Western Kentucky vs Alabama Full Game 2024

the ESPN college football Prime Time presented by IHG hotels and resorts the dawn of the D'Or era tonight in Tuscaloosa as Kalin D'Or makes his Alabama head coaching debut at Brian Denny Stadium as the fifth rank Crimson tie host Western [Music] [Applause] Kentucky day ped alongside Dusty deor will check in with Taylor McGregor with Coach dor here in a second well dusy in the history of sports following a legendary coach has been nearly an impossible task when you think about Bear Bryant Vince Lombardi Pat Summit John Wooden Phil Jackson many have tried and few have succeeded which brings us to kayin dor who's only charged with replacing arguably the greatest college football coach ever in Nick sa but one thing dbor has on his side a history of success including a run to the national title game last year at Washington all he's done is win at every level 104 and 12 his career record and when the athletic director Greg burn was looking for the replacement of Nick Savin he had a few things he was looking for but and most importantly he wanted someone who had the confidence to take that spot to be in that role not many people want to be the man that follows the man but kin D'Or he welcomed this challenge it looks different it feels different Tuscaloosa but the standard Remains the Same and tonight we get our first glimpse of the Kalin deor era of Alabama football let's hear from the man of the hour standing by with Taylor thank you Dave coach you're here Bryant Denny Stadium you're about to coach your first game as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide what are you thinking right now now I'm just ready to play ball these guys are ready to play we've been hitting each other all fall Camp it's time to play in this beautiful stadium and make it happen what do you hope Alabama fans learn tonight about a kin dor coach's team I just hope they see our guys playing for the love of the game playing for each other you know giv everything they got uh you know confident with uh what we're going to be as far as prepared and now it's just got better go out and playing thank you coach Dave it's go time yes the weit is finally over a new regime the same Championship expectations D'Or time take the field next you're watching the SEC on ESPN fifth rank Alabama its lowest pre-season ranking since 2009 think about that for a second wow taken on Western Kentucky Bama won the toss elected to defer so Western Kentucky will be in offense first Conor talty will kick things off to Easton [Applause] Messer and we're underway in 2024 a Touchback for Western Kentucky and a guy very familiar with playing against Alabama TJ Finley who starts tonight at Western Kentucky but at LSU back in 2020 among his five starts one against the tide two years at Auburn one of his starts against Alabama last year started every game at Texas State transferred again to Western Kentucky 672 and 40 lbs and he set the Texas state record last year for single season passing yards an experienced quarterback with a big arm he's been in these environments third time to start against Alabama gave the confidence to Tyson Helton to give him the first opportunity to come out and Lead this football team in 2024 lengthy conversation with the Western Kentucky sideline there might be an issue with the comms and if that's the case if there's a comms issue as you see Tyson hton taking off his headset Alabama would have to do the same and that's big because now this year coaches can talk to the quarterback until 15 seconds on the play clock and they can also talk to somebody on the defense who wears the Green Dot on the back of his helmet until that play clock hits 15 Matt leer is our referee we have an SEC crew poor kayin all he's done is answered questions about starting his Alabama debut for the last almost nine months he took the job January 12th 2 days after Nick Sabin resigned we we talked to him yesterday he said man I just can't wait to just talk football cuz tonight that's all it's going to be about and here he's talking to the referee can't even start the game he was chopping at the bit yesterday to get this season started see what his football team looks like he's answered countless questions since today you referenced when he took over this job he's going to have to wait a little bit longer my friend all right let's check him with Taylor there's an orange hat on each sideline to handle the communication devices but I did get confirmation that's exactly what's going on Western kuy's headset is not working so they're working to fix that Alabama cannot use theirs until Western kuy is finished but there are two guys down here working on getting it fixed so it's something we'll pay attention to here early in this game all right teller thank you for confirming that again that was our suspicion which is why when we talked to these coordinators yesterday they still work on signals just in case something like this were to happen both defensive coordinators told us that you know still working and making sure everybody's understanding signals be able to operate if the comms go down or even in early late two-minute situations often times know talking with Tyson Summers from Western Kentucky he said we're not going to try to call something in we're just going to signal from the side so while we have a second let's also let people know about something that may seem a little bit innocuous but actually talking with dbor he thought was huge and that's what basically is the two-minute warning in the NFL it's the two-minute timeout in college football and dor spent a good 3 to four minutes talking about that with us yesterday about how the great clock managers are are in a position to really take advantage of defenses and he said now 3 three and a half minutes left in the game you're starting to manage the clock differently than you would in previous years knowing you have that extra time out just the strategy that goes into it and he said you know longtime play caller his head is programmed to know exactly how much time is left how to utilize that clock and he's had to completely reset and revamp said he spent a lot of time talking with various people on exactly what the right usage of timeouts and how to use that clock late in the half and late in the game properly so lot of uh lot of strategy going to be changed throughout the course of this season I love the helmet coms that have come in you're still going to see signaling it's going to probably take away from some of that and then the T tablets on the sidelines another thing did you get real real time updates on the side you can see exactly what happened takes a lot of the guess workk out of it for both players and coaches throughout the course of the game here we go I might need to get some of our audio crew members down there to help them out a six-minute delay and Finley will throw on first down out in space to kesan Johnson and he's wrapped up after a short gain by Jihad Campbell who started eight games last year preseason third Team all [Applause] SEC tempo for Western Kentucky will friend as the offensive coordinator and will call the plays Finley with time as a first down completion out to the 43 yd line that's a gain of 16 yds to River Helms the tight end just a three-man rush drop eight there from the defense nice job rer Helms the tight end finds a nice soft spot in that zone for a first down Finley again with time to throw and that time the pass off Target trying to hit Helms at a linebacker in coverage and Campbell Finley is not going to be intimidated by the environment and that's one thing that Western Kentucky has going for it it's an eight- win team last year pick second in the preseason Conference USA poll behind Liberty got two first place votes now we have an official timeout please reset the game talk to 1405 please 1405 so fixing the clock second and 10 all pass plays so far and now they're going to hand it off to Elijah young and he's trampled in the back field for a loss at the 39 yd line that was Quay rousa and Deontay Lawson russaw they are very excited about talking with the defensive coordinator Kane wck yesterday the red shirt freshman as athletic as anybody on this Alabama team complete and total athletic freak is the what he described him as us big play already on second down and wck three years as the head coach at South Alabama worked with the board Indiana pressure on Finley and slamed out Q Robinson gets the sack and forces upon punt a loss of 11 well Q Robinson working on 53 Marsh Jackson and it's just a speed rush with the rip and he gets home clean and a big hit on the quarterback exactly what Kane wck wanted to see he said I want to see this defensive line get after the quarterback great speed good dip and a big sack for this tight [Applause] [Music] defense Cole Adams is deep and the fair catch made at the 30 that's where Alabama will start its first offensive possession of the new year well Jaylen milro was a slow start in 2023 the intermediate passes were slow to come along but you won't find many quarterbacks and college football with better deep ball accuracy can push the football down the field as well as anybody and when he's got the ball in his hands look out an explosive Dynamic Runner both in the designed quarterback run and when he gets off schedule and talking with the offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan and kayin neor they want him to being into that athleticism play free and go out and be himself here tonight kayin dor is upset that's Nick Sheridan that he's talking to right now Sheridan is the offensive coordinator they put their headsets on again because they want obviously to be able to talk to jayen milro they were just told they can't for now back in a second we are in tech support mode and we are told now that things have been fixed and that means everybody can put on their headsets again and also the communication between coach and quarterback which again will shut off at 15 seconds on the play clock Jaylen milro going to hand it off to Haynes on first down and Haynes driving the legs out to the 35 for about four Bama having to replace Jace mclen running back a sixth round pick by the Falcons and royell Williams who's now at Florida State Haynes and jam Miller will split carries this year I like this combination too Justice haes good short area quickness explosive Good Feet can make you miss and we'll see Jan Miller but he's got good speed and a quality pass catcher out of the back field both these guys are going to split these reps this is part of what we'll see in this deor system empty you see a lot of shifts and motions pre- snap as well no row to throw on second down in trouble bubbles the ball and got it back at the 27 yd line josea wheeler got to milro chopped the ball free but Milo covers it up well this was an issue a season ago too many sacks taken by jayen Miro something that he told us yesterday he spent a lot of time on finding his checkdowns knowing when to get rid of the football he never felt that pressure from wheeler the best defensive lineman for Western Kentucky a nice sack and gets the ball out as well loss of seven so it's third down and 13 Parker brail spur is back in he actually the starting center was not out there that last play cuz his helmet came off on first down he's back in there now snapping it to Milow his pass off Target incomplete Kendrick law the intended wide receiver a lot of new players law did catch 15 balls last year but no Isaiah Bond No Germaine Burton so some new weapons for Jaylen milroe at a rough offensive series to start for the top yeah Cayla Nour one of the best pass game coordinators in college football Washington led the country a season ago and not the start I think most people anticipated out of the shoot for this Alabama offense James Bernett on the punt average about 48 yds a kick which was number two in Alabama history and the fair catch made at the 20yd line by KD Hutchinson [Applause] so Jaylen milro you looked at what was good last year he was terrific obviously with his feet and very good at throwing the ball down the field he's among the nation leaders in yards per attempt and passing efficiency you touched on one of the negatives way too many sacks allowed and that 11 to 20 mid-range throw was not great area of importance that they've really worked on we've already seen one sack where he just didn't quite feel the pressure and a Jet Sweep on first down try to cut it back Easton Messer with no Running Room whatsoever Malachi Moore there for Alabama along with LT Overton good speed there for the all defense Jan set a good firm Edge Deontay Lawson getting home for a minimal game second and eight Finley from the pocket launches and it's picked off at the 35 yd line returned back inside the 20 by Keon sa transfer from Michigan who started the national championship game a year ago and he picks off TJ Finley here just four and a half minutes in [Applause] well this Alabama defense has taken the ball away as good as anybody during the Nick saving era what would it look like for Kan wck an easy interception for Keon Sab the Michigan transfer TJ Finley never saw the safety was just staring down the coverage outside by the Freshman zaven Brown he knew it right when he threw it never took his eyes to that safety e easy takeway for the tied defense obviously a tall order to come to Tuscaloosa and win and when you do that make those kind of mistakes deep in your own end you're asking for it see if Alabama pays it off Jam Miller in the game now at running back from the 16 of Western Kentucky Miller gets a touch Straight Ahead down to the 12 so four yds there now we see a little bit of big Personnel two tights in Robbie OTS and CJ depri they can mix and match how they want to do this that was just more of an as set can Flex these tight ends out move them around in motion a lot of pregame eye candy that you're going to see window dressing try to get as much information pre- snap as they can as an