Alabama Football: Big day for special teams units
Alabama football special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler had a lot to smile about in the Tide’s week three win over UL Monroe.
The Alabama special teams units had a huge day against the Warhawks, accounting directly for 14 points. Special teams were likely responsible for several more touchdowns worth of field position in the game.
Alabama Football starters contribute on special teams
Midway through the first quarter, ULM punter Devyn McCormick lined up for his second punt attempt of the game. It was obvious that Bama was coming after the kick, and ULM couldn’t pick up all the Crimson-clad rushers.
McCormick’s punt was blocked by sophomore wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks, and, after rolling awhile, was picked up by junior defensive back Malachi Moore. After recovering the loose ball inside the 5-yard line, Moore had only a short ways to go, walking into the end zone to give the Tide a 21-0 lead.
It was the second blocked punt of Ja’Corey Brooks career, and the second scoop-and-score touchdown of Malachi Moore’s career.
Record-setting day for Alabama Football punt returners
Alabama was equally effective when McCormick got his punts off, racking up an Alabama football record 262 punt return yards.
Sophomore cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was an impact punt returner all afternoon long, returning five punts for a total of 136 yards. McKinstry nearly scored multiple times, notching returns of 44, 42, 20, and 29 yards in the game and averaging over 27 yards per attempt.
Junior defensive back Brian Branch replaced McKinstry and immediately capitalized on the opportunity. Branch’s lone punt return attempt went for a 68-yard touchdown, the second special teams score of the day for the Tide. Finally, freshman receiver Isaiah Bond got a chance and made a big play himself, returning the kick for 34 yards.
As if the punt return unit wasn’t effective enough, Alabama returned one kickoff in the game and nearly scored on that as well. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran it back 57 yards before being brought down by the Warhawk coverage unit.
It was good to see Alabama football show some explosiveness in the return game. Aside from Jameson Williams’ record-setting day against Southern Miss last season, Alabama hasn’t displayed big-play ability in this aspect of the game since 2020, when Jaylen Waddle and later Devonta Smith were returning kicks for the Tide.
The only downside of the Alabama’s sudden success in the return game was that it took away valuable reps from an offense that seems to need them. Throughout the game, the Alabama offense was given short fields. Three times it missed out on possessions altogether, as the Tide recorded two special teams touchdowns and a defensive touchdown.
Next. What can we glean from ULM win?. dark
Regardless, it will be a big boost for the Alabama Football team if it can continue to be electric in the return game.