No. 1 Alabama Cruises 44-13 Over No. 14 Miami In Season Opener

ATLANTA — Alabama receiver John Metchie III snagged a 37-yard touchdown from Bryce Young to cap off the opening drive of the 2021 college football season and there would be little resistance on the part of the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes from then on in a 44-13 victory for the top-ranked Crimson Tide on Saturday in the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Notable performances

• Alabama finished the game with 508 yards of total offense, compared to 248 by the Hurricanes.
• Bryce Young (QB): 27-for-38, 344 yards, 4 touchdowns. His performance broke the school record for passing touchdowns for an Alabama quarterback in their Crimson Tide debut, surpassing Joe Namath and Mac Jones, who both passed for three scores.
• Jameson Williams (WR): 4 catches, 125 yards, 1 touchdown.
• John Metchie III (WR): 6 catches, 76 yards, 1 touchdown.
• Cameron Latu (TE): 3 catches, 42 yards, 2 touchdowns.
• Brian Robinson (RB): 12 carries, 60 yards, 2 catches.
• Trey Sanders (RB): 8 carries, 41 yards, 1 touchdown.

Defense

• Malachi Moore (DB): Interception
• Jaylen Moody (LB): Interception
• Christopher Allen (LB) : Forced fumbled
• Phidarian Mathis (DL): Fumble recovery

Special teams

• Will Reichard (K) 3-for-3 on field goals, 5-for-5 on extra points.

No. 1 Alabama (1-0) will host Mercer (1-0) Saturday, Sept. 11 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

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