Downs Dazzles, No. 8 Alabama Defeats Chattanooga 66-10
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On Saturday, No. 8 Alabama made quick work of Chattanooga, defeating the Mocs 66-10 on Senior Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
After missing the Kentucky game last week, it was a big day for wide receiver Jermaine Burton, who hauled in three receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Connecting with Burton was quarterback Jalen Milroe, who put up a noteworthy performance of his own — passing for 197 yards and three touchdowns while completing 13-for-16 passes.
Early in the first half, Crimson Tide linebacker Chris Braswell was ejected for targeting — drilling Chattanooga quarterback Luke Schomberg with a helmet-to-helmet hit.
Braswell, a senior, will not miss time versus Auburn next week, as the hit came in the first half.
Although it was recovered by Alabama, a fumbled punt in the first quarter by Kool-Aid McKinstry led to a changing of the guard at the punt return spot — with freshman safety Caleb Downs coming in for relief.
In the third quarter, Downs made his presence felt immediately — spinning and cutting his way towards a nifty 85-yard touchdown. It was the Crimson Tide’s first special teams touchdown of the season.
"Yeah, we've got confidence in him," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said of Downs. "We've got confidence in IB, I've got confidence in Kool-aid, but he should've returned the first one and he fair caught it and then he shouldn't have even fielded the second one and he fumbled it. So you know sometimes when you're in that position confidence is really, really important and we've got to get his confidence back. Caleb's got confidence. Obviously did a great job on the middle return that we ran today, made somebody miss, hit it up the chute, guys did a good job of fitting and finishing on their blocks and all he had to beat was the punter and he did a good job of that."
Coming in for Milroe in the third quarter was quarterback Ty Simpson, who finished the day with 50 yards passing and one touchdown, completing 4-of-6 passes while scrambling for a 78-yard rush.
Simpson, who was initially set to score a 79-yard touchdown, dropped the ball at the half-yard line in celebration prior to crossing the plane. The call was overturned, much to the chagrin of the Alabama faithful.
It was Simpson’s second consecutive appearance in relief, as the sophomore Martin, Tenn. finished off Crimson Tide’s win over Kentucky last weekend in the final minutes of a blowout.
With the win, Alabama now moves to 10-1 and 7-0 in the SEC. They’ll travel to Auburn next weekend for the Iron Bowl, hoping to continue their hot streak.
Kickoff from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. for No. 8 Alabama vs. Auburn is set for 2:30 CT on CBS.
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Fourth Quarter:
- FINAL: Alabama: 66 | Chattanooga: 10, 3:10, 4Q
- Reichard is now 10 points away from tying the all-time NCAA career points record.
- Justice Haynes breaks free for the 33-yard touchdown. Reichard's PAT is good. Alabama: 66 | Chattanooga: 10, 3:10, 4Q
- Reichard is now 11 points away from tying the all-time NCAA career points record.
- RB Richard Young punches it in for the score. Reichard's PAT is good. Alabama: 59 | Chattanooga: 10, 13:04, 4Q
- Simpson dropped the ball. Call is overturned. Ball will be placed on the one-half yard line.
- Ty Simpson does his best Jalen Milroe impression — he scrambles for a 79-yard touchdown. Play is under further review. Simpson may have dropped the ball prior to crossing the plane in celebration.
- Mocs punt on their opening drive of the fourth quarter. Crimson Tide will start on their own 20 yard-line after the Chattanooga punt finds the endzone.
Third Quarter:
- Third quarter concludes.
- Reichard is now 11 points away from tying the all-time NCAA career points record.
- Caleb Downs takes the Chattanooga punt 85 yards for the Alabama touchdown. Flashy. It's the Crimson Tide's first punt return touchdown of the year. Reichard's PAT is good. Alabama: 52 | Chattanooga: 10, 4:59, 3Q
- Timeout Chattanooga. Their first of the half.
- First down Chattanooga. Ball at their own 39 yard-line.
- Reichard is now 12 points away from tying the all-time NCAA career points record.
- RB Justice Haynes squeaks in for the score. Reichard's PAT is good. Alabama: 45 | Chattanooga: 10, 8:39, 3Q
- Play is overturned. Ball will be placed at the 1 yard-line.
- Simpson finds Kendrick Law for the 32-yard touchdown. Play is under video review.
- Ty Simpson is in at quarterback. Jalen Milroe's day is done.
- Crile's field goal is good from 23 yards out. Alabama: 38 | Chattanooga: 10, 10:46, 3Q
- Downs with a nice breakup on third down. Saves the touchdown. Mocs send out the field goal unit.
- Schomburg connects with Whatley for the 54-yard completion. 1st and Goal coming for Chattanooga. Ball on the 10 yard-line.
- First down Mocs. Ball on their own 36 yard-line.
- Reichard's kick goes through the endzone. The Mocs start with the ball at the 25 yard-line after deferring the coin toss to start the game.
Halftime:
Halftime Stats
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Second Quarter:
- We've reached halftime here at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
- Milroe: 13-for-16, 197 yards, 3 touchdowns. 246.6 passer rating. 81% completion percentage.
- Reichard is now 13 points away from tying the all-time NCAA career points record.
- Milroe finds WR Malik Benson for the quick strike touchdown. 20 yards. Reichard's PAT doinks in. Alabama: 38 | Chattanooga: 7, 1:03, 2Q
- Roydell Williams picks up the first down for Alabama. Ball on the Chattanooga 20 yard-line.
