North Alabama vs Southeast Missouri State Full Game | NCAAF 2024 | College Football Week 1

cannings and then some other pretty good college football quarterbacks at that thing too what a great experience for Paxton we're going to have to wait a little bit before we see deloren take the field it was Simo who won the toss but they deferred which means it'll be North Alabama set to receive this is the 10th year that the FCS have kicked things off here in the opening week of the Season got started in Dublin and here we are in Montgomery there is nothing quite like game one a new season it brings the hope the dreams it's all alive and we're underway from the krampton bull Logan ker breaks a tackle and pushed out of bounds just shy of the [Music] 20 Here Comes Ari Patu in the north Alabama offense very talented quarterback number six dual threat quarterback in his high school class play three years at Stanford North Alabama staff didn't really think they had a chance to get him when they saw his name in the portal but here he is so he doesn't have experience here yet at North Alabama but he has experienced playing the position started against Notre Dame and again coaches just talked about his maturity learn that Playbook over Zoom before he got to campus and we are going to see tons of unique formations from North Alabama today they might run a different formation on every down as jav and Allen gets the first Carry you mentioned that offense lots of formations but also as we see Tempo you're going to get that play from the sideline as a tough thing for a defense trying to diagnose where everyone is I mean look at this formation here on play two you got trips pushed all the way out to the near sideline nobody on that Far Side they go right back to juice Allen no room to run only a gain of two will set up third and seven it's all about deception with this offense they go Up Tempo empty set hotu pressure coming batted ball incomplete and that's a three and out for North Alabama to open the season a great job by big Steven Lewis the nose tackle getting his hands up they want to get that ball up quick defense get those hands up and bat that thing down right down the pipe and a great start for Simo and speaking with the Red Hawks defensive staff when we asked about all the formations and you see them pushing three guys out wide they go just remember where the football is and that's exactly what big St Lewis did there on that third and seven Adam Watford punts it away this is going to be great field position for Simo at their own 46 yd line to start the drive defense does their job and now we do get our first look at Paxton deloren started his career in the niia before coming to Simo winning the job had a great year in 2022 then last season cut short with that shoulder injury but they really like how he's looked in Fall Camp speaking of looks he looks the part right 652 30 watching him in warm-ups for the game that ball just absolutely jumps out of his hand and Jay you mentioned he's now healthy off that shoulder injury put on a little more weight looks great out there they go with the ground game to start Brandon epton he's a transfer from SMU boy he's got big shoes to fill we're talking about one of the great Simo players of all time Gino has 5,000 yard run six years that first year they haven't had Gino in six years but certainly a talented tail back in epon coming over from SMU deloren pressure hit as he threw it bounces it [Applause] incomplete great job you'll see with North Alabama's defense not the biggest group out there but quick fast and they say we're going to apply some pressure right away look right in his face let's see how good he is at getting that ball out was a great job third and six here for deloren and the Simo offense North Alabama sends for to Lawrence flush right surveys the field tried to squeeze it in the window North Alabama saying incomplete but they say move the chains Kiren Downing held on there gain of eight to keep the drive alive great job of concentration by Downing and it looked like delen had Brandon epton streaking across the screen but he flushes out on the Run great job adjusting the body by Kiren Downey they did well to snap the play quickly before replay could get in and really take a look whether that was incomplete or not ball might have been moving but it doesn't matter because they kept it with enough Tempo that's a smart decision put your foot on the gas and go deloren checks it down here's epton makes a man miss has the first down and more lows his shoulder all the way to the 25 yd line Germaine Ray Jr finally made the stop after a gain of 10 you see epton in the pass game that's the other thing that Gino Hess did well was catch that ball out of the back field they required the running backs here at Simo be great pass catchers we're seeing that at Aton early showing some Blitz here play action deloren had a man and missed him that would have been a touchdown Dorian Anderson had nobody behind him it looks pretty clear to me early on here they say look we want to get Paxton d off his spot how do we do that let's bring some pressure let's see how he handles it two nice jobs bringing some pressure in his face and even though Simo just outside the Red Zone number six in white Dorian Anderson he's your Red Zone threat at 6'7 big Target for deloren back to the ground game bottled up no room to run for Brandon epon Jr sets up third and long here Jay you mentioned Dorian Anderson big number six for C there he is right there he's going to be flexed out to the top of the screen a size mismatch he'll finds him a 6'7 wide receivers in all of college football and he's going against Germaine Ray Jr Corner that stands at just 6 foot tall to a seven inch height advantage over on that Far Side North Alabama sends pressure