The hit jarred the football loose. But the top-ranked Crimson Tide resiliently punched back late in the half and held off the No. 17 Rebels in the second half to escape Oxford, Miss., with a 48-43 victory.
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Love of the game, love of the team, love of one another; Saban wanted to know if everyone felt that. You have to go for the win in those situations. “If you really love it, we’ll overcome whatever we have to”. And that was just what was self-inflicted.
For the second time this season Kelly took responsibility for the loss after the game.
After another strong stand from the defense, Crimson Tide kicker Adam Griffith connected on a 30-yard field goal to put Alabama up 27-24.
Nebraska 35, OR 32 – Tommy Armstrong Jr. scored on a 34-yard quarterback draw with 2:29 left and the defense held on the No. 22 Ducks’ final series as the Cornhuskers spung the upset in Lincoln, neb. The Crimson Tide were torn to pieces by 421 passing yards courtesy of Chad Kelly, and gave up a defensive touchdown as well as 43 points to the Rebels, the same number as last year’s loss in Tuscaloosa. Then, after an onside kick, his 37-yard touchdown to A.J.
We’ll have up-to-the-minute scoring and stats here throughout the game.
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium rocked, and all the elements of an Alabama defeat were there. Alabama defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne (94) celebrates his 3-yard fumble recovery with linebacker Reuben Foster (10) in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Oxfo.
Neal finished 28-of-39 for 238 yards while the Cardinals rushed for 193 yards. Kelly hit Damore’ea Stringfellow in the endzone for a touchdown that brought Ole Miss to within 48-37. “This was a tough game”. “We definitely had to grind it out”. The thing about guys with fantastic arm strength is the fact that they believe they can fit the ball into even the tiniest windows, and sometimes it’s true.
“All phases and players contributed to this”, Alabama coach Nick Saban said. We need to get some of these guys back healthy and get ready for the next game and the improvements we have to make.
“It was an unbelievable game for fans to watch”, said Saban, smiling wryly.
His team’s performance wasn’t altogether pretty, though. “I have to throw the ball away more and I didn’t do that today”.
Following a personal foul and an out-of-bounds kick, the Tide took over at midfield and went 44 yards in two plays on a 22-yard completion and 22-yard rush by Hurts to the Ole Miss six. Alabama hosts Kent State and Kentucky over the next two weeks. “I am excited about getting back on the field with those young guys”.
Special teams: B+ – Anytime special teams can account for a touchdown, it’s generally considered a win, and Eddie Jackson’ 85-yard punt return for a score was certainly that, helping spark the rest of the team. “It was good to get a win on a short week where preparation was hard, especially against this offense”.
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There will be more tests like this if the Tide are to make it to the playoffs and repeat as national champions.
