Crimson Tide Rolls The Aggies 41-23
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Despite referees and turnovers, the Alabama Crimson Tide dominated the Texas A&M Aggies at College Station Texas, taking them to the woodshed . Interceptions and sacks played a big part in this game, as well as the rushing game of his career by Derrick Henry. The Crimson Tide moves to 6-1, 3-1 SEC.
Alabama had three touchdowns off interceptions (a school record), two by Minkah Fitzpatrick and one by Eddie Jackson. The two by freshman Minkah Fitzpatrick were the first two of his career, and what a two it was in returning both for scores. His first went for 33 yards opening the scoring for the Crimson Tide, putting them in the lead 7-0. The second was for a 55-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter. Fitzpatrick is the only Bama receiver to ever return two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game. Eddie Jackson scored on a 93-yard interception return with the help of two great blocks by team mate Cyrus Jones.
Running back Derrick Henry had a huge game, scoring a touchdown in his 12th consecutive game to take sole possession of the Alabama record. He had 236 yards and two touchdowns on the day on 32 carries, with 153 of those yards coming in the first quarter.
The score at the half was Alabama 28-6, and the Aggies were never able to get closer than 8 points during the contest. Prior to this game A&M had outscored their opponents 121-37 in the first half of play. Alabama has changed that to 124-65, which is still respectable.
Alabama had 17 first downs as compared to 16 for A&M. The Tide led in total yards 396-316, with 138 of that passing for Bama and 284 for the Aggies. Alabama quarterback Jake Coker was 19 of 25 in passing for a 5.3 yard per pass average.
The Tide had one turnover, compared to four for Texas A&M which proved to be devastating to the Aggies. Alabama was penalized 60 yards on seven calls as opposed to one penalty for the Aggies for five yards.
Next week Alabama takes on the Tennessee Volunteers in what was once known as "The Third Saturday in October." Let Tennessee Hate Week begin!
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Derrick Henry Sets Rushing Record
He stands alone.
Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry now stands alone with the record for consecutive touchdowns with 12. Henry scored on a 55-yard touchdown run to give the talented back a rushing touchdown in 12 consecutive games.
Henry was a beast in the game. He had 236 yards and two touchdowns on the day on 32 carries, with 153 of those yards coming in the first quarter.
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Kiffin's Back Must Be Tired
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Yes, this one is another criticism on my part of the rude criticisms taking place concerning Alabama's offense. More specifically the criticisms of Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. So many have climbed on his back surely it must be tired and sore.
So many "experts" on Twitter were dogging Kiffin before the football game even began. Throughout the game these same experts continued relentlessly with taunts and their commentary on the game. Yes, they have the "right". Just as I have the right to speak against it. Amazing that so many don't understand that if you don't throw the football, or run mis-direction at times then the straight-ahead run will not always work. And consider that some of the "big" runs that excite everyone is because passes have caused the secondary to have to cover their men, leaving an open field for Derrick Henry to be able to make the long runs.
Do I agree with all of the Kiffin calls? No. But I don't agree with every defensive call either. Perhaps I wouldn't be so ticked off at the time of writing this but the criticism began before anyone knew anything about the game plan. One even signed his criticism from Saban and the Alabama fans. Yes, Lane is offensive coordinator, but do people honestly believe that Saban doesn't know what Kiffin has planned for the game that week? Really? You criticize Kiffin but not Saban?
I have great respect for all of our coaches and players. Each of us should give the respect. It's not respectable to start the criticism prior to the start of the game. We talk of respect. We get angry when our team is not respected. Yet it seems that those who are angry about disrespect from "non-Bama fans" directed at us should realize they are doing the same, except it's worse. It's directed at our own coaches.
Something else. Let a pass play work and everyone is happy. Everyone is thrilled. That includes the critics of throwing the football.
There goes four or five more blog readers. Fine. I happen to believe there is plenty of commenting that can be done concerning a football game that we don't have to resort to name-calling or innuendo.
Of course I've noticed that many just want to see their comments in print along with the "sports accounts" that are helping call the play recaps and provide stats. I've now muted some and blocked others on Twitter. Others, I'm sure, will now do it to me.
How soon the critics forget that numerous times last season games were won on Kiffin's play selection. How many games have we lost since Kiffin became offensive coordinator? How many times have we fallen out of the Top-10? How many times have we been out of it because of Kiffin and the offense? Oh, and how many times when our defense was leaking did we need Kiffin and the offense to keep us in the games in the past?
Yeah.
Roll Tide! I have an appreciation for the players and coaching staff. If I could get the kind of money the coaches get for calling plays I'd be doing that. Obviously many of you making these disrpectful remarks aren't any better than the rest of us or you'd have Lane Kiffin's job. Or Saban's job, since he hired Kiffin and keeps him in the position.
Again, thank you, coaches. ALL of the coaches. My hat's off to you. Not only do you have a difficult job coaching and planning for a different team each week, you have "experts" out here second-guessing everything.
Again, Roll Tide! Love you, UA.
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