Alabama QB Jalen Milroe assesses his performance vs. South Carolina

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Jalen Milroe entered Saturday’s game against South Carolina with only two interceptions on the season. That numbered doubled following Alabama’s 27-25 win.

Milroe threw an interception in the final minute of the second quarter, allowing the Gamecocks to kick a field goal and cut the Crimson Tide lead to 14-12 at halftime. Early in the fourth quarter, he was picked off again on a throw to the end zone. Milroe also gave South Carolina two points when he was flagged for intentional grounding while in the painted area.

After the game, Milroe said having a short memory is key at the quarterback position.

“Of course, you have a few plays you want back,” Milroe said. “Even if I didn’t throw a pick, there’s always a play I want back throughout a whole game. It’s all about bouncing back and then maximizing any play that you have. Mistakes are gonna come. 

“That’s the best thing about football is that mistakes allow you to learn and grow from it. I can definitely say the mistakes that I’ve had in football, those give me an opportunity to learn and grow as much as possible. So it’s just a great learning moment.”

Milroe threw for 209 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 16-of-23 passing. He also rushed for 36 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts. Milroe’s total was impacted by the four times he was sacked Saturday, which erased 36 yards from his final rushing tally.

Through the first five games, Milroe and the Alabama offense had been explosive. He was tied for the most pass plays of 50-plus yards (5) and was among the top 10 nationally in plays of 40 or more yards (9, T-3rd) and 30 or more yards (12, T-9th). Although the Tide had six pass plays of 15-plus yards against the Gamecocks, only one was to Ryan Williams.

Milroe and the sensational freshman had been a dangerous duo through the first six weeks of the season. Williams had scored six receiving touchdowns, one in every game, and led the FBS in yards per catch. But against South Carolina, he had three catches for 42 yards.

Did the Gamecocks deliberately take those away? Or did Milroe miss on the shots downfield?

“Missed ‘em,” Milroe said. “There were definitely opportunities where I could have given our receivers the chance. Definitely an opportunity. There’s a lot left on the field. 

“That’s what the beautiful thing about football is there’s so much opportunity. Now, we can refine and reflect on this past game and then, boom, we can move forward from it. 

“But just always acknowledging there’s areas where we can attack the football field with the proper guidance, and that’s what we have with our great coaching staff that’s gonna pour everything into us so we can be the best offense we can be.”

Milroe was able to connect with Germie Bernard for a 36-yard touchdown that gave Alabama a 27-19 lead with 1:54 left to play. Had Bernard gone down instead of scored, there might not have been any late-game stress for the Tide defense, but UA still won the game to move to 5-1 (2-1 SEC) on the season. After the win, Milroe sees areas for improvement.

“Personally, get better,” Milroe said. “Overall, just be the best quarterback I can be for this team and continue to just guide and lead the guys in the locker room because we have so much football ahead of us. As long as we have the right mindset, continue to grow as a group, we’re just gonna be right on our way. 

“That’s just something I acknowledge from this group is that we have a great locker room that all have likemindedness when it comes to what our short-term goals and long-term goals are for a football team. So I know that that’s the best part about being a part of our team.”

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