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Alabama football spanks Wisconsin as Jalen Milroe and Ryan Williams connect for big plays

Kalen DeBoer's first road game with Alabama football went mostly without a hitch. No. 4 Alabama cruised to a 42-10 win against Wisconsin, helped by five scores by Jalen Milroe and multiple turnovers by the Crimson Tide defense.

Alabama awaits Georgia and the start of SEC play at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28.

Here are three takeaways from No. 4 Alabama (3-0) vs. Wisconsin (2-1).

Kadyn Proctor returns, Alabama football finds answer on offensive line

Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Alabama may have shown Wisconsin its third different offensive line in three games. But this particular line could be the answer moving forward.

Kadyn Proctor made his season debut against the Badgers at left tackle. With Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford and Jaeden Roberts manning the interior, Elijah Pritchett took first-team reps at right tackle ahead of Wilkin Formby.

Alabama’s offense averaged 8 yards per play in the first half along with three touchdowns produced by Jalen Milroe: a 31-yard pass to Ryan Williams, a 3-yard touchdown run and a 26-yard pass to Germie Bernard. Alabama retained that momentum with a 34-yard touchdown by Jam Miller in the third quarter and a 37-yard touchdown pass from Milroe to Josh Cuevas.

One week after the offensive line was plagued with holding calls and South Florida’s rush, Alabama’s offensive line was the foundation for an attack that did everything it wanted against the Badgers.

Alabama WR Ryan Williams continues to emerge as Jalen Milroe go-to

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) makes a 26-yard reception before being knocked out of bounds by Wisconsin cornerback Max Lofy (12) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium.



Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) makes a 26-yard reception before being knocked out of bounds by Wisconsin cornerback Max Lofy (12) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

SEC opponents are about to be introduced to Ryan Williams.

Milroe targeted Williams more than any other receiver in the first half, with the rookie bringing in four catches for 78 yards and a touchdown where he burned Wisconsin cornerback RJ Delancy and caught a ball in stride.

Williams has already become a big-play catalyst for the Crimson Tide three games into his collegiate career, one that is set to only grow.

Opportunistic Alabama defense shows up vs Wisconsin

Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi (1) fumbles the ball after being hit by Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore (13) during the second quarter of their game Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Alabama recovered the ball.



Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi (1) fumbles the ball after being hit by Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore (13) during the second quarter of their game Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Alabama recovered the ball. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

With the self-described “swarm” defensive approach, Alabama swarmed to the ball against Wisconsin.

Kane Wommack’s unit had its share of moments: an LT Overton strip-sack recovered by the Badgers, a Deontae Lawson tackle-for-loss forcing a turnover on downs, a Malachi Moore forced fumble recovered by Zabien Brown on a 21-yard Chez Mellusi run, a Lawson forced fumble recovered by Que Robinson and multiple batted-down passes at the line of scrimmage.

Did it work every time? No. Wisconsin's running back tandem of Mellusi and Cade Yacamelli had their moments. The Crimson Tide defense was on the field much more than its offense.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Alabama football batters Wisconsin as Jalen Milroe shows out