Alabama football showcased its dominance on Saturday, delivering a resounding 56-7 victory over Middle Tennessee State at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Blue Raiders of Conference USA struggled to put up a fight against the Crimson Tide, allowing Alabama to completely overpower them.
Before turning our attention to the upcoming Texas game, let’s dive into three key takeaways from the impressive 56-7 win on Saturday.
First, let’s discuss the quarterbacks. Jalen Milroe displayed exceptional skill and awareness during the game. On one play, Milroe handled a botched snap, evaded the Blue Raider defense, and transformed a potential sack into a remarkable touchdown run. This marked the first time in an Alabama season opener since 1995 that the first score came from a quarterback run. Additionally, Milroe completed his first seven passes, totaling 52 yards, before facing pressure and throwing an incompletion in the second quarter due to a breakdown in protection. Overall, Milroe proved himself as a top-tier quarterback, completing 10 of 13 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Notably, he connected with Isaiah Bond for a perfectly executed 47-yard deep throw and threw a 48-yard pass to Jermaine Burton, resulting in another touchdown.
Moving on, let’s discuss the offensive strategy. With offensive coordinator Bill O’Brian departing to lead the New England Patriots, Tommy Rees took charge of Alabama’s offense. The question arose as to how much of Rees’ successful Notre Dame system he could implement in Tuscaloosa. While it wasn’t a complete replication of the Fighting Irish’s offensive attack from last season, Rees made effective use of tight ends. This was evident during Milroe’s second touchdown run in the second quarter, where he deceived the defense with a handoff and utilized tight end Amari Niblack’s blocking skills to pave the way to the end zone. Furthermore, the Crimson Tide showcased an offense that relied on contributions from various players such as Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, Isaiah Bond, and Kobe Prentice. This differs from the 2022 Alabama offense that heavily relied on Bryce Young.
Lastly, let’s examine the dominating performance of the defense. Although the real challenge awaits next week when Texas visits Bryant-Denny Stadium, the defense showcased excellence against Middle Tennessee State. Alabama’s defensive front applied immense pressure on Blue Raider quarterback Nick Vattiato, resulting in rushed and ill-advised throws. The Blue Raiders struggled to score, managing their lone touchdown with only 32 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Alabama’s defense effectively shut down both the ground and passing game of Middle Tennessee State. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, in his first game with the Crimson Tide, displayed an aggressive approach, leading the defense to make crucial plays. One notable play was the interception by Jaylen Key, a transfer from UAB. Although the real test lies ahead, the defense performed admirably in this warm-up game.
In conclusion, Alabama’s football team exhibited their prowess in a dominant victory over Middle Tennessee State. The quarterbacks, led by Jalen Milroe, delivered exceptional performances, the offense showcased versatility, and the defense demonstrated its strength and tenacity. The upcoming game against Texas will undoubtedly provide a true test, but the Crimson Tide has proven their mettle in this impressive outing.
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