deloren throws it's caught for another first down two big critical third down pickups and it's cam Pedro with his first reception of the night and a great job picking up the pressure by the running running back epton getting the ball out of his hand quick to Pedro and you can just tell that Paxton delar has been in this system a while he just looks comfortable looks like he knows where to go with that football and there's an injury over on the Red Hawks sideline Phil J bemy nickel back for this North Alabama defense the hands of your wide receivers let them do some work [Music] 10th play of the drive and delord is sandwiched in the back field by Brown and epto Jr in trouble gets it off to Eon just in the nick of time but well read by North Alabama brought pressure and delar did a good job of Wheeling out of that thing but Gregory reic was right there slip the block underneath that's a great job by a Defender you can't just wait back and let that thing come to you you got to attack it come downhill out of way number nine Simo two for two on third down on this opening drive we got Dorian Anderson top of the screen a jump ball situation now he's comes in motion deloren looks that way but checks it down to epton Jr Cuts has the first down three for three on third down on this opening drive and all of them have been from seven yards or more impressive and early on looks like Brandon epton was a great pickup right for Simo he's done a lot of damage both in the run and pass game Talent kid out of SMU all fall Camp you're working on third down drills third down drills with Simo executing on this opening drive now could they punch it in for a touchdown deloren quick hitter here's Cedro and he's in touchdown sio and it's the transfer from Marshall cam Pedro who opens the scoring [Applause] [Music] well executed 12pl 57 yd drive for the Red [Music] Hawks DC Pippen knocks in the extra point so it's Southeast Missouri State the draws First Blood Rocky and you see deerman there really enjoyed our conversation with him yeah you see that 212 you're thinking is that the area code in north Alabama no that's the area code in New York City 212 is the temperature water boils at and he felt like last season they spent too much time at 210 211 they were there but what can you do to get that extra degree right Jay that's what he talked about you and I were laughing we we've heard a lot of good coach kind of euphemisms that's the first time I've heard that I like it though and it's tough to reinvent the wheel because you're trying to motivate your team but that's a new one I like it I like it you know if if North Alabama sounds familiar and it's not because of that dominance in the90s you may remember the lions from their game last November against Florida State when Jordan Travis had that tragic season ending leg injury and it really changed the college football playoff picture that game was against North Alabama and actually Brent dear in the Lions had a 13- nothing lead against the seminal in that game they played well gave Florida State everything they could handle in that first half couldn't finish but it was a great game went three and out on the opening possession trying to find their footing offensively P two quarterback keeper a dual threat for sure takes that one for [Music] four looks like P's helmet came off so he may have to come out for a play the good news is they've got a reliable backup at TJ Smith transfer from Florida Atlantic they've got packages already built for Smith and we were expecting to see him albeit probably not this early yeah we were alerted might see some two quarterback situations here both Patu and Smith on the field trying to establish that running game and Simo run defense has been very Stout to start I'll tell you one thing coach ttz for SEO talked about we got to get back to fundamentals and right now early in this drive I'm seeing defensive lineman defeating blocks at the point of contact and building the wall they're doing a great job third and four with Ari Patu back into the game Allen in motion looks that way throws wide open it's caught kobby Warden turns it up field ball comes out but they ruled the knee down first the 48 ydd line gain of 17 it's just a great job of Pat you see manto man what do you run versus manto Man rub route so you see 14 coming from underneath rubs off the defender and wide open little mesh concept there right over the middle first down Northern Alabama that's the best run of the night for juice Allen transfer from Tennessee Tech Bren dear told us fun to game plan around juice because you can use it in so many ways including at wide receiver about this formation they call this Gator 3 by three it's a quarterback keeper Simo not fooled so you got three wide receivers on the far side three on the near and you run it up the middle see they they just get you spread out get you trying to get get Miss saline and then just run a simple little dive play it's just a lot of Mind Games they play what it's about is it's about creating hesitation as a Defender I used to hate those kind of schemes cuz I want to know where my Gap is where's my partner at it's hard when they keep shifting around like that third and three quick hitter right back to Warden and he moves the chains again okay if you're going to run bubble screens the outside you must have wide receivers that want to block that was a great job on the outside those receivers getting downfield Dakota Warfield and others picking up a first down [Music] [Applause] ATU set to throw on a first and 10 and it's intercepted right off the hands of Tanaka Scott and just as North Alabama was Finding their footing Adrien Patterson benefits ball landed right in his hands and it's Simo possession that ball goes out of Tanaka Scott's hands he's 6'5 that ball sailed