ORLANDO — Alabama debuted a number of new special teams players against Louisville, including a new placekicker and a new punter.
Austin Jones was the first kicker to play for the Crimson Tide in the 2018 season, hitting 4 of 4 extra points in the first half. Jones, a senior, is a graduate transfer from Temple. Joseph Bulovas handled kickoff duties.
Freshman Skyler DeLong punted for the first time in the second quarter, booting the ball 39 yards on his first collegiate attempt. JK Scott, now with the Green Bay Packers, was Alabama’s punter for the previous four years.
Rookie Jaylen Waddle handled punt return duties. He made a couple of fair catches and then gained 12 yards on his first return and scooted 31 yards on his second. Josh Jacobs and Trevon Diggs lined up as Alabama’s returners on the opening kickoff, which went out of bounds.
Mac Jones was the holder on the first extra point after Tua Tagovailoa was shaken up on the touchdown pass. Tagovailoa handled the holding duties thereafter. Thomas Fletcher was UA’s long snapper.
Count correctly
In the first half alone, Louisville had four penalties called on it for having more than 11 players on the field. Each miscount cost the Cardinals 5 yards each. One of those, however, was declined.
Louisville, overall, had five penalties for a loss of 30 yards. In addition to the substitution infractions, it was called for roughing the passer (Tagovailoa) in the first quarter – first penalty of the game. Then, in the second quarter, its offense was called on a false start.
Meanwhile, Alabama had two penalties for a loss of 20 yards through two quarters.
Terrin Waack contributed to this report.
