Kalen DeBoer made a strong debut as Alabama’s football coach on Saturday, leading the team to a decisive 63-0 victory against Western Kentucky at Saban Field in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Quarterback Jalen Milroe was instrumental in the win, recording two rushing touchdowns and throwing for three more. Freshman players Ryan Williams and Daniel Hill also made their mark with their first career touchdowns for Alabama. This victory marks the 23rd consecutive season-opening win for the Crimson Tide.
The performance of Alabama (1-0) against Western Kentucky (0-1) was impressive across the board.
In terms of offense, the team earned an A+. Milroe’s leadership shone through, as Alabama achieved its first instance of two scoring plays over 80 yards in one game since September 1991. Notably, an 85-yard touchdown run by Jam Miller and an 84-yard touchdown pass from Milroe to Williams were highlights from the first half.
The defense also received an A+. Alabama’s new defensive strategy proved effective, with safety Keon Sabb making two interceptions within the first quarter. The defense held the Western Kentucky offense, known for its spread strategy, scoreless throughout the game. Quarterback TJ Finley, who had thrown for 3,439 yards the previous season, managed only 92 yards against Alabama before being replaced by Caden Vetkamp in the second quarter.
For special teams, the grade was A-. Aside from a block-in-the-back penalty by Zavier Mincey in the first quarter, they performed well, with Graham Nicholson and Conor Talty successfully converting all extra point attempts. Punter James Burnip executed solid punts, and Cole Adams made some notable punt returns.
Coaching received an A+, as DeBoer and his staff effectively prepared the team for the game. While there were some early penalties, Alabama’s discipline improved as the match progressed. Although there were minor technical issues with the headsets at kickoff, it did not impact the team’s performance.
Overall, Alabama’s season opener under DeBoer was a resounding success, showcasing that the team continues to be strong despite the coaching transition. Future challenges await, but this performance set a positive tone for the season ahead.