Bryce Young addresses Alabama win, his record-setting debut

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young probably could not have scripted a better first career start for himself as the nation’s top team took down No. 14 Miami 44-13 on Saturday afternoon. 

Young finished the day completing 27 of his 38 pass attempts for 344 yards and four touchdowns, including a 94-yard touchdown pass to Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams. Young was 8-for-10 for 157 yards on third down. 

Following the game, Young spent a few minutes talking with ESPN’s Molly McGrath about his performance.

“I feel like we prepared so well,” Young said. “[Alabama head coach Nick] Saban had us ready. We had a really good game plan coming in. And we worked hard. We have a lot of trust in our staff and our process and our workouts. So for us, it wasn’t really much pressure because we know we put the work in.”

Alabama had to replace eight members of their offense this year, including five first-round draft selections on that side of the ball. As predicted, there was not much drop off. 

“I think that’s really a testament to our coaching staff and how hard working these guys are that are coming in,” Young said. “We had a lot of new people that had to fill new roles this year. And the coach staff did a great job of getting us all ready and us, just in the offseason, those guys worked out tremendously hard in the offseason. They do a lot of work behind the scenes. So our coaching staff does a great job and those guys work their butts off.”

Young’s name is now in the Alabama record books

Young’s performance was not merely impressive, it was record-breaking. Former Alabama quarterbacks Joe Namath and Mac Jones threw three touchdown passes in their first starts at Alabama, so Young’s four are now a part of the record books. 

“Well, yeah, it’s a blessing for sure,” Young said about the new standard. “You know, that’s not something I take lightly. There’s been a lot of greats that have played here.”

Always humble, Young refused to take full credit for the day, instead complementing those around him.

“It’s really a testament to my teammates and the coaching staff. The line did amazing job blocking for me today and for the running game today, they were they were great up front.

“The receivers did a great job of getting open, making my life easier. The running backs helped me in the running game and in protection. So it really is a testament to my teammates and [Bill O’Brien] calling great game. Saban, of course, did a great job. So, it’s really a testament to them.”