- Jase McClellan breaks free for the 28-yard run. He got free through the right side. First down Alabama.
- Alabama will start with the ball at their own 40-yard line.
- Play is overturned. Touchdown Mocs. 40 yards. Alabama: 31 | Chattanooga: 7, 3:30, 2Q
- Mocs RB Gino Appleberry breaks free for the 39-yard run, down at the 1 yard-line. Play is under review.
- Mocs have moved into Alabama territory. Ball on the Alabama 40 yard-line.
- Mocs pick up the first down. Ball on the 37 yard-line.
- Reichard is now 14 points away from tying the all-time NCAA career points record.
- Alabama's offense can't get things moving, Reichard drills the 50-yard field goal. Alabama: 31 | Chattanooga: 0, 7:07, 2Q
- Kristian Story nabs the interception on the errant throw from Schomburg.
- TE Robbie Ouzts catches a little flare from Milroe for the 7-yard touchdown. Reichard's PAT is good. Alabama: 28 | Chattanooga: 0, 10:42, 2Q
- Jam Miller breaks free for a 45-yard run. First down. 1st and Goal at the 10 yard-line coming.
- Three-and-out for the Mocs. Downs makes the fair catch on the 45 yard-line.
- Burnip's punt finds the back of the endzone. Mocs' drive will start in the 20 yard-line.
- Alabama's drive stalls after the run from McClellan. Out comes James Burnip.
- 26-yard run up the middle from Jase McClellan. First down.
- Alabama will start with the ball at the 35 yard-line when we return.
First Quarter:
- Safety Caleb Downs is in for the return in place of Kool-Aid McKinstry.
- Another three-and-out for the Mocs.
- Roydell Williams with a nice cut to the left — he scoots in for the 11-yard score. Reichard's PAT is good. Alabama: 21 | Chattanooga: 0, 1:30 1Q
- 15-yard gain on the run by Roydell Williams. First down. Ball on the 24 yard-line.
- Milroe finds Jalen Hale for the 29-yard completion. First down.
- After the targeting call, Alabama makes quick work of the Mocs' offense. Kool-Aid McKinstry fumbles the punt, but the Crimson Tide recover it at the 10 yard-line.
- Targeting call is confirmed on Braswell. He's played his last snap at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Quite the way to go. Thankfully for Alabama, the hit occurred in the first half, so Braswell won't miss time vs. Auburn.
- DE Chris Braswell with a brutal hit on Mocs QB Luke Schomburg — targeting is called. It's under review.
- Jalen Milroe: 6-for-6 passing, 130 yards and a touchdown.
- 3 catches, 105 yards and a touchdown so far for Jermaine Burton.
- Jase McClellan punches it in for the score. Reichard's PAT is good. Alabama: 14 | Chattanooga: 0, 9:27 1Q
- Milroe connects with Jermaine Burton on another deep ball. Burton steps out on the 2 yard-line. Gain of 44 yards.
- Milroe finds Amari Niblack over the middle for a gain of 19 yards on 3rd and 5. First down.
- Former Alabama kickers Van and Leigh Tiffin are being honored during the break.
- Kristian Story is starting in place of DB Jaylen Key at safety.
- Milroe finds Burton in the back of the endzone on 3rd and 4 for the easy touchdown. Reichard's PAT is good. Alabama: 7 | Chattanooga: 0, 13:04 1Q
- Milroe starts the game with a deep ball to Jermaine Burton, a gain of 56 yards.
- Kendrick Law with a nice return to start the game. He's taken down at the 33 yard-line.
Pregame:
- Chattanooga wins the coin toss and defers. They'll kickoff to start the game.
- Nick Saban is taking photos with each senior and their family as a part of the senior day festivities.
- WR Kobe Prentice is in uniform but isn't wearing gloves and hasn't participated in drills.
- DB Earl Little II has a sling on his right arm and is not participating in warmups.
- WR Ja'Corey Brooks is not in uniform.
- LB Deontae Lawson is not in uniform.
- DB Jaylen Key is in uniform, but isn't fully participating in warmups.
- WR Jermaine Burton is participating in warmups.
- Malachi Moore, Will Reichard and Justin Eboigbe are today's captains.
- For the last time from Bryant-Denny, pregame quarterback-center alignments are:
- Jalen Milroe-Seth McLaughlin
- Ty Simpson- Darrian Dalcourt
- Dylan Lonergan- James Brockermeyer
- Tyler Buchner- Terrence Ferguson
- Eli Holstien- Roq Montgomery
- Specialists have begun their warmup routine.
How to Watch: Alabama vs. Chattanooga
Who: No. 8 Alabama (9-1, 7-0 SEC) vs. Chattanooga (6-2, Southern)
When: Saturday | 11:00 a.m. CT
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium | Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TV: ESPN+, SECN+
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network: Play-By-Play: Eli Gold | Analyst: Tyler Watts | Sideline: Christian Miller
Series: Alabama leads 13-0
Last meeting: 2013 — Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts passed for 136 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for an additional 88 yards as the Crimson Tide defeated the Mocs 31-3.
Last time out, Alabama: Quarterback Jalen Milroe tallied 6 total touchdowns as the Crimson Tide made quick work of the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger field, 49-21.
Last time out, Chattanooga: Quarterback Chase Artopoeus tossed two touchdowns as the Mocs fell to Furman at home, 17-14.
