Bama Central

No. 4 Alabama Survives South Florida Scare Again, Moves to 2-0

The Crimson Tide played another sloppy offensive game but managed to escape 60 minutes with South Florida with a victory.

Joe Gaither

Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) leaps over the goal line for a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) leaps over the goal line for a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images / Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
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It was deja vu for No. 4 Alabama as they struggled their way to victory over the South Florida Bulls for the second straight season. 

The Crimson Tide turned the ball over three times, drew 13 penalties for 120 yards and allowed three sacks and three more quarterback hurries as Alabama escaped Week 2 with a 42-16 victory over the Bulls. 

Alabama freshman Ryan Williams’ 43-yard touchdown reception was the play that ultimately made the difference as his score took the game from a five point to a 12 point spread.

Jam Miller shouldered the load for the Alabama offense as he took 15 carries for 140 yards and put the icing on the cake with a 56-yard touchdown run to close out the game. 

The Crimson Tide moves to 2-0 but the season only gets harder. Alabama will take on the Wisconsin Badgers next week in Madison for its first matchup of the year against a Power 4 opponent. 

The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide hosts the South Florida Bulls at newly minted Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Week 2 of the college football season on Saturday. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulls last season 17-3 in Tampa in what changed the Alabama season going forward. Alabama looks much different in 2024 as head coach Kalen DeBoer leads his second game in charge of the Crimson Tide and there's no quarterback controversy.

Keep refreshing the page for live updates throughout the afternoon in Tuscaloosa as the Crimson Tide looks to keep the momentum growing through the early part of the season.

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Live Updates

(latest updates at the top)

Second Half

  • Jam Miller puts the icing on the cake with a 56-yard touchdown rush to make the score 35-12 in favor of the Crimson Tide.
  • Elijah Pritchett is in the game for Alabama at right tackle, it's his second offensive series of the night.
  • Alabama takes over on downs after an incomplete pass by Byrum Brown. It seems for the second straight year the Crimson Tide survives the Bulls.
  • Dixieland Delight blares over the Bryan-Denny Stadium loudspeakers as the game is almost out of reach. South Florida is on offense facing a fourth and seven from the Alabama 40 as the Bulls sit in a 12-point hole.
  • Alabama's Ryan Williams scores for his second straight week. The freshman takes a short hitch route and avoids his defender all the way down the field for a 43-yard score. The extra point is good. Alabama 28, South Florida 16 -5:50 4th
  • Alabama's Jam Miller is really getting going. He just ran for 25 yards to move the Crimson Tide into Bulls territory.
  • Alabama's defense holds in the redzone but South Florida finds another three points. Alabama 21, South Florida 16 - 6:45 4th Q.
  • Justin Jefferson is ejected from the game and USF gets 15-yards on a targeting penalty. Another tough break for Alabama in an evening full of them.
  • South Florida under Alex Golesh is fearless. The offense comes right back down the field and gets into Alabama territory in two plays. Justin Jefferson comes away with a sack to stop the momentum but is under review for targeting.
  • Jalen Milroe finds Kobe Prentice for a 16-yard touchdown pass on 3&6. The touchdown extends Alabama's lead and allows some breathing room in Bryant-Denny stadium. Extra point is good. Alabama 21, South Florida 13 - 10:04 4th.
  • Jalen Milroe uses his athleticism to take the Tide down to the 20 yard line. Despite Milroe's rushing success he only has -2 rushing yards due to the sack yardage he's taken on.
  • Justin Jefferson and Malachi Moore combine to tackle a running back out of the backfield on 3&2 for a big stop for Alabama. The Crimson Tide's offense gets the ball after a BIG Jaylen Mbakwe punt return sets up the offense at the Bulls 39.
  • Unbelievable. Alabama incurs it's third turnover of the game after Jalen Milroe fumbles a snap from under center at the goal line. USF recovers and keeps it a one-point game.
  • Cole Adams makes a third down reception to keep the Crimson Tide drive alive, but goes down with injury on the play.
  • End of 3: Alabama 14, South Florida 13. The Crimson Tide opens the fourth quarter with 3&4 from the USF 10 yard line.
  • Jalen Milroe hits Ryan Williams for his second catch of the game, second of the drive. The freshman almost wriggled away from his defender to break away for a touchdown but couldn't.
  • Wilkin Formby with his fourth holding penalty of the game puts Alabama back to 1&20. It's been one step forward and two steps back all night for the Crimson Tide offense.
  • The yellow flag finally goes Alabama's way after USF is called for a roughing the passer. The Crimson Tide is just outside the redzone looking to extend a one point lead.
  • Another Alabama first down is negated by penalty - this time its Tyler Booker on a block in the back on a Jam Miller screen pass. The Crimson Tide is behind the chains again at 1&12 from the USF 45.
  • While the Alabama pass protection is under the microscope the Alabama pass rush has been effective. The defensive line got into the backfield and forced a bad throw from Brown on third down again and the Alabama offense gets another chance from midfield.
  • Alabama safety Keon Sabb makes a huge chase-down tackle to save a tackle. The Crimson Tide is fortunate as a holding call negates the big run and puts the Bulls behind the chains with 2nd and 13.
  • Another Alabama possession, another instance of Jalen Milroe running for his life. Milroe throws the pass away and once again the Tide punts. South Florida takes over from its own 12-yard line as the pressure is back on the Alabama defense.
  • Tim Keenan bullrushes up the middle and sacks Byrum Brown on third and long to get the Alabama defense off the field in three plays. The field position is finally flipped, can the Crimson Tide take advantage?
  • South Florida sends six and once again rushes Jalen Milroe. Milroe is forced to throw the ball away and Alabama will punt. Just a horrific offensive performance for the Crimson Tide. South Florida takes over from their own 35-yard line.
  • The Crimson Tide takes over with a 1-point lead on their own 25-line. The Crimson Tide has to first hold onto the ball as Alabama has turned the ball over twice in the second half. Next, establish the run, because the offensive line is really struggling to protect Jalen Milroe.
  • Alex Golesh and his offense has done a really good job moving the defenses eyes. Screens, draws, misdirections, read-options. The Bulls just keep mixing things up and Ta'Ron Keith scores a rushing touchdown from 2-yards away. The Bulls kick the extra point, bringing the score to Alabama 14, South Florida 13 - 9:35 3rd Q.
  • Wow, Alabama's Jam Miller fumbles on the Crimson Tide's first play of the drive and South Florida recovers. The Bulls take over at the Alabama 40 as the home team is doing everything to lose.
  • The Alabama defense has played well and induced another three-and-out from South Florida as the Bulls play field position by punting. The Crimson Tide takes back over on their own 25. Can the Alabama line protect Jalen Milroe?
  • Jalen Milroe holds the ball too long on third down and Alabama will be forced to punt again. Just a putrid offensive performance from the Crimson Tide so far.
  • Tim Smith and the Crimson Tide defensive front get a big sack on Byrum Brown. South Florida tries a 53-yard field goal but the try comes up woefully short. Alabama takes over at its own 35-yard line for the first possession of offense in the second half.
  • Kendrick Law takes a huge kick return to midfield but fumbles! South Florida recovers and will start on offense for the first play from scrimmage for the second half.

