Atlanta, GA- In the 12th annual Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game, the number 2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide handle the Duke Blue Devils 42-3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Improving to a perfect 6-0 record in Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Games, the Crimson Tide rebounded off a slow start, really taking control of the game in the second quarter and never looking back. Posting 512 total yards, while giving up just 204-yards to the Blue Devils, Alabama made a statement in week one that they will once again be contenders for the College Football Playoff.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban talked about his team’s performance in his post-game press conference saying, “Obviously I thought offensively, once we got going, we executed fairly well. I thought Tua played really well. I think 3rd down was a big difference in the game. We actually were 6 for 9 in the first half on 3rd down, which kept a lot of drives going, and the key to it on defense was we got some 4th down stops when we got off the field on 3rd down. I think they were 3 for 12 or whatever. It’s a good win for us.”
Coach Saban continued talking about how his team can build off of this win saying, “I don’t think one game sort of reestablishes anything. I think you’ve got to do it over time, and I think you have to do it as a team, and everybody has got to buy into it, and hopefully this group has been good that way, and we certainly hope we can continue to improve and build on what we did out there tonight.”
Leading the Alabama offense was Tua Tagovailoa, as the Junior impressed by completing 26 of his 31 passes for 336-yards and four touchdowns. The Heisman hopeful carved up an experienced Duke secondary, throwing some great balls throughout the game to get his season started on the right foot.
Saban on his quarterback’s performance, “Tua I thought played really well in the game because he took what the defense gave.” He continued, “He usually plays well when he’s patient and takes what the defense gives, so I was pleased.”
Tagovailoa had a pair of breakout receivers to target, as both Jerry Jeudy and Jaylen Waddle posted big games. For Jeudy, the star wideout reeled in ten of his 13 targets for 137-yards and a touchdown. Last year’s Biletnikoff Award winner is off to a great start defending his crown as one of the best wide receivers in the country.
For Waddle, this was a true breakout game where he showed off great route running ability. The sophomore caught five of his six targets for 90-yards, including a 39-yard reception where a majority of the yards coming after the catch. Waddle is a great talent and has a chance to continue the great receiver lineage developed at Alabama under Saban.
For the defense, Alabama shut down any chance Duke had of staying in the game after a scoreless first quarter. Allowing just 204 total yards, while creating three turnovers, the Crimson Tide defense looks to once again be one of the best in the country.
Overall this was an impressive performance by the second-ranked team in the country in Alabama. It’s not always easy taking the field for the first time following a tough loss like they had to end last season, but they seemed to have turned the page in hopes to realize the full potential they have to once again compete for the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Written by Brian Pohl
