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Four Downs: Alabama vs. USC
Tommy Deas | Staff
Alabama running back Damien Harris is pursued by USCÕs AdoreeÕ Jackson during Alabama's season opening game with the University of Southern California Saturday, September 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas.
Gary Cosby Jr. | The Tuscaloosa News
ARLINGTON, Texas – The top-ranked, defending national champion University of Alabama football team stepped into AT&T Stadium on Saturday night with a few questions to answer against No. 20 Southern Cal. Here are four of them, and how UA responded:
1. Who will step up as Alabama's top running back?
Sophomore Damien Harris had a big game, gaining 138 yards on just nine carries – with the bulk of that coming on breakaway runs of 46 and 73 yards – to make a mark in his first start. UA, however, never got any consistency going with its ground game.
2. What kind of quarterback play will UA get?
Jalen Hurts sparkled in relief, although it took him some time to settle into the game after entering late in the first quarter. He posted two rushing touchdowns and two passing scores while sparking the offense, tallying 150 combined yards. Blake Barnett went 5 for 6 for 100 yards passing with a touchdown.
3. Can Southern Cal run on Alabama's defense?
This was a resounding no. The Trojans never got any sort of running game going at all. Of course, that's what has come to be expected of the UA defense, and it played up to that reputation by allowing just 64 yards on 30 attempts in the season opener – although that total includes a 17-yard loss on a fumbled punt snap.
4. How will the Crimson Tide's special teams look?
There were certainly no major gaffes. Adam Griffith hit his only field goal try, a 29-yarder, and punter JK Scott boomed the ball for a 47-yard average. There's still room for more explosiveness in the return game, but the kicking game was a plus for UA.
TideSports.com - Four Downs: Alabama vs. USC
Tommy Deas | Staff
Alabama running back Damien Harris is pursued by USCÕs AdoreeÕ Jackson during Alabama's season opening game with the University of Southern California Saturday, September 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas.
Gary Cosby Jr. | The Tuscaloosa News
ARLINGTON, Texas – The top-ranked, defending national champion University of Alabama football team stepped into AT&T Stadium on Saturday night with a few questions to answer against No. 20 Southern Cal. Here are four of them, and how UA responded:
1. Who will step up as Alabama's top running back?
Sophomore Damien Harris had a big game, gaining 138 yards on just nine carries – with the bulk of that coming on breakaway runs of 46 and 73 yards – to make a mark in his first start. UA, however, never got any consistency going with its ground game.
2. What kind of quarterback play will UA get?
Jalen Hurts sparkled in relief, although it took him some time to settle into the game after entering late in the first quarter. He posted two rushing touchdowns and two passing scores while sparking the offense, tallying 150 combined yards. Blake Barnett went 5 for 6 for 100 yards passing with a touchdown.
3. Can Southern Cal run on Alabama's defense?
This was a resounding no. The Trojans never got any sort of running game going at all. Of course, that's what has come to be expected of the UA defense, and it played up to that reputation by allowing just 64 yards on 30 attempts in the season opener – although that total includes a 17-yard loss on a fumbled punt snap.
4. How will the Crimson Tide's special teams look?
There were certainly no major gaffes. Adam Griffith hit his only field goal try, a 29-yarder, and punter JK Scott boomed the ball for a 47-yard average. There's still room for more explosiveness in the return game, but the kicking game was a plus for UA.
TideSports.com - Four Downs: Alabama vs. USC
