Alex ScarboroughESPN Staff Writer September 3, 2023, 12:17am ET4 minutes read
Jalen Milroe dominated the opening game for Alabama with 5 touchdowns
Jalen Milroe shined in the season opener at Alabama with a total of five touchdowns and 242 yards.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Jalen Milroe was the first quarterback to take the field for Alabama in Saturday’s season opener against Middle Tennessee, and he took the opportunity to make an emphatic statement about why he should be the starter going forward and scored five total touchdowns in just three quarters of the game.
The fourth-ranked Crimson Tide defeated the Blue Raiders 56-7, with Milroe delivering a nearly flawless performance with touchdown passes of 48, 47 and 29 yards.
He finished 13 of 18 for 194 yards and no interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound redshirt sophomore also sprinted for 48 yards and scored two scores.
Milroe became the first quarterback in school history to score three touchdowns and score two scores in a game.
“Jalen did a good job,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “I think he had a good fall camp. I thought he played well in both scrimmages. I think he’s more confident and is doing a good job in the passing game.”
“His athleticism helps him. … You know, he’s a threat when he pulls the ball, and he scored a touchdown while doing it. And I thought he threw the ball effectively. That’s why I thought they played well.”
Saban said he wanted Milroe to make a check at the line of scrimmage that he didn’t make, but “as he continues to develop and gain experience, he’ll continue to play better.”
When asked later how Milroe’s performance would help him in later games, Saban bristled.
“You’re asking me to speculate and answer a question about how someone will behave in the future?” he said. “I do not really know. I love him. I think he’s fine. I know he is working hard to improve. He is a good competitor. He will do everything he can to do his best.”
Saban grabbed a soda while sitting at the podium.
“It’s a Coke bottle,” he said, “it’s not a crystal ball. … That’s hard to know.”
Jalen Milroe became the first quarterback in Crimson Tide history with three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in a game.Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Milroe, who was Bryce Young’s backup last season, started Saturday at the top of the depth chart. But he was listed as a co-starter along with Tyler Buchner, Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan.
Buchner, the former Notre Dame quarterback, came in to replace Milroe and rushed for a 9-yard touchdown. He finished the game 3 of 5 for 27 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Simpson, a redshirt freshman, had a 1-yard touchdown run. He completed his only pass attempt for 5 yards.
Lonergan, a true freshman and former four-star recruit, did not play.
Milroe took his performance in stride.
“I need to get better overall at what I do,” he said. “I just want to continue to develop and be the best version of myself when I step on the field. So there are some things I will discuss with the coaching staff and my teammates.”
Isaiah Bond led all Alabama receivers with five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide managed 205 yards and five scores, but no running back had more than 40 yards in the game.
Alabama will host No. 11 Texas on Saturday.
Milroe grew up in Katy, Texas, and has family members who support the Longhorns. But he said it was “just another opponent on the schedule.”
“On Saturday, our success on that day will depend on our preparation throughout the week,” he added. “No matter what the opponent is, we’re just going to take it one day at a time.”