The Alabama coaching staff selected nine players of the week following a 56-7 win over Middle Tennessee to open the 2023 season last Saturday night in Tuscaloosa. Isaiah Bond, Tyler Booker and Jalen Milroe on offense; Chris Braswell, Caleb Downs and Deontae Lawson on defense; and James Burnip, Kendrick Law and Kool-Aid McKinstry on special teams all earned the recognition for their play against the Blue Raiders.
OFFENSE
Isaiah Bond
- Targeted six times on the night, finishing with five receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown
- Led all wideouts in receiving yards and catches while tying for the team-high mark for scores
- Recorded a long reception of 47 yards
Tyler Booker
- Anchored an offensive front that helped account for 431 yards of total offense, including 205 yards on the ground and 226 through the air
- Helped UA average 5.1 yards per carry on the ground while clearing a path for four different ball carriers to gain 29-plus yards on the night
- Recorded a career-high seven knockdown blocks while not allowing a sack
Jalen Milroe
- Accounted for five total touchdowns, including three passing scores and two rushing to become the only quarterback in Alabama history to throw for three and rush for two in the same game
- Finished 13-of-18 passing for 194 yards with three scores while connecting with eight total receivers on the night
- Added a team-high 48 yards rushing and two scores on seven carries with a long of 25
DEFENSE
Chris Braswell
- Provided consistent pressure off the edge all night against the Blue Raiders
- Totaled four tackles, including one sack (-5 yards), while adding one quarterback pressure
- Also forced a fumble in the season opener
Caleb Downs
- Got the start at safety in his first collegiate game for the Crimson Tide
- Finished with a team-high eight total tackles, including one for loss (-2 yards)
- Helped the UA defense limit MTSU to only 133 yards passing
Deontae Lawson
- Directed an Alabama defense that allowed just 211 yards of total offense, including 78 yards rushing
- Contributed seven total tackles, including a team-best two tackles for loss (-14 yards)
- Also registered one sack (-12 yards) and a quarterback hurry
SPECIAL TEAMS
James Burnip
- Called on to punt three times in the season opener
- Accumulated 139 yards on three punts with a long boot of 53 yards
- Averaged 46.3 yards per punt and dropped one kick inside the 20
Kool-Aid McKinstry
- Returned five punts for a total of 66 yards
- Posted a long return of 33 yards to set up an eventual Crimson Tide touchdown
- Also contributed three tackles from his cornerback spot
Kendrick Law
- Made his first appearance at kick returner, bringing back one kick for a gain of 23 yards
- Also made an impact on the Tide’s coverage teams
**This information was acquired from a recent press release from Alabama Athletics.**
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
