Alabama scores often in first half to defeat Louisiana-Lafayette

By+Hannah+Saad

By Hannah Saad

James Ogletree and Cody Estremera

No. 1 Alabama cruised through Louisiana for its fifth win of the season. The Crimson Tide scored a touchdown on every drive of the first half en route to a 56-14 win over the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Moment of the game: Freshman wide receiver/returner Jaylen Waddle fielded a ULL punt, sprinted to the sideline, got a vicious block from freshman linebacker Jaylen Moody, and outran the Ragin’ Cajuns coverage for a 63-yard touchdown, the first of his career.

Offensive Player of the game:

Cody Estremera: Henry Ruggs III

James Ogletree: Jaylen Waddle

Defensive Player of the game:

Cody Estremera: Trevon Diggs

James Ogletree: Deionte Thompson

Fan Player of the game:

Offensive: Jaylen Waddle

Defensive: Dylan Moses

Notes:

  • Alabama scored on its opening drive for the fifth consecutive game, this time on a 9-yard run by Josh Jacobs. The drive covered 72 yards in eight plays.
  • After Alabama forced a three-and-out, Derek Kief blocked and recovered a punt. The Crimson Tide found the end zone in just two plays, with Tagovailoa finding Henry Ruggs on a 13-yard touch pass to the back corner.
  • Freshman Jaylen Waddle returned a punt 63 yards for his first career return touchdown midway through the first quarter. It was the team’s first punt return TD since Oct. 15, 2016, when Eddie Jackson ran one back from 79 yards. Waddle added touchdowns of 20 and 94 yards later in the game.
  • Jalen Hurts entered the game in the final minute of the first quarter, which confirms he will not redshirt this season. If he transfers after this year, he will have one year of eligibility remaining at his new school.
  • Ruggs caught a second touchdown early in the second quarter, a 54-yarder from Hurts. This marks Ruggs’ first career multi-TD game. He also set a new career high in receiving yards on a 31-yard pass from Hurts on the next drive.
  • Jonah Williams left the game late in the first quarter, Ruggs was shaken up after his 31-yard catch, and Jedrick Wills Jr. walked off the field gingerly in the middle of the second quarter.
  • At halftime, Alabama had nearly quintupled ULL’s yardage total, outgaining the Ragin’ Cajuns 357-74. Every Alabama first-half drive resulted in a touchdown. Every ULL first-half drive resulted in a punt or an interception.
  • Mac Jones threw his first career touchdown pass in the third quarter. He hit Waddle on a slant route, which Waddle turned into a 94-yard touchdown. It is the second-longest pass in school history.