Alabama’s offense put up 227 rushing yards in Saturday’s 48-10 win over East Carolina, but the number could have been even bigger if not for one third-quarter call that wiped out a 68-yard touchdown run by freshman Trae'shawn Brown.
The play came back because officials flagged center Racin Delgatty for holding, a decision the senior said still doesn’t make sense to him.
"Everyone’s seen it," Delgatty said. "Everyone knows that was BS.
I mean, even the coaches right after it happened were like, ‘Don’t worry about it. That was not a good call.’”
Delgatty said he was told the same thing after the game from Alabama’s sideline, and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made clear Monday that he believed the Crimson Tide had executed the play properly.
"I thought the one big hit on TB that got called back could have been the explosive play that really sent us kind of through the roof on that one," Grubb said. "I think it was 60-plus yards, so that's the one we really wanted to uncork the whole game.
It was unfortunate to get that call back. Thought they blocked very well.
Thought the guys did exactly what they're coached to do."
Kalen DeBoer also said the run was "well-blocked up."
For Delgatty, the call stood out because he said he has never been flagged for holding on a play where his hands were inside the defender.
"That was a first," Delgatty said. "Usually I’m pretty good with my hands."
Alabama had six penalties in the opener, all on offense, as the team continues to work in a new quarterback and offensive line. The holding penalty with a little more than 10 minutes left in the third quarter was the last one against the Crimson Tide.
Even with the big run erased, Delgatty came away feeling good about the ground game overall. Still, he said Alabama has plenty to sharpen before Saturday’s SEC opener at Kentucky, especially with communication in a louder road setting.
"We were practicing with noise, and that was pretty cool," Delgatty said. "It's really surreal going into a stadium where everyone hates you, so just getting used to that."
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