High a little bit for patsu he'd like to drive that thing down a little bit but the tip drill and and and Patterson in perfect spot pick up the Tip Drill there you know they talk about with quarterbacks when you're toward the middle of the field if you're going to miss you want to miss low so that ball doesn't pop up in the air you can miss high to the outside of the field inside around those passes you want to miss low because of that and Rocky as a former Defender when that Ball's up there and Landing right in your lap no better feeling take a shot theen just an overthrow there I like that call there for steam illis Quick Change get the turnover try to take a shot try to hit Anderson I can really see them get him involved it's always great to get your best wide receivers get them lathered up get them the ball early get them in the game I like what Simo does they really vary their Tempo they'll go fast and then they'll shut it down and then they'll go slow like this it really keeps the defense on its [Applause] heels pton Brown his first carry the night goes for a gain of eight and sets up a third and [Applause] [Music] manageable round the true freshman from Hillsboro Missouri so his first college carry the coaches talk about how quickly he was able to grasp The Playbook is a true freshman coming in here game one he's out there making plays Simo has loved third down in this open three on third down only to make it four four blown up not going to get Brandon epton Jr met by a purple wall Gregory reic shot in the first man there tell you what Gregory reic is pulling the trigger out there it's a second nice play he's made attacking not waiting back not waiting for the guy to come to him he's taking the fight to the off pass Logan left rck on to punt it away for Simo so the RedHawks unable to capitalize after the interception it's a good defensive hold by North Alabama Logan CER back there calls for the fair catch at the 15 yd line and that's where the Lions offense will take [Music] over here in Montgomery Alabama beautiful night on the Mississippi River simos see if they can get back to it run the ball here huge hole opens up and Juice Allen it's a full race touchdown saving tackle Justice Johnson keeps Allen out of the end zone but that is the biggest play of the night for North Alabama 66 yds the juice is loose little simple dive play little Z and just let juice Allen find a hole and he kicks on the afterburners they talk about what a great pickup that was for him and how that was going to be a key getting a you know get Ari patu a running back that can do some damage and make this a balanced offense great play hu in trouble steps up gets back to the original line of scrimmage Maybe s forward for a yard well they call him juice Allen and that 66 yd carry really gives the line in some juice in this first quarter and they were looking for that's what they needed they needed a spark seeo was pretty had a had most the momentum this game right now it's time for AR Patu to make a play in this pass game here quick hitter here's Kobe Warden well protected by Simo Bryce Norman makes the tackle you might hear his name a lot he has led this Red Hawks defensive tackles his first three seasons on the team even as a freshman now in his senior season they call him Mr Sima dad went here his grandpa went here he is a legend here at Simo and quite a football player pressure coming Patu gets rid of it it's caught but defended well again Dakota Warfield and this was one point of emphasis for Simo coming off last season they only had 14 sacks didn't do a good job getting after the quarterback so right here they bring some pressure forced P two to get the ball out fast so what do you do here Rocky on a fourth and one I I like the call for going for it here I think you give patu a run pass option roll him out give him the option to throw it or use those long legs of his and his speed to pick up that first down fourth and one Patu under Center flips it to Allen has the first down spins his way inside the five so a brave decision to go for it on fourth down pays off I I like that you want to try to keep that momentum going had a pretty good drive like how they got up to the ball quick quick snap toss that thing to juice [Applause] Allen Patu running over to the sideline looks like the snap will go to Allen he had the 66 yd run to break this drive open then converted on this fourth down now can he punch it in out of the wild cat Allen looking for a hole lowers his shoulder bulldozes in touchdown North Alabama [Applause] tell you what ju Allen is quite a football player compact body 5 foot n 20000 lbs and he runs tough down there inside the 5 yd line and now they're lining up for a two-point conversion even on special teams they'll keep you guessing and it pays off Ben Harris the third string quarterback finds Tanaka Scott we told you the formations you're going to see tonight you will have never seen before for North Alabama and they execute there first day of college football we saw Georgia Tech go for a two-point conversion out of a swinging gate earlier and now North Alabama does it but this is the play that broker here juice Allen just finds a little crease does a good job he's small he hides behind those offensive line and boom hits it and then they go with the Wildcat formation and just same deal just let him pick a hole and then pounds that thing inside tough Runner juice Allen already 81 yards in a touchdown tonight Bren deerman loves it and he also loves this he is Mr creativity he's the play caller for this Lions team and you part of that Jay is it football has got to be fun right players love it when there's some trick plays and fancy formations and kind of keeps everyone spirits up and I mean look at the excitement on that sideline when you get a