Alabama OC Nick Sheridan discusses time of possession, run game

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There’s one statistic that’s catching everyone’s eye following Alabama’s historic loss to Vanderbilt. That is, aside from the 40-35 score.

That stat is time of possession, which the Commodores dominated. Across a 60-minute game, Vanderbilt held the bell for 42 minutes and eight seconds. That left the remaining 17:52 for Alabama’s offense, having possession of the ball nearly 2-and-a-half times less than the opposition.

Despite having the ball for significantly less time, Alabama was still able to be successful offensively. The Crimson Tide scored 35 points in the game, five touchdowns, and did so on five of its nine offensive possessions throughout the game. From a 30,000-foot view, that’s a solid performance.

Alabama’s defense notoriously struggled, allowing Vanderbilt to have four different possessions with drives that lasted 4:30 or longer. When Alabama had the ball, the explosiveness of the Crimson Tide offense didn’t allow for any long, sustained drives.

Alabama’s longest touchdown drive went for just 3:41, and all nine of its drives were under four minutes.

“I will just say, you asked about time of possession, I didn’t answer that. I think ultimately you want to be in control of the game. You do that by executing and getting first downs. So I think some of the lopsidedness relative to that are the four possessions we didn’t execute,” offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said. “That would’ve allowed us to have more opportunities, more plays and more time of possession. I think at the end of the day you want to be in control of the game. If you score fast that’s part of it. We’re not going to stop the guys from doing that. We’ve had a lot of short scoring drives this season which sometimes can sway the clock one way or the other but I certainly think you want to be in control of the game and able to execute and get first downs.”

One reasoning to point to for Alabama’s short drives would be the lack of consistent use of the run game. Alabama only ran the ball on consecutive downs four times throughout the game, and only had 21 rushes total across all of its players by game’s end.

Sheridan attributes some of the lack of running plays to the flow of the game, as Alabama was in a 13-0 hole very early following an opening drive touchdown from Vanderbilt and a tipped pick six three plays later.

“I think the game Saturday was a little bit unique that way, relative to running the football. We did put ourselves in a hole early. We were playing a little bit of catch-up throughout the game so we didn’t as many opportunities to run the football as maybe we were anticipating, because I do think there was some moments where we ran the ball well,” Sheridan said. “Jam had some good runs. Justice had some good runs. It just kind of was the course of the game and how it was going. I think that’s a point of emphasis to be more efficient and effective running the football but I also know that you have to do whatever’s required in a game to try to score points and win and each game can kind of unfold in a different way and that’s just how the game went on Saturday.”

Alabama’s running backs, Jam Miller and Justice Haynes, still had decent days when they were able to touch the ball. Miller went for 45 yards and a touchdown on just five carries, while Haynes busted a 13-yad carry early in the game on one of his six chances.

Though they were used sparingly in this loss, Sheridan remains very confident in the duo as key pieces of this offense moving forward.

“I think they’ve both been effective and super helpful in our offense and I know that that will continue to be the case. It’s a long season. There’s lots of football to still be had. Obviously they both have had some great moments and found the endzone and helped us, there’s no doubt,” Sheridan said. “I also think they’re doing a great job without the ball as well. Some of the perimeter runs they’re involved in blocking, they’ve been outstanding. Some of their blitz pickup and their eye-discipline has been outstanding. Those are two great players and their attitude’s been great. Their work ethic’s been great and I know they’re going to keep improving and taking advantage of the opportunities they get and so we’re happy with where they’re at. Just like I mentioned with everybody else. Nobody did well enough. So I know for everybody, not just those guys, every position, every coach knows that you’ve got to do better and find a way to win.”