Alabama Trounces Mercer in Tuscaloosa

November 18, 2024- Tuscaloosa, AL- The Alabama Crimson Tide added another number to the win column on Saturday, when they defeated the 9-1 Mercer Bears 52-7.

The lone score by the Bears came on a spectacular one handed 31-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver K. Harris with 2:05 left in the second quarter. Prior to that the Bears were unable to move the ball in a game, in which Alabama only allowed 202 total yards and created 3 turnovers. The Tide juxtaposed the Bears output by putting up 508 total yards of their own.

Freshman Ryan Williams started the scoring onslaught with a 29-yard rushing score, followed by a 14-yard reception for a touchdown for his 2 scores on the day. Jalen Milroe went 11/16 for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. Most importantly there were no Tide turnovers in a game that Alabama was expected to win handily. All four Alabama quarterbacks saw playing time; however, Ty Simpson was able to get the most significant minutes behind Milroe. He went 5/10 for 71 yards.

The team rushed for a total of 189 yards using 11 different ball carriers, demonstrating a continued commitment to the running game.

Overall, Tide fans got what they expected and kept their playoff hopes alive on a weekend that saw top ten teams BYU and Tennessee fall. Alabama will travel to Norman Oklahoma November 23rd to face off against the 5-5 Sooners. This is an important game for the Sooners because they can become bowl eligible with a win. Alabama is a 14-point favorite to win the game in a tough venue.

The Tide is now in the driver's seat for a return to the SEC Championship game. They have to beat Oklahoma on the road and then return to Tuscaloosa to face Auburn in the Iron Bowl. If they do that they will almost certainly be in the SEC Championship game possibly against the winner of the Texas v. Texas A&M game. The eventual SEC Champion will get a bye in the first round of the playoffs and a 1 to 4 seed in the inaugural college football playoff.