TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama began Saturday and did so in historic fashion. Led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, who accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing), the Crimson Tide cruised to a 63-0 win over Western Kentucky. It was the third-highest point total in an opener in program history.
Alabama’s offense was explosive in bunches as six touchdown drives lasted three plays or fewer while four of those drives went for 50 yards or longer. The two biggest plays were an 84-yard touchdown throw from Milroe to Ryan Williams and an 85-yard run by Justice Haynes. It was the first time since 1991 (against Temple) that Alabama had two touchdowns of 80-plus yards in one game.
Meanwhile, the defense pitched a shutout and limited Western Kentucky to under 150 total yards.
Injury forces O-line shuffle
Perhaps the most notable part of the opener occurred in pregame warmups when starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury. The exact nature was not disclosed, but his left arm was in a sling on the sidelines.
“Caught me by surprise, obviously,” DeBoer said. “And he couldn’t go tonight. We’ll continue to evaluate tomorrow, just to see the severity of it. We’ll kind of know more as the week goes on.”
In his absence, Elijah Pritchett started at left tackle, with Wilkin Formby at right tackle and Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford and Jaeden Roberts along the interior. That five-man unit played all of the first-team reps, with the exception of one play when Brailsford and Booker had to come off the field after their helmets came off.
If there’s a silver lining in Proctor’s injury, it’s that both Pritchett and Formby, who were competing for the right tackle spot, received a full workload with the first team — which will be helpful in evaluations as the competition moves forward. Each had his share of bright spots. A Pritchett block sprung the first touchdown run of the game, a 12-yarder by Milroe. Later in the first half, Formby pulled to the left side and created a hole for Haynes’ 85-yard touchdown to extend the Tide’s lead to 35-0. Western Kentucky’s defense managed only one sack against Alabama’s first unit while the Alabama offense averaged a whopping 15.2 yards per play and a sack-adjusted 12 yards per rush.
Welcome back, Justice Haynes!!!
85 yard touchdown for the sophomore to make it 35-0 Alabama.
Alabama may have the fastest runningback room in the country 🔥pic.twitter.com/KQfzvcyjwS
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) September 1, 2024
With Proctor’s status uncertain, it’s safe to assume this will be the starting unit moving forward.
The second-team offensive line consisted of Naquil Betrand, Olaus Alinen, Joseph Ionata, Roq Montgomery and Miles McVay.
Strong first impressions
Keon Sabb, a transfer from Michigan, had two early interceptions that led to the Tide’s first 14 points.
On Western Kentucky’s second drive, Sabb read quarterback TJ Finley’s eyes and grabbed the easy interception. Two plays later, Milroe strolled into the end zone for the game’s first score.
On the following drive, with Western Kentucky threatening in the red zone, Sabb recorded his second pick and returned it from the Alabama 10 to the WKU 20. Three plays later, Milroe found Kendrick Law for a 22-yard touchdown.
Sabb’s debut was somewhat expected — given the buzz he generated during preseason practice — and is likely a sign of things to come.
If you talked to anyone on Alabama’s staff this summer, Keon Sabb’s two first quarter INTs are the least surprising things that have happened today. Coaches think he’s a dude and he’s playing like one so far.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/HlGfuEMNlb
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) August 31, 2024
On offense, no player made a bigger splash than Williams, the five-star freshman wideout. With 2:27 left in the first quarter, Williams got behind the Hilltoppers defense and Milroe found him for the 84-yard touchdown. Williams struck again almost a quarter later, jumping for a Milroe pass, splitting two defenders and strolling into the end zone for his second touchdown. Two catches, 139 yards and two touchdowns.
“It just doesn’t seem like the game’s too fast for him,” DeBoer said. “It’s impressive that a guy his age can go out there and do the things he’s doing. I think one of the coolest things about Ryan is how he’s gone about it. A lot of attention gets thrown his way, but he’s just gone about it really humble … and our guys really appreciate that.”
17-year-old Ryan Williams with his second catch and TD of the night 🔥 pic.twitter.com/77vNEFina3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 1, 2024
New-look D impresses
One of the biggest storylines entering Week 1 was how defensive coordinator Kane Wommack would deploy the defensive personnel, particularly at cornerback and wolf (edge rusher) — two positions that had ongoing competitions.
On Saturday, there were plenty of opportunities for players at all three levels. In the first half, Alabama played over 20 defensive players — due in part because WKU ran 51 plays to only 21 for Alabama.
“Got a lot of young guys out there and felt good about them being out there,” DeBoer said.
The substitutions and creativity started on the first drive of the game. In a surprise, sophomore Qua Russaw got the start at wolf over Que Robinson and Keanu Koht. Russaw played first and second down before Robinson took his place on third down — and ended up with a sack. On that same play, senior inside linebacker Justin Jefferson was on the field with Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell. That subpackage was one of many used frequently throughout the game.
In the secondary, true freshman Zabien Brown got the start at cornerback opposite Domani Jackson, but fellow freshmen Jaylen Mbakwe and Zay Mincey also got extensive work at cornerback, including a stretch with Mbakwe and Mincey on the field together. Elsewhere, Red Morgan also got plenty of work at the husky (slot) position rotating with senior DeVonta Smith.
It was a dominant effort by Wommack’s unit. Only three Western Kentucky drives lasted longer than four plays. The Tide also held the Hilltoppers to just 3-of-18 on third down. Alabama recorded only one sack with its starters in the game, but that was due in part to WKU’s plan of getting the ball out quickly.
Will Wommack continue to rotate 20-plus players? Probably not, but it’s notable that so many players got snaps in the flow of the first half without much drop-off in production.
(Photo of Ryan Williams: Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today)
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Publish date : 2024-08-31 16:38:00
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