offense and they Flex Jam Miller out here on second down and six and go empty with milro Wester Kentucky bringing some pressure it's a designed run and milro into the end zone for the touchdown he had 12 rushing touchdowns last year second most ever by an Alabama quarterback Jaylen Herz had 13 back in 2016 just talking with this staff yesterday you knew Jaylen milro his athleticism the weapon that he is as a runner is going to be a big piece of this offense tonight and throughout the course of the season they get in that red zone and they put it in number Four's hands Alabama has a new kicker this year Graham Nicholson who won the Luke Rosa award last year at Miami of Ohio he replaces will reard reer the alltime NCAA leading score Nicholson makes it 7 nothing Jaylen milro on the perimeter let pull a couple of guards get them out in front we'll go Roberts we'll go Booker and jayen milro with a big path to the end zone takes it to the house tied on the scoreboard for the first time of the cin deor [Music] a ESPN college football prime time is presented by IHG hotels and resorts 19 Hotel brands one loyalty program download the app and in part by the new fun99 menu at Sonic live free eat son when Nick Sabin took over Alabama in 2017 kayin dor was in his third year as the head coach at Sue Falls three-time national champ guys only lost 12 games as a head coach at various stops including Fresno State and then Washington the last 2 years 25 and3 at Washington completely turn around a program that had been struggling trying to find the right head coach as a Touchback here it'll come out to the 25 and with more on dor let's check in with tayor Dave one of the things we heard tayin dor talk about is never forget where you come from and yesterday when we were in the facility with Kaylin dor he had his college roommate from the University of sou Falls in for the game here today I asked him pregame how many texts did you get from former teammates players all of the above and he said I haven't even counted I don't know yet there was a long list of people who reached out to congratula him on getting to this point and wish him good luck he said perhaps the most meaningful though came from Jeff Tedford who we got to know at Fresno State so a long list of people who think really highly of kin D'Or but never get forget where you come from in that South Dakota was a great player there as well Bob Young was his mentor he's a 1998 Brad of sou Falls Finley almost thr another pick as Deontay Lawson jumped in front and almost got Alabama's second int when Quay rousa once again with a quick inside move I mean it is quick like a cat forces that pass out early vision coverage in the Zone by Deontay Lawson Jefferson or Finley lucky that wasn't six the other way three-man Rush on second down Finley's pass on target this time for a first down kesan Johnson transferred from Alabama State First Team all swack last year moves the sticks a gain of 13 there's a Big Boy Throw here by TJ Finley in time in Rhythm desan Johnson a nice addition from Alabama state with the big first down Alabama almost had too many men on the field had a Defender run on late and then jog back off off and they may have actually caught them for 12 men and that's why they're Flags down Tim Smith was trying to get off the field illegal substitution on the defense 5yd penalty first down the hill Toppers going to go fast Dave that's what they do under Tyson hton they operate very quickly new offensive coordinator will friend stepping in coaches the old line calls the plays on early Downs see Tyson hton come in he'll call the plays on third down and if and when they get to the Red Zone but since Tyson Ellison's been at West Western Kentucky one of the best passing offenses pretty much year in year out they utilize that pace to their advantage year six for him they've won bowl games each of the last three years option pitch and a big hit by true freshman red Morgan on Elijah young Morgan was the star of the spring a defensive back for Bama loss on on the play of two well let's take a look again here's russaw one more time just getting vertical immediately forcing the pitch and then the true freshman that we heard about yesterday red Morgan this is an impressive freshman crop of secondary players you're going to see zaven brown starter at corner you're going to see a lot of these different guys in here and a nice play coming downhill by Morgan and then Overton came in and finished him off second and seven Finley steps up takes off and Finley slides close to the first down he began the slide looked like just short right at the line and they are going to say got enough to move the chains gain of seven first down and Western Kentucky near midfield for the first time smart veteran play by TJ Finley he loves to escape vertically you're not going to see him get tooo wide lot of green grass out in front and moves the chains once again Finley rolling to his right this time one-on-one coverage downfield line of contact perhaps an uncatchable ball now they throw the flag chis was the intended wide receiver red Morgan in coverage there's a conversation going on between the officials about whether that was uncatchable or not pass interference Defense number 16 15yd penalty from the previous spot automatic first down true freshman to we reference the second ago manto man coverage hand fighting down the sideline like got that right arm on the shoulder pad pass did sell pretty high but enough contact to draw the flag nice response here by Wester Kentucky able to move the ball into Alabama territory to the 36 yd line and a delayed handoff here to Young down past the 30 and still pushing the pile close to the first down great run that time by Elijah young the last year rush for about 474 yards he was at missoury previously spent three years with the Tigers before transferring a year to go to Western Kentucky he's the bcow well-rounded running back we see him catch the football on the back field for this offense well executed draw as Western Kentucky has put together a very nice drive ball on the 26 of Alabama now Finley hit as he throws and the pass incomplete he was going for Messer but Robinson drilled him as he released the pass and therefore it was errant it'll be second and 10 and Q Robinson once again with a nice Rush PJ Finley been under duress a little bit here in this first quarter lot of new Young pieces on the back end of that defense for Kane WT the secondary deanii Jackson in from USC several true freshman you're going to see throughout the course of the day it told us we you could see two two freshman at corner on the field at one time as Finley throws complete to Helms down to the 22 Malachi Moore is the returner Keon Sabo had the pick earlier he's a newcomer obviously coming from Michigan zavan Brown's a true freshman terion Arnold late first round pick koola mckinstry second round pick Caleb Downs now at Ohio State those are three key pieces to this defense just a lot of new new defense but Malachi Moore as you touched on he's the communicator he's the leader to ke third down here in this first quarter they also lost to the draft Dallas Turner and Chris brazwell is Edge rushers Finley has time fires over the middle another interception it's Sab again his second pick already back to the 40 stays in bounds down the sideline and finally on a play Keon Sab and his Alabama debut shining under the lights in TT well Keon Sav eyes on the quarterback reads this the entire way steps in front and a huge interception to end this Western Kentucky Drive what a first quarter for Mr Sab in an Alabama uniform center field safety top of the field DJ Finley trying to hit that underneath route across the middle of the field Sab steps in front a nice job after the interception getting good quality yardage but just a smart play utilizing his eyes reading that quarterback taking the football and taking the ball away so first down at the 2 six second drive for Bama that started inside the 30 of Western Kentucky Haynes running to the right grounded after a short game maybe two on the play second and eight alen deor told us yesterday and we spoke with him he's really curious about the running backs we already touched on the guys they've lost and as you mentioned milro is a big part of their run game but obviously you have great backs you don't necessarily have to run your quarterback as much and that's what they wanted to see tonight both these backs Justice Haynes J Miller and last year they didn't run the football as effectively as we're accustomed to seeing from Alabama right 47th last year in rushing milro in trouble trying to scramble away and get back to the line of scrimmage and actually got about a yard or two Nair Ward a corner had some pressure that time big third down here for Western kuy's defense yeah cat Blitz there there a corner coming off the edge and his here Ward uncosted unaccounted for smart by jayen Miller to fill that pressure step up and negate a negative play b r last year AV benched after losing week two to Texas but then went on a run winning 10 straight until losing in the college football playoff Milow with everybody covered on the Run then throws at the last second to law inside the 10 and into the end zone for another Bama touchdown first Alabama TouchDown for Kendrick law was a great special teams player last year a starter at wide receiver this year and he pays off the Sab pick with [Applause] six Graham Nicholson on again for the point after 14- nothing off of two Western Kentucky giveaways well Western Kentucky had something going offensively but Keon Sab reading the the quarterback steps in front gets a big takeaway what do you do with it after the takeaway well Jayla Milo such a weapon as a runner the defense is worried he steps up in the pocket the defense sucks up an open Kendrick law and it's 140 tied Michigan transfer ke on Sab with two interceptions both resulting in Alabama touchdowns and kayin dore's debut as the new head coach of the Crimson Todd replacing the legendary Nick sabbin who's off to a running start with us here at ESPN doing a terrific job on game day the field will be dedicated to Nick sa here in Tuscaloosa next week in their game against South Florida that'll be on ESPN tomorrow night on ABC in ESPN plus how about this game number 13 LSU taking on USC in Las Vegas coverage starting at 7:30 eastern time the post Caleb Williams era underway for the Trojans as we have an injured Alabama player Bo Miller Moss you and I were on the field we did Caleb Williams last game last year we're talking with Cliff kingsberry at the time it was an analyst he said Miller Moss going to play in the bowl game and you guys are really going to like him and boy he lit it up and they think he's got a chance to be another in a long line of great USC QB he was fantastic and that's really what Lincoln Riley produces as an offensive coordinator and an offensive-minded head coach the real question in that game are the defenses better because both both those teams have fantastic offenses Garrett nus stepping in for Jaden Daniels at LSU he's going to be good but you got D Lynn coming in to take over that defense at USC you got Blake Baker coming to take over that defense at LSU it'll be a good one tomorrow night out in Vegas and here you just saw those numbers Western Kentucky more yards so far than Alabama but obviously the turnover is a killer Elijah young nowhere to go between the tackles way rousa in there for the Crimson Tide [Music] also James Smith who has moved into a backup roll this year played sparingly a year ago gain of one second and nine Wester Kentucky was able to move the ball that drive in Alabama got inside the 30 before the pick play action Finley's pass deflected incomplete that was Smith again getting a hand up third down yeah nice job by Smith getting his hand up getting that pass down third down we've seen when given time TJ Finley's had some success here so far that offensive Line's got to be able to hold up Hugh Robinson's had a sack couple of nice pressures and they give TJ Finley some time to distribute the football on third third and eight Finley steps up running down he goes at the 30yd line well short of the line to gain he lost his helmet as well Jihad Campbell LT Overton on the Tak down punt coming up was great effort by Jihad Campbell going to bring him off the edge as a rusher gets off the Chip And just rallies to the football nice job shutting down the rush retracing getting back and stopping TJ Finley short a first down yardage Cole mayard Will punt for just the second time Cole Adams is [Music] [Applause] deep and Adams electing not to make the fair Catch and a flag comes down as he gets walloped by Dalvin Smith after a 41 yd punt during the return illegal blocking the back number 12 on the return team 10yd penalty first down well we've got some important injury news for Alabama so let's get Taylor in here what do you got yeah Dave that is a starting left tackle Kaden Cofer he was injured in pregame warm-ups Alabama will not disclose his injury but he's on the sideline with the sling on his left shoulder so Elijah Pritchard SL slides over from backup right tackle into that left tackle spot here tonight an interesting thing to pay attention to because Alabama believes they have a lot of Talent on the line of scrimmage but they need these early games to gel as a group Pritchett played in every game last year but was not a starter JC leam was a starter at right tackle he's now in the NFL being a top 10 pick Parker brailsford's new but great player at Washington followed kayin debor here but a lot of new faces up front and obviously the future uncertain now for Proctor got a stoppage of play here pre snap as the Western Kentucky player goes flying and kateen Proctor was a huge off season story as he transferred initially back to Iowa and then came back to Alabama played 743 snaps last year as a true freshman just got better and better throughout the year feel like that left side with Proctor and