Jalen Milroe reflects on first start vs. Texas A&M ahead of Round 2 with Aggies

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Jalen Milroe made his first-ever career start last season in a home game against Texas A&M. The then-redshirt freshman stepped into the starting lineup because Bryce Young was dealing with an injury, and Milroe helped lead Alabama to a 24-20 win.

Fast forward one year and Milroe will face the Aggies once again, this time on their home turf at Kyle Field but in his home state of Texas. Milroe spoke to local reporters on Monday to kick off Texas A&M game week and was asked how he has grown since last year’s game.

“I think experience is the best teacher, for sure,” Milroe said. “I’ve definitely learned a lot of football with more game experience. Also, just being around Coach (Nick) Saban and Coach (Tommy) Rees, I’ve just learned a lot of football. I’m steadily growing. 

“I’m not a finished product at all, and I’m steadily learning and growing to this day. But I will say that from that moment, I just use it as a vehicle to where I’m at now.”

In last year’s game, Milroe turned the ball over three times in the first quarter (two lost fumbles and one interception), which is never ideal, but none of them resulted in points for the Aggies. He settled down and ended the game throwing for 111 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-19 passing. Milroe also rushed for 81 yards on 17 carries with a long of 33 yards.

“All the things that happened during that game, I don’t take anything for granted, and I also wouldn’t change anything,” Milroe said. “That game was definitely a learning moment and allowed me to grow so much as a football player. I can only build from any moment, whether it’s good or bad. 

“And the other thing is just turning any weakness into a strength and make any strength even stronger. Any area that I might have messed up in that game, I take full ownership of it, and I just continuously want to work, work hard and just be the best version I can for myself and for the football team. I just want to grow and build, and I definitely can build from that game, for sure.”

Milroe has started four of Alabama’s five games this fall and has improved his accuracy over his last two starts. The Katy, Texas, native was 27-of-45 (60 percent) across the Middle Tennessee and Texas matchups, but after an absence at USF, Milroe has maintained an 81.8 percent mark on 27-of-33 passing to begin SEC play against Ole Miss and Mississippi State. 

Included in his most recent success is a string of 14 consecutive completions, which was tied for third in Alabama history. In the game in Starkville last weekend, Milroe was 10-of-12 for an 83.3 completion percentage that was tied for the eighth-best mark in Crimson Tide annals.

Milroe has continued to have success with the deep ball, as he averages 10.74 yards per pass attempt, which leads the SEC and is fourth nationally. But in last week’s win over the Bulldogs, he was better on his intermediate throws, going 8-for-8 on attempts from 0-19 yards. 

“It just comes from preparation throughout the week and just meeting with Coach Rees and absorbing information from Coach Saban, as well,” said Milroe when asked if he’s seeing the field better. “Why we practice during the week is key just to understand the game plan. Just understand what are some tendencies the opponent is going to give us, and I thought that was key. 

“I thought that just learning and growing throughout the game when I was not in, on the sideline … it was key to just hear and absorb the information I was given. So I think that factored into our success this weekend.”

Milroe will need to continue his steady ascent when he makes his second start against Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 7 (2:30 p.m. CT on CBS). The Aggies not only rank second in the SEC in both sacks (20) and passing defense (157.6 ypg) but play in one of the largest stadiums in the country, which will be at its loudest when Milroe and Alabama have the ball.

Milroe saw success last week in his first road start at Mississippi State, and that game – with the cowbells – could serve as a good first test for this week’s challenging game at Texas A&M.

“It’s definitely going to be loud,” Milroe said. “It’s going to take preparation throughout the week for us, for sure. We’ll come ready. By Saturday, we’ll have a plan to attack that. It’s just going to be a challenge for us, for sure, just playing against a tough opponent, playing in a tough environment, one of the best in the country.

“We’re excited for the challenge, but the biggest thing we’ve got to do is prepare for that moment.”

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