Alabama is still holding an open competition at quarterback, Jalen Milroe made his case known in the first half of Saturday’s game against Middle Tennessee.
The redshirt sophomore wasted no time in creating a highlight play as he scooped up a bad snap in the backfield and took it 21 yards for a touchdown while evading Blue Raider defenders.
Milroe would take the first three series on offense at quarterback.
What was also made clear was the Crimson Tide’s emphasis on the run game under new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. As a team, Alabama rushed the ball 19 times for a total of 79 yards and three touchdowns.
Running backs Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams saw the majority of the carries out of the backfield in the first half, with McClellan breaking the plain for a touchdown.
Alabama did have some struggles throughout the second quarter of action as it was forced to punt on back-to-back drives. But it did find its form once again on the final two drives of the half after two penalties from the Blue Raiders defense set it up for another Milroe touchdown run.
Following a stop from the defense, Milroe unleashed a 47-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaiah Bond, putting an exclamation point on the end of his showing in the first.
Defensively, Kevin Steele’s unit let a few rushes from Blue Raiders quarterback Nicholas Vattiato get away from them but were able to hold strong in the red zone forcing a field goal attempt that was ultimately missed.
The Crimson Tide’s pass rush played a factor in ending drives as the group saw sacks from Quandarrius Robinson, Chris Braswell and Deonte Lawson. Dallas Turner also added three quarterback hits in the first half.
Defensive back Jaylen Key made an impact in his first game as a member of the Crimson Tide picking off one of Vattiato’s passes near the end of the half.
Alabama ends the first half leading Middle Tennessee 28-0.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
