LT Overton on Alabama’s Response: ‘We Still Got a Lot to Work On’

The Alabama Crimson Tide battled the Missouri Tigers play-for-play on Saturday, ultimately clinching a 27-24 victory in what proved to be a hard-fought contest, especially when facing the Tigers' strong run game.

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The Crimson Tide defense struggled early, particularly during Missouri's opening drive. The Tigers' running attack proved effective as they marched down the field, adding 52 rushing yards on five carries split between quarterback Beau Pribula and running back Ahmad Hardy. Pribula then connected with Brett Norfleet for a 26-yard touchdown pass, putting the first points on the board.

Attacking early in the first, the Tigers were fired up and ready to challenge the Crimson Tide through the game.

"I feel like we responded really well. We still got a lot to work on, not just inside but outside zone, any kind of run game. QB runs, draws, all of that. I think we could've started faster, and we had a few moments where we could've gotten them off the field and ended the game, but we didn't. So, we've got a lot to work on," said LT Overton, reflecting on the defense's response after the initial drive.

A key factor in battling with the Tigers was limiting their star running back, Hardy, who leads the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards. The Crimson Tide defense managed to contain Hardy, holding him to just 52 total rushing yards and no touchdowns. This marked the first game this season in which Hardy did not score a touchdown and recorded his lowest yardage total.

However, limiting Hardy still didn't completely shut down the Tigers' ground game. Missouri still managed to accumulate a total of 163 yards, 38 more than the Crimson Tide.

So, how did the Crimson Tide further stymie the Tigers? By keeping the ball away from one of the top three teams in time of possession. Alabama's defense held Missouri to just 21:27 minutes of possession.

"It's very important. Everybody we play ends up being our No. 1 ranked offense, and Mizzou has a really good offense, but just being able to keep the ball in our offense's hands more instead of their offense was really the focus of the game, being that rushing team that they're known as," Overton said when asked about limiting Missouri's time of possession.

Alabama also snapped another team's home winning streak, as the 27-24 victory ended a 15-game home winning streak.

On film, there may have been instances where Alabama was outplayed, but the stats tell a different story. Alabama's defense limited Missouri to 56 plays, 15 first downs, a 1/10 third-down efficiency, 2/3 fourth-down efficiency, and two interceptions. Meanwhile, Alabama's offense maintained possession for 38:33 minutes, ran 75 plays, achieved 22 first downs, had a 6/15 third-down efficiency, 3/3 fourth-down efficiency, and Ty Simpson did not throw any interceptions.

Alabama will return back to Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Third Saturday in October on Oct. 18 against the Tennessee Volunteers.