TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Just about everything went right in Alabama’s 63-0 opening win over Western Kentucky. More than the score, coach Kalen DeBoer was most excited about how his team carried out the win.
According to Pro Football Focus, 54 players got double-digit snaps on Saturday, and there wasn’t much drop off in production. The Tide scored at least one touchdown in every quarter (at least two in three quarters), and Western Kentucky was shut out for the first time since 2012 — when it lost 35-0 to a Nick Saban-coached Alabama.
“These guys have a determination and a relentlessness about them,” DeBoer said. “They just don’t wanna go out there and do their thing for a half and kind of just let the score kind of die off. They wanted the shutout, they wanted to put more points on the board. I just love their mindset.”
Alabama’s dominance was no surprise, but Western Kentucky is a respectable Group of 5 program, earning at least eight wins and a bowl victory in four of the past five seasons. Alabama was sharp from start to finish, which you would want to see as a fan in the first week. But even in dominance, a few areas need fine-tuning entering this week’s game against South Florida.
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This week’s Alabama film study examines two positives and one negative on offense and defense from the opener.
Offense
Positive — Jalen Milroe from the pocket
Milroe recorded his third career game of three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns (no other player in Alabama has done that once). The anticipated part was how he has improved his processing, pocket awareness and accuracy, and Saturday showed signs of growth.
His first touchdown pass to Ryan Williams came out of an unfavorable situation: third-and-13 inside their 20-yard line. Western Kentucky showed blitz but ended up in deep coverage, hoping to limit Milroe to an underneath throw to get off the field. But Milroe stayed aggressive. His first read, Germie Bernard, streaked across the field and occupied the safety. Milroe then turned Williams’ way and hit him in stride.
Milroe’s second touchdown to Williams was another example of going through his progressions. After a few initial reads, he went back to Williams in the middle of the field and did a good job of standing firm in the pocket amidst a blitz.
Finally, on this play, Milroe displayed quick decision-making, good mechanics and accuracy with a defender nearby. Wilkin Formby didn’t set a good base and got pushed into Milroe’s lap immediately, but Milroe stood firm and delivered an accurate ball nearly 20 yards downfield to convert the third down.
Negative — Pass protection
The play above is a good segue into a consistent issue on Saturday: pass blocking. On the second play from scrimmage. Elijah Pritchett, filling in for Kadyn Proctor, got beat off the edge. Milroe didn’t feel the pressure until it was too late and was stripped. This is the same play where Geno VanDeMark and Roq Mo are in the game because both Parker Brailsford and Tyler Booker lost their helmets on the play before.
The next two plays, like Milroe to Bernard above, show good results despite some pressure. On Milroe’s first touchdown of the game, a pass to Kendrick Law, there was some external pressure into the pocket, but Milroe stepped up, drew two defenders inward and flicked the ball to Law who did the rest.
This play preceded Jam Miller’s touchdown run in the second quarter. Western Kentucky sent six on a blitz, and Alabama had six men protecting, but it wasn’t a clean pickup and the pocket collapsed. But Milroe found a hole on the right side and escaped for a long run.
Brailsford’s snap over Milroe’s head in the first quarter also led to a turnover. Still an impressive offensive day, but there is plenty of room to improve.
Positive — Pulling offensive linemen
Where pass protection struggled at times, the running game shined. One of the staples of a DeBoer-led offense is pulling offensive linemen. Alabama’s line cut weight this offseason, and it showed on Saturday. It showcased itself in a few ways, whether it was two guards (Booker/Roberts on Milroe’s first rushing touchdown), Brailsford on Miller’s touchdown or by a guard/tackle. The longest play of the day (Justice Haynes’ 85-yard score) was created by Formby and Roberts’ pulls.
Defense
Positive — Pass rush
It was a strong day overall for Alabama’s defensive front, but the pass rush took center focus as the thing to watch. The defense showed an ability to create pressure in a few different ways.
On the opening possession, coordinator Kane Wommack introduced a speed rush package: Que Robinson at Wolf, James Smith and Jah-Marien Latham on the interior defensive line and Jihaad Campbell at the other edge, with Justin Jefferson taking Jihaad’s place at inside backer. Robinson easily beat his man and got the sack. This subpackage was used frequently on Saturday with multiple Wolves opposite Campbell. Jefferson’s ascension has created a chance for Campbell to return to his natural edge rusher position while keeping integrity at inside backer. Just another pathway to create pressure.
One big emphasis during preseason practice was creating pressure on the interior. Tim Keenan III, Jahiem Oatis and James Smith all had strong days inside. Oatis’ effort on this play was commendable, creating initial pressure and ultimately finishing the play.
Negative — Finishing plays
It’s hard to critique a unit that pitched a shutout while allowing 145 total yards, but if there was one it would be not finishing some plays to the best degree. On this first-down play, both Oatis and Keon Sabb made first contact 1 yard off the line of scrimmage, but the receiver wiggled free for a 5-yard gain. A potential second-and-long situation became second-and-manageable.
This play is executed at 90 per perfection. Qua Russaw got a good rush off the line, Deontae Lawson read TJ Finley’s eyes perfectly and jumped the route but let the interception slip through his hands. Sabb ended up intercepting Finley several plays later, but Lawson could’ve had a pick six.
Lastly, a third-and-14 opportunity for Alabama’s defense. There was a good pass rush, but sloppy tackling set up a fourth-and-manageable situation, although the defense did hold for the fourth-down stop. A near flawless day overall, but these marginal moments will be an emphasis this week as the unit seeks continual growth.
Positive — Campbell and Russaw
Two players who received significant buzz during August were Campbell and Russaw, who both flew around the field. Russaw led all Wolves with 29 snaps, and his athleticism flashed on early downs, like this play where he fought off his blocker and made a tackle for loss. Stiffer competition is ahead, but it was a good debut for the entire position group: Russaw, Robinson and Keanu Koht all had good moments.
In his second year at inside backer, Campbell seems much more comfortable. His play recognition has improved, which mixed with his athleticism is a dangerous combination. Those two elements came to a head on this play when Campbell immediately recognized Finley rolling out and pursued, then his athleticism took over.
(Photo of Kalen DeBoer, left, and Jalen Milroe: Brandon Sumrall / Getty Images)
