The Crimson Tide’s scoring output included six receiving touchdowns, a rushing touchdown and a school-record two kickoff returns for a score

 TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 1/1 University of Alabama football team recorded its 100th-consecutive triumph over an unranked opponent under head coach Nick Saban Saturday night, defeating Southern Miss 63-14 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

 

Quarterback Bryce Young set a school record for the best completion percentage in a single game (with a minimum of 20 completions), completing 20-of-22 (.909) against the Golden Eagles. Young threw for five touchdowns and 313 yards against the Golden Eagles.

 

Highlighting the Crimson Tide’s nine touchdowns on the night were two kickoff returns by Jameson Williams who became the first Alabama player in school history to achieve that feat in a single game.

 

Running back Roydell Williams led all rushers with 110 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts, followed by running back Jase McClellan, who totaled 97 yards on 12 rushes. McClellan also had one catch for nine yards and a touchdown. Tight end Jahleel Billingsley tallied 105 receiving yards on five catches, including one touchdown.

 

Defensive back Jordan Battle tallied seven total tackle to lead the UA defense, while defensive back DeMarcco Hellams and linebackers Christian Harris and Will Anderson Jr., secured five solo stops each. Hellman also snagged his first interception in a Tide uniform during the first quarter to cut short a USM drive.

 

Placekicker Will Reichard tacked on nine extra points during the matchup.

 

Postgame Notes

  • Alabama continues to lead the nation in home winning percentage, improving to a 279-54-3 (.834) record after its 63-14 win against Southern Miss.
    • Head coach Nick Saban is 90-8 in home games at Alabama, including winning 60 of his last 63 contests at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
  • Bryce Young tied for the second-most touchdown passes in a game with five against Southern Miss.
    • His five touchdown passes ties Gary Hollingsworth (once at Ole Miss on Nov. 4, 1989), Tua Tagovailoa (three times, most recent vs. Southern Miss on Sept. 14, 2019) and Mac Jones (three times, most recent vs. Ohio State on Jan. 11, 2021).
  • Jameson Williams recorded two touchdowns off a pair of kickoff returns against Southern Miss, marking the first time any Alabama player has ever scored on two kickoff returns in a single game.
    • Williams’ first kickoff return for a touchdown went for 100 yards to mark the eighth 100-yard kickoff return in program history. Tyrone Prothro was the latest Crimson Tide player to record a 100-yard kickoff return (at Kentucky on Oct. 9, 2004).
      • Williams’ two kickoff returns marked Alabama’s 27th and 28th kickoff returns for touchdown in school history.
        • Jaylen Waddle was the latest Alabama player to record a kickoff return for a touchdown at Auburn on Nov. 20, 2019 (98 yards).
      • Alabama now has 83 non-offensive touchdowns in the Nick Saban era and three this season.
        • Of the 83 non-offensive touchdowns, tonight’s scores marked the seventh and eighth kickoff returns for a touchdown under Saban.
    • Gary Martin was the last Alabama player to record a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening drive (at Miami on Dec. 7, 1963).
  • After its 63-14 win against Southern Miss, the Tide has now scored 30-or-more points in 30-straight games.
    • The Crimson Tide is one 30-point game away from tying UCF for the streak record. The Knights recorded 30-or-more points in 31-straight games from 2017-19.
  • Alabama gained 608 total yards of offense against Southern Miss marking the 12th time in program history it has eclipsed the 600-yard mark in a game.
  • The Tide has now gained 400-plus yards of total offense in 43 of its last 45 games
  • Player Highlights:
    • Jameson Williams owns the two longest touchdown receptions of the season, after catching an 81-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young.
    • Roydell Williams became the first Crimson Tide player to record 100+ rushing yards this season, gaining 110 in the evening matchup.
      • The sophomore running back recorded 102 of those yards in the first half (nine carries).
  • Alabama’s captains against Southern Miss were linebacker Will Anderson Jr., defensive back Jordan Battle and offensive lineman Evan Neal

 

How It Happened

FIRST QUARTER

  • 14:46 – UA | Jameson Williams returned Southern Miss’ opening kickoff for a touchdown.
  • 09:41 – UA | Jahleel Billingsley caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to cap a seven-play, 45-yard drive.
  • 03:00 – UA | Cameron Latu recovered John Metchie III’s fumble on a 22-yard pass from Young, carrying it one yard into the Golden Eagles’ end zone.

 

SECOND QUARTER

  • 14:26 – UA | Roydell Williams carried the ball one yard for his first touchdown of the season, concluding a four-play, 60-yard series.
  • 12:36 – UA | Recording the second-longest receiving touchdown of his young Alabama career, Williams connected on an 81-yard catch from Young.
  • 05:26 – USM | Chandler Pittman caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Ty Keyes to close out a drive that lasted five plays and 46 yards.
  • 00:15 – UA | Young completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jase McClellan, concluding a 10-play, 97-yard series.

 

THIRD QUARTER

  • 12:22 – UA | Latu recorded his second touchdown of the night on an 11-yard pass from Young to cap a four-play, 68-yard drive.

 

FOURTH QUARTER

  • 13:16 – UA | Williams scored his second touchdown of the night on an 83-yard kickoff return.
  • 02:49 – UA | Rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe hits Javon Baker for a 24-yard touchdown strike, giving both their first Crimson Tide touchdown.

 

Up Next

Alabama will return home to square off against Ole Miss for the conference home opener at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday, Oct. 2. The matchup is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff on CBS.