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No. 15 Alabama cruised to a 34-0 home win over No. 21 Missouri on Saturday behind a powerful defense and rushing attack.
Credit goes to the pass defense in particular, as Missouri quarterbacks Brady Cook and Drew Pyne completed just 13-of-24 attempts for 72 yards. Pyne also threw three interceptions to Malachi Moore, Bray Hubbard and Qua Russaw.
Alabama also held firm down the stretch, preserving the shutout with a 4th-and-goal stop on the 1-yard line with 4:19 remaining in regulation.
On offense, Alabama’s run game was rolling, rushing for 271 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries.
Justice Haynes led the way with 79 yards and a score.
Jam Miller scored twice alongside his 48 yards.
In between Miller’s touchdowns, Jalen Milroe scored on a nine-yard run.
The pass game was relatively quiet, as Milroe completed 16-of-26 passes for 215 yards. Germie Bernard’s five catches for 82 yards led the way. But the Crimson Tide didn’t need a ferocious pass attack on this day as the defense and run game got it done.
It was a much-needed win for Alabama, which had just undergone a disastrous three-game stretch.
The Crimson Tide were on top of the college football world after defeating Georgia 41-34 in an instant classic on Sept. 28.
Then unranked Vanderbilt stunned Alabama in Nashville, opening up a 23-7 lead before earning a 40-35 win.
The Crimson Tide nearly got picked off at home in their following game before sneaking by South Carolina 27-25. Alabama wasn’t so lucky in the follow-up, falling 24-17 to Alabama last Saturday.
That put Alabama well on the outside looking in at the current College Football Playoff picture. However, the Crimson Tide enjoyed a bounce-back win over Missouri, with the defense and run game getting most of the accolades.
Chad Reid @_ChadReid
Clearly Missouri is limited with injuries. But seeing the Alabama defense gain confidence on all 3 levels will be important going into the bye and before LSU. #RollTide #AlabamaFootball
Pete Brown @pjbrown_III
Turns out we CAN run the football
Finally taking advantage of how elite Jam Miller & Justice Haynes truly are
Love it #RollTide #MIZZvsBAMA
Alabama has a bye week now, but up next is a massive road game against No. 8 LSU on Saturday, Nov. 9.
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