re: Bama Football Tidings

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Baking in triple-digit temperatures, those in Bryant-Denny Stadium got pretty much what was expected Saturday.

An efficient Alabama offense carved New Mexico State’s defense from the first snap with an equally suffocating defensive effort. The 62-10 beating in a blast-furnace of an afternoon saw the nation’s No. 2 to overwhelm a team ranked among the worst in the FBS.

The Tide scored on 10 if its first 12 possessions -- two long field goals included -- as young players peppered the lineup throughout. Tua Tagovailoa was finished in the third quarter with three passing touchdowns and another rushing.

Two second-half scores ended the shutout bid while the Tide outgained the visitors 603-262 ahead of next week’s SEC trip to South Carolina.

Establish the run
It was clear after Week 1 that Alabama had room to improve running the ball. Saban earlier this week attributed issues from the Duke game to a number of factors, notably the vision for the backs hitting the hole.

Well, in Week 2, it was clear Alabama wanted to get the running game in gear.

And it was slow to start again.

Subtract the game-opening 75-yard touchdown that was ruled a rush on a lateral to Henry Ruggs III, the two running backs didn’t see many big holes. Before Najee Harris broke off a 19-yarder late in the opening quarter, the two backs had eight carries for 30 yards.

Alabama also shuffled the offensive line again as Saban said would happen. Landon Dickerson got the start at center after playing guard last week. Matt Womack was the right guard after coming off the bench in Atlanta.

The Tide’s two first-half rushing scores came from outside Harris and Brian Robinson. First, Ruggs carved the NMSU secondary for the game-opening score. Then it was Tagovailoa who weaved through traffic to go untouched for the 26-yard touchdown that made it 35-0.

Alabama finished with 318 rushing yards on 32 carries aided by a late 74-yard score by reserve Keilan Robinson.

Defensive changes
There were a few different looks right away on defense for Alabama. Safety Jordan Battle made the surprise start at safety while Josh Jobe was on the bench.

Jobe, a starter last week at cornerback, didn’t enter on defense until late in the second quarter. He did appear earlier on special teams and was started the second half at cornerback and recovered a fumble in the third quarter. Also, Jared Mayden started at the Star position occupied by Patrick Surtain last week.

The performance didn’t suffer against an overmatched Aggie offense.

New Mexico State crossed the 50 just once in the first half on its only sustained drive to that point. After three first downs and a little momentum, Patrick Surtain II intercepted a Josh Adkins pass near the end zone.

The Tide defensive shutout streak ended with 5:59 left in the third quarter when it allowed the first touchdown of the season. Receiver Tony Nicholson broke a Shyheim Carter tackle and got a block from the umpire for a 44-yard play to the Tide 5. Jason Huntley’s third-down catch made it 45-7.

Henry Ruggs III steps up

After a relatively quiet opener, Ruggs had a big afternoon in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The former high school track star showed that speed on the first play of the game with a sprint down the Alabama sideline for the 75-yard touchdown.

He added a 10-yard score in the second quarter when he also pulled in a 39-yard catch.

There were a few uncharacteristic overthrows from Tagovailoa early on an afternoon he crossed the 5,000-passing yard mark. Jerry Jeudy also climbed the record books with two first-half touchdowns that tied him for second in Alabama career receiving TD list with Calvin Ridley at 19. His third-quarter scoring catch from Mac Jones pushed him into No. 2 solo with 20 -- still needing work to catch Amari Cooper’s school record of 31.

Kicking changes
As Saban hinted at Thursday, there were changes to the specialist duties. No longer was freshman Will Reichard handling the punting, place kicking and kickoffs.

Sophomore Skyler DeLong returned to the punting job he held early last season with moderate success. His three punts averaged 41.0 yards with a long of 44.

Reichard received perhaps the loudest cheer of the afternoon late in the first half. The 48-yard field goal that made it 38-0 was drilled straight down the middle with at least 10 yards to spare.

After hitting the upright twice on long kicks last week, Reichard added another 49-yarder late in the third quarter to another loud ovation from an understandably thinning crowd.

Reichard also punted once in the fourth quarter for 39 yards.

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