Few Surprises As Tide Takes Season Opener At Missouri

In a surreal series of upsets and oddities to start the 2020 college football season, the beginning of the truncated SEC slate saw the Crimson Tide allow few surprises in a convincing 38-19 win on the road against the Missouri Tigers Saturday night in Columbia.

The Tide outscored the Tigers 28-3 in the first half and never let up in a game well-decided before the final whistle. Missouri's loss came in the debit for first-year head coach Eliah Drinkwitz.

Tide receiver Jaylen Waddle played a pivotal role, snagging 10 catches for 134 yards and two scores. The junior was also aided in the receiving game by fellow junior DeVonta Smith, who had a team-leading 13 receptions for 89 yards.

Senior running back Najee Harris accounted for 98 yards on the ground and three touchdowns on 17 touches, while quarterback Mac Jones went 18-for-24 through the air for two scores and no interceptions.

Highly-touted freshman quarterback Bryce Young also saw his first playing time at the college level, going 5-for-8 passing for 54 yards.

On the defensive side, junior safety Daniel Wright corralled a team-high 11 tackles, while the Tide defense managed three sacks on the night and held the Tigers to 253 total yards.

Missouri was led by quarterback Shawn Robinson, who went 19-for-25, putting up 185 yards through the air and one score, while Tiger running back Larry Rountree III ran for 67 yards on 14 touches.

Alabama (1-0) will have its home-opener next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Tuscaloosa when it plays host to the Texas A&M Aggies (1-0).