Booker could be one of the better sides of line of scrimmage in the SEC and boy I'm going to tell you Parker braford the enforcement spot was incorrect the ball will be placed at the 19 yd line first down it's week one for everybody yes it is Parker brailsford though going back watching some of that watching Wasington tape learning about this kinor offense he is quick like a cat undersized but it's going to be a key piece of this Crimson tied offensive [Music] line Second Team all Pack 12 last year preseason All America this year brailford milro has a completion of the 27 to CJ dpri thought you asked a very interesting question of Coach dor about the size of the offensive lineman atab compared to that at Washington and how that could impact things more on that in a second here as Bama going with some Tempo but a penalty marker is down yeah because when you go back and watch Washington they were smaller they were very quick false start offense number 52 5yd penalty it is second down move very well just I mean just very well they're the Joe Moore award-winning offensive line but you look at Bama they're more B bigger physical not necessarily as much movement interestingly enough Tyler Booker's down 27 lb to 325 down from 352 I would imagine being encouraged so he can use a little bit more Mobility but I'm wondering will the Run game look a little different with a different style of offensive line here in Tusc Lu here's Jam Miller who is lined up at the top of your screen taking the hand off and Miller diving out of bounds another flag comes soaring in first down to the 34 but could we have a block in the back downfield by the Crimson tock holding offense number six 10yd penalty from the spot of the foul it is first down correction second down and Kobe prin try to set that edge help Jam Miller and clearly got too big a piece of Jersey out there on the perimeter people might just be tuning in and looking at the score and being like wow Alabama's offense must be rolling but look at that five penalties many of those have come on offense going into this possession fewer yards than Western Kentucky the takeaways have been the difference so far in the game noo facing pressure getting out of there being chased and alect not to throw it away that time got back to the line of scrimmage though so no loss of yardage Deontay McCrae in the back field it'll be third down and long well Deontay McCrae working on Elijah pritet an easy win on the inside helped flush jayen milro to set up this third and long situation a third down and 13 let's [Music] [Applause] goense milroe taking a shot downfield my goodness wide open Ryan Williams is the true freshman taking it to the house 84 yd touchdown welcome to college football 17-year-old and high school sensation Ryan Williams his first touch as a member of the tide well an explosive playmaker and Ryan Williams they are just ecstatic about the future for him as you touched on Partner 17 years old he won't be 18 till next February reclassified last year enrolled early and he has earned his way and continues to impress each and every day a practice and impressive here with his first Alabama touchdown Nicholson again for the point after 21 to nothing finally an explosive play from the offense we knew we'd get him at some point I'm sure Crimson TI fans expected it much sooner it comes here with about two and a half to go in the first well just going to be outside just going to be a go ball and Nazir Ward who gets a little flat footed safety 21 up in Stout who they raved about his eyes get caught inside no safety help over the top and an easy accurate deep throw down the field by jayen milro Ryan Williams does the rest with that speed the open field field I think that's going to be a combination we're seeing more and more of throughout the course of this season the sky is the limit for this true freshman Ryan Williams reminds a lot of people of Devonte Smith who won a Heisman Trophy [Music] here similar stature to Smith two time high school player of the year here in Alabama from the Mobile area Ryan Williams [Applause] this will be another Touchback and while we have a second let's hear from Matt Barry in the studio Matty all right gentlemen good evening time now for your All State checkin and the performance of the day and a lock for a helmet sticker on college football final tonight Ashton jonty running back Boise State six rushing touchdowns and the Broncos in a big big way one of those group of five teams that have an eye on the playoffs led by their running back Russian touchdowns against Georgia Southern and Matt was going to mention that with the expanded playoffs to 12 teams there is an automatic spot for the highest ranked group of five Champion Boise State best believe they're going to be in that mix got a good squad coming back won the mount West the season too first down from the 25 Finley throwing in traffic on the wide receiver screen and breaking tackles is Musa Berry Jem Otis had him dead to rights but could not wrap up gain of five on the play mention the expansion to 12 teams new college football playoff era underway five highest ranked conference Champs the next seven highest ranked teams the top four ranked conference Champs get a first round bot all first round games will be played on home sites as Otis bats the ball down to the ground third down and five I know you're a big fan of the expanded playoff it makes the race regular season better the regular season was great already but the games are even more important how can you not be excited about this expanded playoffs more games relevant late in the season more fan bases more teams engaged and no it's not going to come Flawless but boy sign me up I can't wait to see how this season unfolds what this first 12 team playoff looks like no limit on how many teams from a conference either after those automatic qualifiers as the pass is off Target sa was upset with himself because he thought he was going to get pick number three and he actually turned the wrong way the ball was thrown the direction that he didn't go he was trying to decide which way to go kind of watching him from the safety spot yeah TJ Finley just a little off wants to hit this underneath shallow Crosser trying to find Messer touch pass sails High she touch on sad have kicking himself what could have been his third pick in the opening quarter good punt here backing up is Adams Fielding it on his 18 yd line Adams trying to get the corner but running out of real [Applause] estate and now a quick word from verbo as your host I have some rules two flush maximum per bathroom visit no gains no fun fun there's a great barbecue outside but don't touch that meanwhile at a verbo when other vacation rentals make you share your Turf with a host try one that's all yours the stock of Nick sa continues to rise now I mean everybody's always seen the personality but you're seeing it even more now cuz he's on longer he was on game day for several hours today great on commercials he's been excellent on college game day adds a whole another element to already a great show been fun watching him and we'll continue to watch him grow in that spot bow had a little trouble with the snap it pushes forward to the 30 for a couple yards we spent about 20 minutes with Jaylen milro yesterday and he said one of the biggest differences and it was not a shot at Nick SA or Tommy ree who is the offensive coordinator he said said I just am having more fun here this year I feel a real connection with the staff ni shared and the offensive coordinator kayin dor the head coach well I think that's the culture that kayin dor is creating we had music at practice on Friday there's a different feel a different vibe it's a little bit looser more fun happening both he and Malachi Moore talked with us about that yesterday Kendrick law thrown down out of bounds gets into a shoving match with DeMarco Williams they played against each other with Williams being a member of the Old Miss Rebels the last two years but no penalty flag was [Music] thrown I think Williams liked the stiff arm and then just wouldn't let go of Kendrick La a little bit much all the way past the white over there little surprised didn't throw a flag yeah with John going on Kendrick law final stages here the opening quarter 21 nothing Alabama third down and two play clock winding down and dor called a timeout to avoid Alabama takes his first sh timeout of the half third 30 seconds time out am I being overcritical by saying the operation has not been smooth offensively here in the first quarter and they're up 21 nothing I know that no I think that's fair um I think it's absolutely Fair as we saw there I mean not getting that snap off and I I you know I think that there's been a lot of things off so far starting with the comms Kaden Proctor goes out the pregame I just think everything is a little bit off kilter 210 not representative of what we've seen to this point from this Alabama offense last year Alabama went to the college football playoff but early on in the year there were some question marks about Jaylen milro they lose at home to Texas he gets benched but they end up still beating South Florida weight three and then milrose back in the starting lineup has the incredible finish in the Iron Bowl to beat Auburn wins the SEC Championship goes 10 and0 as a starter in the SEC they lose by seven to Michigan in the Rose bowt snap over the head of milro ball on the ground and recovered by Western Kentucky milro tried to Corral it after a snapped over his head Devonte Matthews gobbles it up at the 20 right on Quee with what you said just the issues continue and this was a problem last year that was a different Center we've talked about Parker braford that's come in but over his head I'm surprised jayen Miller didn't just jump on that football misses and gives Western Kentucky exactly what they needed in a short field first turnover by Alabama see Elijah pritet over on the sideline he he's in there for Kaden Proctor and looks shaken up Elijah young spinning away from Defenders and down to about the 13 and that will close out the opening quarter jamarian leam lost his lid on the play he'll have to go to the sideline when we start the second quarter 21 nothing in the debut game for kalayn dor as the Alabama head coach the Highlight the big pass play milro to Williams hey baby there ain't no easy way out you're watching the SEC on ESPN Dave Pas Dusty dorek Taylor McGregor in Tuscaloosa Mello kickoff week Full Slate of games all the way through Monday night here on ESPN ABC ESPN 2 SEC network ACC Network second and four for Western Kentucky after the Alabama bat snap that led to a turnover and a penalty marker is down false start offense number 79 5yd penalty it is second down all right moments ago Taylor and Tyson hton here with head coach Tyson hton coach turnovers the story in this game how do you get TJ Finley to settle in well we just had some some bad luck on on those turnovers there you know one of them TJ Force but the other one was you know just just bad luck we're doing some nice things you know we just got to settle in and you know we got the ball where we want it we got to go put seven on the board now thank you coach Dave and they come back and run Finley again big guy 67240 Tyson hton year six 40 wins 26 losses eight wins last year nine two years ago nine in 2021 dad Kim longtime college coach brother Clon y Georgia Southern formerly at USC it's like a big third down and I would expect two down territory from here in third down on the roll out ball batted back to the quarterback TJ Finley who probably should have just knocked it down Jad Campbell batted the ball into the air and ends up being a loss of seven on the play I get it you're not expecting it to Ricochet right back to you but Finley's probably got to just knock the ball down there that's exactly right nice athl play by Jihad Campbell but as TJ Finley catches that ball it's a loss of seven it changes the math and I think if they would have been in even a third a fourth and three scenario you go for it fourth and 10 you got to try to put points on the board Lucas Caro preseason special teams Player of the Year in Conference USA trying to get Western Kentucky on the board but no misses it well wide to the right [Music] [Applause] so despite the turnover by Alabama Western Kentucky remains scoreless in the tide of 21 the new 12 team college football playoff begins December 20th on ESPN that's Dave P Dusty dorek and Taylor McGregor back in Tuscaloosa Alabama 21 Western Kentucky nothing Crimson tied with two takeaways they just gave it away themselves but Wester Kentucky came away with no points and now Jam Miller on the Move Miller getting a first down and finishing the Run penalty marker down DeMarco Williams came over to make the hit but he got the worst of it holding offense number 77 10 yard penalty from the previous spot first down it's on Jaden Roberts the Right Guard Elijah Pritchett by the way is back in the game at left tackle after getting shaken up on the last series for Alabama and Kaden Proctor again not suiting up because of a pregame injury Jaden Roberts gets called with the hold hold of that offensive yeah tough to tell from that angle exactly where the grab was but draws a flag one thing about Jaden Roberts boy he is strong one of the strongest guys on this team in the SEC how about an 825 Squat and a 525 pitch slightly less than upack correct slightly less what do you mean significantly less another flag down there goes milro pass the 30 Milow pass the 40 and finally out of bounds but will it come back Alabama's already been penalized six times in this first half [Applause] Matt ler getting a workout he didn't know he was going to tonight Defense number 21 a be for from the end of the run first down that's on Upton Stout so it's a 40 yd run and then you add yardage because of the holding well the Jaylen milro rushing is kind of masked the fact that Alabama has not run the football effectively in this game again pocket