Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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38 JAN. 1, 2021 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED Sept. 26: No. 2 Alabama 38, Missouri 19 The Crimson Tide jumped out to a commanding lead against the Tigers and were up 35-3 midway through the third quarter. Alabama's explosive offense produced 414 yards and five touchdowns, with 329 yards and every score coming from the dynamic trio of senior running back Najee Harris, senior wide receiver DeVonta Smith and junior wideout Jaylen Waddle. Oct. 3: No. 2 Alabama 52, No. 13 Texas A&M 24 The Aggies kept the game close for the first 20 minutes, playing to a 14-14 tie. By halftime, Alabama was up 21 and never looked back. Once again, the Crimson Tide offense put on a show, producing 544 yards and six touchdowns, with Waddle and sophomore wide receiver John Metchie III combining for 323 yards and three scores. Redshirt junior quar- terback Mac Jones threw for 435 yards and four touchdowns. Oct. 10: No. 2 Alabama 63, Ole Miss 48 Head coach Nick Saban's troops traveled to Oxford, Miss., to face the Rebels and former Saban protégé Lane Kiffin. Most assumed the Crimson Tide would run the Rebels off the field. Instead, it was a back-and-forth, high-scoring affair. The Rebels accumulated 647 yards and six touchdowns, and it was a one- score game until the final minute. Fortunately for Alabama, their offense was even more potent, posting 723 yards and nine touchdowns. Oct. 17: No. 2 Alabama 41, No. 3 Georgia 24 Alabama fell behind early and was still down 24-20 at halftime. This time the defense clamped down in the second half. The Tide picked off then- Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett twice and held the Bulldogs scoreless over the final 30 minutes. Alabama then cruised to a 17-point victory, capturing its biggest win of the season. Jones completed 24 of 32 passes for 417 yards and four scores. Oct. 24: No. 2 Alabama 48, Tennessee 17 The game began with calamity when Waddle fractured his ankle on the opening kickoff and was lost for the season. In the first four games of the year, the 5-10 speedster averaged 22.3 yards per reception, 139.25 yards and a touchdown per game. Still, Alabama jumped out to a 14-point lead in the first quarter and waltzed to a comfortable win. Oct. 31: No. 2 Alabama 41, Mississippi State 0 Halfway through the season, it was clear Alabama had the best offense in the country. But what about the defense? Up to that point, the Crimson Tide had allowed 26.4 points per game. That narrative began to change after Alabama shut out the Bulldogs and held them to just 200 yards. Smith surpassed the Mississippi State offense on his own with 203 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Nov. 21: No. 1 Alabama 63, Kentucky 3 After a three-week hiatus thanks to a bye and a postponement, Alabama remained dominant on both sides of the ball and stomped Kentucky off the field, out-gaining them 509-179 in total offense. Nov. 28: No. 1 Alabama 42, No. 22 Auburn 13 In the eighth game, Smith crossed the 1,000-yard mark on the season with 171 receiving yards and two touchdowns, making him a Heisman Trophy contender. The Iron Bowl was expected to be Alabama's toughest test for the second half of the season, but the Crimson Tide made easy work of the Tigers and entered the fourth quarter with a 29-point lead. Dec. 5: No. 1 Alabama 55, LSU 17 Jones and Harris were electric to propel the Tide past the 2019 national champs. Jones threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns, while Harris carried the ball 21 times for 145 yards and three touchdowns. The defense also harassed LSU's quarterback duo TJ Finley and Max John- son for five sacks — a season high at the time. Dec. 12: No. 1 Alabama 52, Arkansas 3 Alabama surpassed its sack total from a week prior, sacking a trio of Razor- back quarterbacks eight times. This helps explain Arkansas' 188 total yards and three points. Smith had his least productive game of the year with three catches for 22 yards, but it didn't matter. The Crimson Tide put up 52 points with a balanced attack: 227 yards through the air and 216 on the ground. Dec. 19: No. 1 Alabama 52, No. 7 Florida 46 (SEC Championship) Midway through the second quarter, Alabama jumped out to a 28-10 lead. Florida fought back, though, scoring three of the next four touchdowns and went into the fourth quarter trailing by just four points (35-31). After a back-and-forth final frame during which 31 points were scored, the Crimson Tide ultimately prevailed thanks to its firepower. Jones threw for 418 yards and five touchdowns, Harris accounted for 245 total yards (178 on the ground) and five scores, and Smith notched 15 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Note: The Associated Press poll was used for rankings until the College Football Playoff rankings came out week 13. — Andrew Mentock GAME PREVIEW: ALABAMA Sophomore wideout John Metchie III and the Crimson Tide won a 52-46 shootout against Florida in the SEC Championship. PHOTO COURTESY CRIMSON TIDE PHOTOS/UA ATHLETICS The Crimson Tide's Season In Review