Jalen Milroe shakes off rocky start to lead Alabama to win over Ole Miss

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Jalen Milroe was back in the starting lineup for Alabama’s SEC opener against Ole Miss, and after a rocky start – and paired with a stellar defensive performance – the starting quarterback led the 13th-ranked Crimson Tide to a 24-10 win over the Rebels.

Milroe threw for 225 yards, one touchdown and one interception while completing 81 percent of his passes (17-of-21). He was sacked four times, which cut into his rushing total, but the mobile quarterback rushed for 28 yards on 16 attempts – 64 before factoring in lost yardage.

“I thought Jalen played really, really well,” coach Nick Saban said. “They played trap down there … and got fooled by that when he threw the interception. But other than that, I thought he really played well. He got a little dinged up, but he’ll be fine. I thought he showed a lot of leadership out there, made some good throws. We made some explosive plays.”

Milroe completed eight of his first nine passes in Saturday’s game at Bryant-Denny Stadium, but his 10th attempt is one he wishes he could have back. Inside the Ole Miss 10-yard line, Milroe threw a pass into double coverage, looking for Ja’Corey Brooks, but his throw was picked off for a touchback. That eliminated the possibility of a short field goal for Will Reichard.

Milroe brushed it off, though, and completed nine of his final 11 attempts, and was 6-for-7 in the second half. That included a 33-yard touchdown to true freshman wide receiver Jalen Hale that saw Milroe slow to his feet after getting the wind knocked out of him as he threw it.

TOUCHDOWN @AlabamaFTBL

Jalen Milroe with a GUTSY throw while getting hit. He remained down momentarily. pic.twitter.com/AOyBdpugPD

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 23, 2023

“It’s all about our mental toughness, it’s all about playing one play at a time and it’s all about how you respond,” Milroe said. “That was key. No matter what play it is – successful, not a good play – it’s all about that next-play mentality. So I try to approach that as I play the game.”

After a rocky start, producing 117 yards and six points in the first half, the offense came alive in the second with 239 points and an 18-3 advantage on the scoreboard. Milroe overcame the pick and another poor snap exchange that took the offense out of a 1st and Goal at the 1.

Saban discussed how Milroe has responded to adversity, not only Saturday but in general.

“I think that’s the one thing that guys learn,” Saban said. “I think if you ask him, he’d probably say he got a little bit affected by the first interception in the Texas game, but you have to learn that have to go play the next play. You can’t let one play lead to several bad plays.

“You’re a point guard, so you can’t turn the ball over, and you’ve gotta get assists. And if you have one turnover, don’t let it lead to two and just keep executing and believing and trusting in what you’re doing so that you can continue to distribute the ball where you need to, which I think he’s growing and done a really good job of that.”

The second-half surge propelled Alabama to its eighth straight win over Ole Miss, and now back in the lineup after not playing at South Florida, Milroe shared what got the UA offense going.

“Hunger,” Milroe said. “Hunger, hunger, hunger. Acknowledging the work that we put it, that’s key. What happens with football is we see the things that happen on Saturdays, but y’all don’t see what happens on Monday and throughout the week. And once we acknowledge that as a team, it’s hard to stop the Alabama football team because we know the work that we put in.”

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