Jordan Battle recalls targeting ejection vs. Ohio State

Alabama Crimson Tide safety Jordan Battle is getting another chance to not just play in a national championship game but possibly finish it. In last year’s victory over Ohio State, Battle was ejected for a targeting penalty midway through the second quarter as the Buckeyes were threatening to score. Fortunately for the Crimson Tide, the ejection of their safety was not a devastating blow as they went on to beat Ohio State 52-24.

As Alabama continues to prepare for their national championship game on Monday against SEC rival the Georgia Bulldogs, Battle reflected on the targeting penalty and not being able to be out there with the team.

“That was the main thing, getting a chance to play a whole game in the national championship. And I’m grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to play in another national championship. And hopefully I can play in the whole game this time around because last year everybody knows what happened.”

Despite Battle being tossed out of the game, the Alabama defense clamped up after that drive. The Crimson Tide defense allowed just 10 points to Ohio State close out the game. While their offense exploded for 31 points after the ejection.

Alabama defensive leader Will Anderson on last years title

Anderson believes that Alabama’s National Championship last season has had a great impact on his development this year. Alabama defeated Ohio State 52-24 in the title game last season, capping a perfect 13-0 season for the Crimson Tide.

Anderson only had three tackles in Alabama’s National Championship victory last season, but he still learned some valuable lessons from that game.

“Probably paying attention more to the details,” Anderson said about what he learned from Alabama’s National Championship last season. “I think last year, as a freshman, you really don’t have the type of focus that you have when you mature a little bit. So probably paying attention to the details, making sure I’m lined up right; making sure I’m not having any mental errors or anything like that, making sure I’m getting the calls. I think that was one of the biggest things last year was getting the call getting lined up right.

“That’s the experience I have now taking to, like, the national championship game. And have that experience under my belt to help me more.”

Whatever Anderson learned in his National Championship experience, it has undoubtedly translated to the field this season for Alabama. He has 97 tackles and leads the team with 17.5 sacks and 31 tackles for loss. Anderson was viewed as a snub for the 2021 Heisman Trophy after being left off of the list of finalists.