TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — — Alabama was tormented by turnovers and different errors and as soon as once more was pushed to the brink by Texas A&M, this time with Bryce Younger watching from the sideline.
Issues turned out otherwise this time.
Jalen Milroe threw for 3 touchdowns in his first begin and No. 1 Alabama made a remaining goal-line stand to flee with a 24-20 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday evening in a battle of backup quarterbacks.
Taking part in with out the injured Heisman Trophy winner Younger, the Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Convention) wanted two late stops from Will Anderson Jr. and the protection. They acquired them, simply barely, to outlive 4 turnovers and two missed discipline targets towards a group that beat the Tide 41-38 final season.
“That was not our greatest soccer on the market tonight,” Alabama coach Nick Saban mentioned. “When you do not have your quarterback on the market and the second-teamer has to play, all people’s acquired to play higher.”
However the Aggies had been in an analogous boat, albeit with a extra skilled quarterback sub.
Haynes King, subbing for injured starter Max Johnson (throwing hand), drove the Aggies (3-2, 1-2) 69 yards within the remaining 1:50 with massive passes to Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad III. Jordan Battle appeared to finish the risk with an interception ultimately zone, however Brian Department was flagged for cross interference.
That arrange one remaining shot from the two with three seconds left, however King’s cross to Stewart fell incomplete.
Milroe handed for 111 yards and ran for 183, but additionally threw an interception and misplaced two fumbles. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 159 yards after gaining most of his 206 after Younger’s shoulder harm early towards Arkansas.
The massive query now could be if Younger will play towards No. 8 Tennessee.
“Jalen did some good issues however clearly a few turnovers,” Saban mentioned. “He’s going to dwell and be taught and we’re going to dwell and be taught with him. We’ll simply see what progress Bryce makes.”
King accomplished 25 of 46 passes for 253 yards and a pair of touchdowns with an interception however confronted fixed strain. The Tide had three sacks and Anderson was credited with eight quarterback hurries.
Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher wasn’t shopping for any narrative that the Aggies saved it shut as a result of Alabama was with out its star quarterback and made quite a few errors.
“We’re enjoying the backup, quarterback too,” Fisher mentioned. “Two good groups locked up and battled and went at it and we confirmed what we’re able to.”
In the end, Alabama acquired a double measure of revenge towards the Aggies and Fisher. One other unranked Texas A&M group handed Alabama its solely regular-season loss final yr, then Fisher went no-holds barred in response to Saban’s feedback that the Aggies purchased their prime recruiting class with NIL cash.
As soon as once more, the Aggies hung ever so shut with the highest group, a 23 1/2-point favourite.
“We additionally keep in mind that feeling and all (via) preparation we’re simply saying we don’t ever need to really feel that feeling once more,” Anderson mentioned.
Texas A&M reduce it to 24-20 on Randy Bond’s 46-yard discipline aim with 3:32 left. The Aggies settled for the kick after twice getting flagged for false begins making an attempt to go for it on fourth-and-long.
The protection then pressured Alabama right into a three-and-out, organising yet one more shot for King and the Aggies.
“We went toe to toe with them,” Fisher mentioned.
He went toe to toe with Saban within the offseason however they went via the customary pregame and postgame exchanges.
“I informed him he had a very good group and wished him good luck the remainder of the yr and he mentioned the identical to me,” Fisher mentioned.
THE TAKEAWAY
Texas A&M: It was one other blow for an Aggies season that began with a No. 6 rating and hopes of SEC and nationwide rivalry. However the offense confirmed late indicators of life in a gutty efficiency that fell simply quick.
Alabama: The dynamic passing recreation with Younger wasn’t evident, however the grind-it-out run recreation was efficient however for the array of errors. Linebacker Jaylen Moody missed the sport with a bruised kidney.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Alabama swapped spots with Georgia after the Bulldogs had a near-miss towards Missouri. It is going to be fascinating to see how voters view the Tide’s personal shut name.
STARTING QBS
Younger got here out for warmups with the group and took snaps alongside the opposite quarterbacks, however did not throw passes. Johnson watched from the sidelines in warmups. Milroe mentioned he discovered he was beginning earlier than the sport and “I used to be able to go.”
He mentioned Younger helped him “keep calm, cool and picked up.”
UP NEXT
Texas A&M has an open date earlier than visiting South Carolina on Oct. 22.
Alabama visits No. 8 Tennessee in its first recreation towards a Prime 10 group.
——
