Nick Saban breaks down Bryce Young's performance against Miami

Bryce Young’s first start of his Alabama football career got off to a special start on Saturday night against No. 14 Miami. Young played exceptionally well, leading No. 1 Alabama to a 44-13 victory. Some experts predict that Young could win the Heisman trophy this season, and his opening weekend performance strengthens that possibility. The matchup was an intriguing one, and Alabama left with a victory over Miami due to Young’s strong start.

Young completed 27 of his 38 pass attempts for 344 yards and four touchdowns in Alabama’s win over Miami. His first touchdown was a 37-yard completion to John Metchie, and his next two touchdown passes were to Cameron Latu. Young’s fourth touchdown of the game was an impressive throw with Alabama backed up inside their own ten-yard line to Jameson Williams, who made it all the way to the endzone for a 94-yard score.

Nick Saban was impressed with Young’s strong play for Alabama against Miami

Nobody knew if Alabama’s offense would see any sort of drop off as they transitioned from Mac Jones to Young at quarterback. The Crimson Tide also lost multiple key offensive playmakers. Saturday’s win over Miami proved that Alabama still has enough talent on its roster to continue being a dominant all-around team.

“I think Bryce did really, really well,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said to reporters after the game about Young’s play against Miami. “He’s smart. Most people just look at the stats and say he was whatever he was for whatever he was for this many yards. But he redirects the protection. He plays like a veteran out there. We had the one sack-fumble, which is something that we don’t really want to have but really not all his fault that he doesn’t get protected. But I was really impressed with the way he played in the game. The poise that he played with, the command that he had.

“He kind of took what the defense gave him and really directed the offense in a really positive way. When we had opportunities to make plays on third down and a couple other explosive plays, he certainly did a great job at getting the ball to the right guy in the right time in the right place. I war really pleased.”

Young led Alabama to an all-around dominating performance over Miami on offense. Alabama finished with 501 total yards, 354 passing yards and 147 rushing yards. Young led Alabama on long offensive drives throughout the game. The Crimson Tide possessed the ball for 37:02 compared to 22:58 for Miami. Alabama had 28 first downs and converted 10 of 16 third downs.