Alabama Football: Offensive report card against Vanderbilt
Alabama Football receivers: B+
The receiving core for Alabama really came alive against Vanderbilt.
Sophomore Ja’Corey Brooks had his best game to date, catching six balls for 117 yards and two touchdowns all in the first half. Brooks averaged nearly 20 yards per reception, with his touchdown grabs going for 21 and 34 yards. He was unable to hang onto a third ball in the end zone that would’ve been a spectacular diving catch and a 23-yard score.
Traeshon Holden caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. The big-bodied junior receiver has been Bryce Young’s most consistent target this season. Holden leads Alabama with 214 receiving yards and has scored a touchdown in three out of four games so far.
Junior Jermaine Burton and freshman Kobe Prentice started to get back on track after a couple of quiet weekends.
After making just three catches for 26 yards in the previous two games combined, Burton hauled in four passes for 94 yards. He was able to make big plays all evening, averaging 23.5 yards per reception. Jermaine Burton’s 94 yards are the most he’s had in an Alabama uniform.
Kobe Prentice caught three passes for 32 yards after failing to make a catch last week against ULM. Prentice has yet to catch his first Alabama touchdown, but the true freshman ranks third on the team with 12 catches.
Tight end Cameron Latu returned from an injury scare to finish with three catches for 27 yards. Freshman Isaiah Bond made two grabs for 13 yards, and junior Thaiu Jones-Bell made his first reception of the season for five yards.
A trio of speedsters, junior Tyler Harrell, sophomore Jojo Earle, and freshman Aaron Anderson, all suited up but did not see game reps.
Alabama Football offensive line: A
The Alabama offensive line did its job effectively, and continued to show that it is much improved from last season.
The line allowed zero sacks and just four quarterback hurries as Alabama attempted 43 passes. In the run game, the Tide was dominant, gaining 228 yards on 34 carries (6.7 YPC). The offensive line did draw a handful of penalties, but that is often considered a small price to pay in exchange for aggressive play and good run blocking.
Alabama stuck with the starting lineup of Steen, Cohen, Dalcourt, Ekiyor Jr., and Latham (L-R). Freshman Tyler Booker continues to push Ekiyor Jr. and Cohen for a guard spot, and Seth McLaughlin is constantly breathing down Dalcourt’s neck at center.
Kendall Randolph, Tanner Bowles, Terrence Ferguson II, Jaeden Roberts, and Amari Kight all saw playing time as well.
Next. Key takeaways from Vanderbilt game. dark
The Alabama offense looked much better against Vanderbilt and eclipsed 55 points for the third time in four games. The unit will have to prove that it can produce a similar effort against better competition next week when Alabama football plays at Arkansas.