Jalen Milroe threw a pair of touchdown passes and Ryan Williams scored one rushing and one receiving TD as host Alabama cruised to a 52-7 win over Mercer on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The 10th-ranked Crimson Tide (8-2) received a collective effort from its offense, defense and special teams and was able to incorporate several reserve players into the game in the second half after taking a commanding 38-7 lead over the Bears (9-2).
Milroe completed 11 of 16 passes for 186 yards, didn’t throw an interception and ran for 43 yards and a touchdown on six carries to lead Alabama.
The Crimson Tide won their third in a row and have a trip to Oklahoma next week and a home Iron Bowl matchup with Auburn to wrap up the regular season as they try to keep alive hopes of reaching the SEC title game as well as the College Football Playoff.
Mercer had a three-game winning streak snapped, but already clinched a berth in the FCS playoffs and a share of the Southern Conference championship.
The Bears’ biggest highlight came just before halftime when quarterback Whitt Newbauer connected with Kendall Harris for a 31-yard touchdown and their lone score of the game. Harris’ leaping catch and score cut Alabama’s lead to 28-7 with 1:58 left in the first half.
Newbauer completed 15 of 21 passes for 140 yards and an interception as Mercer was held to 202 yards of total offense.
The Crimson Tide did not let up in the second half as Milroe capped a 10-play, 67-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 10:33 left in the third for a 38-7 lead.
Alabama’s defense forced three turnovers, including a huge play in the second quarter when Zabien Brown returned a fumble 68 yards for a touchdown. DaShawn Jones forced the fumble on Mercer receiver Parker Wroble, allowing Brown to recover and race to the end zone.
The Crimson Tide’s Robbie Ouzts caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Milroe in the second quarter. Backup Alabama freshman quarterback Austin Mack threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Rico Scott in the fourth quarter.
