NCAAF

Mercer Bears at Alabama Crimson Tide

· NCAA - Football
9-2, 4-2 Away
Final
7 - 52
8-2, 6-0 Home

Milroe, Williams lead No. 9 Alabama to 52-7 win over Mercer, an FCS team

Highlight: No. 10 Tide's defensive backs, offense roll over the Bears

Ryan Williams ran for a 29-yard touchdown and caught a 14-yard score for the Crimson Tide (8-2, No. 9 CFP), who got a reprieve from Southeastern Conference games after re-entering the Top 10 following a dominating win over LSU last week. Now, they'll go back to focusing on polishing their playoff resume and battling for an SEC title with games against Oklahoma and Auburn and no more margin for error.

Alabama has won its last three games by a combined 128-20 since losing to No. 6 Tennessee, including wins over ranked SEC teams LSU and Missouri.

“Coming into this game, like we said last week, nameless, faceless opponent,” said Williams, the Tide's star freshman receiver. "That's really just been what we've been saying day in and day out. At this point, it's not about who we're playing against, it's about us executing at a high level."

The Bears (9-2), playing without injured quarterback DJ Smith, had already clinched a spot in the FCS playoffs and at least a share of the Southern Conference title. Whitt Newbauer started at quarterback for Mercer, going 15 of 22 for 140 yards with an interception. The Bears avoided the shutout with his 31-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Harris late in the first half.

This one went about as expected.

Alabama led 31-7 before the break. Milroe headed to the sidelines for good after capping the opening drive of the second half with a 3-yard scoring run, his 17th of the season. He was 11-of-16 passing for 186 yards — including a 44-yard touchdown to tight end Robbie Ouzts — and ran six times for 43 yards.

It was just the second touchdown of the senior tight end's career.

“He’s just kind of a Swiss Army knife for us,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said, noting that Ouzts addressed the team Friday night.

“You can just tell the love our team has for him."

Milroe, who ran for four touchdowns against LSU, then relaxed as backup Ty Simpson took over. Simpson showed scrambling ability on his biggest play, a 43-yard pass to Josh Cuevas after escaping the grasp of a defender. The two-year backup figures to be a leading contender for the starting job next season.

Alabama's defense had big moments, too. Freshman Zabien Brown returned a fumble 68 yards for a touchdown in one of three forced turnovers.

“We're hunting the ball,” DeBoer said.

The Takeaway Mercer: Had three first-half drives into Alabama territory end with turnovers, including two fumbles. The Bears can secure the outright Southern Conference title with a win over Furman.

Alabama: Took care of business in an obvious mismatch and got backups like Simpson and two other quarterbacks some action. Simpson was 5 of 10 for 71 yards.

Up next Mercer: hosts Furman on Saturday.

Alabama: At Oklahoma on Saturday.

How To Watch

How can I watch Mercer Bears vs. Alabama Crimson Tide?
  • TV Channel: Bears at Crimson Tide 2021 College Football, week 12, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Matchup Prediction

Crimson Tide: 99.5%
Bears: .5%
*According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index

Scoring Summary

ALA TD 1st Period 10:48 Ryan Williams 29 Yd Run (Graham Nicholson Kick)
ALA TD 1st Period 4:08 Ryan Williams 14 Yd pass from Jalen Milroe (Graham Nicholson Kick)
ALA TD 2nd Period 12:37 Robbie Ouzts 44 Yd pass from Jalen Milroe (Graham Nicholson Kick)
ALA TD 2nd Period 8:45 Zabien Brown 68 Yd Fumble Return (Graham Nicholson Kick)
MER TD 2nd Period 1:58 Kendall Harris 31 Yd pass from Whitt Newbauer (Reice Griffith Kick)
ALA FG 2nd Period 0:55 Graham Nicholson 45 Yd Field Goal
ALA TD 3rd Period 10:33 Jalen Milroe 3 Yd Run (Graham Nicholson Kick)
ALA TD 4th Period 12:54 Richard Young 1 Yd Run (Conor Talty Kick)
ALA TD 4th Period 3:36 Rico Scott 31 Yd pass from Austin Mack (Reid Schuback Kick)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2382.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originMER https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/333.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originALA
10 1st Downs 29
1-9 3rd down efficiency 8-15
0-0 4th down efficiency 3-3
202 Total Yards 508
140 Passing 319
15/22 Comp/Att 23/35
6.4 Yards per pass 9.1
62 Rushing 189
24 Rushing Attempts 42
2.6 Yards per rush 4.5
5-32 Penalties 6-60
3 Turnovers 0
2 Fumbles lost 0
1 Interceptions thrown 0
26:12 Possession 33:48

Game Information

Bryant-Denny Stadium

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Attendance: 100,077 · Capacity:
Full Standings

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