The Alabama Crimson Tide got the Kalen DeBoer era started with a bang, taking down the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers via a 63-0 shutout at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night.
Things started strong and stayed that way in the first quarter with two interceptions from transfer defensive back Keon Sabb and a Jalen Milroe rush for the first score of the season:
Jalen Milroe puts Alabama up 7-0 as he Walks It In. 😤😤
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) August 31, 2024
Milroe would find Kendrick Law for another early score to put the Tide up 14-0 about ten minutes into the game:
Jalen Milroe ➡️ Kendrick Law for 6. 😤😤😤
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) August 31, 2024
The story of the night, however, was freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams. The Saraland native who skipped his senior year of high school to enroll early had only two catches in his college debut, but he made them count with his first career reception going for an 84-yard score:
Ryan Williams blows by WKU for first career TD.
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) August 31, 2024
Late in the first half when the Tide were already up 35-0, Williams would make his second career catch, this one also going for a long score of 55 yards which he had to break a couple of tackles to find the end zone:
Ryan Williams has Arrived.
The Deuce Is Loose!!!!!
pic.twitter.com/QEr7uwEuGU— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) September 1, 2024
Milroe put the Tide up 49-0 for the first score of the second half when he got loose on a 21-yard carry which would be the end of his night:
SEE YA! 👋@JalenMilroe
📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/3ij95r0pe1
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 1, 2024
Milroe finished the game having thrown just nine passes and completing seven for 200 yards and three touchdowns along with 79 rushing yards and two more scores.
Freshman tailback Daniel Hill scored his first career touchdown to get to 56-0 followed up by a Ty Simpson rush to make it 63-0:
1st Career TD ✅@d1danny3
📺: ESPN
3rd Q Bama 56 | WKU 0 pic.twitter.com/owjtTHAZ3N
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 1, 2024
YESSIRRRR !!! 🙌@ty_simpson06
📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/VJSmGLwhcT
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 1, 2024
The Tide is 1-0 in the first season under DeBoer and the former Washington head coach has his first win at Alabama.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.