I have it on the very best authority. The elected representatives of the people of Louisiana passed a bill, signed into law by the Governor, that requires each "University of Louisiana" to use the city of location in its name. The fine, law-abiding folks associated with the University of Louisiana at Monroe are good examples for all citizens of the Pelican State to emulate. No so ULL, who insist on calling themselves "The University of Louisiana."
ULL's affectation irritates ULM and LSU fans in equal proportion, so they refer to ULL as U-La-La. Rather than "Ragin' Cajuns", perhaps the University of Louisiana at Lafayette ought to be known as the "Scofflaws."
But what's in a name? Whether Ragin' Cajuns or Scofflaws, the U-La-La football team served the function of a Week Five scrimmage opponent. For that dubious honor they were fairly compensated. Not only did they earn a big check, the Scofflaws took away some positive coaching points to use in practice. In the second half U-La-La out scored Alabama 14-7, converted 3 of 4 possession downs, and controlled the ball a full minute longer.
A less than capacity crowd in Tuscaloosa watched Alabama boat-race another 2018 opponent 56-14, but mindful of Coach Saban's admonition to highlight the negative, here are some hard truths: U-La-La's starters were a better football team than Alabama's three and four deep rotation. Oh, and while I am highlighting the negatives, Alabama does not have a reliable field goal capability.
On the plus side, the score at the half was 49-0, Jalen Hurts played towards the end of the first quarter, with Tua returning to action late in the 2nd to get some reps in the two-minute offense. Mack Jones played most of the second half, and threw a touchdown pass. Alabama's ground game posted a season high 268 net yards rushing, and Jaylen Waddle returned a punt for Bama's fifth non-offensive touchdown of the season.
Because Alabama had to pay the Scofflaws, a one whole letter grade deduction will be assessed, and here is how I grade the game:
Offense: B+ Yes, the offense failed to score more than a single TD in the second half, but the coach's decisions to go deep into the roster, and concentrate on the running game were clearly correct. Alabama gained 608 yards of total offense [268 rushing]; earned 26 first downs, converted 7 of 9 possession downs, and held the ball for 30:04.
Three QBs saw significant playing time. Tua completed each of his 8 passing attempts for 128 yards and 2 TDs. His longest completion gained 34 yards. Jalen completed 4 of his 6 pass attempts for 118 yards and 2 TDs. For the first time this season, Jalen showed off great strides he has achieved as a passer under the coaching of Dan Enos. Jalen made two excellent down field throws, the best of which was his 54 yard completion for a TD to Henry Ruggs, III. Mac Jones attempted only 2 passes, but his lone completion happened to be to Jaylen Waddle, who is simply too good to be stopped; 94 yards later Waddle scored his second receiving TD of the game.
Ruggs led all receivers with 5 catches gaining 116 yards scoring 2 TDs. Waddle caught 3 passes for 138 yards. Jerry Jeudy gained 58 yards on 2 receptions. In total 6 players caught passes.
Najee Harris gained 73 net yards rushing and scored a rushing TD. Brian Robinson, Jr. carried the ball 12 times for 65 yards. Josh Jacobs scored 2 rushing TDs and posted a rushing average of 8.2 yards on 6 runs. Eight different players ran the ball.
The offense scored a TD on each of its 6 offensive possessions of the first half. The Tide mounted 8 drives gaining 40 or more yards [72, 69, 80, 70, 62, 70, 89, 50] resulting in 6 TDs, a missed FG, and the end of the game.
Defense: B- Granted, lots of players took the field on defense who may not see action again this year until the Citadel comes to town, but ULL gained an unacceptable 200 net yards rushing and 288 total yards. Deionte Thompson was the leading tackler with 7 total stops [4 solo]. Joshua McMillon recorded 6 tackles. Trevon Diggs and Xavier McKinney each made an interception. Diggs also forced a fumble that was recovered by ULL. In total, the Defense made 5 tackles for lost yardage [2 sacks] broke up 4 passes, and hurried the Scofflaw's QBs 3 times.
Special Teams:
Punting: A+ No deduction here. The Bama punt block/return team blocked and recovered ULL's first punting attempt [Derek Kief]. The next time the Scofflaws punted, Jaylen Waddle returned the kick 63 yards for a TD. Waddle's return was sprung by a decisive block on the ULL long snapper. From there Waddle broke a tackle, set up his blocking, cut back across the field, and outran the pursuit. It was an electrifying return. Alabama did not punt. Not once. I have not checked the record book, but I do not recall another game where the Tide never even attempted a punt.
Kickoffs: A Joseph Bulovas kicked off 9 times for an average of 64.3 yards per kick. ULL only returned 2 of those kicks for a total of 39 yards.
Place Kicking: D- Bulovas converted each of his 8 PAT attempts. Otherwise, he missed each of his two FG attempts [24, 31]. I do not know what the fix is for Bama's place kicking woes, but whatever it is has to be found.
Coaching: B The Tide was penalized only 3 times for 15 yards. The participation report lists 66 players who saw action in the game. The state of Bama's place kicking game prevents awarding the +.
Games like this don't provide much fodder for analysis. Unlike losing to the U-La-La's of the world would have done. I am reminded of Coach Stallings' answer to a reporter who asked about whether games against inferior opponents were important. "Try losing one."
So I am delighted to share the following story that came my way during the first quarter of the ULL game:
Granddaughter (GD): "Opa, what if they have to go to the bathroom while running with the football?
