No. 1 Alabama takes control early against Arkansas State
September 8, 2018
No. 1 Alabama put up 40 points in the first half against Arkansas State, finishing with a dominant 57-7 win. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 228 yards in the win.
Play of the game
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hit wide receiver Jerry Jeudy on a slant route. Jeudy broke a tackle and sprinted 51 yards to the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.
Offensive player of the game
Cody Estremera: Tua Tagovailoa
James Ogletree: Tua Tagovailoa
Defensive player of the game
Cody Estremera: Saivion Smith
James Ogletree: Xavier McKinney
Fan Players of the game
Offensive: Tua Tagovailoa
Defensive: Saivion Smith
Notes:
- On the fifth play of the game, Tua Tagovailoa hit Jerry Jeudy on a slant on 3rd & 5. Jeudy broke a tackle and took the pass 58 yards to the house
- Tagovailoa found Henry Ruggs III on the second play of the next drive. Ruggs shook off an Arkansas State defender and sprinted into the end zone for the 31-yard score. Alabama scored twice in the first four minutes. The extra point was missed.
- With three minutes remaining in the first quarter, Tagovailoa threw to an uncovered DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard touchdown. Alabama missed its second extra point of the season.
- Jalen Hurts entered the game on Alabama’s next drive, with 1:28 left in the first quarter.
- Hurts threw his first touchdown pass of the year to Irv Smith Jr. with 8:52 left in the second quarter. Joseph Bulovas entered the game and made the extra point. Hurts later added another score to Jerry Jeudy midway through the second quarter.
- Junior college transfer Saivion Smith returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown at 6:44 in the second quarter.
- Sophomore running back Najee Harris recorded his first career 100-yard game, finishing with 135 yards on 13 carries.