For the second year in a row, Alabama football scored a victory over South Florida , but it wasn't exactly pretty.
The Crimson Tide defeated South Florida 42-16 on Saturday at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, being penalized 13 times for more than 100 yards in the process. Jalen Milroe rushed for the Crimson Tide 's first two touchdowns, connected with Kobe Prentice for the third and Ryan Williams for the fourth. Jam Miller and Justice Haynes also rushed for late touchdowns in the fourth quarter for Alabama .
Here's how we graded No. 4 Alabama (2-0) in the win over South Florida (1-1).
Alabama's offense struggled to move the ball consistently through the entirety of the game with its run game being nonexistent at times. That was much of the doing of the Crimson Tide offensive line as it struggled in pass protection and blocking against the South Florida defense. In total, the Alabama offensive line gave up two sacks (-11) and committed six first-half penalties (-40), with two of those nullifying touchdowns. Fumbles were also costly for the Alabama offense, with Miller and Jalen Milroe each fumbling the ball in the second half, Miller's eventually leading to a South Florida score.
Alabama's defense had an OK performance, but it was nothing to write home about. In the first half, the Alabama defense gave up two long drives the but managed to keep the Bulls out of the end zone by forcing field goals. South Florida finally broke through for a touchdown drive in the third quarter, coming as the result of a Miller fumble. Alabama's defense, like its offense, was undisciplined at times. In total, its defense was flagged three times: a Domani Jackson holding penalty in the first quarter, a Jihaad Campbell 15-yard facemask penalty in the third quarter and a 15-yard targeting penalty on Justin Jefferson in the fourth quarter which disqualified him from the game. Ultimately, Alabama's defense came up with stops when it needed it the most, including the fourth-down stops on South Florida's final two drives of the game.
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The combination of James Burnip and Graham Nicholson fared well for Alabama's special teams, with Burnip having three punts go 50 yards or more and Nicholson making all of his extra-point attempts. Kickoff returns, though, are where things got a little testy for the Crimson Tide's special teams, with Kendrick Law fumbling the second half's opening kickoff. Jaylen Mbawke, though, had a couple of good punt returns, including one in the fourth quarter. Cole Adams, who typically is Alabama's main punt returner, left the game in the third quarter and did not return.
Alabama came out of the gate struggling. Its first half was plagued by penalties, and the second half was a bit better, but not by much. Whether it was a lack of a solid game plan or just a lack of execution when it came down to it, it ultimately falls on the coaches not having the team fully ready.
Alabama played undisciplined more times than not against South Florida, finishing the game with 13 penalties for 120 yards. The Crimson Tide, though, were able to put it together to escape with the 42-16 victory on Saturday night.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football report card: Grading Tide after South Florida victory
