In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Crimson Tide’s offensive line earned high praise from coach Jackson Lloyd following the team’s second‑week performance against Kentucky. After a modest start that saw only five rushing yards in the first half, the Tide surged to finish with more than 150 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns.
Coach Lloyd’s assessment
“I think the offensive line, we played good,” Lloyd told reporters on Tuesday morning. “I think we always got room to get better. Super proud of the guys. I know Mike was out; we had Will bump over to right guard. Mal came and played left guard; I think they played great. They’re always ready to play.”
Performance metrics
Pro Football Focus (PFF) reported that guards Mal Waldrep and Will Sanders combined to allow just one pressure on quarterback Keelon Russell, with Waldrep surrendering a single sack. Kentucky’s defense accounted for four total quarterback hits, three of which were credited to tight ends in the blocking scheme.
Depth and preparation
Lloyd highlighted the depth of the unit, noting that every lineman is preparing as if he were a starter. “Everyone’s preparing like they’re a starter, because everyone’s one play away from getting that starting job. I just love to see the way they come in every day and prepare like a starter and get the opportunity to shine,” he said.
Room for improvement
Despite the positive signs, Lloyd cautioned against complacency. “We don’t really have an end goal,” he explained. “We’re gonna keep striving to be better. So, I mean, really no telling of that. I’m super proud of how far we’ve come, but it’s gotta keep going.”
Looking ahead
Alabama is set to host Florida State on Saturday, September 19, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC. The upcoming game provides another opportunity for the offensive line to build on its recent progress and continue shaping a dominant ground attack.
Local coverage
Wyatt Fulton, the Tide’s 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, continues to provide in‑depth coverage of Alabama football and men’s basketball. Fans can follow Fulton’s updates on X (formerly Twitter) at @FultonW_.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
