By outreach@cw.ua.edu (Tyler Waldrep)
Notes:
Korren Kirven started at right guard, but Josh Casher rotated in with him as the first half continued. Previous starter Lester Cotton joined the line when Alabama attempted field goals.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw 0 interceptions in his first four starts. He as now thrown six in his last five.
There was a clear effort by the Alabama coaching staff to get Hurts more comfortable throwing the ball. He finished the first half 20-28 for 244 yards and one interception.
However, Hurts still struggled to throw the ball down the field at times. In the first half he was 3-8 when attempting a pass of 10 yards or longer.
Hurts finished with a career-high 347 passing yards.
Wide receiver ArDarius Stewart also finished with a career-high 156 receiving yards.
Alabama coach Nick Saban at the half: “We played well on offense and moved the ball. Made some explosive plays. You know, we’re throwing the ball a little bit better. Have a little bit better balance in the game, so that’s good. Defensively, we put them in some tough spots. Bad special teams on kickoff coverage and also a turnover, but they came through for us. We just have to keep playing. It’s a 60-minute game. These guys can score points fast. They’ve got a good quarterback, so we’ve just got to keep playing.”
Mississippi State’s 47-yard field goal at the beginning of the third quarter ensured the Bulldogs would not be shutout. It also ended Alabama’s streak of holding opponents scoreless to only seven quarters. …read more
Source:: The Crimson White Sports
