Saban breaks down learning opportunities for Chris Braswell, Ty Simpson

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 8 Alabama handily defeated Chattanooga, 66-10, and out-gained the Mocs, 574-233, on Saturday in its home finale. But there were a couple of key mistakes that will serve as teaching moments for the players that made them – and the rest of the team.

The first occurred in the first quarter after Alabama had taken a 14-0 lead. UTC had the ball on its own 29-yard line and quarterback Luke Schomburg dropped back to pass on 2nd and 6. But he didn’t get the pass off, as Crimson Tide edge rusher Chris Braswell went unblocked and had a free path to the quarterback. Braswell dropped Schomburg for a 9-yard sack but was flagged for targeting. Following a review, the call was upheld and Braswell was ejected.

“We keep telling guys you’ve got to keep your eyes up, you’ve got to see what you hit,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “You never want to hit anybody with your head down. I thought his head was up, but you can’t hit the quarterback in the head, either. We just keep working on it. 

“We had one of those last week where we hit the quarterback in the hard and obviously the targeting today, so it’s something that we need to focus on. But I think when players see these things happen I think it’s a good learning opportunity for everybody that plays on defense.”

Braswell’s final game in Bryant-Denny Stadium ended before the end of the first quarter. 

Another miscue that Saban was asked about after the 56-point win occurred much later, in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. Leading 52-10, the Crimson Tide’s 11th offensive possession began at its own 20-yard line following a touchback. After two plays and a false start, backup quarterback Ty Simpson called his own number on what appeared to be a 79-yard touchdown run. However, after a review, Simpson dropped the ball just short of the goal line.

“Do I have to comment on that?” said Saban when asked about it in his postgame presser.

He continued, “I mean, every coach says cross the goal line and hand the ball to the official. But again, that’s a learning experience for everybody, too. I mean, Caleb Downs wasn’t carrying the ball right on his touchdown. He’s carrying it with one hand, swinging it around. So that’s going to be a learning experience for him.”

Alabama was able to maintain possession of the ball and scored a touchdown on the next play. And other than the blunder, Simpson played well when given the opportunity to start the second half. He threw for 50 yards on 4-of-6 passing – with a touchdown coming off the board after a review ruled Kendrick Law short – and led the Tide in rushing with his 78-yard run.

“I thought Ty played well today, and the opportunity that he’s had the last two weeks to play has certainly, probably improved his confidence,” Saban said. “It’s good that he gets some experience so if he needs to play, he’s going to go in there and execute.”

While it’s a play he wishes he had back, his teammates were impressed by Simpson’s wheels.

“Forget about that,” Jalen Milroe said. “Y’all saw how fast he was running. Dude was moving.”

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