Alabama's downhill running makes a difference

Alabama running back Derrick Henry tries to shake off Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter, left, and defensive tackle Trenton Thompson during the first half of Saturday's game in Athens, Ga. Henry rushed for a career-best 148 yards to help lead the Crimson Tide to a 38-10 win.
Alabama running back Derrick Henry tries to shake off Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter, left, and defensive tackle Trenton Thompson during the first half of Saturday's game in Athens, Ga. Henry rushed for a career-best 148 yards to help lead the Crimson Tide to a 38-10 win.

Read more

Georgia's Lambert struggles while Tide's Coker soars Alabama hands Georgia worst home defeat of Richt era, 38-10 Chubb ties Herschel with 13th straight 100-yard game

Alabama had the most basic of game plans Saturday at Georgia.

Given the opponent, the stage and the conditions, the Crimson Tide sought to play like their recent predecessors who won three national championships in a four-year stretch.

"We were going to play it close to the vest and try to run the ball and throw play-action passes," Tide coach Nick Saban said after Alabama's 38-10 crushing of the Bulldogs. "We did not want to get behind in this game. We were fortunate to get ahead with some good execution and a couple of big plays, and we blocked a punt."

The Crimson Tide (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) vaulted Sunday to No. 8 in The Associated Press poll and to No. 10 in the USA Today coaches poll following their largest victory ever over a top-10 foe at an opposing venue.

Setting the tone was an obvious goal for both teams, but the Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1) got the first break when Alabama junior tailback Derrick Henry fumbled away a third-and-1 carry on the Crimson Tide's third play from scrimmage. It was Alabama's sixth turnover in SEC play, and perhaps that would represent the identity of this year's team.

Except that Alabama's defense forced a quick three-and-out and the Crimson Tide didn't suffer a second turnover until the score was 38-3 late in the third quarter.

"I think that was huge," Saban said. "Momentum is big in a game like this. The early turnover and them not scoring is always big. Our defense has played well all year long with the exception of a couple of big plays against Ole Miss."

Henry was stopped for no gain on third-and-1 on Alabama's second possession, but the Crimson Tide opened their third drive with a 50-yard pass from Jake Coker to Calvin Ridley down the right sideline. Coker then hit Richard Mullaney for 24 yards down the middle, and though the Crimson Tide had to settle for a 29-yard Adam Griffith field goal and a 3-0 lead, their offense was beginning to give Georgia problems.

In the second quarter, Henry rushed six times for 55 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown that put the Tide ahead to stay at 10-3. Henry finished with a career-best 148 yards on 26 carries.

"They schemed us up on that first touchdown," Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt said. "They folded the tackle in there, and we didn't fit the run exactly right."

Minkah Fitzpatrick's block and score off a Collin Barber punt staggered the Bulldogs, and then a 45-yard pass from Coker to Ridley extended Alabama's lead to 24-3 with 3:48 before halftime.

"Everybody just settled in," Coker said. "We got comfortable and played like we're capable of playing."

Saban called it an "outstanding" performance and reiterated his belief in the team, but he also stressed that it was just one game - a game that started in the wrong direction with Henry's fumble.

"He was a little frustrated because he's a great competitor, but I told him to forget it and play the next play," Saban said. "I thought he had a great game. Downhill runs are what you need to do on a field like that and in conditions like that, and he's the perfect guy for it."

Tide tidbits

Alabama opened Sunday as a 16-point favorite over Arkansas. Saban said Georgia's plan was to pick on redshirt freshman cornerback Marlon Humphrey with fifth-year senior receiver Malcolm Mitchell, so he flipped Humphrey and senior Cyrus Jones. Saban on the pregame jawing: "I got really pissed. I said, 'Are we going to go through this again?' I said, 'We're going to be emotional and not be able to execute and do what were supposed to do, and that's not who we are.' I told them to focus on executing, playing football and doing our job, and they settled down and did a good job of that."

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

Upcoming Events