Alabama takes commanding lead over Wisconsin with punishing drive after takeaway

Alabama is starting to take control of Saturday’s nonconference game against Wisconsin. Facing the Badgers in Madison, the Crimson Tide scored the first touchdown of the game via a Jalen Milroe-to-Ryan Williams connection, and Alabama is starting to control things up front.

After punting away to Wisconsin early in the 2nd quarter, the Badgers actually took advantage of the Alabama defense for a big gain. Chez Mellusi quickly got Wisconsin out from in front of its own end zone with a 21-yard pickup, but Malachi Moore ended the drive on that same play.

With Mellusi barreling down the field, Moore went low and was able to get his shoulder on the ball as Mellusi tried to dive over the top. It dislodged the ball and gave Alabama possession deep in Wisconsin territory.

FUMBLE

And @AlabamaFTBL has it! 🐘🙌 pic.twitter.com/he6Rubb2kZ

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 14, 2024

The ensuing drive was all about Alabama’s strength up front. The Tide threw just one pass on the drive (an incompletion on 3rd-and-goal), but an offsides by the defense kept the drive alive for 3rd-and-goal from the 3-yard line.

Milroe took care of the rest, simply outrunning the Badger defense to the corner pylon for a touchdown and the 14-3 lead for Alabama. Jam Miller was the other star of Alabama’s drive while accounting for 20 of the 28 yards on the ground.

Considering the way Alabama’s defense is playing and the fact Wisconsin is already without starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, it is looking like a grim task to expect the Badgers to keep pace in Week 3.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.