TUSCALOOSA, AlabamaWBRC) – After two solid defensive performances against Missouri and LSU, Alabama is back at home to face Mercer.

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1st trimester

Mercer received the kickoff and after a high pass tackle on Alabama’s Qua Russaw, who made his first start Saturday for the injured Que Robinson, gave the Bears a first down.

On 3rd and 9, Devonta Smith was called for pass interference, giving Mercer another first down.

On the next play, CJ Miller grounded the ball and Alabama’s Domani Jackson recovered the fumble and returned it six yards to the Tide 48-yard line.

Jam Miller ran the ball twice, once for 11 yards and once for five, to start the drive. After a short pass to Germie Bernard, Jalen Milroe handed the ball to Ryan Williams who ran 29 yards for a Crimson Tide touchdown to go up 7-0.

Alabama forced Mercer to punt after making a three-pointer on its next drive.

Alabama picked up a first down on a Mercer penalty when Isaac Dowling was called for roughing the passer on Milroe.

Two plays later, Milroe ran to third and fourth and put the ball on the ground. After official review, it was ruled that Milroe was down before the ball went out and the Crimson Tide retained possession.

After a holding penalty against Alabama, a 17-yard completion to Williams and an eight-yard run by Justice Haynes gave ‘Bama another set of downs. Three plays later, Milroe completed a short pass to Williams who evaded a tackler to enter the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown to go up 14-0.

The Bears gained back-to-back first downs on a 19-yard run from CJ Miller and an 18-yard pass from Whitt Newbauer to Adjatay Dabbs.

However, on third-and-7 from the Alabama 34-yard line, Newbauer’s pass was caught by Deontae Lawson to give possession back to Alabama.

2nd trimester

Alabama faced fourth-and-1 on the fourth play of the second quarter. Milroe kept the ball for a two-yard gain and a first down.

Three plays later, tight end Robbie Outz got behind the defender and ran wide open for a 44-yard touchdown to give ‘Bama a 21-0 lead.

On third and three, Newbauer was under pressure but made a short pass to Javarius George. George turned to run but fumbled the ball at the 44-yard line where Zabien Brown recovered and followed his blockers for a scoop and a score to go up 28-0.

After converting two first downs, Mercer’s drive came to an abrupt end when Newbauer was sacked for a 12-yard loss by Jihaad Campbell on third down.

Alabama failed to convert a first down on the ensuing drive and was forced to punt for the first time on Saturday. The kick was short, however, and only traveled 20 yards before going out of bounds, giving Mercer good field position to begin his drive.

After four plays, Newbauer found Kendall Harris down the right sideline who made a one-handed goal-line catch for a 31-yard Mercer touchdown.

On the first play of Alabama’s next drive, Milroe completed a 45-yard deep pass to Bernard, putting the Tide in Mercer territory. It would be the only first down of the drive, however, as ‘Bama was forced to settle for a 45-yard field goal by Grahan Nicholson to go up 31-7.

Statistics

Updated: 2:19 p.m.

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