Alabama entered Saturday’s home opener against New Mexico State with a few questions. Here is how the Crimson Tide answered them.
1. Will Tua Tagovailoa throw four TD passes?
Technically he did. The games first play was a 75-yard screen to Henry Ruggs that went for a touchdown. It was ruled a run since the ball was thrown behind the line of scrimmage. Tagovailoa finished with three touchdown tosses on 16 of 25 passing for 227 yards. With his four TD passes last week Tagovailoa already has seven TDs this season.
2. Which happens first, 100-yards receiving or 100-yards rushing?
For the second week in a row, Jerry Jeudy (103 yards, 3 TDs) went over the 100-yard mark. His 19-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter put him over the top. Jeudy caught eight passes to lead the receivers, averaging 12.9 yards per catch. The closest running back to 100 yards was Keilan Robinson (80), which included a run of 74 yards.
3. What about the other Tagovailoa?
Last week Taulia Tagovailoa saw the field late in the fourth quarter against Duke and Alabama scored on his first play. The freshman quarterback did not set foot on the field Saturday.
4. How long before the crowd calls it a day?
It was a good-sized crowd at the start the game. It wasnt a true sellout, but it was decent considering the opponent and the 97-degree temperature. The crowd was cut in half at the start of the third quarter with a small, but energetic number of students hanging around to take advantage of UA’s Tide Loyalty Points, which rewards students for attending and staying at home football games.
Compiled by Edwin Stanton
