Alabama Football: Crimson Tide win came with new injuries

Saturday morning Alabama Football coach, Nick Saban challenged his team by describing the New Mexico State game Judgement Day. While the description was a bit melodramatic, the Alabama Crimson Tide responded well, beating New Mexico State 59-3.

Bryce Young was again outstanding, completing 21-of-23 passes for 270 yards and five touchdowns. One of the two incompletions was a drop by Jahleel Billingsley. To Billingsley, Young and Bill O’Brien’s credit, the Alabama Football tight end followed up the drop with a touchdown catch. Jameson Williams and John Metchie each had six catches for the Crimson Tide. Williams’ receptions produced 158 yards and three touchdowns. Those superb performances should be viewed in context to the fact of New Mexico State being a bad football team.

Nick Saban could have easily run the score up to an, even more, embarrassing point. Instead, Saban went with backups after the first Tide possession of the second half.

Seven Crimson Tide players rushed with the ball against the Aggies. Brian Robinson Jr. was the big ground gainer with 99 yards on nine carries. Trey Sanders had 12 carries for 66 yards. Unfortunately, an injury to Roydell Williams limited him to one carry.

Roydell Williams and JoJo Earle suffered what were described by Saban as, two pretty significant injuries. As reported by Mike Rodak Saban added,

"Roydell Williams will be lost for a good while and JoJo Earle will be out for a little while"

Also injured in the game was safety DeMarcco Hellams. Hellams was replaced by Daniel Wright. Hellams is expected to return to practice on Monday. Javion Cohen (wrist) and Darrian Dalcourt (ankle) did not play against New Mexico State. Both are expected to be a full go at Monday’s practice.

Among the wave of backups who played in the second half, most impressive was speedy third-string quarterback, Jalen Milroe. New running back backups Christian Leary and Demouy Kennedy shared 10 second-half carries. Kennedy, with seven of the carries, was the most active, but Leary looked to be the more dangerous runner. Leary can run and is a major threat in receptions out of the backfield.

As expected Tommy Brown got the start at left guard with Chris Owens at center. When the second unit offensive line entered the game in the third quarter, it was from left to right; Amari Kight, Kendall Randolph, Seth McLaughlin, JC Latham and Damieon George Jr. The second unit was unimpressive. Kight struggled the most. Context is again important. The Alabama Football offensive line backups should have had no problem with New Mexico State.

Next up for the Alabama Crimson Tide are the Arkansas Razorbacks, in Bryant-Denny on Saturday afternoon, followed a week later by the Iron Bowl.