Alabama Takes Out Miami in Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic

The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0) defeated the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes (0-1) in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic to start its 2020 national championship defense on the right foot. The Tide was rolling on both sides of the football and cruised to an easy  44-13 Week 1 win.

The Crimson Tide entered the 2021 season with several question marks as the offense only returned three starters from the 2020 season. First-time starting quarterback, sophomore Bryce Young directed the Alabama offense beautifully. The Californian completed 27-of-38 passes for 344 yards and four touchdowns while the Alabama offense rolled with 501 total yards.

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Alabama's defense never allowed Miami to find its footing in the ball game allowing just five, first half, first downs while the Crimson Tide offense built a sizeable 27-3 lead. The stingy Alabama defense kept Miami quarterback D'Eriq King under pressure all night getting to him for four sacks and creating three turnovers on the day.

As if the 24-point first half lead was not dominant enough, the Tide put its exclamation on the game in the first two series of the third quarter. The Alabama defense allowed Miami into the redzone on its first possession of the half but the Tide rose and stopped the Canes on 4th-and-Goal to prevent Miami from building momentum.

On the subsequent drive on 3rd-and-5 from Alabama's own 6-yard line Bryce Young found Ohio State-transfer, Jameson Williams for a 94-yard touchdown pass to push the score to 34-3. Williams ultimately contributed four receptions for 126 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.

The day wasn't entirely perfect for the Tide as Alabama endured injuries to senior outside linebacker Chris Allen and junior inside linebacker Henry To'o To'o. The extent of their injuries are not yet known.

Alabama will return to Bryant-Denny Stadium for a Week 2 date with Mercer. The Tide will welcome the Bears on Saturday Sep. 11 at 3:00 p.m. CT.