Rose Bowl head coaches share final thoughts on Alabama QB Jalen Milroe
LOS ANGELES – Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe will be making his 13th career start when the Crimson Tide takes on Michigan in the Rose Bowl semifinal on New Year’s Day.
On Sunday, on the eve of the Granddaddy of Them All, head coaches from both teams were asked about Milroe. His own head coach, Nick Saban, discussed Milroe’s improvement.
“I think Jalen has made a tremendous amount of progress throughout the course of the year,” said Saban at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. “A lot of it has to do with he prepares well for the game. I think that the success that he’s had has gradually increased his confidence throughout the course of the year and understanding of the offense.
“The guy has always been a great ad-libber as a quarterback in terms of scrambling and making plays when the play breaks down, but I think he’s gotten so much better at executing the play, reading the play out, getting the ball to the right guys at the right time, distributing the ball more like a point guard and not thinking he has to make every play.
“And I think that’s made him a very effective player.”
Milroe has thrown for 2,718 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions on 171-of-261 passing (65.5 percent). Milroe hasn’t thrown an interception in his last three games and has the SEC’s second-best passer rating (177.48, 4th nationally) behind Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. He is also second in the SEC and nation with an average of 10.4 yards per attempt.
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The Alabama quarterback has also been effective on the ground with 468 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 140 carries. Milroe ranks fourth in the SEC in rushing scores and 10th in carries entering the postseason matchup with No. 1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl semifinal.
He will face a Wolverine defense that ranks among the top 10 in the nation in several statistical categories, including passing defense (152.6 ypg, 2nd). Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about the Crimson Tide signal-caller and how to limit him on the field.
“That’s a great question,” Harbaugh said Sunday morning. “Really all 11 on our defense. He’s a great player, great runner. Did 500 some yards of scramble yards, another 250 or so in quarterback-driven runs. Outstanding thrower. Big offensive line, outstanding running backs, tight ends, receivers.
“Yeah, all 11 for us really on defense. We’ve got a game plan and getting things cleaned up. On our toes at all times. It’s a big challenge.”
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