TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 10 Alabama did exactly what was expected of them Saturday afternoon, knocking off Mercer 52-7.

“Good to get a win and get a lot of guys out there on the field,” said Head Coach Kalen DeBoer following the win.

“They all put in a lot of work and there’s that little window that you try to hit where you get the ones the work and you get the score where it needed to be and for the guys to play a quarter and a half essentially… fun to see them get out there.”

Despite a few early defensive penalties, a forced fumble set up a four-play 52-yard drive that was capped off by a Ryan Williams touchdown on a jet sweep. That first sequence of events became the catalyst for a convincing win that featured seven Tide scoring drives.

After getting involved early, the Alabama’s 17-year-old star finished with 2 touchdowns on his own – totaling 65 yards. He would exit the game with the rest of the starters in the third quarter.

“I think we know how old he is, right,” said DeBoer with a smirk.

“He’s a player that comes to work every day, nothing goes to his head. He’s about the team. He really is. When we call on him or we need to make a play, he’s ready. He’s just consistent each and every day.”

Williams has put together an impressive freshman campaign at Alabama that has featured 10 touchdowns and nearly 800 yards total – one that he’s extremely grateful for.

“It’s been incredibly fun and I’m honestly just thankful and blessed to have my family behind me and Saraland High School and everybody that pushed me to reclassify and be in this position,” Williams said.

When you add on 3 takeaways from Kane Wommack’s “swarm D” – including a forced fumble by DaShawn Jones returned for a touchdown by Zabien Brown (Alabama’s first non-offensive TD of the season) – it results in a nearly unstoppable Tide.

“Those are exciting… For us to get him in the end zone, that long return, it’s something that’s exciting for the whole team. They’ve gotten the takeaways we just hadn’t ended up with one in the end zone like that yet. I love the mindset,” DeBoer said.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe’s day wrapped up relatively early, with backup Ty Simpson entering the game midway through the third quarter. Milroe finished the game with 229 all-purpose yards, including a pair of passing touchdowns and one on the ground. He completed 11 of his 16 passes.

Nick Sheridan and Kalen DeBoer’s offense converted of 8 of 15 third downs and all three of their fourth down attempts. They also dominated the time of possession 33:48-26:12.

A glimpse of the future

In relief, Simpson threw for 71 yards and led the Tide on a touchdown drive. In addition to showcasing his scrambling ability, the sophomore completed a prayer to Josh Cuevas after shrugging off a sack – in what might be the play of his career thus far.

“If it gets picked off, it gets picked off,” said DeBoer, smiling as he discussed the play.

“Smart for him to give him a chance and find a way to make a play.”

Two other Alabama quarterbacks played against Mercer: Dylan Lonergan and Austin Mack. Lonergan completed 5-6 passes for 23 yards and Mack completed 2-3 for 39 yards.

Ten different Tide receivers caught a pass, while 11 players attempted a rush.

A bear-y good catch

One of the lone highlights for the Bears came on an incredible one-handed touchdown reception from Kendall Harris just before halftime.

The Mercer passing game faired about as well as one could hope against the Crimson Tide, with quarterback Whitt Newbauer throwing for 140 yards and completing 15 of 22 passes. Headed into halftime, he was 13-15.

Up Next

Alabama will head to Norman for a battle with one of the SEC’s latest additions in Oklahoma on November 23. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.

The latest College Football Playoff rankings will be revealed on November 19 on ESPN. In the second official rankings, Alabama was ranked No.10 and would play No. 7 Indiana in Bloomington if the bracket was finalized with those rankings.