College Football

Alabama reminds Nick Saban always has an answer, even when Bryce Young’s injury changed the question

Alabama reminds Nick Saban always has an answer, even when Bryce Young's injury changed the question


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The most decorated cheerleader in Razorback Stadium tried for one more wave of the wand. Given all the magic Alabama’s Bryce Young has already manufactured in his career, he was hoping for some more with a Hail Mary second-half visit to the medical tent on the Bama sideline.

Be advised: The reigning Heisman Trophy winner had not played since being tackled by his ankles and landing awkwardly on his right shoulder in the second quarter.

At the time, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman — that old dog — leaned into his team’s surging momentum by calling what would be a successful onside kick. The No. 20 Razorbacks were in the process of scoring 23 straight points on the No. 2 Crimson Tide, 17-point road favorites who had just been leading 28-0 late in the second quarter.

Young was questionable to return, nursing a sprained AC joint.

When the quarterback visited the tent for a second time Saturday afternoon, he was either hoping for a different diagnosis or some privacy so he could change into a Superman costume. Neither happened.

“There’s only one Bryce Young in this country,” Saban later observed.

Ah, but there are different ways to win a game. Saban said so himself after Alabama’s 49-26 victory.

We should know by now that The Sabanator always has answers. One of them Saturday was in the transfer portal. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs broke out with a career rushing performance: 206 yards with a pair of touchdowns, each from more than 70 yards out.

The much-celebrated transfer from Georgia Tech finished third last season in all-purpose yards. He had one purpose Saturday: replacing Young’s arm with his burst.

“Fourth quarter came, hold up them [four fingers] like we do every day,” Gibbs said. “I kept things calm, played football.”

The other answer came through recruiting. Redshirt freshman QB Jalen Milroe replaced Young late in the second quarter. He led five touchdown drives, rushing for 91 yards, which included taking the third snap of the fourth quarter 77 yards to the Arkansas 3-yard line.

“Biggest thing was looking at the chains,” Milroe said. “… Once I passed the line of scrimmage, I was just trying to get a first down. Then my eyes got big I’m going to try to score.”

Not quite. Jace McClellan scored three plays later, and Arkansas’ run of 23 straight points scored was broken. So was the Hogs’ spirit, essentially.

“It stopped the bleeding for…

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