Opa: "After they score, they go to the locker room and go to the bathroom."
GD: "You mean scoring is more important than going to the bathroom?"
Opa: "Yes."
GD: "WOW!"
This may be a cautionary tale. Scoring is indeed more important than going to the bathroom. Especially, so when you can't kick field goals from 24 and 31 yards. On the horizon are opponents with very good defenses. These opponents also have the ability to control the ball, run the clock, and win a close game in the fourth quarter. Did you watch Clemson's heroic comeback win over Syracuse?
We are living in a new world for Tide football. The offense is fun to watch, and through five games has been unstoppable. This team's identity is becoming defined by the offense. But remember: Tua has a 0% QB rating in the fourth quarter. Alabama has not been genuinely tested. The Tide has not had to prove it can win a game when the QB is having a bad day. These are unanswered questions. Perhaps these questions will never be raised in a game, but I believe sooner or later they will be.
The Hogs are next. The Porkers are now the most important game of the year so far.
Roll Tide, Y'all.
The Commissioner
Three QBs saw significant playing time. Tua completed each of his 8 passing attempts for 128 yards and 2 TDs. His longest completion gained 34 yards. Jalen completed 4 of his 6 pass attempts for 118 yards and 2 TDs. For the first time this season, Jalen showed off great strides he has achieved as a passer under the coaching of Dan Enos. Jalen made two excellent down field throws, the best of which was his 54 yard completion for a TD to Henry Ruggs, III. Mac Jones attempted only 2 passes, but his lone completion happened to be to Jaylen Waddle, who is simply too good to be stopped; 94 yards later Waddle scored his second receiving TD of the game.
Ruggs led all receivers with 5 catches gaining 116 yards scoring 2 TDs. Waddle caught 3 passes for 138 yards. Jerry Jeudy gained 58 yards on 2 receptions. In total 6 players caught passes.
Najee Harris gained 73 net yards rushing and scored a rushing TD. Brian Robinson, Jr. carried the ball 12 times for 65 yards. Josh Jacobs scored 2 rushing TDs and posted a rushing average of 8.2 yards on 6 runs. Eight different players ran the ball.
The offense scored a TD on each of its 6 offensive possessions of the first half. The Tide mounted 8 drives gaining 40 or more yards [72, 69, 80, 70, 62, 70, 89, 50] resulting in 6 TDs, a missed FG, and the end of the game.
Defense: B- Granted, lots of players took the field on defense who may not see action again this year until the Citadel comes to town, but ULL gained an unacceptable 200 net yards rushing and 288 total yards. Deionte Thompson was the leading tackler with 7 total stops [4 solo]. Joshua McMillon recorded 6 tackles. Trevon Diggs and Xavier McKinney each made an interception. Diggs also forced a fumble that was recovered by ULL. In total, the Defense made 5 tackles for lost yardage [2 sacks] broke up 4 passes, and hurried the Scofflaw's QBs 3 times.
Special Teams:
Punting: A+ No deduction here. The Bama punt block/return team blocked and recovered ULL's first punting attempt [Derek Kief]. The next time the Scofflaws punted, Jaylen Waddle returned the kick 63 yards for a TD. Waddle's return was sprung by a decisive block on the ULL long snapper. From there Waddle broke a tackle, set up his blocking, cut back across the field, and outran the pursuit. It was an electrifying return. Alabama did not punt. Not once. I have not checked the record book, but I do not recall another game where the Tide never even attempted a punt.
Kickoffs: A Joseph Bulovas kicked off 9 times for an average of 64.3 yards per kick. ULL only returned 2 of those kicks for a total of 39 yards.
Place Kicking: D- Bulovas converted each of his 8 PAT attempts. Otherwise, he missed each of his two FG attempts [24, 31]. I do not know what the fix is for Bama's place kicking woes, but whatever it is has to be found.
Coaching: B The Tide was penalized only 3 times for 15 yards. The participation report lists 66 players who saw action in the game. The state of Bama's place kicking game prevents awarding the +.
Games like this don't provide much fodder for analysis. Unlike losing to the U-La-La's of the world would have done. I am reminded of Coach Stallings' answer to a reporter who asked about whether games against inferior opponents were important. "Try losing one."
So I am delighted to share the following story that came my way during the first quarter of the ULL game:
Granddaughter (GD): "Opa, what if they have to go to the bathroom while running with the football?
Opa: "After they score, they go to the locker room and go to the bathroom."
GD: "You mean scoring is more important than going to the bathroom?"
Opa: "Yes."
GD: "WOW!"
This may be a cautionary tale. Scoring is indeed more important than going to the bathroom. Especially, so when you can't kick field goals from 24 and 31 yards. On the horizon are opponents with very good defenses. These opponents also have the ability to control the ball, run the clock, and win a close game in the fourth quarter. Did you watch Clemson's heroic comeback win over Syracuse?
We are living in a new world for Tide football. The offense is fun to watch, and through five games has been unstoppable. This team's identity is becoming defined by the offense. But remember: Tua has a 0% QB rating in the fourth quarter. Alabama has not been genuinely tested. The Tide has not had to prove it can win a game when the QB is having a bad day. These are unanswered questions. Perhaps these questions will never be raised in a game, but I believe sooner or later they will be.
The Hogs are next. The Porkers are now the most important game of the year so far.
Roll Tide, Y'all.
The Commissioner
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