awareness good they dial up a pressure and a nice hole opens up off the right side jayen milro identifies it so difficult and dangerous in the open field big pickup by Jayla milra first down on the 39 of Western [Applause] Kentucky here's Jam Miller through a PR at the 30 Miller turns on to Jets inside the 10 diving for the End Zone touchdown Alabama [Applause] fourth career rushing TouchDown for Miller that one from 39 yds out that's the burst in the explosiveness we see from Jam Miller do he get in as he Dives for the pylon right there the goal line he's clearly in elbows up balls across a nice touchdown by Jam Miller hupton Stout was trying to make the tackle that was a two-play 80-yard drive both run plays you don't see rarely two playay 80-yard drives that are not involving any passing we saw earlier on the Jaylen millroad touchdown both guards pull out front this time it's the right tackle for me it's the center Parker bord the pullers are working and the tide is [Music] rolling ESPN college football Prime Time presented by IHG hotels and resorts is brought to you by Subaru love it's what makes subar subar when Ray Perkins took over for Bear Bryant he took down the tower that Bear Bryant used to coach from one of the changes kayin D'Or made he completely changed Nick Sav office are you an office on the right or on the left typey who am I to criticize coach Sabin and his deor they give me kayin D'Or all day that's Sleek that looks good K patch you're more of a sa guy I think that traditional look on the left yes fits my personality more for sure it'll be a Touchback it'll come out to the 25 time now for a drive recap brought to you by Geico with Alabama up 28 nothing after a two-play 80 yard drive that took about 4 seconds yeah's Jaylen milro with his legs pressure comes as as sliver opens up off the right side and then a excellent run here nice hole opened up pull the tackle pull the center and Jen Miller put on the accelerator and finally an explosive run by the running backs of this tied offense here tonight TJ Finley staying in the game at quarterback Kaden Bel Camp had a terrific bowl game we thought we might see him at some point but not yet for Western Kentucky and they finally get it to dvin Smith who was their best receiver last year he doesn't get much maybe a yard on the play well obviously the office change is not the only difference between Nick sa and kayin dor and look different is hard when you're following a legend but dor has a great success record everywhere he's been went to the national title game at Washington last year one of the biggest differences Nick s was always good in our meetings with him in terms of information and talking about his players and stuff but kayin deor very laidback it's just a different vibe with theor different doesn't mean bad it's just different we felt that a practice music was a not noticeable difference in Alabama practice even talking with the players both Malakai Moore Jayla Milo hey Jaya Milo said I never thought we'd hear music at practice in Alabama he wants players to have fun enjoy themselves be loose be free and so far it's been a recipe for success in his [Applause] career Finley running and does not get the first down they might go for on fourth down here trailing by 28 nothing I think at this point you got to go for it right I mean you're down 28 nothing at Alabama offense staying on the [Applause] field now PL clock you you saw that he reacted the quarterback did to what he was hearing and then the plate clock shut off at 15 Finley running here and gets the first down out to the 38 yd line just quarterback power when you've got a quarterback 67 240 follow the puller follow the running back and let that big body lean forward and mush his way to a first down now Finley to throw passes Deep Over the middle and almost intercepted Again by Malachi Moore this time Messer was the intended receiver and now comes a the way Malachi Moore attacked the DB Messer could they throw a penalty marker on him kind of Dove at him head first with his shoulder towards the head or neck area so let's see if we get a targeting here just kind of an awkward attempt by Moore again not sure if that's what's going on here but it was noticeable the way Moore leapt towards the receiver when the ball was seemingly already passed him there is no foul for legal substitution that was the 11th player that ran off okay so it had nothing to do with that but second down and 10 take a look at what you're talking about here Dave late in his play no he he look like he tried to avoid you're right yes a smart play by Malachai Moore he goes into the mode to make that contact sees the ball is uncatchable and avoids the receiver it's well done by a veteran defensive back younger player maybe makes that mistake right but not Malachai Mo just hard to tell live whether that's what happened ke ktie Hutchinson gets about a yard third down enjoyed the conversation with Malachi Moore was back to him and jayen mill and Leadership they have on this team and how you meld with sabanera with theera guys like matai Moore are a key piece in this transition 34th career start for Moore the lone player left from that Alabama National Championship team in 2020 that was a starter Finley dumping it off here on third down and long and Elijah young has a first down to Midfield gain of 12 was a good check down by TJ Finley continuing to move the chains deep Zone coverage underneath wide open just check it down to your back and get a first down well done by TJ [Applause] Finley go cres set are Downs at Midfield from empty another batted ball at the line that's the fourth time James Smith with his second pass defense Smith getting a lot of reps here in the first half credit to the defensive line coach Freddy roach that's taught that as you are in your pass rush and you feel like you're not going to get there and the quarterback's about to throw get your hands up get in the throwing Lane and get the ball down Finley 10 of 20 passing and again four of those 10 incompletions because of passes deflected at the line of scrimmage Finley losing his balance just underhand it out of bounds incomplete Bo rousa said his name a lot here so far in this first half the athleticism the explosion the shot out of a cannon off the edge Finley steps up and loses his footing setting up this third and long Western Kentucky one for seven on third down Ford on territory assuming they don't lose yardage here they went for it from inside their 40 yd line on fourth down but that was fourth and one showing some pressure here Dave they back off and Rush four Finley trying to check it down again finds Elijah young young able to get near the line to gain they'll Mark him short by about a yard and a half and again assuming Western Kentucky goes for it down 28 nothing there's no doubt you go for it in this spot and that's kind of just a thought and dumping it down to your running back knowing you've got two downs to work with being down four scores wonder if they go back to quarterback run game with TJ Finley been successful a couple of times here in short yardage so far and the Comm shut off at 15 seconds so you it's hand signals after that from the sideline you could see that going on over there as Finley turned his head towards his coaching staff he dumps it off across the middle for a first down to Hutchinson Finley starting to settle in but perhaps too late manto man covered shallow Crosser Hutchinson beats the coverage of the true freshman red Morgan another nice conversion for the hill Toppers going empty here on play 12 with the drop Finley taking a shot got a man underthrown and broken up incomplete that was red Morgan the true freshman on kesan Johnson looked like Johnson had a step initially and nice job with the late recovery by Morgan just a slot fade Morgan playing that trail technique feels in those hands come up to get that ball loose at the last minute threw the body a little bit there a little bit of contact by Red Morgan does not draw the flag got zaven brown Jaylen andak red Morgan very talented true freshman on the back end for Alabama to the sideline catches made by Messer and he got four on the play bringing up third down and six [Applause] Finley firing and nice catch in traffic at the 23 yd line first down Wester Kentucky Musa Berry hauls it in it's a good route by Musa Berry I like the read by TJ Finley as soon as he clears linebacker level he locates his Target fits into tight window with Malachi Moore coming over the top second T third time Western ky's been inside the Alabama 30 so far no points but they have been able to move the ball on Alabama's defense here in the first half play 15 of this possession Finley another pass play and hits Barry again and he gets suplexed at the 25 yd line by one of the true freshman we were talking about Jaylen and bway who played primarily quarterback in high school is number two on the ESPN 300 overall players excellent athlete and one thing I liked about what Kane wck said about him he loved the fact that he was a quarterback and has an understanding of coverage defensive back and he's continued to progress here to the start of this season second and eight [Applause] now play clock inside 10 seconds Finley over the middle incomplete going for Barry and bway in coverage brings up third down hand fighting for position there going on but good tight coverage by the true freshman once again giving up some size out there on the outside two downs here try to keep the drive alive Finley much better on this possession 9 of 14 third and eight 17th play Finley with time and nice catch made by Messer with a Defender Sab all over him right at the marker and it is a first down a corner Blitz brought off the edge mabak comes late opens up the vacates that space sad unable to get down in time good find once again TJ Finley Messer just a scrappy good slot receiver moves his sticks yeah he had 42 catches last year four touchdowns good player in Conference USA first down at the 13 play fake Finley dumping it off to Young and he gets absolutely smacked back at the 19 by Deontay Lawson first team pre-season all sec captain and they lost a lot of guys on that defense and Lawson will be asked to do more in 2024 well he's a thumper good tackler go back and watch that SEC Championship game against Georgia he was all over the field making plays and quality Communicator here on this defense for Kane W they run it here and Lawson right there to swallow up young minimal gain maybe a yard a third down and about 15 Tim Keenan the third in there as well he's a big body tough to move couple of nice underrated defensive tackles inside Tim Keenan Tim Smith big body guys Hing up that defensive line there on second down already seen James Smith make a couple plays one of the rotation guys on that D line so third and 14 from inside the Alabama 20 Finley from the pocket goes underneath to Barry and Barry able to spin away from a Defender and Malachi Moore finally gets into the ground but it will be first and goal at the 8 yd line check that fourth down excuse me fourth down they're short of the line to game because of that negative play on first down what's a good job by baring the open field the miss Tackle by Justin Jefferson setting up fourth and manageable here they fourth down and five they're two for two on fourth down on this drive and'll take a timeout back in a moment fourth down coming up Western Kentucky trying to get on the scoreboard Matt this is play 21 of the drive for Western Kentucky they've run more plays on this drive than Alabama has run all game just 16 plays run by the Crimson Tide yet they're up 28 nothing because of all the turnovers fourth down and five for Western Kentucky two for two on fourth down this drive Finley in trouble gets away from the defender lowers the shoulder Dives inside the five close to the first down but appears short and Alabama will take over on Downs Tim Keenan made the hit well good cover coverage nowhere for TJ Finley to go with the football and I love the pursuit down the line of scrimmage by the big man Tim Keenan stopping TJ Finley short of the line to gain the 21st play of this drive Dave Pash results in nothing nothing second time they've been inside the red zone for Alabama no points to show for B but don't break and it's kind of been this entire philosophy here so far in the first half of this Bama defense a lot of plays run by Western Kentucky but not a lot of yards 45 plays just 127 yards on the night for the hill Toppers less than three yards per play for Western Kentucky yet they've run three times as many plays as Alabama Crimson tied back up on the 5 yd line and milroe will hand it off here on first down Haynes with some room off the right Edge close to a first down at the 15 yd [Applause] line and it is a first down offensive line starting to lean on West Kentucky a little bit second straight good run by this offense and here's Haynes again with great speed Haynes might be gone inside the 40 inside the 30 20 inside the 10 hes all the way but a touch down an 85 yd run for justice [Applause] hayes5 they had a two-play 80 yd drive that was about a minute long earlier now they have a two-play 95 yd drive that's about 30 seconds [Music] 35 nothing we've seen Success With The Gap scheme running the pullers out in front Right Guard Jaden Roberts right tackle will Forbe you're going to see both of these guys get out in front and open a big hole and Justice Haynes hits it downhill almost ran out of gas there at the end but really nice blocking those pullers wrapped tight that hole opens up the acceleration and it's heels to the field for justice Haynes his hand he's got a little tied on him though there at the air a big nice hole opened up the offensive line will appreciate and enjoy watching when they evaluate and look at this film haes last year just had 25 carries because of Jace mclen and Royale Williams but Haynes and Jan Miller will get the bulk of the carries we might see some Richard young here tonight as