For the 2017 University of Alabama football season, TideSports intern Terrin Waack will provide select stellar stats, obscure facts and notable quotes from the most recent game to show how the Crimson Tide uses “The Process” against its opponents.
No. 1 Alabama slaughtered Ole Miss, 66-3, at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday in front of 101,821 people.
Stellar stats
- Alabama and Ole Miss have been playing each other since 1894, and the Crimson Tide’s 66 points against the Rebels was the most scored by either team – ever. The previous high was 64, twice.
- You want more? OK, the 66 points also signified the most for UA in general since 1979, when Alabama posted the same amount against Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide has now scored at least 60 points 28 times in program history.
- Speaking of Vanderbilt, that’s back-to-back SEC games Alabama has finished with more than 50 points, something that hasn’t happened since 1945.
- Did someone say non-offensive touchdown? Levi Wallace did. The senior defensive back’s 35-yard interception return marked the 60th non-offensive score under Alabama coach Nick Saban and the first this season. What’s truly impressive: Wallace is a former walk-on. He received his scholarship in August 2016.
Obscure facts
- All nine of Alabama’s touchdowns were scored by a different player: Wallace, Bo Scarbrough, Hale Hentges, Josh Jacobs, Jalen Hurts, Najee Harris, Tua Tagovailoa, Henry Ruggs III and Ronnie Clark. That’s every offensive skill position accounted for: four running backs, two quarterbacks, a tight end and a wide receiver. Plus, a defensive back.
- This was the first game this season that running back Damien Harris did not finish with a touchdown. There is no longer UA player who has scored in every game this season.
- Already up by 49 points in the third quarter, Alabama went for it on fourth and two at the 8-yard line and scored a touchdown.
- JK Scott made his first career field goal, nailing one from 48 yards out. Meanwhile, Andy Pappanastos, the one who normally kicks field goals, missed a 40-yard attempt.
Wait, what?
- Someone check on the Tigers down in Baton Rouge, La. LSU lost to Troy, 24-21. Best part: After the game, Troy’s official Twitter account tweeted, “Hey @lsu, thanks for having us down for homecoming! We really enjoyed it! :)” Savage, Trojans.
- The last time LSU lost a non-conference home game was on Sept. 23, 2000, against UAB. Guess who the Tigers’ head coach was: Saban.
Quoting Nick Saban
When he couldn’t hear a reporter’s question:
“You know, I don’t know if I’m going deaf or you guys need to talk in the microphone. Why do we give them a microphone if they hold it down here?”
Quoting the Crimson Tide
Running back Damien Harris on Saban seeming “salty” in the postgame press conference:
“Really? Why’s that? I think it’s just because it was you guys, if we’re being honest.”
Quoting the opponent
Ole Miss quarterback Shea Patterson on his impression of Alabama:
“They are the No. 1 team in the country for a reason, and they made a statement.”
Name of the game
OM: Gary Wunderlich
The senior is a kicker for the Rebels. His last name is different than the Wonderlic Personnel Test, which the NFL uses to test a player’s football IQ. (Note: You can try it yourself at footballiqscore.com. Looks like a lot of math.)
GAME LEADERS
Top 3 rushers
- UA: Jalen Hurts, 10 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown
- OM: Jordan Wilkins, 12 carries for 101 yards
- UA: Damien Harris, seven carries for 67 yards
Top 3 receivers
- UA: Calvin Ridley, four receptions for 60 yards
- OM: D.K. Metcalf, three receptions for 46 yards
- UA: Josh Jacobs, two receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown
Top 3 passers
- UA: Jalen Hurts, 12-19-0 for 197 yards and two touchdowns
- OM: Shea Patterson, 14-29-2 for 165 yards (sacked five times)
- UA: Tua Tagovailoa, 3-5-0 for 51 yards and a touchdown
Top 3 defenders
- OM: Zedrick Woods, 12 total tackles
- UA: Minkah Fitzpatrick, eight total tackles (a sack and a tackle for loss)
- UA: Da’Ron Payne, seven total tackles (a sack)
NEXT UP
Alabama (5-0) plays at Texas A&M (4-1) on Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. The game will kick off at 6:15 p.m. and air on ESPN.
