Jalen Milroe, Alabama offense stay hot in explosive first half against Mercer
It's halftime at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and the No. 9 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide are rolling against the Mercer Bears.
At the break, Alabama leads Mercer, 31-7. Here's how the Crimson Tide have built their big lead at intermission.
After Domani Jackson forced a fumble that Damon Payne Jr. recovered on Mercer's first drive, Alabama took over at its 48-yard line.
The Crimson Tide wasted no time finding the end-zone on their first possession. Freshman phenom Ryan Williams took a jet sweep 29 yards to the outside to give Alabama a 7-0 lead just over four minutes in after Graham Nicholson added the extra point.
Jalen Milroe and the offense needed only four plays and 1:16 off the clock to drive 52 yards for the opening touchdown.
Williams struck again on Alabama's next series, making a 17-yard reception for a first down before taking a drop-off from Milroe and going 14 yards for his second touchdown of the first quarter. That made it 14-0 with 4:08 left in the opening period. The Crimson Tide drove 89 yards on nine plays and used 4:21 off the clock.
Mercer drove into Alabama territory twice in the first quarter but turned the ball over both times. Late in the quarter, Qua Russaw made an interception off a tipped pass to give the Tide the ball at their 32-yard line.
Alabama finished the drive early in the second quarter when a wide-open Robbie Ouzts hauled in a perfect pass from Milroe for a 44-yard touchdown and a 21-0 Crimson Tide lead. It was a seven-play, 68-yard drive. Milroe was 7-of-8 for 107 yards and two touchdowns to that point.
Mercer hit a long pass for 43 yards to Javarius George, who fumbled at the end on a well-timed hit from DaShawn Jones. True freshman Zabien Brown scooped it and ran 68 yards for a 28-0 Alabama lead with 8:45 to play in the half.
Mercer scored its only points of the first half with 1:58 to play when quarterback Whitt Newbauer threw a perfect pass to Kendall Harris, who made a sensational grab for a 31-yard touchdown.
On Alabama's first play from scrimmage on its ensuing possession, Milroe hit Germie Bernard for 45 yards to the Mercer 30-yard line. That led to a perfect 45-yard Nicholson field goal to put the Tide ahead, 31-7, with 55 seconds to go before halftime.
At halftime, Alabama has 254 yards of total offense and 13 first downs. Milroe started 8-of-9 and finished the half 9-of-14 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Milroe also had four rushes for 36 yards in the first half, including a 16-yard carry.
Williams' three plays (two catches, one rush) have totaled 60 yards and resulted in two touchdowns.
It's been a good day for the Alabama offense.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Jalen Milroe, Alabama offense stay hot in explosive first half against Mercer
