Bama rolls over MTSU to start 2023
Impressive start for Tide quarterbacks as they accounted for 7 total touchdowns. Texas awaits.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
For much of the off-season, the pressing question for Alabama centered around who would inherit the keys to the quarterback position vacated by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Sophomore Jalen Milroe answered that question quickly as the Tide rolled to a 56-7 drubbing of overmatched Middle Tennessee Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Notre Dame transfer QB Tyler Buchner and redshirt frosh Ty Simpson also played well and led the Bama offense to second-half touchdowns. The new-look Tide offense under first-year coordinator Tommy Reese showed the “old school” Alabama toughness that has been lacking throughout the past two seasons as the revamped line did a nice job leading the way for eight different ball carriers on a night where they would collectively gain 205 yards on the ground. It was noticeable that there was a clean pocket throughout the evening, giving Milroe and company time to distribute the ball to eight different receivers. The offense was not flagged during the game, and after a year where penalties plagued the 2022 version of the Tide, Alabama committed just two penalties for 19 yards on the night.
The offensive hero was Milroe, who was publicly named the starter a day before the opener. Prior to Saturday’s contest, his only start was a shaky performance last season against Texas A&M, a game the Tide squeaked out despite Milroe committing three critical turnovers. Against the Blue Raiders, the sophomore was sharp, completing 13/18 passes for 194 yards and zero turnovers. He looked comfortable in the pocket and showed great touch on the deep ball (his touchdown passes were from 47, 48, and 29 yards out to three different receivers) and his athleticism was on display as well. Milroe led the team in rushing with 48 yards on 7 carries and scored two touchdowns on the ground. He is the first quarterback in Alabama history to rush for two touchdowns while throwing for three. Overall, the offense rolled up 431 total yards and converted on an impressive 10/13 third-down attempts.
Perhaps more impressive was the Tide D, as they were aggressive and relentless all night. Led by LB Deontae Lawson (7 tackles and a sack), who made a living in MTSU’s backfield, first-year coordinator Kevin Steele’s unit looked fast and confident. A revamped secondary performed well and was led by true freshman Caleb Downs, who led the team in tackles with eight. While last year’s back line was plagued by holding and pass interference calls, this year's version was not flagged in their first outing and helped limit Blue Raider quarterback Nicholas Vattiato to 127 yards on 32 attempts. UAB transfer Jaylen Key had the Tide’s first interception of the season. Overall, the unit limited MTSU to 211 total yards.
The ‘23 version of the Tide started strong right out of the gate, forcing MTSU into a three-and-out on their first possession. On the Tide’s first possession of the year, Milroe would lead the Bama offense on a 6-play, 63-yard drive that ended with his 21-yard scamper to the end zone off of an errant snap from center. After another Blue Raider three-and-out, Milroe led the Tide on an 11-play, 47-yard drive that ended in senior Jase McClellan’s first touchdown of the year from a yard out to stretch the lead to 14-0. MTSU had some success driving the ball in the second quarter, including a nice 10-play, 55-yard drive that ended in a missed field goal. Bama’s first two drives of the quarter stalled and ended in punts, however, following a Jaylen Key interception, Milroe would score his second rushing touchdown of the game from 13 out. Bama would end the half with a Milroe to Isaiah Bond 47-yard strike to increase the lead to 28-0 at the half.
The second half was much of the same, as the Tide opened the third quarter with a 6-play, 75-yard drive ending with a beautiful 48-yard touchdown pass from Milroe to senior Jermaine Burton. Milroe would hit tight end Amari Niblack from 29 yards out to increase the lead to 42-0 before MTSU would break through with their lone touchdown of the night, a Vattiato 7-yard pass to Bryce Bailey to make the score 42-7. Milroe would give way to Tyler Buckner who would lead the offense on a 10-play, 77-yard drive that ended with Buckner bringing it over from 9 yards on the ground to increase the lead to 49-7. Ty Simpson would end the scoring by leading the backups on a 6-play, 33-yard drive that ended in the redshirt freshman’s first collegiate touchdown, a one-yard run to bring the final tally to 56-7.
Saturday was an excellent start for the Tide, and the energy and enthusiasm for this squad was palpable throughout Bryant-Denney. With much of the attention nationally going to Georgia as they seek a historic three-peat, Nick Saban and the Tide have been able to operate under the radar. With much of the star power departing from the Bama roster for the NFL, outside of defensive end Dallas Turner and corner Kool-Aid Mckinstry, the 2023 addition of Alabama football will be dominated early on by a group of players that are relatively unknown outside Tuscaloosa. This is the first time since 2009 that Saban’s Tide has started the season ranked outside the top three. That season culminated in Sir Nick’s first national title, an undefeated season that included Bama’s first Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram. Next week’s test against former Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns, who opened the season with a 37-10 triumph over Rice, will serve as a measuring stick as to where both programs stand. Yet for now, the impressive opener has Bama fans optimistic that the program remains strong and is headed toward a memorable season.