Editor’s note: The Deseret News is providing live coverage from Saturday’s season opener between Utah State and No. 1 Alabama. Check back for updates throughout the game.
Final
Alabama 55, Utah State 0
4th Quarter
Alabama 55, Utah State 0
6:44
- Ike Larsen makes a second great play, blocking a punt by Alabama’s James Burnip. Burnip recovered the block, but the Aggies have excellent field position at Alabama’s 31-yard line.
3rd Quarter
Alabama 55, Utah State 0
— Alabama continues to control the game, though Utah State started to show signs of life, forcing a turnover and a punt.
— The Aggies’ offense has struggled most of the night, and through three quarters has just 86 yards of total offense.
— Penalties have been a problem for the Aggies (10 for 95 yards, but Utah State has only one less tackle for loss (3) than Alabama (4).
6:48
- Utah State safety Ike Larsen intercepts Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, the most positive play of the day for the Aggies.
10:18
- Alabama backup quarterback Jalen Milroe picks up where Bryce Young left off, throwing a 17-yard touchdown to Jase McClellan.
13:37
- Alabama picked up where it left off in the first half, with another touchdown. Bryce Young ran for his first rushing touchdown of the game, a simple untouched four-yard scamper.
- The touchdown was set up by a massive run by Bama running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
2nd Quarter
Alabama 41, Utah State 0
— Alabama has completely dominated, out-gaining Utah State 350 yards to just 58.
— The Crimson Tide have committed only one penalty, compared to seven by the Aggies.
— Bryce Young has looked like a Heisman winner, throwing for 195 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 96 yards on the ground.
0:15
- Bryce Young continues to pick apart the Aggies secondary. With his 8-yard touchdown pass to Jace McClellan, Young has now thrown for 195 yards and five touchdowns.
2:56
- The Aggies make a stand in the red zone, thanks to a sack by Daniel Grzesiak and hold Alabama to a 33-yard field goal by Will Reichard.
10:14
- And the points keep coming for Alabama. Young throws his fourth touchdown pass, the second to Traeshon Holden (14 yards). Alabama has out-gained Utah State 262 yards to 41.
12:19
- Alabama is running away with it now, only a couple minutes into the second quarter. Bryce Young threw his third touchdown pass of the game, a two-yard pass to Jermaine Burton, capping off an 11-play, 82-yard drive.
1st Quarter
Alabama 17, Utah State 0
— Utah State totaled just 41 yards of offense in the first quarter, 39 through the air and two on the ground.
— USU quarterback Logan Bonner completed only 3 of 8 pass attempts and running back Calvin Tyler rushed the ball four times for only 8 yards.
— Alabama meanwhile, finished the quarter with 150 yards of offense, dominating in every facet.
3:06
- After Utah State turned the ball over on downs, it took Alabama three plays to score again, on a 9-yard touchdown reception by Traeshon Holden. Bryce Young has thrown for two touchdowns and completed 9 of 11 pass attempts.
5:55
- Utah State’s offense couldn’t stay on the field and after getting the ball back Alabama wasted little time driving 60 yards in 3 minutes. The drive ended with a 5-yard touchdown reception by Jermaine Burton.
9:56
- Alabama strikes first with a 45-yard field goal by Will Reichard. Alabama went 44-yards in seven plays, but the Aggies held up in the end.
- The highlight of the drive was the elusiveness of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, though.
Pregame prep
- The Aggies have arrived.
- As have the Crimson Tide.
Here are a few stories to get ready for Utah State’s showdown with top-ranked Alabama: