Nick Saban explains why team is responding well to Jalen Milroe

Of course Nick Saban wants Bryce Young back on the field, but he knows the Crimson Tide are in capable hands with backup quarterback Jalen Milroe.

According to Saban, Alabama is responding well to Milroe, believing in their backup quarterback for multiple reasons.

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“I think the players have responded really well to what he’s had to do,” stated Saban. “I think, you know, what we try to get our guys to do is focus on doing your job, and if everybody does their job, we’re going to have a chance to be successful. It doesn’t really matter who’s in there playing, I’ve got to do my job. When I get the opportunity to do it, I’ve got to be prepared to do it, and go do it well.

“Sometimes that’s harder for guys to do who aren’t starters, but I think it’s a real test to your character if you can do it, so you can take advantage of the opportunity when it comes, which I thought Jalen did a pretty good job of last week. Hopefully we can build on that if he has to play this week.”

Last weekend, Jalen Milroe was able to lead Alabama to victory over Arkansas, and Texas A&M will present a bigger challenge this weekend, but a matchup with Tennessee looms large over everything. Whether it’s Bryce Young or Milroe taking the field, the Crimson Tide will be amped up and ready to roll.

Jalen Milroe reveals what went through his mind when he replaced injured Bryce Young

Moreover, Jalen Milroe was thrown into the fire last weekend as the quarterback for Alabama, when Bryce Young went out with a shoulder injury during the second quarter of the Tide’s Top-20 matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks. That left Milroe to get the job done on the road in Fayetteville, and that he did.

Afterwards, Milroe spoke about the realization that he was going in following the 49-26 win over the Hogs. He said, first and foremost, that his thoughts went to Young and his health.

“The first thought I had was just to talk to God,” said Milroe. “Ask for protection (for Bryce) and just know that he was with him. The first thing I did was talk to God and have a one-on-one conversation with God.”

Milroe put up a divine performance as a reserve. He completed 4/9 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown while also breaking off 77-yard run. Milroe finished with a separate rushing score as well.

Milroe said the key for him was the support he got from his teammates in that moment. After preparing ahead of the game, he credited God, his teammates, and his coaches for bolstering him up.

“The biggest thing was just preparing all week,” Milroe said. “I just want to give all thanks to God for the moment. My teammates made it much easier from being around all those guys. Offensive line, receivers, running backs, offensive staff. All the guys as a whole made the job much easier.”

It doesn’t appear as if Young will miss significant time with the AC sprain. That’s a dodged bullet for the team, but Milroe proved a lot Saturday. As the heir apparent to Young at the moment, he showed what he could do as QB1 for Nick Saban. Young’s availability will determine what Alabama can do this season, but this was a good glimpse of what Milroe could do for them in the future.