Nick Saban addresses speeding up the offense, going tempo more

Alabama‘s offense was extremely effective in their 63-7 victory over Louisiana-Monroe Saturday, as they dominated in the air and on the ground. The Crimson Tide offense picked up their pace from time to time last Saturday, as well as in a few other instances this season, utilized some tempo mainly in two-minute situations. Saban was asked about their offensive potency when they do decide to go up-tempo.

“We have been an effective tempo team, that’s something that’s been good for us,” Saban said. “It’s something that we work on that you really got to get the players to get up and down, get ready, and go.”

Saban certainly has the quarterback to run a high-speed offense in Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young, who’s more than proven he can distribute the ball from sideline to sideline, down the field, and make quick, decisive throws.

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“I think Bryce likes it when we do that, I think it’s also beneficial when we spread the other team out and do that,” Saban said.

It’s unclear if Saban will increase the volume of their uptempo attack, but he seems to have weapons on offense that cater to that style of play. The Crimson Tide open up their SEC schedule this weekend as they take on Vanderbilt at home, and we’ll see how often they decide to pick up the pace against the Commodores’ defense.

“So we just gotta keep working on it and hopefully continue to make it an asset for us in the future in terms of how fast we play and how we execute,” Saban said.

Kool-Aid McKinstry details the importance of special teams, role as punt returner

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is notorious for putting a strong emphasis on special teams, not shying away from putting starters on any of his special team’s units. Saban’s philosophy definitely paid off this weekend, as the Crimson Tide scored on two special teams plays in their dominant 63-7 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. Cornerback ‘Kool-Aid’ McKinstry spoke on the importance of special teams and the impact it makes on the team.

“Special teams brings a lot to the game, we don’t look at special teams no different than offense and defense. We also understand that the energy that comes from special teams, it leads on to offense and defense,” McKinstry said. “So whatever we do on special teams, we know that leads on to offense and defense, bring energy.”

The Crimson Tide special teams units made an impact early, as safety Malachi Moore returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first quarter of Saturday’s game to put Alabama up 21-0 early.

Wide receiver JoJo Earle split the punt returning duties with Slade Bolden last season, and was likely going to be their primary punt returner this season with Bolden graduating last year. But Earle suffered an injury during fall camp that was projected to sideline him 6-8 weeks, as he’s expected to return in early October.

McKinstry has assumed the role as Alabama’s primary punt returner this season so far with Earle’s absence and had a career day returning the football Saturday for the Tide. McKinstry had five returns on the day for 136 yards, with his longest being 44 yards. He was asked jokingly after the game if he was gunning for Earle’s job following his performance or just holding for him until his return.

“I enjoy what I do and I do what I can do for the team, everything else is on coach,” McKinstry said.

The Alabama defense forced a lot of punts in Saturday’s game, and decided to let some other plays give their shot at returning some punts besides McKinstry. Three other players for the Crimson Tide got one return each, and none made the most of their opportunity more than safety Brian Branch, who took his fourth-quarter punt return all the way to the house for a touchdown.