No. 8 Alabama held on against No. 14 Missouri’s late push to secure a 27-24 win on the road.
The Crimson Tide move to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the SEC. After falling down 7-0 early, Alabama bounced back and took a 10-point lead before having to hold off a late Missouri push to try and tie it up.
Here are a few takeaways from the game.
- Great Response
Missouri received the ball first and marched down the field 78 yards on six plays to take a quick 7-0 lead. The Missouri offense made it look easy the way they carved up the Crimson Tide offense. Alabama responded right back with a 78 yard drive over 11 plays that ended with a 6-yard touchdown catch by Kevin Riley.
- Costly Turnover
On the first play of the second half, Simpson was sacked and fumbled the football to give Missouri great field position. Three plays later Missouri punched it in for a touchdown to tie up the game and take the momentum of the game.
- Miller Brings Life To Run Game
Alabama went up against the best run defense in the nation and proved that they can run the football. Jam Miller led the way for the Crimson Tide with 85 yards on 20 carries. Miller would have most likely eclipsed 100 yards for a second straight game but an injury early in the fourth quarter ended his day early.
- Controlling the Clock
Missouri thrives in controlling the clock, coming into the game as the number one team in the nation in time of possession. Alabama isn't too bad either, ranking second in the SEC behind the Tigers. The Crimson Tide beat the Tigers at their own game controlling the clock 38:33 to 21:27 for Missouri.
- Hardy Contained
The Alabama run defense has received heavy criticism this season and for good reason. The Crimson Tide faced the nation’s third best rush offense and the nation’s leading rusher and kept them in check. Alabama held Missouri to 163 rush yards and kept the nation’s leading rusher Ahmad Hardy to just 52 yards on 12 rushes.
Alabama will host Tennessee October 18 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC.
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