Alabama Football: Studs and Duds from Tide victory over Bulldogs
By Ronald Moody
Duds
Injuries
Freshman defensive tackle DJ Dale, senior defensive end Raekwon Davis, and Ruggs III left the game after sustaining injuries. In the latter stage of the season, players are no longer 100 percent healthy.
Everybody is dealing with nagging injuries. Hence, Tua playing in an important SEC West contest. Displaying the warrior mentality we have grown accustomed to after recovering from tightrope ankle surgery, the lefty quarterback played against a scorching hot LSU and almost led the team to a win. There should not have been a single doubt that he would play against State.
As the second quarter began to draw to a close with Alabama leading 35-7, Tua was tackled by two defenders after throwing the ball away. Next, the air went out of the stadium as the greatest quarterback to ever play for Alabama, screamed in pain. Once the trainers lifted him up, it revealed a bloody nose and Tua not putting pressure on his right leg. As the medical cart zoomed onto the field, thoughts were no longer on the College Football Playoff, but on the health of the young courageous warrior, who put his heart into everything Alabama football.
Wishing the young man a speedy recovery.
Penalties
In the 2012 BCS Championship game against LSU, Alabama did not receive a penalty until the fourth quarter. Once it happened, Saban lost his mind. With the game safely in hand, Saban exploded on the sideline when Alex Watkins drew an offsides penalty.
I repeat, a five-yard penalty.
Penalties are too plentiful for this Alabama team. At one point, the Tide had five unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Finishing with 87 yards in penalties is ridiculous, especially when it is more yards than State quarterback Tommy Stevens accounted for in passing (82).
If the team advances to the CFP, the penalties need to vanish.
Next. Ranking Starting Quarterbacks Under Nick Saban. dark
Alabama football plays its last home game of the season next Saturday against Western Carolina at 11 a.m. It will be a much-needed tune-up for Mac Jones and Taulia Tagovailoa.