Alabama backup QBs get opportunities in blowout win
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama handled its business with ease on Saturday as FCS foe Mercer came to Bryant-Denny Stadium, and the score looked about how you’d expect. The Crimson Tide won 52-7, which meant a large chunk of the Alabama roster who wouldn’t normally see the field got a ton of valuable in-game reps.
Included in that chunk is Alabama’s quarterback room. Every single scholarship quarterback on the roster played for the Crimson Tide in this one. Jalen Milroe started, of course, and was followed by redshirt sophomore Ty Simpson, redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan, and redshirt freshman Austin Mack.
Milroe had a good day, scoring three total touchdowns and totaling 229 yards between his production through the air and on the ground. The execution from both sides of the ball allowed Milroe’s day to be done early. He left with 8:56 still on the clock in the third quarter, and never returned.
As Milroe exited, Simpson entered, who’s been the backup all season. Simpson completed 5-of-10 passes for 71 yards, and also ran twice for 14 yards. The most impressive thing about Simpson’s game was his elusiveness with his legs. He showed the ability to scramble out of the pocket when pressured, and had possibly the highlight of the day with an evaded sack that turned into a 43-yard completion to Josh Cuevas.
“Ty with some scrambles. The long one kind of along our sideline. I think people that know and really have watched Ty, probably all of you, you can see that he’s got that ability,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “He can do things with his feet. That gets tied into Jalen and his running ability, but Ty’s tough to handle when it comes to running the football, too. Escaping, making some plays, on a fourth down throwing it deep. … Smart just to give him a chance, and find a way to make a play.”
After Simpson, both Lonergan and Mack got some reps in the fourth quarter.
Lonergan completed 5-of-6 passes for 23 yards in his reps, posting the highest completion percentage on the team and moving the ball decently well. Mack threw the ball just three times, but completed it twice, one of which was a beautiful 31-yard touchdown to freshman Rico Scott.
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“I thought Dylan and Austin coming in and moving the chains. Dylan on a fourth down conversion, Austin coming in and laying a ball in there on the left sideline for the touchdown,” DeBoer said. “There’s that fine window of trying to let these guys run the offense, get that experience, and get an opportunity to do what they work on each and every day. I was proud of the way they handled everything, from the execution, to even the procedural things, making sure guys are lined up before we motion, all of that stuff. I thought it was a good day for all of them as a whole.”
All of Alabama’s quarterbacks were able to command the offense well, and their teammates were extremely happy to see them come into the game and get their shot to make an impact.
“They’re ready for the moment,” wide receiver Germie Bernard said. “We prepare all week, we practice all week. Shoot, it’s just a blessing to see those guys finally get to have their opportunity. I was out there excited for them. That’s what it’s all about.”
It’s the Milroe show for now in Tuscaloosa, but once he moves on, it’s clear there’s a bright future at signal-caller behind him as DeBoer continues to develop this room.
