It was supposed to be a "cupcake" game. A breather. You know, that late-season Saturday in Tuscaloosa where the stadium is half-empty by the fourth quarter because the score is already out of hand. But if you actually watched Mercer vs Alabama football 2024 on November 16, you saw something a bit different than a standard blowout.
The final score was 52-7. Total mismatch, right? Well, yeah. But for Kalen DeBoer’s squad, this wasn't just about padding the win column. It was about survival in a brutal playoff race. Coming off that massive emotional high of crushing LSU in Death Valley, Alabama faced the "trap game" of all trap games.
The Freshman Phenom and the Two No. 2s
Everyone is talking about Ryan Williams. Honestly, it’s getting hard to find new adjectives for a 17-year-old who treats SEC defenses like a JV scrimmage. Against Mercer, he didn't even need a full half to leave his mark.
Williams started the party with a 29-yard rushing touchdown. He looked like he was shot out of a cannon on that end-around. Then, just to prove he’s a dual-threat nightmare, he hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe.
But there was another No. 2 on the field making life miserable for the Mercer Bears. Zabien Brown, the freshman cornerback, reminded everyone why Bama’s secondary is still elite. In the second quarter, after DaShawn Jones absolutely leveled a Mercer receiver, Brown scooped up the fumble and took it 68 yards to the house.
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It was the first defensive touchdown for Alabama all season. Think about that. Ten games in, and the Tide finally got a scoop-and-score. It was a huge monkey off the back for Kane Wommack’s defensive unit.
Jalen Milroe’s "Business Trip" Performance
Milroe didn't stick around long. He didn't have to. He played just over two quarters and basically checked every box on his to-do list.
- Passing: 11-of-16 for 186 yards and 2 TDs.
- Rushing: 6 carries for 43 yards and 1 TD.
- Efficiency: No interceptions.
He looked calm. Since that rough patch in October, Milroe has settled into a rhythm where he’s taking what the defense gives him. He found Robbie Ouzts—the Crimson Tide’s do-it-all tight end—for a 44-yard score that essentially broke Mercer’s spirit early in the second. By the time Milroe punched in a 3-yard run to start the third quarter, the starters were already grabbing their parkas on the sideline.
Mercer wasn't just a punching bag
Give the Bears credit. This wasn't some bottom-feeder FCS team. They arrived at Bryant-Denny Stadium with a 9-2 record and a piece of the Southern Conference title already in their pocket.
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They actually moved the ball. Freshman quarterback Whitt Newbauer was 15-of-22 for 140 yards. He didn't look scared of the bright lights. Late in the second quarter, he uncorked a 31-yard beauty to Kendall Harris for Mercer’s only touchdown. For a few minutes, the Mercer sideline was jumping. They played hard, they were physical, and they forced Alabama to actually stay awake in the first half.
But turnovers are the great equalizer—or in this case, the great separator. Mercer turned it over three times. Alabama turned those into 21 points. You can't do that against a Top-10 team and expect to keep the jersey clean.
The Depth Chart Showcase
One of the best things about the Mercer vs Alabama football 2024 matchup was seeing the future. Once the lead hit 38-7, the "Age of Mack" and "The Simpson Show" began.
Ty Simpson came in and looked like a starter. He went 5-for-10 for 71 yards and showed off that mobility that Williams was joking about in the post-game presser. Then came Austin Mack. The kid has an arm. He capped off the scoring with a 31-yard strike to Rico Scott.
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Seeing 11 different players get carries and three different quarterbacks throw passes is a luxury. It keeps the locker room happy. It also gives the coaching staff a lot of film on guys who might be starting this time next year.
What this game revealed about the Playoff path
There was a lot of noise about Alabama’s "resumé" heading into this game. Some people think these FCS games shouldn't count. Whatever.
The reality? This win moved Bama to 8-2. It followed the blueprint DeBoer has preached since he arrived: handling success. After the high of LSU, a flat performance against Mercer would have been a disaster for their CFP ranking. Instead, they eclipsed 500 yards of offense for the third time this season.
They looked like a team that knows the margin for error is zero. Jihaad Campbell was a monster again, leading the team with 9 tackles and a sack. If Campbell and Deontae Lawson stay healthy, this defense is a completely different animal than the one that struggled against Vanderbilt.
Actionable Insights for Bama Fans
If you're tracking the rest of the season, here’s what you need to watch for:
- Red Zone Efficiency: Alabama was perfect in scoring opportunities against Mercer, but they need to maintain that as the competition ramps back up.
- Freshman Fatigue: Keep an eye on Ryan Williams' snaps. He’s the engine of the offense, and keeping him fresh for the postseason is priority number one.
- Turnover Margin: Alabama is now +7 on the year. When they win the turnover battle, they generally win by double digits.
The road to the 2024 playoffs is wide open, and while the Mercer game won't go down as a "classic," it was the professional, disciplined performance Alabama needed to stay in the hunt. They took care of business, got the young guys some reps, and most importantly, stayed healthy for the final stretch.