The Crimson Tide went into the locker room Saturday at halftime in a predicament it hasn’t experienced this season — without the lead. Instead, No. 1 Alabama was tied 10-10 with The Citadel, a Football Championship Subdivision team.
Prior to the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium, UA was outscoring opponents 347-58 in the first half. It had possessed a double-digit lead entering the third quarter of every other game this season, home or away. Its highs and lows consisted of a 49-point lead over Louisiana-Lafayette and a 16-point lead over LSU.
Alabama had also kept five opponents scoreless through two quarters.
Here is a look at all of the Crimson Tide’s halftime scores this season:
Alabama 28, Louisville 0
Alabama 40, Arkansas State 0
Alabama 49, Ole Miss 7
Alabama 31, Texas A&M 13
Alabama 49, Louisiana-Lafayette 0
Alabama 41, Arkansas 14
Alabama 30, Missouri 10
Alabama 42, Tennessee 14
Alabama 16, LSU 0
Alabama 21, Mississippi State 0
Alabama 10, The Citadel 10
Regardless of the split-even score, Alabama remains undefeated, winning 50-17.
Fast starts
The Crimson Tide has now scored on its first offensive drive in 10 of 11 games this season. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in the end zone.
The team was on an eight-game run at the start of the season but didn’t score until its second series against LSU two weekends ago. Alabama did score on its first drive last week against Mississippi State, though. So now UA is at two games in a row.
Prior to Saturday’s matchup, Alabama had won 24 consecutive games when its first drive capped off with a touchdown. Last time it immediately put up points and then ultimately lost was the 2014 Sugar Bowl.
UA had a 7-0 lead over The Citadel entering the second quarter. Alabama didn’t get the ball until midway through the first period. Its scoring drive started with 7:52 on the clock and ended with 4:23 left. It consisted of eight plays for 80 yards.
