By outreach@cw.ua.edu (Matthew Speakman)
Alabama faced its first true test of the season, winning on the road against Texas A&M, 27–19. The Crimson Tide held a 24–3 lead, but the Aggies came storming back in the second half, scoring 16 points. Regardless, Alabama walked away with the win and remains undefeated.
Players of the game: Raekwon Davis, Isaiah Buggs and Minkah Fitzpatrick
Minkah Fitzpatrick continued to show he is among the nation’s elite at seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and one forced fumble.
In the absence of Da’Shawn Hand, defensive linemen Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs played their best games of the season. Davis finished with eight tackles and also sacked Kellen Mond once. Buggs showed out right from the get go. He had 10 tackles, which was a career high. After the game, Nick Saban said he was really pleased with both players’ performances. Fellow defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne believes Buggs has improved each game.
“He’s getting the playbook and playing faster,” Payne said. “I think that’s really good on him.”
Plays of the game:
A mere 13 seconds after Texas A&M took a 3–0 lead in the first quarter, running back Damien Harris blazed past the defense and scored from 75 yards out. It was his seventh touchdown of the year. Last season, he only had two.
Late in the third quarter, Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond evaded multiple defenders on fourth down and found Christian Kirk in the end zone. Kirk made an impressive catch standing on his toes. That touchdown made the game interesting again. Nick Saban said he would have liked to see Alabama’s defense bring down Mond on plays like that.
“One of the things we didn’t do a very good job of was finishing on the quarterback,” Saban said. “He made two touchdowns on scramble plays where we should’ve had the guy sacked and weren’t able to finish. That’s something we definitely need to do a better job of.”
Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted Kellen Mond on the one yard line after the Aggies were driving to get back into the game. That play came at a crucial time in the game and helped Alabama hang on to the victory.
“Minkah has been an outstanding performer for us all year,” Nick Saban said. “He makes a lot of plays. He does a really good job. The interception was big.”
Key to the game: Turnovers
Even though Texas A&M gained over 300 yards, Alabama forced them to commit three turnovers. In the second quarter, Raekwon Davis recovered a fumble, which led to a touchdown drive for Alabama.
“We just really wanted to emphasize getting the ball out,” Rahsaan Evans said. “Anytime we can get any type of turnover, it’s always a good thing.”
Alabama’s one turnover was also a big play in the game. After Robert Foster fumbled, Texas A&M went down the field and scored to make the game 24–10. It was the first time Alabama allowed a regular season touchdown against an SEC opponent since the Crimson Tide played Texas A&M last season.
Statistical leaders:
Alabama:
(Passing) Jalen Hurts– 13 of 22, 123 yards and one touchdown
(Rushing) Damien Harris– 14 carries, 129 yards and one touchdown
(Receiving) Calvin Ridley– five catches, 68 yards
Texas A&M:
(Passing) Kellen Mond– 19 of 29, 237 yards, one touchdown and one interception
(Rushing) Trayveon Williams– 15 rushes, 38 yards
(Receiving) Trayveon Williams– four catches, 60 yards
Source:: The Crimson White Sports
