Jalen Milroe and Alabama faced an unexpected challenge for 50 minutes before things turned in their favor. Once the mistakes were cleared up, they took control.
Milroe scored two rushing touchdowns and threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to lead the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide to a 42-16 victory over South Florida on Saturday night.
The Crimson Tide (2-0) struggled to gain a comfortable lead against the Bulls (1-1) until they scored 28 points in the last 10 minutes of the game. It turned out to be a surprising test for new coach Kalen DeBoer, whose team was a 30-point underdog and only started playing effectively late in the game.
“In the fourth quarter, staying away from the penalties and turnovers, it’s amazing what can happen,” DeBoer said.
Alabama had three fumbles and several penalties in the second half, and they entered the fourth quarter with only a 14-13 lead.
Milroe then threw touchdown passes of 16 yards to Kobe Prentiss and 43 yards to Ryan Williams. Jamarion Miller added a 56-yard touchdown run, and Justice Haynes scored on a 29-yard run in the last 2:30 of the game.
Miller rushed for 140 yards.
South Florida continued to challenge Alabama’s offense, similar to their performance from the previous year. Milroe, who was not in the game last year, saw action this time. The Tide quarterback was benched in last year’s matchup, which was tied at halftime before Alabama won 17-3.
Milroe led Alabama to 10 consecutive wins and an SEC championship after that.
“This isn’t a wake-up call or anything like that,” DeBoer said. “It’s just about continuing to raise the standard. I think last year’s game was significant and may have the same effect this year. That’s my hope.”
Milroe completed 17 of 27 passes for 199 yards, but he was sacked four times and lost a fumble at the South Florida 2-yard line in the second half.
Milroe’s first touchdown pass gave Alabama a 21-13 lead. The Bulls responded with John Collins’ third field goal, set up by Nay’Quan Wright’s two 19-yard runs and a targeting penalty against Justin Jefferson.
