ATLANTA — The No. 1/1 Alabama football team scored on its first five possessions en route to a 44-13 decision over No. 14/16 Miami in the 2021 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Saturday afternoon in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide claimed victory in its 15th-straight season opener under head coach Nick Saban.
On offense, quarterback Bryce Young went 27-of-38 for 344 yards and four touchdowns in his first start for Alabama. Two of his touchdown passes were to Cameron Latu, while John Metchie III and Jameson Williams accounted for one each. The four touchdown passes ties Young with former Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and former Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace for the most in a Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. Williams finished the game with four catches for 126 yards to lead the receiving corps. On the ground, Brian Robinson Jr. carried 12 times for 60 yards, and Trey Sanders added another 41 yards on eight carries, one of which went for a touchdown.
Defensively, Will Anderson led the way with nine tackles, including two solo stops and a sack. Christopher Allen forced a first-half fumble, which was recovered by Phidarian Mathis, while Malachi Moore and Jaylen Moody each grabbed interceptions in the contest.
Placekicker Will Reichard extended his streak of made field goals to 18 with successful attempts from 38, 51 and 40 yards out. He also tacked on all five extra points.
How It Happened
First Quarter
- 12:07 – UA | Bryce Young connected with John Metchie III for the Tide's first score of the season. The 37-yard receiving touchdown capped off a seven-play, 75-yard drive.
- 04:39 – UA | Will Reichard continued his streak of made field goals with a 38 yarder at the end of Alabama's second drive of the game.
Second Quarter
- 14:12 – UA | Cameron Latu caught a nine-yard pass from Young for the Tide's second touchdown of the game to end a 10-play, 80-yard drive.
- 11:33 – UA | Following a forced fumble by Christopher Allen and recovery by Phidarian Mathis, Reichard booted a 51-yarder through the uprights to give Alabama three points off the turnover at the end of the drive.
- 06:55 – UA | Young hit Latu again for another touchdown, this time from 25 yards out to give the Tide a 27-0 lead.
- 00:00 – UM | The Hurricanes avoided a first-half shutout thanks to a 37-yard field goal by Andres Borregales as time expired.
Third Quarter
- 09:29 – UA | Young tied the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game record with his fourth touchdown pass on a 94-yard haul from Jameson Williams.
- 07:01 – UA | Trey Sanders scored his first-career touchdown, rushing 20 yards into the end zone to end a five-play, 45-yard drive.
- 05:18 – UM | D'Eriq King tossed a 29-yarder to Xavier Restrepo to give the Hurricanes their first touchdown of the contest.
- 00:30 – UM | A solid defensive effort by Alabama held Miami out of the end zone and limited the Canes to a 28-yard field goal.
Fourth Quarter
- 07:52 – UA | Reichard recorded his third field goal of the game, this time from 40 yards out.
Up Next
Alabama returns to Tuscaloosa for its 2021 home opener against Mercer Saturday, Sept 11. The Crimson Tide and Bears are scheduled for a 3 p.m. CT
