Notebook: Change in Punt Returner Results in Points for Alabama

Caleb Downs gives Alabama a spark after replacing Kool-Aid McKinstry as the punt return man against Chattanooga.

There was a change in punt returners for Alabama on Saturday against Chattanooga, and the result was a big shot in the arm for the special teams.

Caleb Downs took over for Kool-Aid McKinstry and in the third quarter he broke loose for an 85-yard return for a touchdown, the Crimson Tide’s first punt or kick return for a score this season.

McKinstry fielded two punts but was replaced by Downs.

“He should have returned the first one, which he fair caught, and he shouldn't even have fielded the second one that he fumbled,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said of McKinstry, who also had a fumble last week at Kentucky. “Sometimes when you're in that position, confidence is important, and we've got to get his confidence back. Caleb's got confidence. He did a great job on the middle return we ran today. He made somebody miss and went up the shoot (and scored).”

Keeping it clean

Nick Saban’s wallet should be safe after Alabama’s win against Chattanooga.

In a recent ESPN story, the Crimson Tide coach admitted players were upset with all the cursing he did during team meetings. They said it’s not the right image for the best coach in college football to project. Saban agreed. A swear jar was created with $5 for each offense.

“Yeah, it's costing me,” Saban said earlier this week.

There wasn’t too much to complain about from Saturday’s performance, although Saban might blow a gasket reviewing the film on Ty Simpson’s non-touchdown run, where the backup QB ran 78 yards before casually dropping the ball short of the goal line.

“Every coach says, ‘Cross the goal line and hand the ball to the official,” Saban said. “That’s a learning experience for everybody.”

Fortunately for Simpson, Alabama got the ball back at the 1-yard line, where Richard Young punched it in for the TD.

There were other small lapses of focus late in the first half and early in the second when the Mocs scored a touchdown and a field goal.

Saban said on Thursday the players want to expand the swear rule to in-game infractions. He hasn’t given in to that demand yet.

“That would be very costly. I might need to get a loan from Miss Terry on that one,” Saban said Thursday.

Bad news, good news

In the first quarter, Alabama linebacker Chris Braswell was ejected for a targeting penalty on Chattanooga quarterback Luke Schomburg. That's not exactly too bad. Since it happened in the first half, Lawson won’t miss any playing time against Auburn next week.

"We always tell guys you have to keep your head up and see what you hit," Saban said. "You don't want to hit anyone with your head down. I thought his head was up, but you can't hit the quarterback in the head either. We have to keep working on it."

Senior Day

Alabama honored its senior class Saturday, a unit that has a 47-5 record over the past four years, winning a pair of Southeastern Conference championships and the 2020 national title. The seniors honored: Jonathan Bennett (RB), Chris Braswell (LB), Jermaine Burton (WR), Zarian Courtney (WR), Justin Eboigbe (DL), Robert Ellis (TE), Kyle Flood Jr. (LB), Jaylen Key (DB), Trezmen Marshall (LB), Jase McClellan (RB), Caleb McDougle (DB), Seth McLaughlin (OL), Malachi Moore (DB), Will Reichard (PK), Quandarrius Robinson (LB), Charlie Skehan (TE), Jordan Smith (LB), James Smith (DL), Adam Thorsland (TE), Bennett Whisenhunt (LB), Roydell Williams (RB) and Sam Willoughby (WR).

Tidebits

• For the second straight week, the Crimson Tide did not allow a sack. Alabama has allowed 37 sacks this season, which was 4.5 per game before the last two games.

• Alabama game captains were S Malachi Moore, DL Justin Eboigbe, K Will Reichard.

• Honorary game captains were former Crimson Tide kickers Van Tiffin and son Leigh Tiffin.

• The temperature at kickoff was 67 degrees with sunny and clear skies.

• Announced attendance was a sellout of 100,077

• Under Nick Saban, Alabama is 29-0 in games with a kickoff of 11:30 a.m. or earlier. Alabama’s had three 11 a.m. games this season.

• Saban has only three losses to non-conference opponents during the regular season (Florida State and ULM in 2007, Texas in 2023). His non-conference record, including postseason, at UA is 75-8.

• Game officials: Referee, Lee Hedrick; Umpire, John Short; Head Line Judge, Christopher Hess; Line Judge, Chuck Rice; Field Judge, Scott Melancon; Side Judge, Michael Williams; Back Judge, Brett Toney; Center Judge, Mike Block.