Alabama’s Tim Keenan III contributes to strong defensive performance in win over USF

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— One of the key players in No. 4 Alabama’s defensive performance against USF on Saturday was someone who has been here before. For two straight seasons, the Crimson Tide have struggled against South Florida, and in the second meeting, defensive tackle Tim Keenan III was a real standout.

Keenan recorded nine tackles (three solo, 2.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks on Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown. The veteran center helped stabilize the defense on a night when the offensive unit took some time to get going.

“We had to get our hands on this guy,” Keenan said of Brown, one of the better athletes outside the Power Four and one of the best running quarterbacks in college football. “Kudos to him. He’s a great player, a great athlete … We did what we had to do. We got the best out of him.”

Brown ran for 108 yards, but that alone wasn’t enough for South Florida (1-1) to beat Alabama 17-3 at Raymond James Stadium, 356 days after the bitter battle. The Crimson Tide (2-0) pulled out a narrow 42-16 victory, while the Bryant-Denny Stadium playing field was officially renamed Saban Field.

South Florida’s pace seemed to challenge the Crimson Tide, but Keenan dismissed the notion that the defensive unit was unprepared or otherwise ill-equipped to handle it. The redshirt junior felt the group performed well from his perspective and stressed the importance of continuing to line up and pursue the football.

“They have a good club there, a good coach (Alex Golesh), he came from Tennessee,” Keenan said. “(USF’s) strategy and plan will be on point, and he has some people who believe in him. Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard, every day, but we have hard work and talent.”

After three quarters, the game was wide open, with Alabama leading narrowly 14-13. The offense had several points canceled due to penalties that kept cropping up throughout the game. The Bulls’ running attack proved to be potent, and South Florida was only able to score once on the ground. Time and time again, Keenan and the defense held out against a visiting team that perhaps harbored a grudge for a close loss to the SEC champions last fall and didn’t want to waste its second chance.

“We just had that mindset of ‘don’t let anything stop you, I’ve got to go home,'” Keenan said. “Diamonds are created under pressure… I love moments like that because everyone’s looking for someone to make the play and then it’s ‘why not me?’ So I just had to have that mindset of ‘I’m going to make a difference, I’m going to make a play.'”

Defensive line coach Freddie Roach was full of praise for Keenan in the days leading up to the USF clash, and it’s safe to assume Roach wasn’t among those surprised by Keenan’s performance and leadership under the lights on Saturday night.

“He’s a great guy,” Roach said. “He comes in every day and works his ass off. He had a great season last year. He’s started off on the right foot now (this season). He helps the young guys too, I think that’s the big part. He kind of teaches them what the standard is, what’s accepted and what’s not. I’d take 10 from him. The kid is unbelievable… You appreciate that as a coach.”