Keelon Russell didn’t just clean up the turnovers against South Carolina. He turned that lesson into a blowout.
After a rough Week 2 against Kentucky, when the Alabama sophomore quarterback threw two interceptions - including a pick six on the opening drive - and also lost a fumble, Russell and the Crimson Tide made the ball security issue a point of emphasis. The last two games have shown the adjustment. Alabama stayed turnover-free against both Florida State and South Carolina, and Russell’s command was a huge reason why.
On Saturday in Alabama’s 49-18 win over the Gamecocks, Russell was sharp from start to finish. He completed 21 of 27 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns, then added 35 rushing yards and a 16-yard touchdown run late in the game. It was the kind of performance that showed both efficiency and restraint, the exact blend Alabama had been looking for after the Kentucky setback.
“Coach (Ryan) Grubb emphasizes that if we’re gonna be a great team, we gotta limit the turnovers,” Russell told reporters after the game. Kentucky was something that I learned from, having that first half, just building off of that.
Like I said, as time goes, as we go, we get to grow. We get to build.
We get to emphasize on what we did in the last game and make it better in the next game. Really just going into the game, being poised, understanding my reads.
Going from progression to progression and just finding open guys.
“Our offense, they’re going to get open. The receivers are gonna get open, and I have a confidence and a belief that our guys are going to do a (good) job of getting open, finding spots and just making plays.”
Wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams backed up that message after catching five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. For him, keeping the ball clean has been part of the offensive identity from the jump.
“That’s been a focal point since we started this season,” Coleman-Williams said. “That’s something that we wanted to make sure was very strong for our offense and just being able to do that, we’re not surprised, but we definitely want to keep going and watch our defense continue to force these turnovers.”
After the game, Kalen DeBoer pointed to the growth he’s seen from his quarterback since that opening stretch. The Alabama coach said Russell has gotten better at protecting himself, moving the chains when needed, and keeping the play alive without forcing the issue.
“He’s learned a lot from the first game,” DeBoer said. “Protecting himself, knowing when he needed to move the chains, keeping a cool head when something breaks down, maybe with the protection, seeing the field, keeping his eyes up, keeping plays alive, get outside the pocket, keeping the run pass option intact, and so not trying to do too much, knowing that, live to see another down, throwing it away, running, you know, just we’re gonna make those plays.
“Just you know, gotta give yourself another chance. And so, not trying to do too much.
He’s got the guys around him that can go make plays, and so just trusting them, trusting himself. I thought he made some more strides again tonight with his playmaking ability, and just putting the ball on the money, especially with the balls farther down the field.”
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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 🡒]
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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 🡒]
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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 🡒]