Alabama’s weekend started with a statement in football and kept rolling across the athletic department, with wins and losses shaping a busy stretch for the Crimson Tide.
The biggest headline came from Tuscaloosa, where Alabama blasted South Carolina 49-18 to move to 4-0. This time, there was no sluggish opening to dig out of.
Keelon Russell connected with Lotzeir Brooks for a 75-yard touchdown on Alabama’s fourth offensive snap, and the offense kept pouring it on from there. Russell threw three more touchdown passes in the first half, Red Morgan returned an interception of LaNorris Sellers for a pick-six, and Alabama was in firm control with a 35-3 lead late in the second quarter.
The scoring didn’t stop there. Russell and Daniel Hill each added rushing touchdowns in the second half as the Crimson Tide handled South Carolina with ease.
Alabama’s edge showed up in more than just the scoreboard, too. Josh Ford’s work against Dylan Stewart helped push the star edge rusher to the point of taking multiple swings at the Alabama tight end.
Even with that, the Tide had a brief lull. Alabama went through four straight empty possessions from the end of the second quarter into the third, and South Carolina used that stretch to trim the margin to 35-18. Still, it was the most complete game Alabama has put together this season.
Now comes a much tougher run. Alabama turns to a five-game stretch that begins this weekend in Starkville against No. 16 Mississippi State.
That win over South Carolina also moved Alabama up in the national polls. The Crimson Tide climbed one spot to No. 7 in both the AP and Coaches’ polls after the 31-point victory. Alabama started the season at No. 13 and has kept rising with its unbeaten start.
The upcoming trip to unbeaten Mississippi State gives Kalen DeBoer’s team a chance to land a marquee win, and the next five games loom large. A 3-2 finish in that stretch would put Alabama in prime playoff position, while a 4-1 mark would make this team look like a serious national title contender.
It was a different story for Alabama soccer, which stayed unbeaten in SEC play with a 3-1 road win over Oklahoma on Sunday. Wes Hart’s team improved to 11-1 overall and 4-0 in the league with a win over the 21st-ranked Sooners, while Alabama remained seventh in the rankings.
The match was scoreless late in the first half before Presley Williams scored her first career goal to put Alabama ahead 1-0. Zamorah Malinoski then added her first career goal early in the second half, giving the Tide breathing room at 2-0.
In the 80th minute, Larkin Thomason finished off a Soph Martelli cross to make it 3-0. Oklahoma scored late, but the outcome was already decided.
Alabama soccer returns home Friday for a matchup with Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa.
On the volleyball side, the Crimson Tide had a rough weekend. After a 3-2 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, Alabama fell in straight sets to Ole Miss on Sunday in Tuscaloosa, dropping to 0-2 in SEC play. The loss was Alabama’s first at home this season.
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 🡒]