A Rising Tide: Alabama Football vs USF

South Florida vs. Alabama is the game people have been waiting to see! The number five-ranked Alabama won last year's game 17-3 after traveling to an unranked South Florida. Alabama and South Florida roll into week two with a 1-0 record with hope to end the night with another win. The Crimson Tide also honors now-retired Head Coach Nick Saban tonight by naming the field "Saban Field at Bryant Denny".

The First Half

South Florida started the game with an impressive first drive before being stopped and resorting to a field goal that was made; the Bulls now take the lead 3-0. Jalen Milroe takes in the first touchdown for the Crimson Tide on a 10-yard quarterback keeper. With Alabama on the scoreboard, the Crimson Tide take a four-point lead making the score 3-7.

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After many defensive stops and a made field goal from South Florida, quarterback Jalen Milroe takes in yet another rushing touchdown during the second quarter for the Crimson Tide making the score 6-13. The score remained the same throughout the second quarter; South Florida had a chance to get another three points before halftime but unfortunately for the Bulls, the kick did not make the distance it needed.

The Crimson Tide unfortunately have given up 9 penalties for 75 yards so far into the game. When headed to the locker room Kalen Deboer, the head coach for the Crimson Tide was asked by an ESPN sideline reporter about the penalties during the first half; Coach Deboer stated "The holding calls are killing us..."

The Second Half

South Florida set to kick off for the second half, kicks to returner Kendrick Law who fumbled the ball on the return for a South Florida recovery. South Florida capitalizes on the mistakes of Alabama to take it in for a rushing touchdown in the third quarter making the score 13-14 after a made field goal.

The Crimson Tide looking to correct their mistakes this drive, fumbled the ball on a run by Jam Miller for another South Florida recovery. A few offensive drives later, Milroe finds Cole Adams for the pass to get Alabama into the red zone. Adams, unfortunately, leaves the field after an injury on the play as well as a USF player getting injured on the next play.

After getting to the 2-yard line on a pass to tight end Robby Outz, Jalen Milroe muffs the snap and South Florida again recovers the third fumble of the night. After an unsuccessful drive from the Bulls, Jalen Milroe hits Kobe Prentice for a touchdown to make the score 13-21.

The Bulls came back the next drive pushing down the field, however, Alabama held them to only a field goal this drive making the score 16-21.

Alabama came out firing on the next drive with freshman standout wide receiver, 17-year-old Ryan Williams catching the curl route and turning it up the field for an Alabama touchdown, putting them ahead 16-28.

With 2:30 left on the game clock, Jam Miller scores a 56-yard rushing touchdown for the Crimson Tide putting them up 16-35. Justice Haynes, the other running back for the Crimson Tide takes it in for another rushing touchdown putting the score at 16-42 with 1:37 left in the game.

With time winding down, South Florida runs one more play to keep the clock running. The Crimson Tide leave the new "Saban field" with a breakaway win against the University of South Florida.

Post Game Interview

Deboer, taking his second win of the season against South Florida is making a great start to his career here at Alabama. Immediately following the game ESPN sideline reporter Katie George asked Kalen Deboer, "What do you think of the resiliency your group showed." Deboer stated, "It's a great lesson for us and a lot of things..." Deboer followed up with, "Defense did a great job forcing the field goals and loved seeing what the offense did with the run game in the end"

ESPN reporter Katie George also asked Deboer what impressed him about Jalen Milroe and the offensive ability. "It shows what you're capable of when you just keep playing," said Deboer. The Crimson Tide plays on the road next week against the Wisconsin Badgers.

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