Answering several questions that loomed over college football fans this summer, Alabama football needed just five minutes, thanks to quarterback Jalen Milroe’s lightning-fast touchdown, to set the tone for the rest of the game. In a physical football showdown, the Crimson Tide emerged victorious with a score of 56-7 against Middle Tennessee.
More about Milroe
Head coach Nick Saban had this to say about his team, “They worked hard. They tried to be physical and really played with good toughness. Their [Middle Tennessee] team works hard and plays with toughness, and we matched that, which was really positive for us.”
Alabama also gave away just two penalties, a stark contrast from their struggles with penalties last season. Saban emphasized, “One of our objectives is to execute without incurring any penalties.”. You’re always going to get some penalties in a game, but the pre-snap, line of scrimmage, undisciplined-type penalties are the ones you really want to eliminate. If you have real confidence and belief in yourself, do you need to take unnecessary risks? Simply go about it the correct way, and they executed that exceptionally well this evening.”
If there was any doubt about who should be the starting quarterback this time around, Milroe addressed it immediately. Alabama’s opening drive lasted less than three minutes, culminating in Milroe’s touchdown pass, despite a bad snap that ended with them at the 21-yard line.
Milroe humbly commented on his touchdown, saying, “It was all set up by my team. I was fortunate enough to pick up the ball and get a chance to play, but it was all the other 10 guys on the field with me that helped get it to the end zone.”
That first touchdown of the night won’t be Milroe’s only one, as he ran for another in the first half. After securing a 42-0 lead over the Blue Raiders, Milroe’s night will come to an end shortly. Although he was sacked twice, he concluded Saturday night’s game with 242 passing yards and five touchdowns – the third-most for a starter in Alabama history.
Saban noted that Milroe played well as a starting quarterback but still has room for improvement. “Experience is a collection of things you’ve learned from your mistakes fundamentally,” Saban said. “”As he progresses and acquires more experience, his performance is bound to improve steadily. However, I must say he performed admirably tonight.”
Both quarterbacks Taylor Buchanan and Tua Simpson entered the field in the second half to secure the victory over the Blue Raiders. Milroe was replaced by Buchanan in the third quarter, and he ran impressively for a 9-yard score. In the fourth quarter, Simpson entered the game and quickly made a difference with a 1-yard touchdown run. These three quarterbacks scored seven of Alabama’s touchdowns together.
The most promising drive for Middle Tennessee in the first half ended with a 32-yard field goal attempt. The Blue Raiders were able to enter Alabama’s territory thanks to a notable 30-yard rush by quarterback Nick Vatiato, but they couldn’t score until late in the contest when Vatiato connected with wide receiver Brice Bailey for a 7-yard touchdown.
Three sacks were recorded by Alabama’s defense, with one coming from newcomer Caleb Downs who showed off his skills in his very first game while sporting the school’s colors. Downs distinguished himself by leading the squad with six single tackles and making a total of eight tackles throughout the game in addition to his sack.
Milroe thinks there is still potential for improvement despite the Crimson Tide’s easy victory in their season opener. Milroe was completely honest when he said, “It wasn’t a flawless performance.” “As a team, we realize there are a number of things we need to work on. I’m committed to improve my leadership abilities and raise my level of performance on a personal level. My objective is to go on.
The Texas native is eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to start in Alabama football’s upcoming game against the formidable No. 11 Texas, scheduled for the end of next week. Kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium is set for 6 p.m. The match will be broadcast on ESPN, providing fans with live coverage.”