Alabama football: Drew Lock trying to join exclusive 300-yard club against Nick Saban, Tide
By Marq Burnett
Published:
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama is blowing teams out, so it hasn’t mattered in the grand scheme, but the Crimson Tide’s defense has looked shaky at times.
The Tide already have allowed 9 TD passes this season. That’s one more than they allowed all of last season, when they surrendered the fewest in the nation.
In comes Drew Lock and Missouri’s high-powered offensive attack looking to take advantage of Alabama’s struggles as the Crimson Tide hosts the Tigers on Saturday for Homecoming.
Alabama will have its hands full in the secondary especially with starting cornerback Trevon Diggs (foot) out.
Lock is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC. He’s only thrown 11 TDs this season — 0 in his past two games — but he set the SEC single-season record with 44 last season.
He has the respect of Alabama’s players.
“He’s the real deal. He can (make) pinpoint (throws),” Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams said. “He can get it out there quick, fast. He knows where his looks are at. He’s a veteran on that offense. He really runs that offense. And they’ve got a great offensive line, they can run the ball whenever they want. … Drew Lock, he’s good. He’s a good quarterback.”
Lock will try to join an exclusive 300-yard club against Alabama. Under Nick Saban, the Tide have given up a 300-yard passing day just 14 times. (Chad Kelly and Deshaun Watson did it twice.) Alabama is 9-5 in those games.
[table “” not found /]Lock has thrown for more than 300 yards in two of Missouri’s sixth games (Wyoming and Purdue) and he was 11 yards shy of doing it for a third time in the opener.
“Drew Lock is hands down one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, if not the best,” Alabama safety Deionte Thompson said. “The way that he can get the ball out of his hands is very fast. The way they move …they average the most plays in college football. It’s going to be a fast-paced game. We have to get lined down, get the call, communicate and be ready to play.”
Lock is second in the SEC with 297 passing yards per game. He’s thrown for 11 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. Saban considers him one of the best.
“I think he’s an outstanding player,” Saban said. “He’s got to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country. … He’s athletic enough to make plays with his feet or pull the ball every now and then and run it. I think he’s a smart player. I think he does a good job of executing his offense. I think they’ve got some really good skill guys on offense and they’ve got a really good scheme, and he does a great job of executing it.
“He’s a very, very talented guy. I don’t know how many quarterbacks are better than him in the country, but he’s got to be one of the best. He’s got to be right up there at the top.”
Veteran Alabama beat reporter Marq Burnett covers the Crimson Tide for Saturday Down South.
