Ad Disclosure
A glance at the score makes it seem like your run-of-the-mill, SEC blowout by Alabama, but the Crimson Tide’s 39-10 victory over Missouri certainly had its fair share of drama. Star sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the game with a knee injury, along with two other wide receivers who returned.
Backup quarterback Jalen Hurts came in for Tagovailoa to lead the Tide for the majority of the second half, and they marched to a 29-point win at home on homecoming night. Here is what Nick Saban had to say about the win in his postgame press conference.
Saban after Mizzou win: “I really challenged the players for this game. A lot of people talk about the fact we haven’t had a tough game, we haven’t had adversity.” #RollTide pic.twitter.com/Vaag4YBC6Y
— Grace Remington (@Grace_Remi) October 14, 2018
On the injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Devonta Smith:
Saban: “Tua could’ve gone back into the game. He wanted to go back into the game.”
“… We don’t think there’s any issue with it.”
DeVonta Smith pulled a muscle and is day-to-day.
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) October 14, 2018
On the play of the Alabama’s secondary:
Saban on the secondary: We didn’t give up many explosive plays which is a good thing.
Saivion Smith played well. I was pleased with the way he played.
Said the DBs kept guys cut off well.
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) October 14, 2018
On the ability of Jalen Hurts to come in for Tagovailoa:
Nick Saban: “I think we have every confidence that Jalen (Hurts) – 7-for-8 – has really improved as a pocket passer.”
— Terrin Waack (@terrinvictoria) October 14, 2018
On the crowd in Bryant-Denny Stadium:
Saban ends his press conference by praising tonight’s crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Said the atmosphere and Dixieland Delight were both great.
“That’s the way it should be at Alabama.”
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) October 14, 2018
Alabama hits the road next, heading to Knoxville for the Third Saturday in October. That game against Tennessee will be a 3:30pm ET kickoff on CBS.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Lucas is a digital reporter for 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, and a high school play-by-play broadcaster. Lucas has been covering SEC football for Saturday Down South since 2018.
