M
Michael Casagrande | mcasagrande@al.com
Jaylen Waddle scored three times in Saturday's win over Louisiana-Lafayette.
Twice last week Jaylen Waddle punt returns were marred by blocking flags. The same in the opener -- his long runback for a touchdown was wiped away by a block in the back.
Not this time.
Alabama's water bug rookie found the end zone for the first time, with the help of a monster block, as part of his second breakout day in a Crimson Tide uniform. The Houston product scored three times in the 56-14 rout of Louisiana-Lafayette while accounting for 201 all-purpose yards.
His 94-yard touchdown catch in the second half -- the second longest pass play in Alabama history -- wasn't even the highlight. His 63-yard punt return in the first quarter had the less-than-capacity crowd going early.
"Dude is explosive," said Josh Jacobs, Alabama's running back and kickoff returner. "Very shifty. Very fast. So, he's going to be a problem. He's going to create mismatches whenever he's out there, regardless of it he's on special teams or offense."
Louisiana-Lafayette punter Rhys Byrns had a rushed operation after getting his first kick blocked moments earlier. That produced a low line drive right at Waddle. Avoiding the first would-be tackler, he broke for the right side of the field. There, freshman
linebacker Jaylen Moody threw a block that set off a chain reaction. Three defenders were left in Waddle's wake with a wall setting things up from there.
One more cut to the middle and he was home free.
It was Alabama's first punt return touchdown since Eddie Jackson's at Tennessee in 2016.
The score was also Alabama's fifth from non-offensive avenues with three interception returns and Jacobs' kickoff return against Louisville. The Tide had just two non-offensive scores last season but five in five games this fall.
Having Waddle changed a lot this year. The Tide averaged just 7.2 yards per punt return in 2017 and the freshman is getting 19.9 per opportunity in 10 tries this season.
"Yeah, there are some moments you try not to watch," Jacobs said. "You'll be stuck or you'll catch yourself watching because he just makes so many people miss. He slips out of some tackles where you would. It's kinda understood now to keep blocking until you hear the whistle."
There were also the two touchdown catches among his three receptions Saturday. The first was more of a garden variety 20-yarder from Tua Tagovailoa that made it 49-0 just before halftime.
Then, with third-stringer Mac Jones in, Waddle went 94 yards mostly after the catch to make it 56-0. He made one cut and won the sprint to the end zone. It was the second longest in Alabama history behind only Amari Cooper's 99-yard score against Auburn in 2013.
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney admits he's been a victim of Waddle's moves in space.
"It sucks because you missed the tackle but it happens," McKinney said. "It makes you better because he's good in the open field so you know when you're in the open field with him, you know you have to be on your Ps and Qs and make sure your technique is right so you're able to make that tackle."
Saban called Waddle an "explosive guy" who has added a lot of depth to a strong nucleus of young receivers. As always, there's room to grow.
"We are pleased with the progress he has made to this point," Saban said, "and want him to continue to work on improving and be a little more consist in other areas when he doesn't have the ball."
With the ball, he's dynamic.
Through five games, Waddle's 24.0-yard average per reception leads the team while his 11 catches are fifth most.
Alabama water bug Jaylen Waddle 'is going to be a problem'
Twice last week Jaylen Waddle punt returns were marred by blocking flags. The same in the opener -- his long runback for a touchdown was wiped away by a block in the back.
Not this time.
Alabama's water bug rookie found the end zone for the first time, with the help of a monster block, as part of his second breakout day in a Crimson Tide uniform. The Houston product scored three times in the 56-14 rout of Louisiana-Lafayette while accounting for 201 all-purpose yards.
His 94-yard touchdown catch in the second half -- the second longest pass play in Alabama history -- wasn't even the highlight. His 63-yard punt return in the first quarter had the less-than-capacity crowd going early.
"Dude is explosive," said Josh Jacobs, Alabama's running back and kickoff returner. "Very shifty. Very fast. So, he's going to be a problem. He's going to create mismatches whenever he's out there, regardless of it he's on special teams or offense."
Louisiana-Lafayette punter Rhys Byrns had a rushed operation after getting his first kick blocked moments earlier. That produced a low line drive right at Waddle. Avoiding the first would-be tackler, he broke for the right side of the field. There, freshman
linebacker Jaylen Moody threw a block that set off a chain reaction. Three defenders were left in Waddle's wake with a wall setting things up from there.
One more cut to the middle and he was home free.
It was Alabama's first punt return touchdown since Eddie Jackson's at Tennessee in 2016.
The score was also Alabama's fifth from non-offensive avenues with three interception returns and Jacobs' kickoff return against Louisville. The Tide had just two non-offensive scores last season but five in five games this fall.
Having Waddle changed a lot this year. The Tide averaged just 7.2 yards per punt return in 2017 and the freshman is getting 19.9 per opportunity in 10 tries this season.
"Yeah, there are some moments you try not to watch," Jacobs said. "You'll be stuck or you'll catch yourself watching because he just makes so many people miss. He slips out of some tackles where you would. It's kinda understood now to keep blocking until you hear the whistle."
There were also the two touchdown catches among his three receptions Saturday. The first was more of a garden variety 20-yarder from Tua Tagovailoa that made it 49-0 just before halftime.
Then, with third-stringer Mac Jones in, Waddle went 94 yards mostly after the catch to make it 56-0. He made one cut and won the sprint to the end zone. It was the second longest in Alabama history behind only Amari Cooper's 99-yard score against Auburn in 2013.
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney admits he's been a victim of Waddle's moves in space.
"It sucks because you missed the tackle but it happens," McKinney said. "It makes you better because he's good in the open field so you know when you're in the open field with him, you know you have to be on your Ps and Qs and make sure your technique is right so you're able to make that tackle."
Saban called Waddle an "explosive guy" who has added a lot of depth to a strong nucleus of young receivers. As always, there's room to grow.
"We are pleased with the progress he has made to this point," Saban said, "and want him to continue to work on improving and be a little more consist in other areas when he doesn't have the ball."
With the ball, he's dynamic.
Through five games, Waddle's 24.0-yard average per reception leads the team while his 11 catches are fifth most.
Alabama water bug Jaylen Waddle 'is going to be a problem'
