In the annual pre-Iron Bowl tune-up game, the Alabama Crimson Tide got off to a fast start and did not look back in its 66-10 victory over FCS opponent UT-Chattanooga.
It was the final home game of the season as well as Senior Day for the Crimson Tide, with Jase McClellan, Jermaine Burton, Roydell Williams, Will Reichard, Malachi Moore, and Chris Braswell among those honored for their contributions to the program over the course of their Alabama career.
It was Jermaine Burton getting the action started for Alabama, catching a 56-yard pass on the first play of the game on a deep ball from Jalen Milroe as well as finishing the drive off with a five-yard touchdown reception:
Jalen Milroe rips it to ➡️ Jermaine Burton for the TD.
Burton coming up big early in his return to the field.
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) November 18, 2023
The second drive was Burton-heavy as well, with another deep ball from Milroe to Burton getting the Tide down to the two yard line before fellow senior Jase McClellan would punch it in:
ANGRY RUNS😤 @thekidjase
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/AVW6Oh6o8O
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 18, 2023
Roydell Williams would score the third touchdown for Alabama to cap off a drive that had started on the Tide’s own 10 yard-line:
Makin' Moves 💪@RoydellW_6
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/G44FtWC9wW
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 18, 2023
Alabama scored on its fourth straight drive to start the game to go up 28-0 after a completion from Milroe to Robbie Ouzts:
Ouzts in for SIX!@JalenMilroe ➡️ @robbie_ouzts
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/KmYOI4DhCm
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 18, 2023
Will Reichard would get in on the Senior Day action himself with a 50-yard field goal after the next Tide drive stalled out to put Alabama up 31-0. The Mocs were able to punch one in on a 39-yard touchdown run by Gino Appleberry, but another Milroe passing touchdown to Malik Benson at the end of the half would give Alabama a 38-7 halftime lead:
Milroe would finish the game 13/16 for 197 yards and 3 touchdowns with no turnovers.
Right on the 🤑@JalenMilroe ➡️ @LEEK5Y
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/1A6gJxd8Hp
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 18, 2023
After a lot of senior action in the first half, it was the freshman show in the second half for the Crimson Tide, with Alabama scoring touchdowns from running backs Justice Haynes (twice) and Richard Young as well as Caleb Downs on an 85-yard punt return.
85 YARD TO THE 🏠👀@caleb_downs2
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/W02mgLfJX9
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 18, 2023
For Justice Haynes, one of the most hyped up freshmen on the team, he scored his second touchdown late in the fourth quarter on a 33-yard dash after freshman quarterback Dylan Lonergan entered the game for Ty Simpson.
What a RUN! 💪@justicehaynes6
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/j5IYUllUps
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 18, 2023
Simpson should have had a 79-yard touchdown carry himself earlier in the second half, but dropped the ball before he got to the goal line which led to the first touchdown of Richard Young’s Alabama career from one yard out.
As expected, it was not much of a challenge for Alabama at all today in their final home game of the season.
Next up, a trip to The Plains for the Iron Bowl.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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