Alabama Football completed its revenge tour by outlasting LSU 42-28 in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night. The Alabama offense was a well-oiled machine and moved the ball efficiently throughout the game, led by dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe.
Prior to the game, we noted that several teams had enjoyed some of their best offensive performances of the season against LSU.
That trend continued in this game, as Alabama’s 42 offensive points, 507 yards of total offense, and 7.3 yards per play were all season-highs against Power Five opponents. The Tide’s yardage output and yards-per-play average were both season-bests regardless of opponent.
Bama set more season-highs across the board in the ground game: its 46 attempts, 288 yards, and 6.3 yards per carry were all high-water marks for 2023.
All night, the straw that stirred the drink was redshirt sophomore quarterback Jalen Milroe. Milroe turned in his signature performance of the season to this point, leading the Crimson Tide to victory and raising the team’s presumed ceiling in the process.
Alabama Football Quarterbacks: A
On paper, Jalen Milroe’s passing stats were fairly pedestrian (15-23, 219 yards). However, he made himself a consistent running threat for the first time all season. He shredded the LSU defense with his legs, and then was able to make some good downfield passes when they were made available to him.
It seemed as though LSU game planned to take away the deep ball, which had been Milroe’s patented weapon coming into the game. While they did so successfully, they overcompensated and left the Crimson Tide with too many options elsewhere.
For the game, Milroe ran for 155 yards on 7.8 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns. The LSU defense simply didn’t have an answer for his raw athleticism and instincts.
Jalen Milroe has been building to this game all season. He has gradually gotten more and more comfortable in the Alabama offense with every passing game. Against LSU, he looked as calm and confident as he ever has, and the results followed. Milroe’s 374 yards of total offense felt like a statement to his doubters, and to the rest of college football.