First half notes-- No clue what that first kickoff was about.
-- The wacky start continued with Roc Thomas' screen pass drop/fumble recovered by
Reggie Ragland on the first play. Thomas never acted like it was a lateral and was showing frustration as the Tide defenders pounced on the ball. I was surprised they didn't review this one, but it was definitely a backward pass.
-- You saw a lot of offensive players getting early action that you wouldn't normally see. Receiver
Raheem Falkins played on the first series and third-string running back
Tyren Jones was in on the second possession.
-- Even when
Cooper isn't getting the ball, he's a factor. They send him in motion, creates some misdirection on several snaps.
--
JK Scott is a freak.
-- I thought Alabama was in real trouble when a shotgun snap hit Marcus Davis in motion, but bounced perfectly into his hands for a 2-yard gain.
-- Alabama countered the edge rushing with safety blitzes.
Second-half notes-- Setting up Moment No. 1 above required a spark.
Yeldon supplied that with a 16-yard burst on the first play after falling behind 12. Yeldon quietly ran for 127 yards on 19 carries.
-- Just a quick aside, but the difference between CBS'
Gary Danielson and Jesse Palmer in the analyst chair is tremendous. It just showed how much more insight Danielson brings to a broadcast.
...
Good stuff...