Studs and Duds in Alabama Football Iron Bowl win

Alabama Football Studs

Bryce Young

Under frequent pressure, Bryce Young managed to throw for 317 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 25-of-51 passes despite the pressure and three drops by Tide receivers. His poise under pressure was the difference between a win and a loss.

John Metchie

Metchie had to battle tough coverage throughout most of the game. He finished with 13 receptions for 150 yards.

Ja’Corey Brooks

After the tough targeting call on Jameson Williams, Ja’Corey Brooks had to come up big for the Crimson Tide. Prior to the Iron Bowl, the freshman, Brooks had two receptions in his Crimson Tide career. He got two more in the Iron Bowl, including a superb catch for the touchdown that ended the Tide’s 97-yard, fourth-quarter drive. Impressive was Brooks being mentally tough, after making a wrong route read, just two plays before the touchdown catch.

Before highlighting individual defensive players, a stud award must be given to the entire Alabama football defensive unit. Every stop mattered and Crimson Tide defenders made many big plays. The unit had 15 tackles-for-a-loss (TFL), including six sacks; plus three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and one interception. A phantom roughing the passer call took away another interception.

Auburn was held to a net offensive production of 159 yards. Auburn running backs rushed for just 65 yards. Tank Bigsby was held to a per-carry average of 2.2 yards.