Handing out Game Balls for Alabama Football's win over South Florida

We've focused plenty on the negative from Alabama Football's 42-16 win over South Florida on Saturday night, but we would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the positives as well. It's true that it was far from a flawless performance by the Crimson Tide, but there were still plenty of standout performances on both sides of the ball that allowed Alabama to move to 2-0 on the young season.

We'll hand out game balls each Sunday of the college football season. There will be multiple on offense and defense, as well as at least one special teams game ball each week.

So who gets a game ball this week after the Tide's victory?

Game Balls:

Offense:

RB Jam Miller

It was a forgettable day on the ground for most of the night for both junior Jam Miller and sophomore Justice Haynes. The offensive line struggled to open up running lanes, and any time they actually did there was typically a holding penalty that brought back a big gain.

Alabama had two touchdowns taken off the board in the first half, one by Haynes, and a long 74-yarder by Jalen Milroe. But in the fourth quarter, Alabama's running game came to life, spearheaded by the talented junior stepping into a featured role for the first time in his career.

Making up for a third quarter fumble, Miller rushed for 140-yards on 15-carries, and delivered the touchdown that officially put the game away against the Bulls in the fourth quarter. Miller took a carry to the right and sprinted down the sideline, kept his balance, and exploded for a 56-yard touchdown to put the Crimson Tide up 35-16.

It figures to be a time-share between two backs for the Tide this season. Miller will rotate frequently with Haynes, but there will be opportunity for both to make explosive plays. With the impending return of LT Kadyn Proctor, running lanes should be more and more open for the Tide running backs.

Elijah Pritchett

Perhaps the biggest impetus for the Tide's offensive explosion in the fourth quarter was Kalen DeBoer's decision to replace struggling redshirt freshman Wilkin Formby with redshirt sophomore Elijah Pritchett at right tackle.

The two spent the preseason battling for the job, but a pre-game injury to Pritchett before last week's season opener led to Pritchett filling in at left tackle. Pritchett suffered a minor injury himself against Western Kentucky last week, which led to a shakeup on the offensive line.

After struggling mightily to move the football for 53-and-a-half minutes, the move to Pritchett paid immediate dividends. Pritchett was on the field for six plays, and in those six plays the Tide mustered 42% of their total offensive production for the night and scored three touchdowns.

Both touchdown runs were to the right, and Pritchett did well to open up a hole and help spring Miller and Haynes for back-breaking touchdown runs.

Ryan Williams

The freshman phenom has exploded onto the scene. Just two games into what should be an illustrious career, Williams has made a huge impact. Following up a two-catch, two-touchdown performance in his debut against Western Kentucky, Williams caught four-passes for 68-yards, and the touchdown that finally let Alabama get a two-possession lead over the Bulls.

Williams ran a comeback route, secured the catch, and then did what Hollywood does. He made a quick move, accelerated down the sideline, and found the endzone for the third time already this season.

Williams already looks to be the No. 1 option at WR for the Crimson Tide. Milroe looked deep for Williams all night, and while none of the throws led to receptions, two of them drew pass-interference penalties on USF.

The 17-year-old is Alabama's leading receiver through two games, hauling in six receptions for 207-yards and three touchdowns. The future is insanely bright for the kid.

Defense:

Tim Keenan III

The breakout season is here for the redshirt junior defensive tackle. Keenan was a game-wrecker on Saturday night, blowing up plays all night and being completely unblockable by the interior of the USF offensive line.

Keenan finished third on the team with 9 tackles, and led the way with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He spearheaded a defensive effort that allowed Alabama to hang on to the lead despite the offense sputtering and three turnovers in the second half.

The defense made plays when they had to be made, holding USF to only one touchdown in four trips to the redzone. Alabama's defenisve line is deep and should be a strength of the roster this season, ad Keenan is well on the way to making himself a lot of money.

Jihaad Campbell

Through two games, junior LB Jihaad Campbell has looked like the best player on the defense. He was fired up and ready to take the field against South Florida on Saturdy night. He delivered another strong performance, leading the team with 11 tackles to go along with half a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Campbell has been an excellent fit in Kane Wommack's defensive system, constantly flying around the ball and making plays sideline-to-sideline. With Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson beside him, the Crimson Tide arguably have the best trio of linebackers in the country.

Speaking of Jefferson...

Justin Jefferson

Prior to getting ejected for a questionable targeting call in the fourth quarter, Jefferson had put together his best overall game in a Tide uniform.

Coaching staffs frequently talk about maximizing your time on the field, no matter how many snaps you get. Jefferson is a shining example of that. In only 20-snaps, Jefferson was 2nd on the team with 10-tackles to go along with a sack and a tackle-for-loss.

Jefferson gives the Crimson Tide a lot of versatility and will play a lot this seson, particularly in passing downs due to his ability to get out and cover as well as being able to be a sure tackler. He'll unfortunately miss the first half of next week's game against Wisconsin, but look for him to keep making plays when he sees the field for the first time in Camp Randall in the third quarter.

Special Teams

Jaylen Mbakwe

Starting punt returner Cole Adams suffered an injury in the fourth quarter, which elevated true freshman Jaylen Mbakwe to the job in a tense situation.

Leading just 14-13 with under 12-minutes to go, Mbakwe provided a much-needed spark with the offense struggling to move the ball and avoid self-destrution. Mbakwe took a punt-return 28-yards, setting the Alabama offense up at the USF 34-yard line. Four plays later, Milroe hit Kobe Prentice for a touchdown, giving the Crimson Tide its first points of the second half an an eight point lead.

It remains to be seen how long Adams will be out, but don't be surprised to see the dynamic freshman get opportunities with the ball in his hands regardless.

More Alabama-USF postgame coverage: