INSTANT: Alabama wallops New Mexico State

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CW / Hannah Saad

James Ogletree and James Benedetto, Sports Editor and Assistant Sports Editor

Intro: Alabama dominated New Mexico State in all phases of the game on Saturday, outgaining the Aggies 603 to 262 in a 62-10 win to improve to 2-0.

Play of the game: On the first play from scrimmage, junior wide receiver Henry Ruggs III took a lateral from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa 75 yards down the sideline, sprinting past his blockers and the entire New Mexico State defense for a touchdown.

Offensive player of the game:

James Ogletree: Jerry Jeudy

James Benedetto: Henry Ruggs III

Fan Vote: Jerry Jeudy

 

Defensive player of the game:

James Ogletree: Xavier McKinney

James Benedetto: Xavier McKinney 

Fan Vote: Patrick Surtain II

 

Notes:

  • Ruggs’ touchdown on the game’s first play was the first rushing attempt of his career.
  • On the second drive of the game, Alabama used 10 plays to drive down 89 yards capped off with a Tagovailoa 21-yard touchdown pass that finds Jerry Jeudy in the end zone. 
  • The final play of the first quarter was a 23-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Jeudy in the back of the end zone.
  • Alabama had 227 total yards of offense in the first quarter. Last week against Duke, Alabama totaled 250 yards by the half. 
  • The defense used a unique rotation in NMSU’s first four drives. Josh Jobe was not used in the defensive sets, spending most of the first half on special teams. Patrick Surtain II and Trevon Diggs were the outside corners while Xavier McKinney, Jared Mayden and Shyhiem Carter rotated through Star and Money. True freshman Jordan Battle got his first career start at safety as he was paired up with Daniel Wright. 
  • Ruggs found the end zone again in the second quarter, catching a 10-yard pass from Tagovailoa to put the Crimson Tide up 28-0.
  • With just under four minutes before halftime, Tagovailoa was pressured, couldn’t find an open receiver and ran to daylight for a 25-yard score, his first rushing touchdown of the season.
  • Freshman kicker Will Reichard made a 48-yard field goal with a minute before halftime, the first made field goal of his career.
  • NMSU scored its second touchdown of the season with six minutes left in the third quarter. It was the first touchdown Alabama has yielded all season. 
  • Freshman running back Keilan Robinson scored his first career touchdown at the end of the third quarter, a 74-yard sprint. That put Alabama up 62-7.