Alabama
8-2 , 4-2
Mercer
9-2 , 6-1
No. 10/9/9 Alabama Cruises to 52-7 Win over Mercer on Saturday Afternoon
11/16/2024 5:22:00 PM | Football
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - No. 10/9/9 Alabama football blew past the Mercer Bears, 52-7, on Saturday afternoon inside a sold-out Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide improved to 8-2 on the season while Mercer fell to 9-2 overall.
The Crimson Tide piled up 508 yards of offense on the way to 52 total points. The Tide totaled 189 yards on the ground with 11 separate rushers earning carries. Jalen Milroe led Alabama's ground attack, totaling 43 yards and a touchdown on six attempts while Ryan Williams and Richard Young also found the end zone on the day.
Milroe put together another efficient passing performance, finishing with 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 11-of-16 throwing before exiting early in the second half. Germie Bernard was the leading receiver, finishing with 81 yards on four receptions while Williams was next in line with 36 yards and a touchdown on his three receptions.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Tide's defense forced three turnovers that led to 21 points by the offense. Jihaad Campbell led UA with nine total tackles, including one sack. The turnovers came on a pair of fumble recoveries by Damon Payne Jr. and Zabien Brown, the latter returning his for a 68-yard touchdown. Qua Russaw recorded the third turnover, picking up his second interception of the season.
Notes
- Kalen DeBoer became the first Alabama head coach since Ray Perkins' 1983 season to reach eight total wins in his first season at The Capstone.
- With the win, DeBoer improved to 34-2 overall in the month of November and 10-0 in November since 2022.
- Today's victory over Mercer marks Alabama's 83rd consecutive win over an unranked team at home.
- Over the past four games, the Tide's defense has forced 12 total turnovers, including three takeaways today against Mercer.
- Over that same stretch, Alabama's offense has only suffered two turnovers, giving the Tide a plus-10 turnover margin in the past four outings.
- During Alabama's current three-game winning streak, the Crimson Tide has forced nine takeaways. Of those nine takeaways, the Alabama offense has converted seven for a touchdown.
- Ryan Williams reached the end zone twice on Saturday with a 29-yard rush and 14-yard reception, marking the second time this season that the freshman has had both a rushing and receiving touchdown in a single game (also, Oct. 5 at Vanderbilt).
- Zabien Brown's fumble return for a touchdown during the second quarter marked the Tide's first fumble recovery for a score since Oct. 21, 2023, when Jihaad Campbell notched a 24-yard scoop-and-score against Tennessee.
- The touchdowns by Robbie Ouzts (44 yards receiving) and Williams (29 yards rushing) now gives Alabama 22 touchdowns of 20-plus yards on the year.
- Jalen Milroe has accounted for at least one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown in nine of the Tide's 10 games this season.
- Alabama's 508 yards of total offense accounted for the third instance this season the Tide offense has eclipsed 500-plus yards.
- Including Alabama's 189 rushing yards on Saturday, the Crimson Tide is currently averaging 257 rushing yards per game during its current three-game winning streak.
How It Happened
First Quarter
- 10:48 - UA | Following a Crimson Tide takeaway on Mercer's first possession, Ryan Williams capped off a quick, four-play, 52-yard drive with a 29-yard rushing touchdown. (7-0, Alabama)
- 4:08 - UA | Williams picked up his second score of the day, hauling in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe that concluded a nine-play, 85-yard scoring drive. (14-0, Alabama)
Second Quarter
- 12:37 - UA | Milroe threw his second touchdown pass of the game, connecting with Robbie Ouzts from 44-yards out to cap a seven-play, 68-yard drive. The drive was set up by a Qua Russaw interception. (21-0, Alabama)
- 8:45 - UA | DaShawn Jones forced the Tide's second fumble with Zabien Brown returning it all the way to the end zone for a 68-yard touchdown. (28-0, Alabama)
- 1:58 - MU | The Bears connected on a 31-yard touchdown reception to give Mercer their first score of the afternoon. The drive consisted of four plays that covered 52 yards. (28-7, Alabama)
- 0:55 - UA | Graham Nicholson drilled a 45-yard field goal to close a five-play, 48-yard drive. (31-7, Alabama)
Third Quarter
- 10:33 - UA | Alabama's offense took the opening drive of the second half 67 yards on 10 plays, with Milroe taking a QB keeper for a three-yard rushing score. (38-7, Alabama)
Fourth Quarter
- 12:54 - UA | Richard Young closed a 10-play, 62-yard drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown. (45-7, Alabama)
- 3:36 - UA | Austin Mack connected with Rico Scott for a 31-yard passing score to highlight a 16-play, 79-yard drive that ate up 7:43 of gameplay. (52-7, Alabama)
Up Next
- Alabama will travel to Norman, Okla., as the Tide will face Oklahoma on Saturday, Nov. 23.
- The Crimson Tide and Sooners are scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff on ABC.
Team Stats
MER 0, ALA 7
ALA - Williams,Ryan 29 yd run (Nicholson,Graham kick), 4 plays, 52 yards, TOP 01:16
MER 0, ALA 14
ALA - Williams,Ryan 14 yd pass from Milroe,Jalen (Nicholson,Graham kick) 9 plays, 85 yards, TOP 04:21
MER 0, ALA 21
ALA - Ouzts,Robbie 44 yd pass from Milroe,Jalen (Nicholson,Graham kick) 5 plays, 62 yards, TOP 00:00
MER 0, ALA 28
ALA - Brown,Zabien 68 yd fumble recovery (Nicholson,Graham kick)
MER 7, ALA 28
MER - Harris,Kendall 31 yd pass from Newbauer,Whitt (Griffith,Reice kick) 4 plays, 52 yards, TOP 02:05
MER 7, ALA 31
ALA - Nicholson,Graham 45 yd field goal 5 plays, 48 yards, TOP 01:03
MER 7, ALA 38
ALA - Milroe,Jalen 3 yd run (Nicholson,Graham kick), 10 plays, 67 yards, TOP 04:21
MER 7, ALA 45
ALA - Young,Richard 1 yd run (Talty,Conor kick), 10 plays, 62 yards, TOP 04:27
MER 7, ALA 52
ALA - Scott,Rico 31 yd pass from Mack,Austin (Schuback,Reid kick) 16 plays, 79 yards, TOP 07:43
