A drenching rain doused Nick Saban and the Alabama players during their game against USF, resulting in a delay due to the weather. On Saturday, Alabama football held a 17-3 victory over South Florida away from home, though it was not one of Nick Saban’s most attractive games as head coach of the Crimson Tide they were able to secure the win against our home favorites; but not without a fight!
USF showcased their top-tier performance with an impressive defensive front, led by the exceptional efforts of Evans (#0) in defending against the run. Their entire offensive line also displayed remarkable skills. Alabama, expecting an easy victory, found themselves perplexed in a game that ultimately resulted in a fair contest for the USF Bulls.
Alabama Did Not Play Well
The Alabama team had the capability to beat its opponent with ease. The Bulls had only won a single game in the previous season and were under the instruction of a new head coach, Alex Golesh, at the time. Alabama was confident they would dominate South Florida, however, the result was not as expected. The match was far from aesthetically pleasing. Neither side was able to register a touchdown until after halftime. For the majority of the game, Alabama appeared to be in dire straits. Whether it was sacks from four-man rushes, costly penalties, poor tackling of USF QB Byrum Brown, or any of the other issues, the Crimson Tide did not seem to have the capability to meet the expectations of their fans. The defensive unit outperformed the offensive unit, getting to the quarterback and making plays. However, James Burnip, the punter, was the most impressive player of the game. Some of Buchner’s inaccurately-timed throws, penalties that weren’t well-executed, and inadequate blocking all culminated to create a major problem of sloppiness. Neither Simpson nor Bunchner (Alabama Backup QBs) were able to really move the ball. Brings into question if removing Jalen Milroe, Alabama’s starting QB for the season was a smart idea. I’d expect a major switch-up for Alabama games against SEC giant Ole Miss.
USF Bulls Went the Distance
The Bulls’ defense delivered a standout performance that could be considered their strongest in years, marked by several remarkable achievements. They recorded an impressive total of five sacks, a feat they hadn’t accomplished since 2019. Additionally, they forced the Crimson Tide to punt the ball eight times, an indicator of their dominance on the field. Most notably, they managed to limit the Crimson Tide’s offensive production to just 310 yards, a figure that had not been seen since their match against Mississippi State the previous season.
One standout player in this defensive showcase was safety Daquan Evans, who had an exceptional day. Evans tallied an impressive eight tackles, showcased his prowess with four tackles for loss, and recorded three crucial sacks. His outstanding performance epitomized the aggressive and relentless effort put forth by the entire Bulls’ defense. This effort was further exemplified by linebacker Jhalyn Shuler, safety Jaelen Stokes, and safety Logan Berryhill, all of whom achieved career-best tackle totals, with 11, 8, and 7 tackles, respectively.
On the offensive front, quarterback Byrum Brown came tantalizingly close to achieving his third career 100-yard rushing game, ultimately accumulating an impressive 92 rushing yards on 23 carries to lead the charge for USF. Additionally, running back Nay’Quan Wright made a significant contribution with 62 rushing yards, highlighted by a powerful run early in the game that flattened an Alabama defender, setting a tone of determination and resilience for the Bulls.
Bulls Rage On
In summary, while Alabama may have won the game, it was the USF Bulls who showcased resilience, outstanding defense, and an unwavering spirit. The game provided valuable lessons for both teams as they continue their respective seasons. It will be interesting to see how they will progress after this strong performance. USF’s next opponent is Rice on September 23rd who are coming off of a 59-7 win against TX Southern.
