SEC INSIDER

Tide hoping to carry “MO” into Arkansas week

Lindyssports.com Staff

October 06, 2015 at 9:06 pm.

Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs the ball past Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Trenton Thompson (78) during the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs the ball past Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Trenton Thompson (78) during the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

Sometimes it takes a storm to help things become clear.

That’s the case for Alabama football as the weather in Athens, Ga. finally forced the Crimson Tide to find its offensive identity.

The Tide pounded away at Georgia with Derrick Henry in its 38-10 victory.

Henry finished the day with 26 carries for 148 yards, both career highs. The junior scored on a 30-yard run that began an onslaught of 35 straight points for the Tide.

With the score, Henry matched the Alabama record for consecutive games with a rushing touchdown at 10.

“It was a lot of fun,” Henry said of running between the tackles. “I thought the offensive line did a great job. We just had to go out there and execute the plays so it was just a lot of fun just to play physical. That’s what we wanna do.”

On the season, Henry has 570 yards and nine touchdowns on 93 carries.

“It’s important for us that we continue to use him in a way that’s most beneficial to him and to us, which is sort of feeding him the ball,” Saban said. “He does seem to get stronger as the game goes on. Our offensive line can do a little bit better job from a consistency standpoint of finishing blocks. I think that would even make us more effective in how Derrick plays.”

Alabama will host Arkansas on Saturday for homecoming. With the Razorbacks imploring a physical style, expect the Crimson Tide to match that by featuring Henry again.

NOTES, QUOTES

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

–DL Jarran Reed. Last week against Georgia, Reed shredded an offensive lineman with one hand, and tackle Georgia running back Nick Chubb. That’s some impressive strength. He’ll need to have another big game if Alabama hopes to stop Arkansas’ rushing attack.

–RB Derrick Henry. Henry had a career highs in carries (26) and rushing yards (148) to go with a touchdown. He’ll be the Tide’s workhorse again on Saturday.

–LB Reggie Ragland. Ragland leads Alabama with 42 total tackles, which is the eighth most in the SEC.