TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Kalen DeBoer’s first Alabama seasons started like so many before him, A-Day in April. While there were still familiar faces playing on Saturday, some new offensive weapons shined in the 34-28 win for the White team.
The offense started hot, with quarterback Jalen Milroe finding transfer receiver Germie Bernard on his first throw of the day. The drive ended with a Justice Haynes touchdown run from inside the five to get the scoring started. Milroe only completed three passes during the game, but had 100 yards through the air in his limited attempts.
Bernard had a great Bryan-Denny Stadium debut. He was one of a few players that followed DeBoer from Washington, and he showed just why the Head Coach wanted him in Tuscaloosa. He finished the game with over 100 receiving yards on three catches, and made a couple of highlight catches.
“[Bernard] had a great day,” DeBoer said, “He’s a physical guy, when the ball’s up in the air, it’s his,” he added.
With quarterback play a real positive throughout the game, the running game showed off some serious talent. Jam Miller was the lead back, starting the game with a huge run on the first play, just one of his many highlights. There were multiple times throughout the game that Miller broke tackles, which it exactly how he wants to run.
When asked if he would rather run around or through a defender, Miller said he’d rather run through the guy. That was the theme of his day, and with help from the offensive line, he was able to do that plenty. The junior running back finished with a game high 83 yards on eight carries, and had two touchdowns.
“When [the running backs] saw a hole, they hit it,” DeBoer said, “They’re not dancing…they’re getting more trusting of the offensive line,” he added.
Bernard, Milroe, and Miller got the offense humming early, as the White team (offense) jumped out to a 31-0 lead. The defense needed to respond, and in a game where that unit can score, they needed to get it going.
Missed tackles were a problem early, but it got solved later in the game. After that fast start from the offense, there was a string of three-and-outs forced by the defense to cut the lead to 31-15. It was three points per three and out, but a field goal extended the white unit’s lead to 34-15.
That was where the defense really responded. There was no singular player to highlight during this time, but the front seven ramped up the pressure and forced some bad throws from all four quarterbacks. A missed field goal by Connor Talty gave the defense some hope, trailing 34-23, but the red team could not complete the comeback.
With the score settled at 34-28 and the game over, it was the white unit who will celebrate with the steak dinner, while the defense must settle for hotdogs.
