TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Jameson Williams opened the game with a 100-yard kickoff return, then added an 81-yard touchdown catch and another 83-yard runback in No. 1 Alabama's 63-14 win over Southern Miss on Saturday night.
Williams and the Crimson Tide (4-0) needed just 14 seconds to put to rest any worries of a letdown against Southern Miss (1-3) after a close win over No. 11 Florida and with No. 13 Mississippi on deck. Bryce Young was nearly flawless in throwing for five touchdowns while completing 20 of 22 passes for 313 yards.
The performance was marred only by a third quarter interception at the goal line when the ball bounced off Williams, who was unstoppable when he caught the ball.
It was business as usual for 'Bama, win No. 100 in a row over unranked opponents and plenty of playing time for the backups. Just add in a trio of huge plays from the speedster Williams.
The game started with the Ohio State transfer's 100-yard dash shortly after No. 9 Clemson fell to North Carolina State, No. 16 Arkansas beat No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 23 Auburn averted an upset bid by Georgia State.
The Tide wasted not a single play showing this one wasn't going that way.
Williams spun out of the grasp of a defender and raced the remaining 65 yards untouched.
Roydell Williams ran for 110 yards and Jase McClellan gained 97, plus a 9-yard touchdown catch. Jahleel Billingley caught five passes for 105 yards and a score.
Even an Alabama mistake resulted in a touchdown.
John Metchie III was diving toward the goal line in the first quarter when he was knocked out of bounds. The ball popped out after he tried to reach back across the pylon, but tight end Cameron Latu reached across the line and pulled it into the end zone.
Southern Miss freshman Ty Keyes made his second straight start in place of an injured Trey Lowe. Keyes passed for 131 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He also led the Golden Eagles with 41 rushing yards.
THE TAKEAWAY
Southern Miss: Hopelessly overmatched but Keyes & Co. kept battling and reached the end zone a second time in the fourth quarter.
Alabama: Did just what it was supposed to in dominating a sandwich game between Florida and Ole Miss, outgaining the Golden Eagles 608-213. Billingsley's re-emergence after opening the season in coach Nick Saban's doghouse gives the Tide another big weapon.
B-ROB OUT
Alabama tailback Brian Robinson Jr. sat out the game with bruised ribs sustained late in the Florida game. Backups McClelland and Williams did just fine in his absence.
UP NEXT
Southern Miss gets a presumably more beatable road opponent, visiting Rice.
Alabama hosts Matt Corral, Lane Kiffin and No. 13 Mississippi, which has an open date to prepare.
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