Big Play Bama

On a game fitting to be played on the thirteenth of the month, Mark Ingram caught a screen for a 78 yard touchdown while Julio Jones ran the ball for a 56 yard touchdown. By the end of the game, Ingram out caught Jones while Jones outrushed Ingram.

This was much to the enjoyment of Nick Saban who has preached how the offense needed to use its skill and experience to exploit big plays.

Saban said after the game, “That's what we want to do. We've got some guys that can make explosive plays and we want to put the ball in their hands so that they have an opportunity to do that. We made some that were really big in this game."

Besides Ingram and Jones, Marquis Maze had two big plays on the night. One was a beautiful pitch and run down the sideline in which Maze gracefully dodged two defenders before sneaking into the endzone. His most spectacular play, the 81 yard punt return late in the second half, was called back due to a block in the back.

This play left Ingram to prove himself as an explosive skill player as he contributed his long touchdown on the next play.

Greg McElroy was consistent on the night going 12 for 18 with 2 TDs and 1 poor INT, but he still possesses that steady game-managerial flow to his game. AJ McCarron came in for mop-up duty and looked promising for Alabama’s future despite making a poor choice late in the fourth quarter by not throwing the ball away and sailing it into the midst of three Miss. State defenders. Following one of the harsher encounters that I have seen between a player and Saban, I expect McCarron learned to throw the ball away next time.

Still, the weakness of the offense lies in the offensive line. Barrett Jones left the game early, and DJ Fluker is not the healthy player he was at the beginning of the year. Holes were hard few and far between as a stout Miss. State front seven contained Ingram to 2.9 yards per carry.

Defensively, Alabama possesses a gem in Robert Lester. One of the most exciting players to watch, Lester came away with two interceptions in the game which placed his season total at seven which leads the SEC and is among the top in the nation. Besides his great play, the defense was surprisingly consistent.

Special Teams played well as Jeremy Shelley nailed both of his field goals and Cade Foster booted a 45 yard field goal which would have been good from upwards of 50. Maze and the return team, besides the untimely block in the back, were exceptionally well. Maze reminded the stadium of Javier Arenas through his vision and acceleration in the seams of coverage.

Going forward and looking over Georgia State, Alabama needed this game to prepare for Auburn. Auburn’s defense is known to give up big plays, especially in the secondary. With Jones and Maze playing the way they did in Saturday’s game, Auburn will have to key in on them come next Friday.

Throughout the post game interviews, multiple Alabama players spoke about finding their identity in this game. I am sure the Alabama faithful would have loved some identity earlier in the year, but it truly is better late than ever, especially with the potential number one team in the nation and your hated rival coming into town within the next two weeks.