Bryce Young tossed four touchdowns in his debut as a collegiate starter to lead the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide to a 44-13 win over the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta.
The only negative for Alabama (1-0) was an injury to star linebacker Chris Allen in the first half. He did not return, and his right foot was placed in a boot. Fellow linebacker Henry To’o To’o was also shaken up.
In the first half, Young threw two touchdown passes to tight end Cameron Latu (9 yards, 25 yards) and one to John Metchie III (37 yards). Young added a 94-yard TD pass to Jameson Williams in the third quarter.
Young completed 27-of-38 passes for 344 yards. He was not intercepted but lost a fumble on a third-quarter sack.
Alabama also got a 20-yard TD run by Trey Sanders and three Will Reichard field goals, including a 51-yarder.
For Miami (0-1), quarterback D’Eriq King played his first game since knee surgery in January, completing 23-of-30 passes for 179 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He limped off the field after getting sacked and losing a fumble, but he returned.
Miami safety Bubba Bolden was ejected in the second quarter due to targeting, and wide receiver Mike Harley was lost due to an upper-body injury. Both are starters.
Alabama led 27-3 at the half as Miami managed just a 37-yard field goal by true freshman Andy Borregales on the final play of the second quarter.
Miami had some momentum in the third period, but Alabama stopped King on a fourth-and-goal keeper from the 1.
Three players later, after Alabama was nearly called for a safety, Young connected with Williams on the 94-yard pass play that settled any doubt as to the game’s result.
Miami got points in the second half on King’s 29-yard TD pass to Xavier Restrepo and a 28-yard Borregales field goal.
Miami announced three suspensions just prior to kickoff due to a violation of team rules: safety Avantae Williams (six games), running back Jaylan Knighton (four) and tight end Larry Hodges (two).
Related: College Football Top 25 Rankings – Alabama still heavy favorite in 2021 after national title
–Field Level Media