Alabama Football: What to make of Jekyll and Hyde Offense
Alabama Football Running Backs: B+
Jase McClellan put on a workman like performance in this game, and was the bread and butter of the Alabama offense.
He carried the ball 27 times, surpassing his previous career-high by 10 attempts. He gained a season-best 115 rushing yards and scored the decisive go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter. McClellan added one catch for six yards to give him 28 touches for 121 yards from scrimmage.
Roydell Williams spelled McClellan and contributed 20 yards on his six carries.
Bama kept the running back rotation short in this game, with Jam Miller and Justice Haynes only contributing on special teams.
Alabama Football Receivers: B
The Bama receivers didn’t get many opportunities with the Tide attempting just 21 passes, but the usual suspects showed up and made plays. Jermaine Burton made four grabs for 62 yards, including a touchdown reception and an incredibly athletic snag over the middle to extend a drive.
Trailing 20-17 in the third quarter, Bama faced a 3rd & 3 in Tennessee territory. After narrowly avoiding a sack, Jalen Milroe zipped the ball late down the hashmarks, and Alabama fans all throughout Bryant-Denny Stadium held their breath collectively.
The throw was ill-advised and well behind Burton in traffic, but the senior receiver twisted to make an acrobatic catch while getting hit by a pair of Vols defensive backs to move the chains. Bama would go on to score a touchdown on the drive, taking the lead for good.
Isaiah Bond added three catches for 77 yards, highlighted by a 46-yard touchdown to open the second half and bring the deflated Bryant-Denny crowd back to life. Bond ran a great route to lose the corner, and then blew by the safety with his electric speed. Milroe hit him in stride, and the game was on.
Kendrick Law added two catches for 38 yards, including a season-long 34 yarder on a speed sweep off of jet motion. After the big play, Bama would continue using similar motions for the rest of the game to keep the Tennessee defense off-kilter.
Wide receiver Malik Benson and tight ends CJ Dippre and Amari Niblack added one catch apiece for the Tide.