Tyrell Shavers is going to get some razzing this week.
The Crimson Tide receiver had an opportunity for an easy touchdown after Ale Kaho blocked an Ole Miss punt in the third quarter.
The ball went straight up into the air and Shavers was waiting in the end zone for the ball to come down. Instead, it went straight through his hands and onto the turf.
Kaho was quick to jump on the ball for a touchdown to put the Crimson Tide ahead 52-17.
“I didn’t know it was blocked to be honest until I saw that we scored a touchdown,” Crimson Tide punt returner Jaylen Waddle said. “I know Shavers was supposed to get a touchdown and he ended up dropping it. He’s going to hear it. He’s going to hear that one a lot.”
Waddle might be getting some razzing this week as well. On his first return in the first quarter he tried to run with the ball before securing it and the ball bounced off his hands and into the hands of Ole Miss defender A.J. Finley, who returned it for a touchdown. The play was ruled down at the 30, but Ole Miss still scored a few plays later.
He made up for it on his next two, which he came within an eyelash of breaking for touchdowns.
“After the muff the coaches just told me not to rush it. They know I can get kind of excited back there,” Waddle said. “They just told me not to overthink it and play my game.”
Overall it was still a good day for Alabama’s special teams in the 59-31 win.
Waddle had three returns for 52 yards with a long of 29.
It was the first time Alabama had blocked a punt since last year. It’s the first punt block for a touchdown since Josh Jacobs scored on a block by Derrick Gore in the SEC Championship Game in 2016.
Joseph Bulovas made a 36-yard field goal and was perfect 8 of 8 on extra points. He also missed a field goal.
“We did make some plays on special teams today,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “We did a good job on punt return and made some explosive plays. The block was big, with the score. All in all I was pleased.”
Reach Edwin Stanton at 205-722-0226, edwin.stanton@tuscaloosanews.com or via Twitter, @edwinstantonu2
