SPORTS

Behind the Process: Alabama shuts out Kent State

Terrin Waack

September 25, 2016

During the 2016 Alabama football season, The Crimson White’s Terrin Waack will provide select stellar stats, obscure facts and notable quotes from the most recent game to take readers Behind the Process.

No. 1 Alabama defeated Kent State, 48-0, at home in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.

Stellar stats

Kent State snuck its way into the red zone just once, but it failed to deliver. The Golden Flashes came a yard short of a touchdown.
For his first-ever start, Cam Sims led Alabama with four receptions for 54 yards, all produced during the first half alone. It was a career-high day for the junior wide receiver.
Saturday’s final score went down in Alabama’s history as its 95^th shutout since 1958. It was the 17^th under coach Nick Saban, though.
14 Alabama freshmen played against Kent State, only two of them were starters.
Thanks to Xavian Marks’ 75-yard punt return, Alabama has now scored six non-offensive touchdowns this season. It marked the 52^nd since Saban joined the team in 2007.

Obscure facts

James Spann said Saturday’s game tied for the hottest game in Alabama history at 96 degrees. The last time the temperature reached that high in Bryant-Denny Stadium was on September 20, 1997 against Arkansas.
The Crimson Tide played four quarterbacks. True freshman Jalen Hurts started, and redshirt freshman Blake Barnett came in during the second quarter. Later in the game, though, redshirt junior Cooper Bateman and redshirt sophomore David Cornwell also took some snaps. It was Cornwell’s first appearance, too.
Mack Wilson is a linebacker. He scored an offensive touchdown off a 1-yard run as a fullback during the third quarter.
After the game, tight end O.J. Howard said he’s give the offense a B-plus as far as execution, “but we need it at an A-plus every game.”
Kent State is Saban’s alma mater. He played there as a defensive back from 1970-72.

Best Nick Saban quote

On the final score…

“It was good to get a shut out. I know that all the players were happy about that, but it’s one game. We need to play at a more consistent standard.”

Best player quote

Wide receiver Cam Sims

On his performance:

“I could have worked on my blocking a little more, so I kind of feel like I had a bad game in the blocking area. But the catching, that’s why I’m a receiver. I can catch the ball.”

On injured wide receiver ArDarius Stewart’s sledgehammer/axe:

“You can see him turnt on the sidelines. He can’t be out there to help us on the field, so you have to go out there and have his back.”

On his relationship with the quarterbacks…

“I tell him to just throw it, and I’ll go get it.”

Game leaders

Top 3 rushers