For the second straight game Alabama started off fast. The Crimson Tide won the toss and just over two minutes later scored on a 27-yard touchdown run from Jalen Hurts to cap off a six play 75-yard drive.
Alabama wasn’t done there as it followed with a 78-yard bomb from Hurts to Calvin Ridley.
“I was really pleased with the way we came out fast in this game,” coach Nick Saban said. “I think that’s something we have not done in our first two games. That was certainly the goal.”
Alabama would go into the second quarter with a commanding 17-point lead, and didn’t look back winning 41-23 over Colorado State.
Hurts stole the show for the second week in a row. He finished with a team leading 103 rushing yards and threw for 248-yards while completing 70.5 percent of his passes. He accounted for three total touchdowns.
“He’s (Hurts) getting better each week, as all of us are,” Bo Scarbrough said. “It’s great for this team to have a duel threat quarterback. You don’t know if he’s going to pass. You don’t know if he’s going to run, or you don’t know if he is going to give it.”
Explosive plays were huge for the Crimson Tide, especially in the first half. All three of Alabama’s first half touchdowns came on plays that were more than 25-yards.
“I think explosive plays come when you execute better,” Hurts said. “That’s always an emphasis here.”
The Crimson Tide dominated Colorado State’s defense, totaling 487-yards, which is an 8.1 average. This week the offense was extremely balanced, running for 239 yards while passing for 248.
Scarbrough and Damien Harris combined for 121-yards on 23 carries. Both scored a touchdown.
“I think those two guys played great,” Saban said. “I think Bo was probably as explosive as he’s been all year. I think Damien ran with a lot of passion, and a lot of toughness.”
Ridley and Robert Foster were the two receivers to catch touchdowns. Foster’s touchdown came on a 52-yard reception, his only catch on the day.
“It felt great,” Foster said. “I was just excited to have that opportunity again. I’m blessed to have an opportunity to have an impact on the team.”
The touchdown was his first since Alabama’s win over Middle Tennessee State in 2015.
Alabama put in some backups right before the end of the third quarter, but 13 straight points forced the starters back in the game with just under two minutes left in the game.
“They’re trying to kick an onside kick; they are still trying to win the game,” Saban said. “We didn’t make any first downs with the other guys (backups) in the game, so we weren’t going to give them (Colorado State) the ball back. Did I want to do that? No.”
Alabama did suffer an injury to one of its tight ends. Miller Forristall caught a pass that was good for 12-yards. He then was helped to the medical tent and then the locker room. Saban said it was most likely an ACL injury and that Forristall would be out for the season.
Alabama heads on the road for its next game, as it travels to Vanderbilt on Sept. 23.
