Alabama makes home debut against FCS Mercer

Posted September 09, 2021 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks for an open receiver under pressure from the Miami defense during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) The Associated Press

Mercer (1-0) at No. 1 Alabama (1-0), Saturday at 4 p.m. EDT (SEC Network).

Line: No line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Alabama leads 3-0.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

It should be a chance for Alabama to tune up for a visit to No. 13 Florida and get younger players and backups some more experience. That includes a few freshman receivers and freshman linebacker Dallas Turner, a Top 10 recruit nationally. Meanwhile, Mercer is seeking its first points against the Crimson Tide.

KEY MATCHUP

Alabama's defense, which looked dominant for much of the Miami game, against Mercer's unconventional offense that often lines up with three-back sets. Drew Sanders replaces outside linebacker Chris Allen, expected to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mercer: Freshman QB Carter Peevy faces a big challenge in both Alabama's defense and the Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd. He guided the Bears to four straight wins, including three over ranked FCS opponents, in the spring.

Alabama: RB Trey Sanders, a former five-star recruit who has had serious injuries each of his first two seasons, got his first touchdown against Miami. He's in a jampacked running back depth chart behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Jase McClellan, but could get more chances in this one. Sanders has 38 carries for 175 yards in limited action for Alabama.

FACTS & FIGURES

Alabama won the first three meetings by a combined 96-0, including a 56-0 win in 2017. The other two games came in 1939 and 1940 and both were 20-0 wins by the Tide. ... Mercer set school records with 69 points, 778 yards and 539 rushing yards in the opening 69-0 win over Point, an NAIA program. ... Quarterback Bryce Young's four touchdown passes set a Tide record for a starting debut. ... Alabama kicker Will Reichard has converted all 106 of his kicks, including 17 field goals and 89 extra points.

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Alabama running back Trey Sanders (6) gets a hug from offensive lineman Evan Neal (73) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) The Associated Press

Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal (73) places the leather helmet from the "Old Leather Helmet Torphy" on head coach Nick Saban's head after they defeated Miami in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) The Associated Press

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