No. 12 Alabama showcased their dominance on Saturday night with a commanding 40-17 victory over Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide's quarterback, Jalen Milroe, proved to be the driving force behind their success, leading the team with his efficient and versatile performance.
Milroe, in his second appearance as the full-time starter, despite not attempting a single pass until late in the second quarter, completed an impressive 10-of-12 passes throughout the game. He showcased his accuracy and composure, accumulating a total of 164 passing yards.
However, it was Milroe's prowess on the ground that truly made a difference. He exhibited his versatility as a dual-threat quarterback, rushing for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Excluding sack yardage, Milroe compiled a remarkable 92 yards on the ground, leaving the Mississippi State defense struggling to contain him.
"He's just a really good athlete," praised Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett. "You know, a broken play for a touchdown, he picked up a fumbled snap, I believe. He's done that in another game, too, actually, for a touchdown. He's a big, physical athlete."
Arnett's reference to a broken play highlighted one of Milroe's exceptional moments in the game. Although it wasn't a fumbled snap, Milroe swiftly reacted to a low snap, seizing the opportunity to burst through a gap in the offensive line. With his impressive speed, he sprinted 53 yards, securing the game's first touchdown and setting the tone for Alabama's dominant performance.
When questioned about Mississippi State's struggles against quarterbacks with high completion percentages, including Milroe's remarkable 83 percent mark that night, Arnett credited Milroe's instinctive abilities for his success.
"Being able to extend plays helps," Arnett acknowledged. "It cannot be feast or famine. It can't be a sack or an interception or a giant play, it can't be that way. You have to contest balls, be able to generate pass rush. But some extended plays where [Milroe] was able to scramble around in the pocket, get in scramble drill. With an athlete the caliber of Jalen Milroe, usually your underneath coverage is itchy to come up on him because if you sit back and try to match all the routes, he pulls it down and runs for a first down."
Overall, Jalen Milroe's exceptional performance propelled No. 12 Alabama to a resounding victory over Mississippi State. His combination of accuracy, athleticism, and playmaking abilities made him a formidable force on both the ground and in the passing game. As Alabama's full-time starting quarterback, Milroe continues to impress, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future contributions on the field.
