Live Updates: Alabama 56, MTSU 7; Final
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 4 Alabama will open the 2023 football season at home by playing host to Middle Tennessee. The Crimson Tide and Blue Raiders will square off at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and the game is set to kick off at 6:39 p.m. CT and air on SEC Network.
Alabama and MTSU will meet for the fourth time in series history when the two teams square off this evening. The Tide holds a 3-0 advantage in the series, with the last meeting coming in 2015 in Tuscaloosa – a 37-10 win for UA. Nick Saban is 2-0 in his career against the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill is 0-1 all-time against the Tide.
Game links: WATCH | LISTEN | STATS
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PREGAME
— Nick Saban to CTSN on Jalen Milroe before today’s opener: “Jalen’s played well. I think all the quarterbacks have made significant progress and improvement. But Jalen has been the most consistent in the scrimmages and in practice.”
— Jihaad Campbell (knee) is off to the side watching ILB drills during pregame warmups. On Thursday, Nick Saban said he was doubtful. It looks like Deontae Lawson and Trezman Marshall will start at ILB.
— Well, Jihaad Campbell has gone through drills since I posted this. But he does not have his cleats spatted and isn’t wearing gloves.
— No sign of safety DeVonta Smith (foot) or wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson during warmups.
— Jalen Milroe received all the first-team reps during warmups. The first QB up with the second-team offense was Tyler Buchner.
— Alabama wins the toss and elects to defer to the second half. MTSU will receive the opening kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
— Trey Amos and Q Robinson join the defense on third down. Amos comes in at corner, Terrion Arnold slides to Star and Malachi Moore moves to Money. Robinson on the field with Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell.
— After review, MTSU is flagged for targeting on its first punt of the game. Jalen Milroe and the Tide offense will start at their own 37.
TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 7, MTSU 0 (10:49)
— Jalen Milroe gets out of a jam and takes its 21 yards for the first score of the evening.
TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 14, MTSU 0 (4:15)
— Jase McClellan bounces outside for a 1-yard TD.
— MTSU picks up its first first down of the night at the 1Q’s 3:49 mark.
— Q Robinson with a sack (-8 yards) on third down to force a punt.
SECOND QUARTER
— James Burnip out to punt for the first time tonight. It bounces out of bounds at the MTSU 31 — a 53-yard punt for the Aussie.
— MTSU QB Nick Vattiato keeps it for a 30-yard gain to the Tide 30.
— Jaheim Oatis flagged for roughing the passer, giving MTSU 1st and Goal at the Alabama 9-yard line.
— Kendrick Blackshire replaces Trez Marshall at ILB beside Lawson.
— Chris Braswell sacks Vittiato and forces a fumble, but MTSU falls on it. One play later, the Blue Raider QB throws it away on third down.
— MTSU kicker misses a 32-yard field goal, and Alabama will take over at its own 20-yard line.
— Jalen Milroe can’t escape the rush on third down and is sacked for a 6-yard line. Tide will punt again.
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— Jaylen Key comes up with the INT, returns it to the MTSU 42. Dallas Turner with pressure on the play, too. A much-needed takeaway.
— Jalen Milroe looks deep for Isaiah Bond, who is tripped up and draws PI. Alabama now at the MTSU 27.
TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 21, MTSU 0 (3:07)
— Jalen Milroe keeps it for a 13-yard rushing score.
— Jaylen Key gingerly leaves the field after covering a kickoff and heads to the sideline medical tent. Kristian Story checks in at safety.
— Deontae Lawson with a sack for a 12-yard loss to bring up 3rd and Long for the Blue Raiders. Nothing doing on third down, so MTSU will punt from its own 13-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 28, MTSU 0 (1:58)
— Jalen Milroe looks deep for Isaiah Bond and hits the WR for a 47-yard bomb of a score.
— Jaylen Key just walked to the UA locker room under his own power with under two minutes in the 1H.
THIRD QUARTER
— On 3rd and 10, Jalen Milroe uses his legs to move the chains and then some. A 25-yard scamper puts the Crimson Tide at midfield.
TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 35, MTSU 0 (12:54)
— Jalen Milroe finds Jermaine Burton for a 48-yard TD.
— A big punt return by Kool-Aid McKinstry, but Malachi Moore is slow to get up. He’s heading into the sideline medical tent.
TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 42, MTSU 0 (10:25)
— Jalen Milroe finds Amari Niblack for a 29-yard score.
— Malachi Moore just walked to the locker room, flanked by trainers.
— It’s Tyler Buchner time. The Notre Dame transfer is the first QB off the bench, checking in with 8:15 left in the third quarter.
— Final stats on Jalen Milroe: 13-18, 194 yards, 3 TDs (217.8 rating). He also rushed for 48 yards and 2 scores on 7 attempts (6.9 ypc).
TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 42, MTSU 7 (0:32)
— Middle Tennessee breaks up the shutout with a 7-yard pass from Vattiatio to Bryce Bailey.
FOURTH QUARTER
TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 49, MTSU 7 (10:38)
— Tyler Buchner has some wheels, too, keeping it for a 9-yard TD — his first for the Tide.
— Kendrick Blackshire rips the ball away from the MTSU receiver, recovering a fumble and returning it to the Blue Raider 33-yard line.
— Ty Simpson is now in the game for Alabama with 9:15 left to play.
TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 56, MTSU 7 (5:58)
— Ty Simpson keeps it for the 1-yard rushing score.
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