BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – It seemed like every time Texas A&M had an opportunity to strike, Alabama found a way to squash the momentum inside Kyle Field.
Alabama had just been called for back-to-back penalties on defense, allowing Texas A&M to pick up 25 yards for free. On the very next play, Max Johnson connected with Anias Smith who managed to break free and scored as he stretched for the endzone. Kyle Field was buzzing and it felt like everything was starting to fall apart for Nick Saban and Alabama.
Then the play was under review.
After another look, Smith’s foot had dragged out of bounds at the two-yard line. Instead of scoring, being down just two points, having all three timeouts, over 3 minutes to score and all the momentum in the world, Texas A&M was forced to try again.
Just a few short plays later, Jimbo Fisher was sending his field goal unit onto the field.
Leading up to that moment, the Aggies were called for holding, then Johnson was sacked, but they still found a way to get right back to Alabama’s two-yard line down with 2:14 – and all three timeouts – remaining. But they kicked the field goal regardless, down nine points.
They would try an onside-kick, but Texas A&M wouldn’t see the ball again and Alabama would escape College Station with their toughest remaining opponent behind them.
Jimbo’s less-than-ideal decisions
Fisher’s decision to kick the field goal at the end of the game could be argued for. Regardless of when it happens, Texas A&M was going to have to score a field goal and a touchdown in order to pull ahead. But some of the former Saban assistant’s other calls were also crucial when it came to the end of the game.
On the opening drive of the game, Fisher opted to go for it on 4th&1 from Alabama’s 19-yard line instead of kicking the field goal and taking a 3-0 lead. The ensuing pass was broken up.
Later, down 24-17 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, he opted to punt on 4th&6 from Alabama’s 45-yard line. In the third quarter – and with the game tied – Fisher opted to punt on 4th&1, again from Alabama’s 45-yard line.
Alabama’s pass heavy (?!) offense
After a game against Mississippi State where Jalen Milroe and Tommy Rees dialed up just 12 total passes, they were forced to go to the deep ball early and often Saturday afternoon – finishing the game with 20 completed passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns. The Crimson Tide attempted 30 passes on the night.
Texas A&M’s run defense allowed just 23 rushing yards on the night and was able to almost completely shut down Milroe’s mobility on the field. His first big run of the night didn’t come until the third quarter and only a handful of plays were specifically drawn up as QB runs. This lack of any real run game forced the Crimson Tide into a more pass-heavy offense – very similar to how Miami was able to beat Texas A&M early in the year.
Milroe bounced back from a rough second quarter – which saw several bad passes to open receivers – and led a red-hot drive out of the half before throwing his only interception of the night. Fortunately for him, that mistake was immediately reversed by a play from star freshman Caleb Downs – who picked off Johnson. Milroe would finish 20-30 passing on the night, despite being at just a 51% completion rate at half.
Alabama’s passing attack could not have happened without Jermaine Burton though, who had the best game of his career against the Aggies. Burton finished the day with 197 yards and 2 touchdowns and emerged as the Crimson Tide’s number one option inside the hostile environment of Kyle Field.
Penalty problem still exists
Despite Nick Saban’s ear-to-ear grin after escaping College Station with a win, he acknowledged that there was “a little bit of both” good news and bad news after the win.
The bad news? They recorded nine false start penalties on the night, including three in a row at one point during the game. Total, Alabama was called for 14 penalties (99 yards) on the day.
“This may be the record game for me in terms of messing up and still winning. It might be a record if you take the mess-ups and the penalties and you add them all together,” Saban said after the game.
Injury Report
Alabama’s Malachi Moore – who plays the STAR position on defense – had to be helped off the field during Saturday’s game. According to Saban, he has a twisted ankle.
Punter James Burnip – who has been excellent for Alabama this season – exited the game with a pulled muscle in his leg, also according to Saban. He did return to the game, but just to hold the ball on field goal attempts. Kicker Will Reichard took over punting duties for the remained of the game after Burnip’s exit.
Next Up
Alabama will return home – after a two-game road stretch – to take on Arkansas. The game is set for an 11 a.m. CT kick on ESPN.
Nicholas Pursley is the sports director at WVUA-FM. You can follow him on X @nicholaspursley. He also co-hosts The Low Tide on 90.7 FM from 7-8 p.m. CT in Tuscaloosa.
