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Alabama

Caleb Downs houses 85-yard punt return for a touchdown

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•11/18/23
Caleb Downs
Caleb Downs (Courtesy of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama extended its lead over Chattanooga to 52-10 on a tremendous punt return by freshman Caleb Downs midway through the third quarter.

After the Alabama defense forced a stop, Downs got a chance to field a punt and he did not disappoint. He weaved back and forth around the initial tackler, then cut up the middle of the field.

Sensing some space out to his right, Downs bounced it and simply beat the rest of the defenders down the field on an 85-yard return for a touchdown.

You can check out Downs’ return below.

Interestingly enough, Downs took over the punt return duties after return man Kool-Aid McKinstry made an early mistake in the game. On a punt that sailed all the way down to the 2-yard line, McKinstry opted to field it.

Coming out from his own end zone he got a little loose with the football and it was jarred loose from his grasp. Luckily, Alabama was able to recover the football.

But McKinstry could be seen on the sideline getting an earful from coach Nick Saban, and Caleb Downs took over punt return duties following the gaffe. It certainly paid off.

Chris Braswell ejected for targeting

Early in the game against Chattanooga, Alabama defender Chris Braswell was ejected for targeting following a hit on the quarterback.

Braswell got a clean run at quarterback Luke Schomburg on a second-and-6 play in the first quarter. Unimpeded, he destroyed Stromberg, getting his helmet just under the chin.

Officials reviewed the hit and the call of targeting on the field stood. Braswell was ejected, but because the ejection was in the first half he will only miss the Chattanooga game and will not be impacted for the Auburn game next week.

Chris Braswell has been one of Alabama’s impact defenders this season. He has logged 36 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 7.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception, a pass breakup, a blocked kick and five quarterback hurries.