The first carry didn't come until the midpoint of Alabama's second quarter at LSU.

Bo Scarbrough looked anxious. He had a little extra burst.

This was the Scarbrough everyone had been expecting since the day he stepped on Alabama's campus. The local-grown five-star recruit had 11 runs at LSU, tied for his personal high while finishing with 52 hard yards in the 10-0 win.

Since dropping from the No. 1 running back spot Scarbrough appeared to have on A-Day, the Tuscaloosa product has progressively seen more action in a reserve role.

"You know, the guy that always has the hot hand is the one you want to run," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "And Bo Scarbrough certainly looked that way today."

Scarbrough's first run went six yards. He threw the key block to spring quarterback Jalen Hurts for a 28-yard dash on the next snap. A full-steam Scarbrough picked up 11 on the next play after running an extra seven yards after the first LSU contact.

There was just another gear on the 6-foot-2, 228-pound back who has drawn Derrick Henry comparisons for years. Like the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, Scarbrough's Alabama tenure started slowly. An ACL injury and suspension limited him to 18 runs and 104 yards as a freshman last fall.

The hype train made Scarbrough the heir to Henry's throne before Damien Harris became Alabama's featured back this fall. Nine games in, Scarbrough (62 carries, 358 yards) is fourth in rushing behind Harris (99-750), Hurts (115-635) and true freshman Josh Jacobs (58-395).

Scarbrough met with the media for the first time as an Alabama player after the win over LSU. He answered a few questions about the slow start the same way.

"Staying patient," He said. "That's one of our big motivators. Staying patient and wait your turn."

How easy is that?

"I mean, you have to have the mindset," Scarbrough said. "If you don't, you don't. But if you do, it will turn out to be great."

Patience was the theme of the night in Baton Rouge. Alabama's offense was held scoreless in the opening half for the first time since a 2007 loss to Florida State. It nibbled but couldn't bite. The halftime message wasn't overly complicated.

"It was simple, so easy," Scarbrough said. "We have to come out here and keep fighting -- 15 rounds and we (fought) all 15 rounds."

The big night didn't come without complications. Scarbrough was walked to the locker room in the first half after twisting his knee. Ultimately, no issues were found and he returned in the third quarter.

It turned into a slugfest in the second half -- one in which Scarbrough happily contributed. His 10-yard run on the fourth-down snap to open the fourth quarter kept Alabama's game-winning touchdown drive in business.

He took three straight runs in the snaps preceding Hurts' game-winning 21-yard touchdown run.

Scarbrough took four more carries on the 15-play, 50-yard drive that ate nearly 10 minutes off the fourth quarter clock.

"We did what we do best," Scarbrough said. "We ran the ball."