No. 10 Alabama takes care of business, rolls Mercer 52-7

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 10 Alabama took care of business against an FCS foe on Saturday, rolling Mercer by a final score of 52-7.

The Crimson Tide came out exactly how you’d expect a top-10 team to look against an opponent of this caliber. The offense moved the ball with ease, heavily involving freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams early on. Williams, who hadn’t scored a touchdown since the Tennessee game on Oct. 19.

Jalen Milroe had a solid game, and his day ended without his services being needed in the fourth quarter. He finished the game completing 11-of-16 passes for 186 yards, throwing for two touchdowns, while rushing 43 yards and a touchdown as well.

The Crimson Tide defense continued the stellar play its been building towards throughout the season. The defense forced three takeaways once again, extending its streak of forcing a minimum of three takeaways to five games, the longest streak in the country.

One of those takeaways was a 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Zabien Brown, which marked the first non-offensive touchdown scored by Alabama this season. The Crimson Tide was one of just a few teams left at the FBS level that had yet to score a non-offensive touchdown this season, but the streak ends in mid-November.

Alabama’s other turnovers came from a fumble recovery from Damon Payne, and a tipped interception from Qua Russaw.

The win moves Alabama to 8-2 on the season, with a 4-2 mark in SEC play. The Crimson Tide’s remaining slate consists of a road trip to Oklahoma next week, and the season finale at home against Auburn, as the team is still alive for a berth in the SEC championship game on Dec. 7.

Next week’s game at Oklahoma in Norman is set for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff, and the game will air on ABC.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter

Alabama 7, Mercer 0 (10:48)

Mercer moved the ball into Alabama territory off two penalties on its opening drive, but Domani Jackson forced a fumbled, recovered by Damon Payne for a takeaway on the opening possession. From there, Alabama easily moved 52 yards in four plays, scoring a touchdown on an end around handoff to star wide receiver Ryan Williams. The Crimson Tide continued its recent trend of capitalizing off takeaways, something it struggled with early in the season.

Alabama 14, Mercer 0 (4:08)

Alabama stopped Mercer pretty quickly, and proceeded to go 85 yards in nine players for another easy touchdown drive. The drive looked to be over after a Jalen Milroe fumble, but video review ruled he was down on the play. The Crimson Tide kept driving, with Milroe eventually finding Williams for a 14-yard catch-and-run, his second touchdown of the day.

Second Quarter

Alabama 21, Mercer 0 (12:37)

Alabama forced another takeaway, with Qua Russaw securing an interception off a tipped pass to gave the Crimson Tide favorable field position. On the ensuing drive, Milroe tossed a 44-yard touchdown to tight end Robbie Ouzts down the middle of the field, giving Alabama a 3-score lead.

Alabama 28, Mercer 0 (8:45)

On Mercer’s following possession, the Bears completed a pass over the middle into Alabama territory, but the receiver got lit up by DaShawn Jones and fumbled. The fumble was scooped by Zabien Brown, who returned it 66 yards for the Crimson Tide’s first non-offensive touchdown of the entire season.

Alabama 28, Mercer 7 (1:58)

The Bears finally got on the board late in the second half, scoring on a 4-plat, 52-yard drive after a tipped punt gave them excellent field position. Mercer wide receiver Kendall Moore scored on a 31-yard receiving touchdown, with an excellent catch between multiple defenders.

Alabama 31, Mercer 7 (0:59)

Getting the ball for a 2-minute drill to close the half, Milroe made a huge play with a 45-yard throw on the run to Germie Bernard. After the big completion, the Alabama drive stalled, leading to a 45-yard field goal from Graham Nicholson to extend the Crimson Tide lead before halftime.

Third Quarter

Alabama 38, Mercer 7 (10:33)

On its opening possession of the second half, Alabama drove 67 yards across 10 plays to put another touchdown on the board. The Crimson Tide got down to the goal line and got stuffed twice, but Milroe punched it in himself with a 3-yard rushing score, his first touchdown on the ground for the day.

Fourth Quarter

Alabama 45, Mercer 7 (12:54)

With Ty Simpson in the game at quarterback, it took a minute for the backup Alabama offense to find success. That was until Simpson somehow evaded a sure sack at midfield, scrambled, and hurled a deep ball that Josh Cuevas came down with at the 1-yard-line. From there, Richard Young punched the score in to extend Alabama’s lead even more.

Alabama 52, Mercer 7 (3:36)

Late in the fourth quarter with the deep reserves in, quarterback Austin Mack tossed a touchdown to freshman Rico Scott.