Young Shines In Blowout Sugar Bowl Win For Likely End To Alabama Career

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Despite a slow offensive start and going down 10-0 in the first quarter to No. 9 Kansas State, No. 5 Alabama clinched its 11th win to close out the 2022 season with a 45-20 victory over the Wildcats in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

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The game likely represents the last at Alabama for two Tide legends: 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and two-time All-American linebacker Will Anderson, Jr.

In what was anticipated to be his final appearance in an Alabama uniform, Young started slow on the team's first couple of series, but shook off the holiday rust to go 15-for-21 through the air for 321 yards and touchdown strikes to five different receivers.

While he has not officially declared for the NFL Draft, it has been widely reported that Young will forego his final year of eligibility in favor of the pro game. Several prognosticators have Young as the first quarterback selected in the upcoming draft.

He finishes his Crimson Tide career with a 23-4 overall record as a starter.

On the receiving end of touchdown passes from Young were Kobe Prentice, Jermaine Burton, Ja'Corey Brooks, Cameron Latu and Isaiah Bond. During the course of the game, Young passed former Tide standout A.J. McCarron for most career touchdown passes in school history, putting him second behind all-time leader Tua Tagovailoa.

On the defensive side, senior safety Jordan Battle also made an impression early in Saturday's game, securing the first big play of the contest with a first quarter interception in Tide territory to stop a promising drive by the Wildcats.

Anderson, Battle and Young were named permanent team captains ahead of the Sugar Bowl by a vote of their teammates.

Junior Safety Brian Branch also snagged an interception early in the second half, which set up a 17-yard touchdown scamper by Tide running back Jase McClellan with 13:00 left in the third quarter. This would throw the momentum fully in Alabama's favor and prove the story of the rest of the afternoon for the Sugar Bowl.

Alabama finishes the season 11-2 overall and 6-2 in Southeastern Conference play.

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