well third rushing TouchDown for Alabama this half Milow with one of those Haynes and Miller the others milro also has two passing touchdowns and once again a Touchback that is might Rell get his team respond in Tallahassee on Monday night Boston College was very close to beating Florida State last year and a new quarterback for Western Kentucky is Kaden Bel Camp is in the game and he will just hand it off here to George Hart on first down so Belcamp we thought we might see at some point played in a few games left last year one of the games he played in was in relief in the famous toastery bowl he helped overcome a 28o deficit threw for almost 400 yards and five touchdowns it was an incredible performance and prior to that game he' already put in at least out on social media he was going to enter the transfer portal his dad's a strength coach he's locally from right there near West ky's school he stepped in and had a game of his life LED this team to a victory and it's been quite the battle between him and TJ Finley for the starting job TJ Finley was able to get the nod but an opportunity here for kton Belcamp try to make some noise and get back into that race saw the speed there of jihad Campbell taking down George Hart III we have reached our two-minute timeout something new in college football this year in both [Music] halves I'm met Barry coming up at the Mercedes Benz halftime report busy week one of college football both Georgia and Texas really impressive in their debuts plus Michigan sputtering a little bit in their title defense plus good quarterback performances across the country we'll show you those it's Dan Mullen Joey Galloway join me coming up at the mercedesbenz halftime reports all right Matt Dave Pash Dusty toorek and Taylor McGregor back here at Alabama Bryant Denny Stadium which opened back in 1929 alab has won 84% of its games here that's number one all time in FBS LT Sanders on third down and six getting the carry and getting nothing got an injured Alabama player that's Malakai Moore but he jumps to his feet quickly and gets off the field so looks to be okay pretty surprised we didn't see kyen Belcamp get the opportunity to put the ball in the air on second or third down there especially when you're down 35 nothing right yes would assume at this point they're going to punt so a timeout called by Alabama let's check in with [Music] [Applause] Taylor well Dave Kaden bamps love for college football seeming like came through osmosis his dad Jason is the head strength and conditioning coach at Western Kentucky he's held that same role at several different colleges and when Kaden was growing up in his formative years his dad Jason was a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Arkansas well at that time Bobby patrino was the head coach and Ryan Mallet was the quarterback so he credits Ryan Mallet for his desire to play quarterback at the college level but it's been enjoyable for the two of them to share this journey at Western Kentucky together nice return by Co Adams and nice story there yeah great story I mean as a father of a football player how cool is it to watch your son growing in the sport that's awesome they get a chance to coach him be around him see him sure was a special moment in that toastery bowl and that success let him to come back for another year I think it's outstanding meanwhile minute 45 left Alabama calling the timeout there on that last possession even though it was a change of possession the clock stopped they used the timeout so 145 to go and Crimson Tide looking to add to its lead the last two scoring drives they've had were almost the length of the field and in no time that pass off the fingertips of Miller gets upended by Nazir Ward second and 10 and I get the score is 35 but like if you're looking at this prior to that throw they had only run 18 plays like they've got to get work in they' got to play you know they got a a trip to Madison Wisconsin in a couple week South Florida who almost beat him a year ago coming in here and and a chance to run the two minute drill new offense and I just think it makes sense as to why we're seeing them go for yet another drive here late up five scores milroad of the air this time surveying throwing it and completing it to Ryan Williams and Williams breaks a tackle Williams his second touchdown he's touched the ball twice and both times he's gone into the end zone that one from 55 yds [Applause] out not a bad debut for the B who through freshman Ryan Williams magic when the ball gets into his hands sa patch and three touchdown passes now for milro but you can see and you made the point about not a lot of plays the offense is in a Groove now the last three series they've been dominant looking like I'm sure kayin deor expected them to look like after a slow start and yeah they're up 42 nothing still seeing the ability to run the football and now with Jaylen milro good job going through his progressions with his eyes in cut there from Ryan Williams on the Dig and he does the rest once the ball gets in his hands breaking a tackle and strolling into the end zone slow sputter start early but to your point they have found their stride and the explosive plays are there it's all dancing so far here in Tuscaloosa here's what we're talking about with the last three drives Dusty if the late person at home this has been even though Nick sav's a defensive coach it was basically Nick SA offense depending on the coordinator it still was what he wanted offensively what are some of the differences that fans will start to see that are noticeable with a kin dor offense compared to what was run here previously under Nick Sav well you're going to see a lot of pre-nap motion shifts different Personnel packages and they really do an excellent job of window dressing masking what they're going to do and then identifying what you're trying to do defensively and they run a lot of similar plays just just out of different formations and different looks and it becomes taxing on defenses and the ability for the offense to get a tip on exactly what's coming and once they've hit their stride here tonight it's we've seen those chunk plays coming bunches which we saw last year at Washington as well and that was with Michael penck and Michael penck a very different quarterback from Jaylen milro in fact he said that to us yesterday look I'm not Michael penck our games are so different but over the years kayn DOR has worked with different types of quarterbacks I don't know that he's had now Michael penick's very talented top 10 pick but the type of talent that jayen noo is I don't know that he's had that yet and they're going to lean into that I it's the one trade of really good coaches is that they adapt and adjust to the skill set of their best players and I don't think this offense is going to look exactly like it did at Washington a year ago we touched on the offensive line built differently than it was at Washington the quarterback skill set completely different of Michael pinnick they've got their structure and what they want to do but the plays they really lean in on and exactly how this offense is going to continue to grow and be shaped throughout the course of the season I expect to look different than what it had with Michael pennick at Washington to me that's smart good coaching and putting your players that you have in position to succeed here's Elijah Young on the carry and that let's see when they start the play CL F they just started it so they have to run one more play it has been a meteoric rise for kin dor just 5 years ago was the offensive coordinator in Indiana two short years at Fresno State two brilliant years at Washington within just one game of a national championship and very quickly two days after Nick San retires he's hired by Greg burn the athletic director to take over and replace arguably the greatest college football coach ever and I get it I understand and can exactly see why having been around him talking to his players talking to his staff he is an impressive impressive Coach and he's going to have a lot of success here is the head coach at Alabama a lot of success in the first half 42 to nothing as we send you to the studio the Mercedes-Benz halftime report at Joe and Coach mull welcome back to ESPN college football Prime Time presented by IHG hotels and resorts from tuscal Lua Alabama you're watching the SEC on ESPN packed house at Brian Denny Stadium for kayin dore's debut and while it was a slow start Dave P Dy deor Taylor McGregor the offense really got going the last few drives of that second quarter 42 nothing explosive plays I mean that was the story and for Wester Kentucky had some nice drives but no points out of it a b b don't break defense for Kane wck the new def defensive coordinator but it's all about Alabama in this football game the takeaways early on led the point the explosive plays late in the first half the party has officially begun with the kayin deor debut here in tuscala and Alabama will get the ball to start the second half Herson TI plays South Florida here next week two weeks they're in Madison to play Wisconsin and they take on Georgia and the opener here on September 28th Georgia looked pretty good today take a look at our Playbook broughty badela let's go back to early in the football game the disguise here by Kane WX defense see Keon Sab he's he's hugged up he's cheating up TJ Finley never sees him outside playing safety easy interception for the Michigan transfer one and two in the first half time about getting pullers out in front both guards Tyler Booker with an excellent block on the perimeter to Spring jayen milro and when jayen milro shows that ability to run that defense gets sucked up leaves open targets and Kendrick law pays it [Applause] off Jam Miller on first down has some room bangs off a Defender out to the 32 as we check in with Taylor clean up the little things that's what kayin D'Or said to me at half he pointed specifically to the communication between his quarterback jayen milro and Center Parker braford he felt like they were not in sync and that's something that they have to get figured out he felt like that led to the turnover in the first half also some substitution things that they want to clean up here as far as Tyson hton he said for the most part I liked the way our offense moved the football they just have to be more efficient in the Red Zone he said his message to his team is it is a new half let's take this one series at a time and see if we can climb back into this game Dave and going back to your first point Taylor on what k B told you don't be surprised if we see the offense out there even if it gets uglier than this because in the first half they ran 20 plays that's it six passing plays for Jaylen milro and as you said there were some mistakes early on they finally got settled in late milro on the Run trying to get the first down pushed out by Devonte Matthews and now milro having a conversation with one of the players on the sideline for Western Kentucky afterwards well KY gri comes off the edge unscathed but you see the ability of jayen murer F that pressure avoid get outside when he hurdled that ball was back on his hip if he would have held that ball out forward he moves the sticks instead a quick three and out to open up the second half of the tied offense milro last year finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and that's after getting bed early in the year but he really overall had a terrific season would imagine at least early on will be in the Heisman conversation fourth down here penalty flag 5yd penalty it is fourth down back Crimson tied up five yds for the punt from Bernard it's another area for kayin abor seven penalties now in this game this Alabama football team and coming from Washington they were disciplined weren't a highly penalized team another thing that they can work on that is a moonball fa caught at the 16 by KD Hutchinson all right time now for our afflac trivia question you didn't even tell me I was need to get prepared what do you get from you well first of all you don't get this one okay then I mean is somebody that hosts a college football morning show every day you'll know this one cuz if you if you don't um we're not asking you to answer any of these the rest of you the the last head coach to win a National Championship in his first season it's that easy I think so I believe you were playing at Oklahoma at that time or maybe it was right before then so around that time belt Camp takes off and down he goes at the 19 dragged down by Jem Otis you don't have to say it yet but you know who it is okay yeah I got it I think uh I think think they had a big win today they had a big win today they did they had a big win and it was swampy where they were at it was very hot and humid where they play yes against a team that they don't play very often coach similar to a soda it's a good hint swing pass Elijah young run out of play at the 21 that was Lawson over there defensively [Applause] and look it it it's a different era than it was when this person uh accomplished this back in the early 2000s BCS just say it now you have a 12 team playoff and you can lose a couple games and get into the playoff right might be able to lose three in get into the playoff especially in a league like the SEC Bel camp finds dvin Smith who gets a first down across the 30 had an injured offensive lineman for Western Kentucky and a penalty marker down as well nice run after the catch by dvin Smith voids Keon Sab who could have had him short of the line to gain illegal block on the back number four offense 5yd penalty replay third down and Trayvon Taylor the left tackle for Western Kentucky shaking up mat committed the penalty Saad misses initially and then mat gets Malachi Moore in the back it's the right call clearly pushed him right in the back of the numbers takes away would have been a nice pickup on third down for dvin Smith he's been quiet tonight big Target for Western Kentucky season AG go ball