Written by Marc Tracy at New York Times
No. 1 Alabama must have been disoriented Saturday night when it struggled at the outset against No. 20 Southern California in the season opener for both teams.
Trojans quarterback Max Browne, a junior making his first college start, connected with wide receiver Darreus Rogers for 36 yards on the game’s second snap at AT&T Stadium. The ensuing field goal created a lead that lasted more than a quarter. Worse still for Alabama, its quarterback tandem of Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts did little, and running backs Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough did even less.
There was no Derrick Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, drafted by the Tennessee Titans last spring. Nor was there the unsung center Ryan Kelly, now of the Colts, as Barnett must surely have realized when he was viciously sacked in the first quarter.
But Hurts, a true freshman, found receiver ArDarius Stewart behind the U.S.C. secondary for a 39-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter. Soon after, Marlon Humphrey, a cornerback with world-class speed who entered Alabama lore with his crucial recovery on an onside kick against Clemson in last season’s title game, picked off a deflected pass from Browne and returned the ball 18 yards for a touchdown.
The Tide, having scored 17 straight points, led at halftime, 17-3. But the feast was just beginning.
In the end, Alabama demolished U.S.C., 52-6. Hurts finished 6 for 11 passing, throwing for 118 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for an additional 32 yards and two touchdowns.
The Trojans did not score a touchdown against a Crimson Tide defense that in the off-season lost four starters to the N.F.L. draft. The U.S.C. defense was also overmatched. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, a top collegiate long-jumper, flashed his speed in making four tackles, but he was a rare bright spot on that side of the ball.
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