The Alabama football team’s offensive line was in the spotlight earlier this season, particularly the battle for right tackle between Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby.
In Saturday’s 42-16 win over South Florida, the Crimson Tide’s offensive line was once again the focus of attention, but for reasons it would probably prefer to avoid: penalties. In total, Alabama committed 13 penalties for 120 yards. Of those 13 penalties, eight came from the Crimson Tide’s offensive line, with two of those being called back touchdown runs.
Left guard Geno VanDeMark and right tackle Wilkin Formby each committed three penalties, all of them holding calls except for a false start call against VanDeMark in the second quarter. VanDeMark’s first holding call invalidated a 21-yard touchdown run by Jam Miller in the first quarter, while a holding call against Formby in the third quarter revoked a 74-yard touchdown run by Jalen Milroe.
In addition, Alabama’s offensive line allowed four sacks over 20 yards.
“We weren’t focused on our tasks,” center Parker Brailsford said after the game. “I think that’s why we were a little slow.”
“It’s just that when it comes to holding penalties, the simple things, we need to be more disciplined.”
Left tackle Kadyn Proctor’s shoulder injury has affected the Crimson Tide’s starting offensive line early in the season. Proctor initially warmed up before Alabama’s season opener, left the field shortly afterward, and returned in casual clothes. The same thing happened against South Florida; Proctor came to warm up in full uniform, but eventually returned to the field in casual clothes to watch from the sidelines.
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DeBoer later said Proctor was dealing with a shoulder injury and that it was more of a “day-to-day” rather than a “week-to-week” thing.
Elijah Pritchett started in Proctor’s place last week. Pritchett initially held the left tackle position during fall camp while Proctor transferred to Iowa. With his return to Tuscaloosa, Proctor earned back his starting spot at left tackle while Pritchett spent most of fall camp battling with Formby for a starting spot at right tackle.
Pritchett suffered a “minor injury” against WKU that caused him to miss practice earlier this week. DeBoer and his staff therefore decided to move Tyler Booker from left guard to left tackle and move VanDeMark to Booker’s usual spot at left guard. DeBoer added that Pritchett was “ready” but they decided to keep him on the bench due to health concerns.
Pritchett eventually came on as right tackle for Formby in Alabama’s game against South Florida about halfway through the fourth quarter.
Alabama’s offense was able to find a rhythm in the game’s final 10 minutes. Jam Miller and Justice Haynes each scored late touchdowns – Miller 56 yards and Haynes 22 yards – giving them more yards than Alabama had in the entire first half (34). The change was simple: There were no penalties.
Alabama went into the fourth quarter with a 14-13 lead and finished the game with a 28-3 run.
“If we just keep fighting, good things can happen,” DeBoer said. “In the fourth quarter, if we avoid penalties and turnovers, it’s amazing what can happen.”
Much like last year, Alabama’s offensive line, despite all of its mistakes, eventually wore down South Florida and took control of the running game. This could give the Crimson Tide’s offense something to build on in the future, as pass protection and keeping the opponent out of the backfield is paramount.
“There’s a lot that still needs to be figured out,” DeBoer said. “There’s going to be a lot to learn. I’m looking forward to the challenge, the opportunity, because that’s what it’s all about. I think you need games like this.”