typically finds him and he's good just saw there after the catch but biggest play of the game goes for not that penalty by Mattis and you see week one if you're seeing those in week six to week eight you're going to get p and he didn't even need to do it he was going to get the first down anyway exactly Messer on the catch brought down at the 15 and so it'll be a punt here all right let's uh answer tonight's aplac trivia question the last head coach to win a National Championship in his first year again I think it was just before you started at Oklahoma my freshman year okay it was around that time Larry Coker Miami very good yes I just want to say the pressure you put on me say if you don't get this as if it was who won the national championship last year jeez please fortunately my brain is larger than yours I I believe you still hold the uh the wonderlick record for defensive lineman at the the draft here's Cole Adams on the move trying to get the corner runs out of real estate at the 40 Alabama's offense back on the field and we come back leading 42 to nothing here in TT the SEC was already As Good As It Gets it's even better adding two more teams in 2024 going from 14 to 16 with powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma entering the field no divisions as well first time since 19 1991 no divisions in the SEC incredible uh it's going to be an outstanding relationship Oklahoma Texas coming over bringing that rivalry bringing those two-story programs to the best conference in all of college football it's it really is the perfect fit and it's it's going to make for such a fun intriguing season and for years to come milro going to keep it himself here faking it to Richard young scoots out of play after a short game Alabama will go to Norman right before the iron ball November 23rd in a conference game that'll be a big big moment they went there back in 2002 and Oklahoma came here in 2003 obviously faced each other in bowl games and in a playoff game but now as you mentioned as an SEC Conference game that's it's going to be awesome just as a as a alumni and as a college football fan just can tell you everybody in the state of Oklahoma everybody associated with Texas football fired up to be a part of this third down and four Jam Miller in the game at running back after Richard young got reps on the last two plays milro at time throws it downfield on the money Jeremy Bernard transfer from Washington following kayin deor here to Tuscaloosa and a gain of 18 the one thing I love here the pocket presence eyes feet working together it's one thing kayin abor said that they really tried to work on with Jaylen milro an accurate pass outside and Jeremy Bernard is going to be a nice piece to this offense he was they utilized him in a different way at Washington they had so many good receivers his production's going to increase here part of this offense milro scrambling straight ahead to the 34 for about 4 yards brought down by Darius Thomas again you think of you know the guys they lost Germaine Burton third round pick of the Bengals zon transferring and so Bernard coming in 34 catches last year at Washington and would expect that to go up this year remember they had romad dun they had P they had McMillan and he was more of a touch guy return guy speed good with the ball and think that role is going to increase here inside this offense we've already seen Ryan Williams two touches two touch Downs true freshman that was Richard Young on the carry and back to the line of scrimmage and then we have not seen Caleb odm yet highly touted freshman might see him at some point this game Rico Scott another young guy Kobe Apprentice was the leading returning receiver for Alabama had 18 catches last year 31 though two years ago does have some big game experience one thing about this B receiving core they don't have great size you mentioned OD he's the biggest of these receivers he's young and and still kind of find his way they've got excellent speed they can run good routes but the one thing they do lack is his size out there on the perimeter here's quis the tight end close to the first down of the 28 when you look at their receivers and they're all 5'11 6 feet tall Manuel Henderson listed at 61 first down and then again Caleb odm jumps he about 66 played a lot of tight end but again don't know how much he's going to [Music] play they go two tight here milro and coming free is Henderson we just talked about a second ago who is recruited as a running back and one career catch coming in and that was his first one the night there a lot of cushion out there on the Edge from Ward get a lot of space to Emanuel Henderson easy pitch and catch for jayen milro and a nice tackle in the back field on Richard young at the 22 yd line that was Upton Stout and Upton is very Stout coming in off that safety position they love him as a Blitzer All Conference caliber player in Conference USA talking with Tyson Summers defensive coordinator just raved about what Upton stout means to this team the best defensive player on the team we haven't called his name a lot but a nice negative play a loss of three second and 13 milro will keep it inside the 10 turns on the Jets diving for the End Zone touchdown Alabama that's his second on the ground and he's got three through the air they pull Tyler Booker get him out in front nice big hole one cut downhill for Jaylen milro he's got another gear watching him live Dave Pash that's the one thing again just going back to talking to Nick Sheridan kayin dor they continue to tell Jaylen Miro just be you and it sure feels like they're going to call plays to his strength we've seen that on display here throughout this ball game tonight another point after from Gran Nicholson and it's 49 to nothing Alabama Jaylen milro accounting for five touchdowns in his 2024 debut for his new head [Music] coach Nick Sabin retired on January 10th the greatest of all time almost three 00 career wins in 28 years including his time at LSU won a championship there Michigan State prior to that four Heisman Trophy winners won eight of his 12 conference championships at Alabama including the SEC title last year seven total national championships six at Alabama and and think about it when he took over Mike schula was the prior coach and in four years schula went 26 and 23 and Coach sa now a part of our college game day crew here tonight the field will be dedicated named after him next week here for the south Florida game but that first year 2007 they were seven- six took a couple years and then they won a championship and then they won another one and another one and just kept rolling and every other year it was a championship and I get that you know Georgia has won a couple recently but Nick sain was 5 and one right against Kirby Smart who used to coach for him here and they are the reigning SEC Champions as they took him down last year in Atlanta uh he is the greatest in my estimation of all time the level of consistency you gave a stat earlier Alabama comes in ranked fifth in the AP poll in the preseason that's the highest they've been rank the lowest they've been ranked since 2009 I mean just every single year from the way they've recruited to the domination on the field unlike anything we've ever seen espe in the modern era of college football and he just smiled more in that the 30 seconds we were shooting there than he probably smiled in 17 years on the field here as the head coach was always all business Never Satisfied he'd win a championship he'd be done and saying okay let's let's move on to next year we got to start thinking about next year and uh amazing what he accomplished here in tuscalo as we check him with Taylor and I think the players have so much respect for what he accomplished but now they have to move forward and they said their favorite thing about kin dor is how he came in and immediately said I want to continue the Alabama standard not trying to change too much has his own spin on things but he has so much respect and having the wherewithal to follow a coach like Sabin and not flinches something that certainly impressed this group about what kayin dbor has brought so far to follow a guy like Nick Sabin dor and Sabin talk occasionally not a ton they did talk a lot when dor got the job and Nick Savin was a big proponent they had not met until the press conference to introduce Kalin deor and Nick Sabin was well aware of the fast rising Caleb dor as a brilliant offensive mind and an excellent head coach they smart on Greg burn to get the stamp of approval from Nick sa for his replacement and it it does look and feel different they go about things a different way but that is one thing Malachi Moore said this when kayin abore got there and he talked to all the players and he got his leadership counsel and he brought some of the veteran guys in to asked them you know about the standard that Nick Sabin has left things that they wanted to keep a part of it now he's made some different things but he's also kept a lot of the things the same as Taylor talked about and I think it only set you up to have success immediately uh here in this opening season for Kayla deor well Dusty was talking about the cons consisteny of Nick sa at Alabama last year Georgia was number one all year until Bama beat him so Alabama never got to number one last year that was the first time since 2008 that they had not been to number one at some point during the season wow it's a remarkable stat Ty Simpson in the game at quarterback very talented sophomore from Martin Tennessee here he is on the run and right on Q throwing a strike to Kobe prentis and a gain of about 15 Nice Shot feeling this pressure by Ty Simpson threee hitter comes inside he just moves to his right under control finds it open Kobe penis nice strike now Daniel Hill in the game at running back gets the carry Simpson last year played in six games through 20 passes had a couple rushing touchdowns red shirted after playing four games two years ago Big Time recruit though coming out of West View High School [Music] Caleb odm in the game for the first time and again Daniel Hill got the carry on the last play no game though second and 10 under five minutes to play here in the third 49 to nothing Alabama quick throw out in space Apprentice again making the defender what a sweet move getting the first down inside the 20 this a huge year and opportunity for Kobe prenis you touched on leading receptions man from last year's team coming back this year showed good leadership going back to the spring in that wide receiver roomle nice grabs here on this drive and here's Simpson keeping it pretty good athlete inside by the 10 and got tripped off as he Dove for the End Zone but stepped out of play as he stumbled had Emanuel Henderson out there blocking for him gain of 15 one thing I want to pay attention to here the receiver blocking on the perimeter multiple good blocks by receivers outside Henderson with a good block Kobe penis with a good block that was a staple of what Washington did under kin deor nice job out there on the perimeter by those receivers Hill straight ahead down to about the one yd line well you think about the Washington receivers under Kalin dor and the blocking they did downfield they're very physical involved in the Run game and that was a Nick sain thing too you you had to be more than just a receiver if you're going to play offense here and a timeout called well tomorrow morning the Fain Italian Grand Prix gets started at 9:00 a.m. eastern on ESPN pre-race coverage at 7:30 a.m. eastern so a great weekend of various Sports across the ESPN networks no J talked ear about that LSU USC game coming up tomorrow night f1's just on fire right now the Italian Grand Prix you know a thing or two about Italy Dave would you spend like 2 months there you summmer not that long not not that long but would love to be there for the Grand Prix though but just the timing of it I mean it'd be hard to get there for tomorrow and get back in time to get ready for our game next week said Grand Prix I just said Grand Prix tell your Italian native I think that's how you're supposed to say it where wherever you're from gr pre oh okay correct thank you for the lesson second in goal for Simpson Hill runs into an offensive lineman but keeps the feet moving waiting for the signal in touchdown Alabama 55 [Applause] nothing take a look from the side kept those legs moving through contact staying low tough to tell you see the knee go down where was that ball right when the knee hit the [Applause] ground see anything there that's going to be enough to overturn it it's close hard to tell if he stretched out after knee down where's the ball apparently they felt that there was uh not enough enough to have further review I would concur collaborative replay now the SEC video Center and the Freshman Hill into the end zone the extra point from Conor talty and it's 56 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] zip all right the Taco Bell Liv M student section all season long student sections across the country are competing to be the Taco Bell live MOS student section of the Year download the Taco Bell app to learn more it was a rain soaked student section earlier the Walk of Champions which is obviously tradition here in Tuscaloosa under Nick Sabin it would be two hours before under kayin moved it to 2 and 1/2 hours before one of the players here earlier and almost didn't happen today because torrential downpour for about an hour and a half they actually got it in at the last second not much when is planned for kayin debor and his debut between the weather and some lightning again that was about 2 three hours for a kickoff and then we had a 6-minute delay after kickoff because the communication devices were not working so coaches couldn't talk to coaches coaches couldn't talk to players over the headsets touch back what has gone to plan the scoreboard 100% And we still got a long way to go SEC football finalist back for another season the crew will take