to that string of victories against the Ragin Cajuns and Billy Napier.