Alabama football blows through Mercer in final non-conference game of 2024

Alabama football’s non-conference schedule ended Saturday without much of a challenge.

The No. 9 Crimson Tide beat Mercer, its annual FCS opponent, 52-7 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. Alabama now has 16 straight wins against FCS opponents dating back to coach Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide debut in 2007.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe picked up where he left off after the Crimson Tide’s dominant road win against LSU, recording three touchdowns and connecting with wide receiver Ryan Williams and tight end Robbie Ouzts on scores. Williams added a 29-yard end-around touchdown.

The Crimson Tide defense continued to showcase its takeaway tendencies with two forced fumbles – one of which led to a Zabien Brown touchdown – and a Qua Russaw interception.

And by the start of the fourth quarter, a rotating cast of second- and third-string players secured the Crimson Tide’s X-point win and turned Alabama’s focus to its Nov. 23 game against Oklahoma.

Here is what happened in Alabama’s home win against Mercer.

Austin Mack connects with Rico Scott Jr. for touchdown

On his first taste of Alabama action, Austin Mack threw a touchdown pass to Rico Scott for a 31-yard score.

Alabama leads Mercer 52-7.

Austin Mack enters game for Alabama football

Dylan Lonergan’s game is done. Austin Mack enters with 5:15 left to go in Alabama’s game against Mercer.

Lonergan finished 5-6 for 23 yards.

Dylan Lonergan enters game for Alabama football

After a brief appearance on a fourth-and-1 play, Dylan Lonergan entered the game with 11:19 left in the game with a 45-7 lead.

Ty Simpson finished with 71 passing yards with five completions on 10 attempts. He also had 14 rushing yards on two carries.

Richard Young scores Alabama third rushing touchdown

12:54, Q4: Richard Young extended Alabama’s lead with a one-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

Ty Simpson finished the drive with two completions on five pass attempts for 45 yards, including a 43-yard pass to tight end Josh Cuevas.

End of Q3: Alabama 38, Mercer 7

Alabama heads into the fourth quarter with a 38-7 lead against Mercer.

Ty Simpson first series ends with James Burnip punt

4:00, Q3: Ty Simpson’s first series ended in an Alabama punt, leading the Crimson Tide on an 11-pla7, 35-yard drive lasting 4:56. James Burnip pinned Mercer to its own 20-yard line

Ty Simpson, Alabama second-string offense takes field

8:56 Q3: Alabama’s second-string offense has taken the field, led by quarterback Ty Simpson.

Jalen Milroe finished with 186 passing yards,43 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Kadyn Proctor nearly scores touchdown for Alabama, Jalen Milroe scores

11:34, Q3: Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor had a touchdown run erased. Proctor picked up a fumble and landed just short of the goal line, a call that was originally deemed a touchdown.

Minutes later, Jalen Milroe connected on his third touchdown of the day.

Alabama leads Mercer 38-7.

Half: Alabama 31, Mercer 7

Alabama holds a dominant lead against Mercer at halftime. The Crimson Tide has a 31-7 lead against the Bearsone secured by two Ryan Williams scores, a Robbie Ouzts score and a Zabien Brown fumble returned for a touchdown.

Alabama gets the ball to start the second half.

Graham Nicholson 45-yard field goal good, Alabama extends lead vs Mercer

:55 Q2: Alabama extends its lead right before halftime. Graham Nicholson connects on a 45-yard field goal to end a 5-play, 48-yard scoring drive. Alabama leads Mercer 31-7

Kendall Harris scores first Mercer touchdown

1:58, Q2: Mercer is on the board. Kendall Harris scores on a 31-yard one-handed grab from Whitt Newbauer.

Mercer trails Alabama 28-7

Alabama forces punt on Jihaad Campbell sack, takes over at own 26

4:52, Q2: Alabama’s defensive success continues, as a Jihaad Campbell sack forced a Mercer punt. Alabama’s defense has allowed 120 yards of offense.

Zabien Brown recovers fumble, returns 66 yards for Alabama touchdown

8:45, Q2: The takeaways continue. Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown returns a fumble forced by DaShawn Jones for the Crimson Tide’s fourth touchdown of the day.

Alabama leads Mercer 28-0

Alabama has at least three takeaways in five straight games.

