Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, on a designed QB run, provided the first points of the Kalen DeBoer era. Five minutes later, he found Kendrick Law in a scramble drill for a 22-yard touchdown reception.
After 9 minutes and 59 seconds, Alabama had a 14-0 lead in its season opener against Western Kentucky. Both touchdowns were directly set up by interceptions from Michigan transfer safety Keon Sabb.
Secondary concerns for Alabama? Never heard of ’em.
Western Kentucky, led by former LSU and Auburn quarterback TJ Finley, got the ball to open the game. Neither side did anything with their first possessions. On WKU’s second drive, Finley was picked off on a third-and-12 play near midfield. Sabb jumped a ball and returned it to the WKU 31-yard-line.
First interception in an #Alabama uniform for Keon Sabb #RollTide
— The SEC Scoop (@TheSECScoop) August 31, 2024
Two plays later, Milroe walked into the endzone untouched.
Milroe converts for 6‼️
TD Bama #Alabama 7 | #WKY 0
10:07 remaining in Q1pic.twitter.com/hZTmV6wfYh— The SEC Scoop (@TheSECScoop) August 31, 2024
The ensuing possession for Western Kentucky offered some promise and moved from the Hilltoppers’ 25 to the Alabama 22 before Sabb again stepped in front of a Finley pass.
Keon Sabb has TWO interceptions in the first quarter!pic.twitter.com/qAjYzh2WaU
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 31, 2024
At that point, Sabb had more catches than any Alabama receiver. But his 64-yard return set the Crimson Tide up in plus territory, just shy of the red zone. On a third-and-6, Milroe found Law for 6.
Jalen Milroe ➡️ Kendrick Law for the Touchdown
Get used to hearing that all year pic.twitter.com/989RMQ6UqO
— Nick Perkins (@NickyPerkss) August 31, 2024
With DeBoer over from Washington, Milroe and the Alabama offense have a sky-high ceiling in 2024.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
