Monday Man of the Hour: Eddie Lacy, Beast Mode has been unlocked

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) congratulates running back Eddie Lacy (42) after his touchdown run against Missouri Tigers during the first quarter at Faurot Field. (Dak Dillon-US PRESSWIRE)

Take the handoff.

Run right. Follow the blockers. Find the hole.

Dodge defender. Sprint.

Juke right. Run left.

Hit the jets.

One play. Seventy-three yards. And Eddie Lacy had the tiger by the tail.

Lacy set the tone for Alabama’s showdown with SEC newcomer Missouri on the second play of the game with a 73 touchdown romp. He juked one defender out of his skin with a Trent Richardson-esque stutter-stop and raced away like nothing happened. It was beautiful.

[The Quad: GIF - Bama punt returner somersaults over Mizzou defender]

Alabama’s rushing attack was a force of nature on Saturday, with Lacy being the beast that powered it. He punished the Missouri defense for a career-high 177 yards on only 18 carries and turned in the Tide’s best rushing performance of the year. Bama’ lit up Mizzou for 362 yards on the ground, the most this season. The star running back also scored three of Alabama’s six touchdowns.

Missouri can’t handle playing against SEC talent, so it’s no surprise they couldn’t contain an NFL back running behind an NFL offensive line. Lacy gave the Tigers the Alabama brand of “old man” football.

The Missouri fans in attendance were even afraid of him. Seeing the lightning drove them out of the stadium by halftime, but hearing the thunder in Eddie Lacy’s steps kept them away.

He is just getting warmed up too, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

The Tide plays Tennessee, Mississippi State, LSU, and Texas A&M in a crucial four-game stretch. If Lacy can stay healthy and pound defenses like he did Saturday, Alabama has a good shot of making it to Miami to defend its BCS title.

And after more than two years of work and waiting for his time to shine, this man of the hour is ready to bust it wide open. From here on out, Eddie Lacy is in beast mode.

Keep Rollin’ >> Bama beats down latest SEC challenger Mizzou

What do you think Gamedayrs?