Jalen Milroe throws 44-yard touchdown pass to Robbie Ouzts

12:37, Q2: Jalen Milroe’s second touchdown pass of the day went to tight end Robbie Ouzts for a 44-yard score, who secured the second touchdown of his career.

Alabama leads Mercer 21-0

End of Q1: Alabama 14, Mercer 0

Alabama holds a 14-0 lead against Mercer after the first quarter.

Qua Russaw picks off Mercer

:49, Q1: Alabama has its second turnover of the day thanks to Qua Russaw. Russaw secures the second interception of his career after an interception by White Newbauer. Alabama retains possession at its own 31-yard line.

Jalen Milroe connects for Ryan Williams’ second touchdown

4:14, Q1: Ryan Williams has another touchdown, connecting with Jalen Milroe for a 14-yard score. Williams has three career multi-touchdown games after scoring two touchdowns against Western Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

Jalen Milroe fumble reversed, Alabama keeps ball

7:27, Q1: Jalen Milroe nearly lost possession after a 17-yard run. The Alabama quarterback was ruled down before losing possession.

Ryan Williams scores Alabama end-around touchdown

10:50, Q1: Ryan Williams scores Alabama’s first touchdown of the day on a 29-yard touchdown run. Williams ends a four-play, 52-yard scoring drive for the Crimson Tide.

Domani Jackson forces fumble, Alabama gets ball

After Mercer extended its first drive with a DeVonta Smith pass interference, a Domani Jackson forced fumble recovered by Damon Payne Jr. gives the Crimson Tde possession at the Alabama 48-yard line.

DeVonta Smith starts for Alabama football vs Mercer

After participating in pregame warm ups, Alabama Husky DeVonta Smith is starting for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama vs Mercer coin toss

Alabama wins the coin toss, elects to defer. Mercer starts with the football.

Is Alabama vs Mercer on TV?

No. Alabama vs Mercer is a stream-only game on SEC Network+ and ESPN+. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. CT.

Alabama football vs Mercer game prediction

No. 9 Alabama 42, Mercer 6: Alabama didn’t need much of a pass game to beat LSU last weekend. On defense, the Crimson Tide have forced six takeaways and one touchdown in its past two games against SEC opponents. Mercer is catching Alabama at the wrong time. The Crimson Tide should dominate Mercer in a game that should include game film for many second- and third-string players on the Alabama roster.

Jaeden Roberts in uniform, not warming up for Alabama football

Alabama football could be without right guard Jaeden Roberts Saturday vs Mercer.

The Crimson Tide starting right guard was in uniform, but was not participating in pregame drills. Geno VanDeMark lined up as Alabama’s starting right guard.

Roberts left Alabama’s win vs LSU with an injury.

Alabama football news: What to know before Crimson Tide-Mercer

Here is everything you need to know before Alabama vs. Mercer

Alabama football Husky DeVonta Smith warms up prior to Mercer

After leaving Alabama’s win against LSU with an injury, DeVonta Smith is warming up prior to the Crimson Tide’s matchup with Mercer.

Smith hass 20 tackles and five pass deflections in nine games.

Where is Mercer football ranked in FCS?

Mercer is one of the best teams in the FCS. The Bears are the No. 7 team according to the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 with a 9-1 record.

Alabama vs Mercer weather

Alabama football vs Mercer should see clear skies all afternoon long. According to the National Weather Service, highs should reach 70 degrees with a calm wind.

Alabama vs Mercer injury report: Who is out for Crimson Tide?

Since it is not an SEC game, Alabama did not release a conference availability report.

Wide receiver Cole Adams and linebacker Que Robinson are both out for the season. Safety Keon Sabb is also expected to miss his third-straight game.

On Monday, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said he expects husky DeVonta Smith to be “fine as the week goes on” after leaving the Crimson Tide’s win against LSU.

DeBoer said Wednesday that Alabama right guard Jaeden Robetrs “could have come back” after leaving with an injury against LSU, but “we just didn’t want to push it.”

“He’ll be ready to go in some capacity,” DeBoer said.

Alabama vs Mercer history

In four meetings with Mercer, Alabama has four wins of at least 20 points.

After two 20-0 wins against Mercer in 1939 and 1940, Alabama beat the Bears 56-0 in Tuscaloosa in 2017. The Crimson Tide allowed a Mercer score for the first time in 2021, beating the Bears 48-14.