Robbie Ouzts, Alabama's Swiss Army Knife, scores second TD of career
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Tight end Robbie Ouzts entered Alabama’s home game against Mercer with four catches for 24 yards this season. He almost tripled that total Saturday afternoon.
Ouzts was on the receiving end of a 44-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe in the second quarter. The longest play of Ouzts’ career gave the Crimson Tide a 21-0 advantage over the Bears and marked the third straight Alabama possession that ended in a touchdown.
It was Ouzts’ first touchdown of his fourth and final year and one that everyone celebrated, given the unselfish nature of not only Ouzts but the position he plays for Alabama’s offense.
“He’s just kind of a Swiss Army Knife for us out there, especially in the blocking piece,” said Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. “For him to get down the field – and they put a lot of guys up toward the line of scrimmage. That’s just a part of what they do, and they’ve been very successful with it. No. 1 at the FCS level in rush defense. But some play-actions there that we got behind them on.
“For Robbie to haul one in was really exciting for our guys, exciting for him. I love to see it.”
Flanked by Justice Haynes and Jam Miller in the backfield, Milroe faked a handoff to Haynes, which drew the Mercer defense’s attention. That allowed Ouzts to slip by two defenders for an easy touchdown throw by Milroe. Ouzts walked into the end zone for the score.
“My job was really just to kind of, in a certain look, grab the safety,” Ouzts said. “In another look, I potentially could be an option. I just go up there, try to find the safety. He’s playing low, slip by him, turn around, I already see the ball in the air. I’m like, ‘Sweet. Let’s go.’”
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Ouzts’ 44 yards in the Week 12 win over Mercer was more than he produced in each of his first three seasons. With his lone catch against the Bears, Ouzts now has five catches for 68 yards through 10 games, and both are career-highs. The touchdown grab was only the second of his tenure and first since a 7-yard score against Chattanooga a season ago.
“Oh, this one’s much better,” Ouzts said. “Much better.”
Ouzts is one of 10 Alabama seniors who are exhausting their eligibility this season. New this year under DeBoer is those seniors speak to the team the night before a game, and before the best receiving performance of his career, Ouzts addressed the Tide on Friday.
“You can just tell the love our team has for him, how much they appreciate the effort he brings each and every day, not just each and every week,” DeBoer said. “He’s got a mindset, a toughness about him that just exudes what Alabama football is all about.”
What was Ouzts’ message? It was directed toward the Crimson Tide’s younger players.
“Don’t take this for granted because the days are long but the years are short,” Ouzts said. “It goes by that quick. Embrace the grind. And I also said to get to know your teammates because the last two years, I’ve made some of the best friends. Just don’t take it for granted because this precious time we have in college, it goes quick.”
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