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Given the current circumstances, it’s almost easy to forget the hype that surrounded last November’s version of Alabama against LSU.
It was a heavy match with every TV network descending on Tuscaloosa with Air Force One. A potential national champion would play that day as LSU beat Alabama 46-41 on a gorgeous fall afternoon at a crowded Bryant-Denny Stadium.
On the sideline without much fanfare stood Dylan Moses in his full gear – No.32 jersey on his back and helmet buckled. That wouldn’t be abnormal for the Louisiana middle linebacker, except for the fact that he tore up his ACL in August and was out for the season.
But this afternoon in front of the sports world, Moses was dressed next to his teammates. He recalled that moment a year later as the Alabama No.1 prepared for a battering rematch and a staggering schedule from LSU.
“I really wanted to be there with my teammates,” Moses said on Monday. “I wanted to give them an extra boost, extra motivation. One of their leaders is not there, but he is ready to come and dress and give them the support they need in that time. It really meant a lot to me.
Alabama certainly could have used it this afternoon.
LSU’s Joe Burrow finished 31 in 39 with 393 passing yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers selected the Tide’s inexperienced middle linebackers. Clyde Edwards-Helaire caught nine top-level passes from the running back position that middle linebackers typically pick up in pass coverage.
Moses, an All-American, could only watch from the sidelines.
“Being from Baton Rouge, he came over and asked if he could dress for the game and wanted to be part of the squad for this game,” Nick Saban said last November the day after the game. “We have no intention of playing him, nor any indication that he’s ready to come back and start training or playing. This is not the case. It was just something he wanted to do to be part of the team.
Moses is now getting back in shape after it took a few weeks this fall to “get his legs back” after returning from a major injury. Watching Alabama’s defense falter in his absence was difficult for Moses to digest last fall.
“It wasn’t just this game, it was every game, man,” Moses said on Monday. “Missing an entire season was a lot for me: I haven’t missed a game in my entire football career, since I was little. A whole season was tough.
Alabama (6-0) is scheduled to face LSU (2-3) at 5 p.m. CT Saturday in Baton Rouge.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on twitter @ByCasagrande Or on Facebook.
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