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 defeated Colorado State, 41-23, at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday in front of 101,821 people.
Stellar stats
• JK Scott has kicked 200 punts for 9,190 yards in his career. The quantity is the third-most in Alabama history. The yardage is second.
• Running back Damien Harris is the only member of the Crimson Tide to score a rushing touchdown in every game this season. He had a 5-yard run in the third quarter.
• The 78-yard dime Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts threw to wide receiver Calvin Ridley was Hurts’ longest touchdown pass, and the sophomore has thrown 27 of them.
• Make that 33 games in which Ridley has had at least one reception, marking the third-longest active FBS streak.
• The Rams peaked during the second quarter. They scored on consecutive drives, the first time anyone has done so against the Crimson Tide this season. They outgained UA, 155-85, converted five of six third downs, and ran 23 offensive plays compared to Alabama’s eight.
Obscure facts
• Andy Pappanastos didn’t miss a field goal. In fact, he made two from 46 and 43 yards out. Scott, however, sent his 52-yard attempt wide right. It was Scott’s first time kicking a field goal since Charleston Southern in 2015, when he missed a 33-yarder.
• The Crimson Tide has played 77 games as the top team in the nation and is 66-11 in those matchups. So many double numbers.
• Colorado State scored more points against Alabama (23) than any other team this season. The Rams were unranked. Alabama was No. 1.
• No other team has scored against Colorado State on its first offensive drive this season. Hurts ran 27 yards into the end zone to change that.
• So, the Rams scored off a 4-yard pass during the second quarter. It took 11 plays and 86 yards to do so. Clock time? Six minutes and 17 seconds, the longest CSU has taken to score this season.
Around the country
• Mississippi State destroyed LSU, 37-7, the largest margin of victory in series history. Woof, Bulldogs.
• Vanderbilt defensive lineman Nifae Lealao had this to say after the Commodores’ win over Kansas State: “When you come to our house, we show you how to play some SEC ball. … Alabama, you’re next.”
• The No. 1 Crimson Tide is the only SEC team in the top 10.
Casual plug-in
Check out my new podcast, “That’s Just Waack.” Two episodes are already up, another coming Wednesday. Link: https://omny.fm/shows/thats-just-waack
Quoting Nick Saban
When the person who orchestrates the press conference interrupted Saban before he was done answering a question:
“You must have a date. You’re like in a real hurry to get out of here.”
Quoting the Crimson Tide
Placekicker Andy Pappanastos, on kicking well for the last few weeks:
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Quoting the opponent
CSU coach Mike Bobo, on what he thought about the Rams’ performance:
“We started off slow — we forgot who we were playing — and we were on our heels.”
Name of the game
CSU: Isiah Pannunzio
The redshirt freshman is a tight end for the Rams and doesn’t appear to be related to Alabama tight ends coach Joe Pannunzio.
GAME LEADERS
Top 3 rushers
1. UA: Jalen Hurts, 11 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown
2. UA: Bo Scarbrough, 12 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown
3. CSU: Dalyn Dawkins, 10 carries for 59 yards
Top 3 receivers
1. UA: Calvin Ridley, three receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown
2. CSU: Michael Gallup, four receptions for 70 yards
3. CSU: Izzy Matthews, three receptions for 47 yards
Top 3 passers
1. UA: Jalen Hurts, 12-17-0 for 248 yards and two touchdowns
2. CSU: Nick Stevens, 21-38-2 for 247 yards and two touchdowns (sacked twice)
3. UA: Tua Tagovailoa, 1-4-0 for 0 yards
Top 3 defenders
1. UA: Keith Holcombe, nine total tackles (a pass breakup)
2. CSU: Tre Thomas, seven total tackles
3. CSU: Josh Watson, seven total tackles
NEXT UP
Alabama (3-0) heads to Vanderbilt (3-0) on Saturday in Vanderbilt Stadium. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT and air on CBS.
