In the Alabama's season opener against Middle Tennessee, Jalen Milroe proved why he deserves to be the starting quarterback for Alabama. In just three quarters of play, Milroe showcased his talent and led the Crimson Tide to a dominant 56-7 victory with his exceptional performance.
With touchdown passes of 48, 47, and 29 yards, Milroe displayed his accuracy and arm strength, finishing the game 13-of-18 for 194 yards and no interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound redshirt sophomore also demonstrated his versatility by rushing for 48 yards and two additional scores.
Setting a new record in school history, Milroe became the first Alabama quarterback to throw for three touchdowns and rush for two scores in a single game. His outstanding play caught the attention of his coach, Nick Saban, who praised Milroe's performance.
"Jalen did a good job," Saban said. "I think he's had a good fall camp. I thought he played well in both scrimmages. I think he's more confident and doing a good job in the passing game."
"His athleticism helps him. ... You know, he's a threat to pull the ball, which he scored a touchdown on that. And I thought he threw the ball effectively. So I thought they played well."
Saban acknowledged that there are areas for Milroe to continue developing and gaining experience, but expressed confidence in his quarterback's ability to improve over time.
Moving forward, Alabama will face a tough challenge as they prepare to host No. 11 Texas on Saturday. Milroe, a native of Katy, Texas, understands the significance of the matchup, but remains focused on the team's preparation and taking each opponent one day at a time.
Reflecting on his performance, Milroe humbly acknowledged the need for improvement.
"I need to be better overall at what I'm doing," Milroe stated. "I just want to continue to build and be the best version of myself when I take the field. So there's some things that I'm gonna look at with the coaching staff and with my teammates."
Leading the way for Alabama receivers, Isaiah Bond impressed with five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. The Crimson Tide's rushing attack also contributed significantly with 205 yards and five scores, showcasing the team's overall offensive prowess.
As Alabama gears up for their upcoming matchup against Texas, all eyes will be on Jalen Milroe to see if he can continue his stellar performance and solidify his position as the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide.
