TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama coach Nick Saban wanted to get a lot of reserves into Saturday’s game against Western Carolina, and he did, but not necessarily the way initially hoped.
With some starters held out of the 48-14 victory and numerous others sustaining injuries many backups were pressed into service early. With the Crimson Tide giving up two controversial touchdowns the first unit stayed in the game until about midway through the third quarter.
Regardless, fans still got a good glimpse of the Crimson Tide of the future, especially offensively, as Alabama tallied 612 yards of total offense and broke the school record for first downs in a game with 36.
“We played a lot of guys,” Saban said, while Alabama’s statisticians put the number at 71.
The Crimson Tide gained 275 rushing yards despite not having junior T.J. Yeldon (hamstring). Instead, sophomore Derrick Henry scored three touchdowns while making his first career start, but had his first career fumble.
Henry had 92 rushing yards on 12 carries, which put him over the 1,000-yard mark for his career (1,064).
“I haven’t done that since high school, so it’s definitely something to be proud of and something to build on,” said Henry, who had a 9-yard touchdown reception to go with scoring runs of 10 and 23 yards.
Redshirt freshman Tyren Jones and sophomore Altee Tenpenny both had 11 carries, resulting in 75 and 64 rushing yards, respectively. Senior fullback Jalston Folwer contributed five carries for 30 yards as well.
Meanwhile, the receiving corps had 337 yards despite being without senior DeAndrew White (hamstring) and junior Amari Cooper had just three catches for 46 before being pulled due to a bruised knee.
Instead, topping the list of 11 players with a reception was sophomore Chris Black with six catches for 101 yards, and Stewart – who started for White and sustained strained knee ligaments – had five receptions for 51 yards.
“It was very good,” Sims said about the chemistry with the younger receivers. “They worked very hard in practice and we’re just happy that they came in and did what they had to do.
“Chris Black did a great job, Cam Sims too and ArDarius Stewart.”
Although Sims said he’d take the blame for his interception – his first in 158 attempts, the third longest streak in the Crimson Tide history – he essentially had two receivers run to the same spot, with the quarterback airing one out into the end zone for the easy pick.
Sims completed 17 of 26 attempts for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while junior Jake Coker was 12 of 18 for 115 yards and a 12-yard touchdown pass to walk-on senior tight end Michael Nysewander.
“I thought he did better and managed the game better than the last time he got to play,” Saban said about Coker. “The guy made some really good throws out there.”
When freshman left tackle Cam Robinson headed to the locker room with a sprained ankle senior Austin Shepherd switched from right tackle to left tackle, with sophomore Grant Hill inserted.
The second-unit players, who will look to replace the three senior starters of Leon Brown, Arie Kouandjio and Shepherd, entered the game one series after Coker.
“On the defensive side, we probably played more players all year long. It was good to get those guys some opportunities,” Saban said before adding about linebacker Tim Williams and defensive lineman Josh Frazier recording sacks, “That was really good for them.
“I thought those guys did a pretty good job when they went in the game, in terms of the way they executed.”
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
