If Alabama’s offensive performance in the first half against Arkansas in any indication of what we could see more often in the future, the rest of the country should beware.
A large reason for Alabama’s victory on Saturday was the efficiency of Alabama’s offense during the first half. Quarterback Jalen Hurts finished the game 13-of-17 passing with 253 yards and 2 touchdowns. For a true freshman quarterback playing an SEC road game, Hurts had solid numbers, and the scary part is, he still has plenty of room for growth.
Due to fumbles and clock management issues, the offensive unit actually left points on the board three times. Joshua Jacobs fumbled the ball at Arkansas’ 1-yard line and ArDarius Stewart also fumbled near the goal line with Arkansas eventually recovering on its own 1. In both instances, the momentum was going the way of the Alabama offense.
Also, just before halftime, it appeared Alabama had a chance to make a field goal at the conclusion of a drive that included a big 32-yard gain by Damien Harris. However, the team elected to run the ball with six seconds left and eventually ran out of time.
The Alabama defense picked up the slack, but that is an entirely different story.
The Alabama running game had its most successful outing to date. Harris was a big part of Alabama’s 48-43 win at Ole Miss, and Joshua Jacobs played a big role in the team’s win last week against Kentucky. Alabama has received big games from at least one running back in each game, and Hurts is known to join the fun like he did against Ole Miss.
But on Saturday, the team had three strong rushing performances by three running backs. Harris had 13 carries for 122 yards, Bo Scarbrough had 7 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown, and Joshua Jacobs — in limited action — had 3 carries for 57 yards. Hurts added 20 yards on eight carries.
Jacobs reeled off a 56-yard run, then a 1-yard run and a final run in which he fumbled and suffered an elbow injury that sidelined him for the rest of the game. Saban said afterwards that Jacobs could have returned if needed but was held out as a precaution. The team will need him in the coming weeks.
Alabama finished the game with another balanced offensive effort: 264 yards rushing and 253 yards passing. However, the big key was the rushing efforts in the first half. Harris had a 57-yard run to set up a touchdown, Jacobs’ 56-yard run set up what looked like an opening score but resulted in nothing and Scarborough scored on a 21-yard touchdown run.
Alabama attained 214 of its 264 rushing yards during the first half, averaging a whopping 10.2 yards per carry.
Alabama had the most success rushing the ball on the perimeter and not between the tackles, as many past Alabama teams have done. Perhaps the team decided to run on the perimeter because of the strength of left tackle Cam Robinson and right tackle Jonah Williams, Alabama’s best offensive linemen.
Hurts definitely appreciated having ArDarius Stewart back in the lineup. Hurts connected with his receiver for 5 catches and a season-high 120 yards, finding him for several first downs along with the Tide’s longest play from scrimmage against the Razorbacks, a 67-yard gain that Stewart spoiled by fumbling.
And Hurts wasn’t perfect. There was the interception that came in the third quarter, just his second of the season and first since the team’s season opener against USC. There was also a poorly underthrown pass to a wide open Calvin Ridley. However, Hurts made up for it later with a laser to Ridley for a 4-yard touchdown pass.
The offense was less successful in the second half, but there is little doubt the offense was mighty impressive on the way to its 35-17 first-half lead. Of course, the offense can stand to improve. Ridley had just 14 yards receiving and O.J. Howard had just one reception.
However, against Arkansas, Alabama showed a glimpse of its capabilities when fully functioning.
