Jalen Milroe Steps Up to Help the Tide Get the Win

The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks 49-26 with some help from backup quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Heisman winner and current Alabama quarterback Bryce Young exited the game in the second quarter with a right shoulder injury, which head coach Nick Saban confirmed to be an AC sprain. 

The redshirt freshman entered the game and played well the rest of the way. Milroe displayed composure, development, and talent in his performance.

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The Katy, Texas native had 65 yards passing, 91 yards rushing, and two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air. In the second quarter, Milroe scored his first career rushing touchdown and his second passing touchdown to JoJo Earle.

Arkansas began to claw its way back into the game in the second half, scoring 23 unanswered points. Milroe would re-energize the Crimson Tide with a 77-yard scramble on a critical third-down situation, setting up a Jase McClellan touchdown to extend Alabama's lead.

Jalen Milroe's performance was applauded by Saban, who said he managed the game very effectively and had the team in a terrific position to win. Saban described Milroe's 77-yard scramble as a "huge momentum swing" that launched Alabama's dominance in the first half.

"Jalen can do what Jalen does well," said Saban. "We have confidence in him."

Coming into a hostile SEC environment is difficult for anyone, let alone someone who is backing up the Heisman Trophy winner. Milroe held his own on the field, making good decisions, not forcing anything, and following offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien's modified game plan. Milroe has played against Utah State, ULM, and Vanderbilt this season, so it's no surprise that Milroe performed so nicely today.

Without knowing whether Bryce Young will play in next week's primetime game against Texas A&M, Jalen Milroe has given Alabama's coaches and some fans hope that he can carry some of the load while the Heisman Trophy winner rests his shoulder. It will be intriguing to see how things play out at the quarterback position during the upcoming week of practice, but having someone hold down the fort while the team leader heals is a good indicator.