take you through the biggest stories of the day and break down all the games tonight at 11 Eastern 10 Central about an hour from now over on the SC Network and the ESPN app Georgia that second half today boy they look good they look like the number one team in college football can we give a shout out to Vanderbilt about that win today over Virginia Tech huge for Clark Lee and the commodor and the fact they blew the big lead yet fought through it and ended up winning the game I mean a lot of people thought Virginia Tech was going to challenge for the ACC title and still might so huge win for Van some people and some that we might be throwing to back in studio picked them to win the ACC who was that no names I just saying some people maybe but you did not I did not did you have Clemson winning the ACC Championship maybe I did how do you feel about that prediction right now well there a long way to go but that offense struggled give George's defense a lot of credit we did not see that step in the right direction from Kate clubm Garrett Riley you're two together that I was expecting and I tell you boy what Miami did today going into Gainesville the cam Ward era is of and running they were as advertised a lot of those new pieces there on both the offense and the defense impressive win for moo Chris Ball they feel like as we sit her right now the top team in the ACC 41-17 the final in Gainesville jump ball downfield and it's broken up what a nice play by D Jones they were not sure he was going to play he's been battling a hamstring injury Wake Forest transfer speaking of the ACC nicely done there to force a punt it's good positioning create that pass breakup seen this defense all throughout the course of this game give a little bit but find a way to get stops and now once they've really dug their heels in as the offense has founded stride as has the defense Western Kentucky hasn't gotten much in a while great punt though by mayard fair catch made from imbak let's take a look at this week's college football rankings brought to you by All State and you already hit on some of these scores Oregon right now up 14 nothing over Idaho Fresno State kind of hanging around wow and A&M and Notre Dame tied at six in College Station knockdown drag out you of thought it would be two good defenses there in College Station the Mike Elco era underway Miley Leonard there at Notre Dame Conor wigman surprised at that Michigan score Alex ory taking over on offense a lot of change there in an arbor coaching staff roster of course the biggest change Jim Harbaugh now head coach of the Chargers Michigan's got a big one next week Texas going there about a minute and a half to go here in the third quarter Ty Simpson out there for another series off play action that throw got the running back Richard young turned around and he could not make the catch they're high on Richard young the red shirt freshman much like a lot of this roster very talented coming in going to provide excellent depth saw a heavy dose of Justice Haynes Jam Miller expect to see that throughout the course of the season but Richard Jung that next man up Young on the perimeter getting the carry and hit hard on the sideline of the 26 yd line a gain of maybe one on the play that's kylin gri with the stick he led the team in tackles last year it's really well done by gri keeps that outside arm free sets that Edge knives underneath nice tackle on the perimeter so third down and nine [Applause] [Applause] pressure off the edge Simpson spinning back towards it and unloads incomplete fourth down it's good stop by Western Kentucky pressure early forcing the hand of Ty Simpson he spun out he tried to square his shoulders good coverage down the field nobody find open and for the first time it feels like a a while West Kentucky comes up with a stop so burnup will boot it deep to KD Hutchinson burnip last year averag about 48 yards per punt number two all time Alabama and he's preseason First Team all SEC they got everything our Sunday Night Baseball matchup series finale Braves Phillies at Citizens Bank Park our coverage starts 6 Eastern baseball tonight Sunday night countdown great time of year Major League Baseball playoffs on the horizon college football season getting underway the NFL starts next week NHL and NBA will be here as well before you know it Western kuy's Run 10 plays this quarter and they have zero yards and now they have negative Messer drilled Out of Bounds at about the 204 yd line by Bray hubber good job by hubard coming down run support defense up front forcing that out to the perimeter good team defense all the way around nowhere to go with the football they gave him the 26 Still a loss of two second and 12 final seconds here of the third quarter they don't have to snap it and doesn't look like they're in a rush to do so Western Kentucky among the favorites in Conference USA but this has not been the hill Toppers night all Alabama here in Tuscaloosa 56 nothing after three [Music] welcome back here with Alabama head coach Kaylin D'Or coach how do you evaluate your team in a game like this well you know this the the moments uh starting fast early in the game uh when the opportunities are there you got to go make a play you know a lot of guys get an opportunity to go out there and put some film on and uh you know we're getting to know our team and uh when they get a chance to get out there and make a play you know it's good to see it so getting into these these second guys uh you know they haven't played a lot of football and so this is a great opportunity for them to get out there and get in the flow and get the feel of it thank you Dave great question from Taylor Dusty I mean how really can you evaluate this it almost feels a little bit like the spring game in terms of how much really you can gain from this tonight well it's tough and I think youve got to really as coaches look for any single thing you can to nitpick and really coach up because the competition's only going to get tougher week by week as they get ready for Georgia coming up week number four and they have to go to Madison in a couple weeks South Florida's here next week the game against Georgia is on September 28th at night here in Tuscaloosa as that pass is incomplete Alabama plays at Tennessee Missouri home they go to we already mentioned they go to Oklahoma and play Auburn and the iron bow here in Tuscaloosa on November 30th but this is a great opportunity to coach his point there you know guys that may not get a lot of reps to show themselves you know guys that have been pushing in practice to get on the field and maybe don't crack the top to deep but now they get a chance to get out here perform and put something on tape so it it does provide a good opportunity but true evaluation it it becomes very tough and iak backing up and the ball rolls to a stop at the 20 Alabama's offense will be on the field when we come back 56 nothing Crimson [Music] to you're watching the SEC on ESPN with dusted dorek Taylor McGregor Dave Pas here in tuscal aloa Alabama getting a lot of good work for its young players here's the new scheduling format in the SEC still with the eight conference games now you have one opponent from a power four or major independent for Alabama it's Wisconsin as we mentioned earlier first time in 33 years no division so the top two teams based on winning percentage will be in the SEC Championship Game love that too by the [Music] way makes so much sense you want to create the best possible match up to get your best teams year championship Gams pretty much most of the power four the power four conferences have all moved to that we'll see if they stick at eight moving for we know for at least this year and next year eight game conference late where they get to nine I think the more the merrier for college football fans the more you see these quality teams playing each other but for now Eight's the magic number for conference games and and what a conference late it is Rico Scott was the intend of receiver on that last play and now it's Kevin Riley the running back he's the fifth back yet you see the speed immediately and he gets the first [Applause] [Music] down they're bringing it back a little bit saying he stepped out at the 30 just a yard shot still a nine-yard game what good job by Riley finding the perimeter see the burst of speed as he hits the sidelines steps out just shy of the first down but a nice pickup do you like the uh way they're doing that with no divisions in top two teams play I think it's great yes terrific and you know Greg sanki had alluded to that a couple times the last few years that you know maybe that was the goal at some point and it as they get the first down here great to have it in the first year of this new playoff era that you've got with a 12 team expansion obviously new leadership here at Alabama with Kayla neor but talk about leadership how about the leadership of Greg zanki in the SEC I mean he's as powerful and well respected a person as there is in college football and he's just done a fabulous job with this league again grabbing Texas and Oklahoma think of the interest over the years I mean the Pack 12 at one point Texas and Oklahoma were in discussion perhaps to go west obviously we're down to a power four because of what happened with a Pack 12 and then Oklahoma Texas probably some overtures from the Big 10 you would imagine so to grab those two schools expand the SEC bring back now the Texas Texas A&M rivalry the Arkansas Texas rivalry and and start some new rivalries with that Oklahoma and some of the the holdovers for the SEC and keep that geographical footprint too that's the other thing like I mean when you look at the SEC you all these states are connected it's the same Geographic footprint and a little bit of what these additions are bringing to the table 50 conference championships day that's going to shake a good win for Oklahoma last night it's first SEC game although obviously not a conference game but first game as a member of the SEC Texas winning big earlier today over Colorado State he look good too hey um shark has got it going down in Austin right now he really does Kevin Riley brought down at the 45 one yd game there's some interesting teams really curious about this year in the obviously Old Miss people are very high on the rebels can know do they get to the college football playoff can they win the league as Simpsons pass is caught by odm for a first down flag comes down see what the penalty is about you did the spring game and you really liked odm coming out that spring game his size and still learning how to be a a receiver is he a tight end is he a receiver but I know coming out of that spring game you were very high on him yeah the coaching staff really was talking him up obviously Ryan Williams the result of the play is a first down penalty on the defense and odm was about 225 230 and and in the spring he was listed at 2115 but you just see and he and I were watching him yeah I mean he he looked better without pads yesterday than a lot of guys wearing [Music] pads just a freshman and then you got Ryan Williams who had touchdowns in his first two touches today 17y was all built very differently from Caleb odm but equally talented boy Simpson takes a shot that's under thrown and intercepted back at the 5 yd line by Kent Robinson penalty marker down though in the back field after the shot on Simpson officials still talking about the call personal foul roughing the passing with targeting number three on the defense the play is under further review so Darius Thomas personal foul roughing the passer with targeting [Applause] see from that angle I don't know it looked like the initial contact goes into his chest look like his face is up look to me like he hits him with his face mask right in his chest wasn't a crown of the helmet did did you see an indicator there no it didn't really look like Target no he finishes up top but that initial contact comes at his chest and works up through Simpson's face mask no crown of the helmet you see a launch no I don't think that's targeting G I agree which is rare that you and I agree on targeting I mean you could make the case that that's not roughing the passer either I mean it's a big hit but he didn't take more he took a step if they take off the targeting they're still going to be roughing the passer you can't take that off but I'm just saying I think that was in question as well no I don't think it should be roughly pass I mean he wins inside he gets home hits him in the chest as he's working through the quarterback that's I view that as a good clean hit not they call it skewed out of the eyes of a defensive [Music] tackle well again they they can't remove the roughing but they can remove the targeting let's see if they do after riew there is no targeting on number three there is roughing the passer which will be enforced from the previous spot it's first down so that'll keep uh this going here for Tai Simpson and they'll place the ball to 24 of Western kuy they look to add to this 56 to nothing lead so again we did not see because no crown of the helmet we did not see a launch the severe strike there was no forcible contact to the header neck area [Music] Daniel Hill back in at running back had a touchdown in the third quarter Simpson gets rid of it quickly across the middle juggled and then pulled in by Kobe prentis down to the 15 for nine yds Tai Simpson's been efficient stepping in here running this offense quite a bit of the third quarter and to start this fourth quarter oh big hit on that ball thrown to is Odum true freshman maybe made a mistake there they're trying to set up a screen to his side and the pass broken up by Kent Robinson reads it perfectly trying to set up the screen odm's late to block the corner he recognizes it immediately forces that play a big hit and a nice pass break [Music] up pre- snap shifting stumbling but keeping his balance as Simpson and into the end zone for another Bama score well you mentioned Ty Simpson's