Alabama keeps its focus, handles Mercer – WVUA 23

The best thing that can be said about Alabama’s 52-7 win over Mercer is that the Crimson Tide did what fans and media expected it to do.

Alabama rolled to an easy victory, with its starters watching from the sideline for the final quarter of the game.

It’s the type of performance that Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer likely hoped to see following his teams win over then-No. 1 Georgia in September. Instead, the team went on a stretch in which is dropped two of its next three games.

Alabama seemed far more prepared this time, showing its focus immediately following last week’s road win over then-No. 15 LSU.

“The intensity in practice, it’s not like guys are flying off the wall and things like that, but there’s a focus that they bring and there’s a business-like approach where they know they’ve got to do this,” DeBoer said. “They’ve got to eat right, sleep right, do all those things off the field, take care of their business there and it leads to the success that they’ve had.”

The Crimson Tide scored on its first three offensive possessions and the defense scored its first touchdown of the season to boost Alabama to a 28-0 lead midway through the second quarter. The defense forced turnovers on three of Mercer’s first four possessions first four defensive possessions and now has 12 takeaways in its past four games.

Zabien Browns 68-yard scoop and score in the second quarter broke a nine-game drought by the defense which was finally able to breakthrough. Alabama’s last defensive touchdown came in last season’s win against Tennessee, almost 13 months ago.

“For us to get him in the endzone with that long return it was something that was exciting for the whole team because they’ve gotten the takeaways, we just haven’t ended up with one in the endzone like that. I love the mindset, again, just going back to what the defense is doing, they’re attacking. Three and out is what they’re shooting for, but right now, the position they’re putting our offense in, getting points on the board now too, it’s really good.”

Alabama’s offense also took care of business, scoring points in five of its first six possessions of the game. One of those scores was a 44-yard touchdown catch by senior tight end Robbie Outz, his first score of the season and his second touchdown of his college career.

After the game, DeBoer referred to Outz as a “swiss-army knife” type player that often does the dirty work that can be overlooked by the average fan but is essential for the overall success of the offense.

“For Robbie to haul one in, that was really exciting for our guys, exciting for him. I love to see it,” DeBoer said. “He got a chance as a senior to talk to the team last night. You can just tell the love our team has for him, how much they appreciate the effort that he brings, each and every day, not just each and every week, but he’s got a mindset, a toughness about him that just exudes what Alabama football is all about.”

The Crimson Tide collected 508 yards of total offense in the win, it’s third game with more than 500 yards of offense this season.

Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) will travel to Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5 SEC) next Saturday before finishing the regular season at home against Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Next weeks game in Norman, Okla. is set for 6:30 PM CST on ABC.