He scrambled in the pocket to keep plays and drives alive and went 13 of 22 for 171 yards passing with a touchdown. Despite all the injures, and even with all the inconsistencies, Ole Miss came up with one of its best overall performances in years – at least defensively – against a risky Texas A&M team that couldn’t go anywhere.
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Alabama drove 73 yards on 12 plays on its opening drive of the second half, but the Vols’ defense made a goal-line stand with Cameron Sutton batting way a potential two-yard touchdown pass on a quick slant. “Guys are flying around, and they look a lot more sure about what they’re doing in the secondary”. Kanell isn’t shy about challenging or tweaking SEC teams, and his opinion on Alabama certainly won’t be a popular one among Tide supporters. However, it was way too tough a fight at home for a team that should be hitting its stride. Maybe what we’re seeing right now is “growing pains”, as Jones described it. If they mature and learn to finish out games, Tennessee may turn into a force in the East. The Crimson Tide forced 4 Aggie turnovers.
Quarterback Kyle Allen has a case of Kenny Hill Syndrome. The freshman has been impressive through his first eight games at Alabama, leading Alabama in receiving with 499 yards on 44 catches this season. And while 3-4 was not the ideal outcome, especially when they had a lead in three of the fourth quarters in these games and blew leads of 13 points or more in three of them, things are about to get much easier.
Tennessee took its first lead of the game with 5:49 remaining after a quick four-play, 75 yard drive. The Hogs held the ball for 33 minutes, but they failed to dominate like they needed to with the ground attack to put it away. “So sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to win the game”. The Tide move to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC, while the Volunteers fall to 3-4 (1-3 in the SEC), with all four of their losses by a touchdown or less.
As for the Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry did the heavy lifting when it came to carrying the football. While the defensive line finally began to show their potential against Alabama, the offensive line came unglued at the worst possible time.
Henry gave the Tide a quick lead with 20-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The Vols are the classic case of the team that’s always “just good enough to lose”.
A 4-1 start feels like a long time ago for the Wildcats. Now they just need the same quality players waiting on the sideline as they have playing on the field.
Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) finds a big hole as he carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, October 24, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. He finished Saturday with six catches for 62 yards, but that line belies the impact he made in crucial downs.
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Henry, a junior, has carried the Alabama offense this season despite quarterback play and pass protection that has been inconsistent at times. This could be an interesting game for both teams in an SEC East showdown. Most of that disparity comes from the Crimson Tide’s five conceded sacks. So is it happening again? Jones voiced his support for the sophomore kicker Monday and said he had no plans to put Medley’s job up for competition. It might not be pretty, and this won’t be a bowl season, but there’s something building here.
