Alabama’s offensive line didn’t get the luxury of a full deck at Kentucky, but the group still found a way to settle in and help carry the Crimson Tide to a 45-17 win.
Starting right guard Michael Carroll was out with an undisclosed injury, and that forced a shuffle in the middle of the line. William Sanders slid over to right guard, while Mal Waldrep Jr. took Sanders’ spot at left guard. The early returns were rough - Alabama managed just 5 rushing yards in the first half - but the group steadied itself after the break.
Once the line found its footing, the ground game took off. Alabama piled up 150 rushing yards in the second half, and running back Daniel Hill topped 100 yards on the day as the Crimson Tide scored 32 straight points to pull away from the Wildcats.
Left tackle Jackson Lloyd said the group’s response was a big reason Alabama was able to finish the job.
"I think the offensive line, we played good. I think we've always got room to get better.
Super proud of the guys. We asked some people to step up.
Mike was out," Lloyd said on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Lloyd also pointed to the mindset across the room, where the next man up is expected to be ready at any moment.
"I think they played great. They're always ready to play.
Like, everyone's preparing like they're a starter, because everyone's one play away from, you know, getting that starting job," Lloyd said. "I mean, just love to see the way they come in every day, prepare like the starter and get the opportunity to shine."
Carroll’s absence mattered. At 6-foot-6 and 324 pounds, the sophomore arrived this season as Alabama’s most highly regarded offensive lineman, a former No. 1 interior offensive line prospect. With stars from last season such as Kadyn Proctor and Parker Brailsford now gone to the NFL, Carroll’s role carried even more weight.
For now, Alabama is hoping the injury is short-lived. Kalen DeBoer said Monday, Sept. 14, that the goal is to have Carroll back for the Sept. 19 matchup with Florida State at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
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The biggest payoff has shown up on the ground, where the extra tight end has helped create more favorable rushing looks for the backs. Alabama running backs are averaging 5.7 yards per carry out of multiple-tight-end formations this season, a sign that the adjustment is doing more than changing personnel groupings on paper. For a team looking to solve a persistent offensive problem, the real question now is how far Grubb is willing to take the new package and what it might unlock next. [Read more 🡒]