No. 8 Alabama finally broke the habit that had been hanging around its September starts, and it did it in emphatic fashion Saturday night. The Crimson Tide rolled past South Carolina 49-18 at home in Tuscaloosa, and the game was effectively over once Alabama’s offense found its rhythm and started stacking touchdown drives in bunches.
The opening sequence still offered a familiar warning sign. South Carolina’s Matt Fuller ripped off a 56-yard run on the first snap of the game, though the Gamecocks came away empty after missing a field goal. Alabama then went three-and-out, a sequence that could have signaled more of the same from a team that had needed second-half recovery acts in wins over Kentucky and Florida State.
Instead, the Tide slammed the door on that script. South Carolina advanced near the red zone, but Alabama’s defense stonewalled a fourth-and-short run. On the very next play, quarterback Keelon Russell took his first throw and hit Lotzeir Brooks racing through the middle for a 75-yard touchdown.
From there, Alabama’s offense kept coming. The next three Tide possessions all ended in touchdowns, each one a Russell pass.
That made it only the sixth time since 2018 that an Alabama quarterback has thrown four first-half touchdowns in an SEC game. The program record for a full game remains Tua Tagovailoa’s six-touchdown outing against Ole Miss in 2019.
Ryan Coleman-Williams accounted for the first two scoring catches, connecting from 32 and 42 yards out. Josh Ford then delivered one of the night’s loudest moments in Bryant-Denny Stadium, rising for a one-handed touchdown grab in the end zone. Russell also found Noah Rogers on the receiver’s first snap of the season after a knee injury, a 36-yard gain that set up Ford’s score.
The defense added its own jolt before halftime. Husky Red Morgan intercepted LaNorris Sellers on South Carolina’s first play of the drive and took it back for a touchdown, pushing Alabama ahead 35-3.
The first half numbers told the story of just how sharply Alabama came out. Against a South Carolina team that had played the Tide tight in both meetings over the past two seasons, Alabama ran 27 offensive plays and put 35 points on the board. That works out to better than a point per snap.
South Carolina did grab some momentum before the break, though, when Nyck Harbor hauled in a 41-yard touchdown late in the half. Alabama then went quiet in the third quarter, managing only 40 total yards after piling up 172 in the first quarter and 146 in the second.
The Gamecocks added another score and converted the two-point try, but Alabama answered quickly to open the fourth. Russell led a 10-play, 74-yard march that ended with Daniel Hill punching in a one-yard touchdown run. The Crimson Tide’s ground game never really got loose, but the passing attack more than covered the gap.
Alabama’s defense closed things out from there. Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson each finished with double-digit tackles, and Metz also recovered a fumble after Dijon Lee Jr. forced it. Russell then added his fifth touchdown of the night and his first rushing score with two minutes left.
Alabama is now 4-0 overall and 2-0 in SEC play. The Crimson Tide return to conference action next Saturday on the road against Mississippi State.
In Other News...
Alabama Game Day Is Becoming A Celebrity Stage For Tide Culture
Alabamas game-day scene has become more than just a football backdrop, with recent home dates drawing a mix of former Crimson Tide stars and outside names who have ties to the programs culture. Mark Ingram and Brandon Miller were among the familiar faces in attendance, adding to the feeling that Alabama Saturdays have turned into a reunion as much as a sporting event.
Scott Stapps presence fit that atmosphere, too, given his longtime support of Alabama and his family connection to the program. Kid Rock also made an appearance, and the larger point is hard to miss: Alabama football has become a stage where athletics, alumni pride and celebrity interest overlap, with the music side of that spotlight set to keep building as Creeds performances approach. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Heads Into Mississippi State With New Depth Concerns
Alabamas injury picture is starting to crowd the conversation heading into its trip to Mississippi State, with two more players added to a list the Crimson Tide has had to manage carefully. Will Sanders and Jayvin James both came out of the South Carolina game hurt, and while Sanders is expected to be available, James is now sitting in the questionable bucket as the Tide tries to sort out who will be ready to go.
The bigger concern may be the ripple effect on the middle of the defense. Linebackers Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu are already out, which leaves Alabama thinner than it would like at a spot that can be tested quickly in conference play. With depth being pushed and availability still in question for at least one more player, the Tide will have some decisions to make before it lines up against the Bulldogs. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Heads Into Mississippi State With One Lingering Injury Concern
Alabama is getting closer to its trip to Mississippi State with a clearer picture of the injury situation along both lines, though not every answer is in yet. Kalen DeBoer said offensive lineman Jayvin James is questionable, while William Sanders is expected to be ready, which at least gives the Tide some needed depth as they head into another SEC road test.
The bigger concern may still be on the defensive side, where outside linebacker Justin Hill and defensive end Desmond Umeozulu are both out, and Umeozulu is expected to need more time. Safety Zavier Mincey also sat out the previous game after getting hurt in pregame warmups, leaving Alabama with a few moving pieces to monitor as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]