an athlete couple of rushing touchdowns last year and one here to make it 62 nothing it's a really good read by Ty Simpson reads the pressure coming off the edge keeps the ball right there in that mesh nice job as the defender closes on the running back he knows he can get to the perimeter to get to the edge easy keep for him and walks into the end zone for another fam touchdown so that's the fourth different excuse me fifth different player to have a rushing TouchDown for Alabama tonight six rushing touchdowns in all two from jayen milro Justice HS J Miller Daniel Hill each with one and now Ty Simpson with one extra point from py makes it 63 zip Tai Simpson very talented we've seen the arm and now the legs from Simpson here in the second act ESPN college football prime time is presented by IHG hotels and resorts 19 Hotel Brands one loyalty program download the app they're two of the greatest ever to do it Bear Bryant Nick Savin and we touched on this in the open as you look at Alabama scoring the third most points in a season opener since 1933 most being 89 back in 1951 but you think of how many have taken on the mantle as a coach of trying to follow a legend like John Wooden Bear Bryant Vince Lombardi Phil Jackson Pat Summit AT Tennessee how many have tried and have not succeeded but kayin dor does have a history of success including his National Championship run at Washington losing in the title game to Michigan a year ago as we go to the studio on Matt all right guys time now for your Chick-fil-A move on the field and we finally have a touchdown in Notre Dame Texas A&M to Daren price gets to the corner and goes 65 five yards for the touchdown Notre Dame now on top [Applause] 136 it's impressive by Notre a Marcus Freeman taking that lead ride the lard first start for the Irish going to beat his Old Coach Mike Elco got a good one in College Station as we all expected B Camp dumps it off out to the 30 yd line to take over for somebody like Nick Sabin you have to have the right demeanor a balance of humility and confidence and kin dor has that without question there's a lot of people I remember when this job came up who the big talk was who wants to take that job who would want to follow up Nick Sabin and we talked to Greg burn yesterday that was one of the things that is really drawn to Kayla neore also amongst so many people raving about him and the success on the field but he Embraces you know following Nick Savin he Embraces that the confidence that he has and the feeling that he's going to be able to step in and do an excellent job few people possess that and we spent a lot of time tonight talking about how he goes about it a different way there's a calmness to him there's a different feel a different vibe around this team a more easygoing feel fun nature throughout that all these players talk about and I was at practice yesterday and I'm going to show you a clip in a second that really exudes and talks about just that Bel Camp throws and incomplete Barry could not hang on he here's the video that I got a chance to see so it's tied teammates okay a kid a local child is honored each week he started this at Washington and being there this is a day before game this is in a spring game you see that in Spring games but brings out the young girl and she's battling through some different things and her favorite player is jayen milro and Jayla Milo gets to hand her the ball and she goes and scores a touchdown and the players just loved it and everyone was so loose and having a good time and there's so many elements to that it's also a big part that he wants these guys to understand that there's more than just about football he told us he wants to capture the hearts and minds of his players and I just thought it was a really special cool moment that I had never seen on a Friday practice day before a game and it just kind of speaks to the different atmosphere the different culture that surrounds kayin neor and I thought it was absolutely awesome Taylor has more it was so interesting Dusty when we were asking about it and the first way he described it is I want my guys to celebrate people and what a powerful message that is it sounds simplistic but the way they're able to do that on a Friday before big game it was a really special message on my from my perspective no question and not saying Nick sa didn't do a lot of the same things of course he he he did but this is something that kayin dor at practice you know wanted to do yesterday and something that he's used to doing and he he does talk a lot about I I'm in the people business I yeah I want to win I'm here to win but it's about the players and people um and in talking to the players that that was clear there there it was a clear point that every player we met with yesterday and we met with multiple players made about kayin deor that there is an emphasis on relationships with the players big hole here for Daniel Hill out to the 49 for 11 and he said success starts with service and you know he talked to us about Bob Young his former coach at sou Falls and it being his why and just talked about always having an attitude and gratitude and just uh really cool to be around here the last couple of days sit with Coach dor as players other coaches and even Kane wck who worked with him in Indiana Nick Sheridan just to listen to his players they just talk about how good of a human he is good of a person he is uh special guy Alabama's got a special coach and Weir off to a pretty special start here tonight Dylan Lan by the way is in a quarterback he just hand it off to Daniel Hill is checked back with Taylor and I thought the other word that was described to use kin that is so on point is steady and consistent and when you're steady and consistent as a leader then the people who follow you will show up to you in that same type of way and I think that's what we're seeing very early here from kin is everyone knows what to expect when they interact with him and so therefore the consistency and the results have followed him especially in his previous stops we look at the winning record and everything he's been able to do and you know it's interesting too you see it in sports all the time where somebody gets to a level that they haven't been before and they change either success gets to them or fear of failure gets to them and they react differently to those things but in talking with again so many people that have known kayin dor over the years and some that are just getting to know him the message is he's been the same guy whether it was winning at Washington or winning at sou Falls same guy things don't change same every day and that matters when you're taking on a job like this so Dylan Lan is the quarterback as we mentioned he's back to throw here baseball player played a one game last year threw a couple passes takes off about the 30 yd line before he scoots out of [Applause] play hon Snellville Georgia Richard freshman Austin Mack would be the next quarterback in it we get there and he followed kayin dor from Washington a 17-year-old a transfer reclassified to go to w to play for d'bor last year Well ma a big quarterback too we saw him standing out there yesterday he's every bit of 65 sixes Nick Sheridan had a lot of good things to say about Dylan Lan we see him step in here the third opportunity a quarterback here's Daniel Hill and that that's something too we we have not really been able to dive into just yet kayin deor is not calling the plays it's Nick Sheridan that's calling the play obviously dor is involved but it's a an opportunity for Nick Sheridan who was an offensive coordinator in Indiana and he was a tight ends coach there in Indiana when dbor was the offensive coordinator and then took over when D'Or moved on to be the head coach at Fresno State and now Sheridan gets a second chance to call the offense here at Alabama inside 5 minutes to go Alabama up 63 to nothing South Florida comes to town next [Applause] week he'll pinballs off a Defender down to of the 24 well tomorrow night in ABC and ESPN plus are terrific Labor Day slate rolls on with a good one from Las Vegas 13th ranked LSU number 23 USC coverage begins at 7:30 Eastern we touched earlier on the post Caleb Williams era now you got the post Jaden Daniels era nus Meer did their spring game put me on the nus bus he's impressive kyen Lacy is going to have a big year in that offensive line at LSU one of the absolute best in the country Will Campbell left tackle is fantastic like LSU in that one really curious USC has one of the most brutal schedules in the country and it starts with the Tigers [Music] tomorrow Wisconsin was in a little trouble last night ended up pulling out the win but obviously it's a little bit different when you're the defending champs and you're in a tight game against Fresno State wow week one meanwhile third and three and it's a first down for Kevin Riley as kayin D'Or has a chance to do something in his first game that Nick sain never did at Alabama 17 Seasons the most points scored in a game by Nick Sav coach team 66 he did it twice once and 17 to Old Miss once and 19 to Western Carolina touchdown here I'm not as good at math as you with your Syracuse degree but I think a touchdown would put him over that 66 Mark and here it goes Kevin Riley nice open field tackle at the 18 yd line by Alex for got to go back to 73 the last time Bama put over 70 on the board our great stats man Ken Dunlap getting after it here tonight so over 50 years since that last happened Dylan Lan the third quarterback tonight for Alabama Jaylen milro at five touchdowns three through the air two on the [Applause] ground second and seven on the 17th and Riley gets nailed right at the line of scrimmage by Rivera Harvey our final Labor Day weekend game is Monday in Tallahassee how will Florida State respond will the nolles bounce back after the loss in Ireland and Georgia Tech they host Boston College with coverage starting at 7:30 eastern time Bill O'Brien who just a couple years ago was the offensive coordinator here Bryce young was here now the head coach of the Eagles Thomas castalanos his quarterback keep an eye on him he is a problem to deal with for defenses I think Florida State bounces back on Monday night two-minute timeout 63 nothing Alabama third down when we come back ESPN college football Prime Time presented by IHG hotels and resorts this is part of Modell kickoff week kayn dbor with a successful debut as the Alabama head football coach his record as a head coach after tonight will improve to 105 and2 putting a 25 and3 record at Washington the last two years it'll be 1 and0 at Alabama with South Florida here next Saturday and then a game at Wisconsin the following week Georgia here at the end of the month end of September Kevin Riley close at the 11 yd line going to be fourth down Alabama looks like it's going to keep the offense on the [Applause] field South Florida they gave Alabama all they wanted end some a season ago in Tampa at the last game that jayen milro didn't start so I would imagine this team has a sense of we want to have a much better showing on Saturday night as they go for it on fourth down fourth and a yard and lonan going to hand it off and Riley has the first down going to Madison before Georgia comes here and it it's a tough schedule throughout going to Tennessee this year got to go to LSU to Oklahoma Missouri and Georgia as well as Auburn for the Iron Bowl coming here schedule makers did not make it easy for Coach D'Or in his first season at the helm and the way the SEC is now I mean it's always been that way but even more so with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma there aren't many teams that uh can look at their schedule and say okay that that's that's a win and you know maybe you can do that some years with certain teams but does not appear that way this year Lan takes a knee and that's it dor debut in the books 63 to nothing Alabama trounces Western Kentucky and it's really all ball from here on out kayn deor won't have to answer too many questions about you know where he was prior to here and how he got here and his philosophy and the differences between him and Nick Savin and I think he's pretty happy that pretty much the rest of the season most of the questions are going to center around football and Taylor standing by with Coach but Dave before that happens we have to recap today this game will forever be remembered as your first win with this program how will you remember today you know I'm just proud of the way the guys came out and played um they've been working hard and you know they not time to reflect we're we're in the season We're In the Heat of it you know we're on to the next week now we're going to learn from our mistakes and all that kind of stuff but uh it's it's a great way to start obviously and appreciate all the fans here uh it's been an awesome awesome week of building up energy for this opener and uh proud of how the guys came out and played what has your attention that uh just I mean just building on the things that we did well and uh cleaning up the mistakes that uh we know we can we can improve on and so it happened on both sides of the ball and um you know there's a lot of promise and you know there's great opportunity for a lot of guys to get out there and get some snaps older guys obviously perform and some younger guys we have a we have a kind of a big gap there in our roster and so some young guys got out there we need to keep keep developing every play coach appreciate the time aw thank you time Dave all right Taylor and as we mentioned will be interesting next week given what South Florida did last year although Alabama at that point the quarterback situation obviously was really uncertain and then their their game against the power four outside the SEC in Madison and then the SEC play starts against we'll learn more and more the next couple of weeks but we'll know a lot come September 28th when Georgia comes here to Tuscaloosa but for tonight what a debut for Coach the boy