Halftime

alabama vs usf
Halftime Stats / Joe Gaither Canva

First Half

  • Alabama's defense rises and gets a stop to send the Crimson Tide into halftime up 14-6.
  • South Florida's now going to get a turn at a two-minute drill after Alabama punts it away. The Bulls take over at midfield.
  • The issue on the offensive line is there aren't many options behind Formby at right tackle. Rumors are that Elijah Pritchett suffered an injury in practice this week, so where do you turn? Miles McVay and Roq Montgomery are there, but neither have experience.
  • Jalen Milroe's 74-yard touchdown run comes back for Wilkin Formby's holding penalty. It's Formby's third holding penalty of the half.
  • Jalen Milroe starts on its own 26-yard line and has 2:33 left to work with and three timeouts.
  • Alabama's defense comes up with a quick stop on the next possession giving the Crimson Tide offense another chance to score before half. If the Tide can get one more score before half it'll go a long way to feeling better about the performance.
  • Alabama's Jalen Milroe looks right, and then runs left to score his second touchdown of the night from 5-yards away. The extra point is good for the Crimson Tide. Alabama 14, South Florida 6 - 3:28 2Q.
  • Ryan Williams draws his second pass interference call of the game as Alabama's offense is finally moving again. The Crimson Tide has a first down at the South Florida 22.
  • Jalen Milroe avoid pressure from the left side and find CJ Dippre for a third down convertion. That was a play Milroe and the Alabama offense needed as the Tide is really struggling in pass protection.
  • It's another holding call on Wilkin Formby as the right tackle is struggling in his second start at right tackle.
  • Tyler Booker still playing left tackle as Alabama starts is next series. Wilkin Formby still playing right tackle as Alabama's offense looks to find some semblance of rhythm.
  • Alabama's defense comes up with a third down stop and South Florida kicks a 25-yard field goal to make the score Alabama 7, South Florida 6 - 9:48 2nd quarter.
  • In 2023 Byrum Brown rushed for 92 yards, mostly in scramble situations against Alabama. So far in 2024, he has 88 yards and we aren't to halftime yet as South Florida hangs in the game in Tuscaloosa.
  • This first half doesn't look exactly the same as 2023, but its certainly close. South Florida's hurry up offense gets them quickly to the Alabama redzone, looking to take the lead.
  • Alabama's offense is on the sideline, but left tackle Elijah Pritchett can be seen warming up with freshmen offensive lineman William Sanders and Casey Poe. Could we see a switch on the next series?
  • Wilkin Formby draws Alabama's fifth penalty on another holding as the tackles are getting schooled by the quicker South Florida rushers. To make matters worse Milroe is called for intentional grounding as his pass went to no one. In fairness, Milroe was being sacked. Formby gives up a sack on third down and the ugly offense continues for the Crimson Tide.
  • The Crimson Tide pick up its fourth penalty of the night as a holding call negates a good Jalen Milroe run. The offense overcomes the penalty with a first down pass to Germie Bernard, but the trend is concerning.
  • After 1: Alabama 7, South Florida 3. The Crimson Tide will open the second quarter with a second and seven from their own 23-yard line.
  • Strong pursuit by Jordan Renaud, Jordan Jefferson and Malachi Moore on third down get the Alabama defense off the field after South Florida picks up two first downs. Alabama will restart on offense from the 20 with the score still sitting at 7-3.
  • Alabama's offense struggles and punts after Jalen Milroe misses passes and the Crimson Tide has to punt back to South Florida.
  • Jaylen Mbakwe calls for a fair catch on the punt and the Alabama offense will take over from the Crimson Tide 14.
  • South Florida lined up to go for it on 4th&1 from their own 34, but instead opt for a timeout. Will the Bulls go for it backed up in their own territory?
  • Byrum Brown tried two deep shots in a row at freshman Zabien Brown. Brown was beat on both tries but Brown overthew them both. Alabama dodging a bullet defensively.
