“Hone In on the Little Details”: Edwards Explains Alabama’s Late Surge

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Following Alabama's 31-20 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday, Crimson Tide tight end Kaleb Edwards discussed his crucial fourth-quarter touchdown, the offense's second-half turnaround, and the importance of getting healthy during the upcoming bye week as Alabama prepares for a pivotal SEC showdown with LSU.

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Edwards finished Saturday's win with just two catches for 24 receiving yards, but caught a crucial eight-yard touchdown on third-and-goal to give the Tide an 11-point lead with 10:01 remaining in regulation.

Following the win, Edwards broke down the route that led to his fourth-quarter touchdown. 

"I had a nice real route out of the hip alignment, and just kind of Keelon [Russell] trust me with the ball, threw it up, and came down with it," Edwards said.

Edwards was asked about the team's fourth-quarter performance compared to the first half, when the Tide offense managed just one touchdown and a field goal, hindered by mistakes including an interception from quarterback Keelon Russell and a missed 36-yard field goal by Conor Talty.

In the fourth quarter, the Tide scored two quick touchdowns and totaled 102 yards of offense, converting 3 of 4 third downs. By contrast, Alabama went just 1 for 6 on third downs in the first half. The team also controlled the ball for nearly nine minutes in the fourth quarter.

"I think just execution; we just gotta hone in on the little details. A lot of times we're one block away, one millimeter away from a catch. Just got to hone in those details and keep going," Edwards told reporters. 

Edwards touched on the grind of the SEC, noting that teams beat each other up week after week, with only Georgia and Kentucky owning a single loss in conference play.

"SEC is a grind; every team can beat every team in this league, so we just got to keep going and just prepare like every team can beat us, but we know we're the best team and we can come out on top," Edwards said.

Edwards emphasized the importance of getting injured players healthy and ready to go, with the Tide missing several key contributors, including starters like center Racin Delgatty, wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, defensive lineman Terrance Green, defensive back Zabien Brown, offensive guard William Sanders, and other impact players such as freshman running back EJ Crowell and defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman.

"Getting our bodies right, getting our minds right, start preparing, yeah, just kind of rest up, make sure, hopefully we can get some guys back," Edwards said.

Alabama will look to keep its playoff hopes alive when it returns from its bye week and travels to Baton Rouge to face the Lane Kiffin-led LSU Tigers in Death Valley. With both teams carrying two losses, the matchup could have major implications for their College Football Playoff hopes.

Micah Nichols covers Alabama baseball, football, and basketball for Tide 100.9. Follow @MicahNichols0 on X for in-game updates, highlights, and more Crimson Tide coverage.