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Alabama cruises against FCS Mercer as it heads into stretch run

17 November 2024Last Update :
Alabama cruises against FCS Mercer as it heads into stretch run

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There was no drama for No. 10 Alabama on Saturday against Mercer, the No. 7 team in the FCS. Alabama scored on its first three drives and cruised to a 52-7 win. The Crimson Tide are 8-2 on the season with a road trip to Oklahoma next week before closing the regular season against Auburn. The Tide played a clean game, left injury free and cleared their bench. Here are a few takeaways from Saturday.

Alabama’s defense extends impressive streak

Entering Saturday, Alabama’s defense carried the nation’s longest streak of consecutive games with at least three forced turnovers (4). That extended to five straight games against Mercer — and it took only one half to do it. Overall, Alabama has forced at least three turnovers in six of its past seven games.

Cornerback Domani Jackson initiated the takeaways on the fifth play of the game, chasing down Mercer running back CJ Miller from behind and stripping him, with the recovery by defensive lineman Damon Payne Jr. Two drives later, Qua Russaw, who’s starting full time now as a result of Que Robinson’s arm injury, made an athletic interception for turnover No. 2. Russaw finished with three tackles and looks like a budding star.

 

Saturday’s biggest highlight belongs to Alabama’s defense as well. The third takeaway of the game, a DaShawn Jones’ forced fumble, led to Zabien Brown scooping the ball and returning it over 60 yards for a touchdown. It marked Alabama’s first non-offensive touchdown of the season.

Complementary football is becoming more consistent for the Tide. Alabama converted all three Mercer turnovers into touchdowns. Over the past three weeks, the Tide have converted nine turnovers into eight subsequent touchdowns.

Ryan Williams, Zabien Brown continue to star

Alabama’s first two drives of the game ended in the same way, with Williams in the end zone. The true freshman took a handoff from Jalen Milroe and stiff-armed a Mercer defender en route to a 29-yard touchdown to begin the game. On the next possession, Williams took a short pass the distance in the red zone, with some help from Germie Bernard, who took out a pair of defenders.

 

Williams finished the day with 65 total yards, bringing his season total to 820 (767 receiving) and 10 total touchdowns (eight receiving, two rushing). With the Biletnikoff Award semifinalist reveal on Monday, whether or not he makes the cut, Saturday’s game is another chapter in what’s been an impressive debut season that will include All-American honors at the end.

On defense, Brown continues to star in a lead cornerback role. His scoop-and-score in the second quarter is his second turnover play this season, joining his game-sealing interception against Georgia. Once a major concern, the secondary has continued to take positive steps over the past few weeks, and Brown’s development is a reason why. He’ll likely be a freshman All-American as well, and appears to be a foundational piece of future Kane Wommack defenses.

This and that

• Milroe finished 11-of-16 passing for 186 yards, added 43 rushing yards and scored three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). He has 32 total touchdowns this season (15 passing, 17 rushing). His 17 rushing touchdowns are tied with Eddie Lacy, Mark Ingram and Siran Stacy for fifth-most rushing touchdowns in a season.

• Linebacker Jihaad Campbell led Alabama defenders with nine tackles. He recorded a sack as well, marking his third straight game with a sack. His five total sacks lead the team this season.

• Every Alabama quarterback saw game reps. Ty Simpson finished 5-of-10 for 71 yards, Dylan Lonergan finished 5-of-6 for 23 yards and Austin Mack finished 2-of-3 for 39 yards and a touchdown pass.

• Reserve running back Richard Young recorded seven carries for 26 yards and a touchdown. Saturday marks the third straight game where Young has gotten touches, and he’s averaging 7.2 yards per carry in that span.

• Senior tight end Robbie Ouzts caught his second career touchdown in the second quarter on a 44-yard reception from Milroe. Known almost exclusively for blocking, Ouzts is an unsung hero for Alabama, and his touchdown drew a large reaction from the sidelines.

(Photo of Mercer safety Chris Joines and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe: Gary Cosby Jr.: Tuscaloosa News / USA Today via Imagn Images)

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