  • The game was announced as a sellout with 100,077 in attendance.
  • Jalen Milroe scores Alabama's first touchdown of the game on a 9-yard carry. The extra point is good and the Crimson Tide takes the lead. Alabama 7, South Florida 3 - 5:08 1st quarter.
  • For the second time this drive, Parker Brailsford's helmet pops off, bringing Roq Montgomery in for a snap. Justice Haynes scores from 21-yards out but it's called back for a holding call on Geno VanDeMark.
  • Ryan Williams draws a pass interference call on a third and six to keep Alabama's offense on the field. Important call for the Crimson Tide as the offense hasn't looked smooth so far. Alabama has 1&10 at the Bulls 47.
  • Roq Montgomery replaced Parker Brailsford for a singular snap. Difficult to tell if Brailsford got hurt or just dealt with an equipment issue.
  • Tim Keenan with his second tackle for loss brought on third and six. The Bulls Byrum Brown missed Michael Brown-Stephens down the seam to end the drive. Brown-Stephens beat Jihaad Campbell but Brown overthrew him.
  • USF restarts on their own 22-yard line for possession two, looking to extend its lead.
  • Jalen Milroe can't find Kendrick Law over the top out of the slot and the Crimson Tide goes quickly three-and-out. The USF faithful are letting its defense hear it after a strong first series.
  • Tyler Booker indeed starts at left tackle and Alabama calls its first play behind him with Justice Haynes off the left side. Geno VanDeMark is starting at left guard in place of Booker.
  • Alabama opens its first drive at the Crimson Tide's 25-yard line after a touchback.
  • The Alabama faithful incite a false start penalty on a big third down. The Crimson Tide defense respond to the help by forcing Byrum Brown into an errant pass. The Bulls had converted two third downs in the drive but settle for a 34-yard field goal from John Cannon. USF 3, Alabama 0 - 11:26 1st quarter.
  • Quandarrius Robinson misses a tackle and Byrum Brown takes South Florida inside the redzone for first and goal. The South Florida pace has certainly been a challenge for Alabama to deal with early.
  • The Bulls are moving early after some quick passes and a defensive holding on Domani Jackson.
  • South Florida faked a screen and went with a QB-draw. Tim Keenan saw it all the way and stopped QB Byrum Brown for a loss.
  • South Florida opens the game with a 1&10 from their own 25-yard line.

Pregame

  • Alabama wins the toss and defers to the second half. South Florida is getting set to receive.
  • Alabama is wearing its traditional home uniform. White pants, crimson jerseys and helmets.
  • The South Florida Bulls take the sideline. They're wearing gold pants, white jerseys and gold helmets. The Crimson Tide runs out of the tunnel.
  • Alabama's 2014 SEC Championship team was honored before the game.
  • Alabama's first offensive line group in warmups is Left tackle Tyler Booker, Left Guard Geno VanDeMark, Center Parker Brailsford, RG Jaeden Roberts, RT Wilkin Formby
  • Kadyn Proctor comes out to warmups in full pads.
  • Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor is walking and stretching with the rest of the team as they go through pre-warm up routines. His status is certainly in question entering tonight's game, but he initially walked out with Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford and Jaeden Roberts.
  • The Alabama depth chart is corrected this week to reflect two cornerbacks on defense along with Qua Russaw starting as the Wolf.
  • Alabama got the day started by officially unveiling signage for Saban Field at Bryant Denny Stadium. President Stuart Bell, athletic director Greg Byrne and Nick and Terry Saban spoke to the fans in front of the walk of champions.
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Joe Gaither

JOE GAITHER

My name is Joe Gaither, I am a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., and a 2018 graduate of the University of Alabama. I have a strong passion for sports and giving a voice to the underserved. Feel free to email me at joegaither6@icloud.com for tips, story ideas or comments.

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