The Alabama Crimson Tide bounced back in a big way during the first half of the team’s Week 2 matchup at Bryant Denny Stadium against the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks.
The Tide scored on each of their first five drives of the night, scoring five touchdowns in the first 20 minutes of the game.
The final of the five scores came on a six yard touchdown pass from red shirt sophomore quarterback Austin Mack to freshman tight end Kaleb Edwards.
In his first drive of the night, Mack went three for three through the air for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Ty Simpson was nine for nine with a pair of touchdowns and 157 yards before the team made the switch. He re-entered the game after the drive to lead the team into halftime.
Get To Know Austin Mack
Mack is a six-foot-six gunslinger from Loomis, California. He was the first quarterback head coach Kalen DeBoer recruited, flipping his commitment from the University of Washington to Alabama after the team hired DeBoer.
He was a consensus four star recruit, earning ESPN’s designation for the 14th best quarterback prospect in the nation in 2023.
In his freshman year at Alabama, he appeared in just one game. He was two for three, throwing a touchdown as a true freshman in the final quarter of Alabama’s 52-7 win over Mercer last November.
Mack Gets The Start Out Of Halftime
After starting quarterback Ty Simpson set the school record for most consecutive completions in the first half, Austin Mack was given the reigns in the opening drive of the second half.
His first drive out of the locker room resulted in the first punt of the evening. He then came back and lead a scoring drive that stalled in the red zone, resulting in the Crimson Tide’s only field goal of the night.
Mack then was able to get the offense really moving, capping off a long drive with his second passing touchdown of the night in the final seconds of the third quarter.
It was 3rd and goal from the three yard line. Bama came out in a heavy package with tight ends aligned on either side of the formation. The call was an RPO power read. The ULM linebackers collapsed and the six-six sophomore floated a soft touch ball over their heads and into the crimson end zone to senior tight end Josh Cueves to increase the lead to 52-0.
Mack was pulled in the fourth, with true freshman Keelon Russell making his NCAA debut. His final stat line on the night was eight completions on ten attempts for 80 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball twice, showcasing his long strides.
Not a bad debut for the impressive sophomore who continues to nip at Simpson’s heels.
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