Alabama Football's Jalen Milroe, Caleb Downs Earn SEC Weekly Honors

Nine Crimson Tide players received honors from the coaches including quarterback Jalen Milroe and a true freshman on defense.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama football opened the season with a 56-7 win over Middle Tennessee in Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday night. 

For their performances in the game, quarterback Jalen Milroe and safety Caleb Downs received SEC Weekly Honors. Milroe was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Downs the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week. 

Milroe had five total touchdowns (three passing and two rushing) and 258 total yards of offense. In his first career game, Downs started at safety and led the team with eight tackles. 

These are the first SEC weekly accolades for either player. 

In addition to the conference honors, the Crimson Tide coaching staff named nine players of the week– three apiece on offense, defense and special teams. 

OFFENSE

Isaiah Bond

• Targeted six times on the night, finishing with five receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown
• Led all wideouts in receiving yards and catches while tying for the team-high mark for scores
• Recorded a long reception of 47 yards

Tyler Booker

• Anchored an offensive front that helped account for 431 yards of total offense, including 205 yards on the ground and 226 through the air
• Helped UA average 5.1 yards per carry on the ground while clearing a path for four different ball carriers to gain 29-plus yards on the night
• Recorded a career-high seven knockdown blocks while not allowing a sack

Jalen Milroe

• Accounted for five total touchdowns, including three passing scores and two rushing to become the only quarterback in Alabama history to throw for three and rush for two in the same game
• Finished 13-of-18 passing for 194 yards with three scores while connecting with eight total receivers on the night
• Added a team-high 48 yards rushing and two scores on seven carries with a long of 25

DEFENSE

Chris Braswell

• Provided consistent pressure off the edge all night against the Blue Raiders
• Totaled four tackles, including one sack (-5 yards), while adding one quarterback pressure
• Also forced a fumble in the season opener

Caleb Downs

• Got the start at safety in his first collegiate game for the Crimson Tide
• Finished with a team-high eight total tackles, including one for loss (-2 yards)
• Helped the UA defense limit MTSU to only 133 yards passing

Deontae Lawson

• Directed an Alabama defense that allowed just 211 yards of total offense, including 78 yards rushing
• Contributed seven total tackles, including a team-best two tackles for loss (-14 yards)
• Also registered one sack (-12 yards) and a quarterback hurry

SPECIAL TEAMS

James Burnip

• Called on to punt three times in the season opener
• Accumulated 139 yards on three punts with a long boot of 53 yards
• Averaged 46.3 yards per punt and dropped one kick inside the 20

Kool-Aid McKinstry

• Returned five punts for a total of 66 yards
• Posted a long return of 33 yards to set up an eventual Crimson Tide touchdown
• Also contributed three tackles from his cornerback spot

Kendrick Law

• Made his first appearance at kick returner, bringing back one kick for a gain of 23 yards
• Also made an impact on the Tide’s coverage teams