two-point conversion like that and this is a team that on the previous possession you have a tipped ball for an interception you can go oh it's not going our way tonight boom you bounce back the defense holds you put together a masterful drive convert the two-point conversion and now North Alabama in front 8 to7 Ty Leonard back to receive for Simo and he lets it bounce right by him let's check in down on the field with Morgan U well guys juice Allen such a playmaker in this game right now for North Alabama currently in the injury tent he came off off the field kind of collapsed on the sideline actually just came out of the injury tent as I'm giving this report but came over to the sideline collapsed and head trainer Josh Penny had to help him get up bring him into the injury tent so will'll let you know when I have more oh Morgan yeah that's that's concerning sure they're going to keep an eye on that that's not something you want to see who knows what's going on it is hot out there who who knows exactly what's going on but make sure they get a look at him first game of the season as well you're conditioning might not be all the way back and Allen did it all on that drive a broken play there deloren just fell forward for a gain of one hey guys head trainer Josh Penny just told me it is his left knee so we'll keep an eye on his status good stuff Morgan well they will need him he has been really their Sole Provider of offense in this opening [Music] quarter let's see if Paxton Garen again third years as a St let's see if he can bounce back here and swing that momentum back in the way of Simo they're going to try some trickery the reverse to Downing in north Alabama not fooled only a gain of one tell you what it's going to be hard to run around this North Alabama defense again they're small but they're fast they are flying around out there be tough to get an edge I think a smaller defense like that you got to go Adam they have great depth as well especially on that defensive line they trust a lot of bodies to rotate through this was like a hockey line change ahead of this third and eight theen under pressure down he goes Jackson Bratton and Garrick Ponder combining on that sack to finish the first quarter and North Alabama all the momentum right now Rocky that's the game plan of North Alabama they're going to bring pressure on Jackson delar Jackson Bratton the UAB transfer one that brought it off that right side here we see it they're fast they're coming tie game here7 lead the defense has done their part in the second quarter will start with a Simo punt Logan left trick communication this is an easy flag first of the night feels like every year special teams is the last unit to find their footing in the opening game of the season yeah I think so much emphasis on offense and defense during camp and usually see some mistakes on special teams interference with the opportunity to catch a kick 15yd penalty on the kicking team first down a North Alabama an 87 lead let's check in with their head coach Brent deerman who in between the first and second quarter was with Morgan gber here with North Alabama head coach Bren deerman coach what is the status of your running back ju Allen currently in the injury attemp right now I think they're they're thinking it's a bruise right now um they've got him probably going to come back out with a brace here in a second so we're going to test it out and see how good he um he can play on it what is the difference you've seen in your ability when you can move the ball well after getting past that first drive what's been the difference I mean first drive they they they Stone us I say they Stone us but we really had the the the pickup on third down right there with a tight end right up the shoot and they just batted the ball down good play by the defensive lineman um but but we've just stayed on our guys let's let's keep uh chopping we're going to get the explosive plays we got to be able to Tempo off of them and I love the way our guys turn the page and respond to see Tanaka Scott who tipped the ball up on the pick end up getting the two-point conversion just lets our guys know that we're we're not going to hold it against them we're going to turn the page let them play another play thanks so much coach appreciate it thank you so much Brent dear known for his trickery the formations they're going to keep Simo guessing on defense and we see that out of the bag of tricks to start the second quarter for a first down it's what it's all about trying to get a mismatch trying to give the defense something keep them on their heels they go to the ground game this is AJ Phillips takes a hard hit there he's used to giving the hits this is a converted linebacker turn tight end who played running back in high school so in his final season he got beat out for the linebacker job they went to him 10 days ago and said you want to play kind of a tight end fullback role for us so he learned the playbook in a week and a half and gets a carry for the first game of the season he said coach whatever I got to do to get on the field get me out there he's making an impact Patu good protection didn't pull the trigger though fann out right tiptoes the sideline picked up two good coverage on the back end by Simo again that was a thing they wanted to work on coming into this season last year 121st in the country and pass defense and they had them locked up on that play see what deerman has in terms of some sort of trickeration here on this third down pressure coming Patu in trouble stays on his feet surveys the field nobody open Cuts back loses the football and Simo has it great pursuit of the fumble McCoy Casey recovers it Red Hawks [Applause] ball punched free by Nim Caro and then McCoy Casey fell on it po to his second turnover one interception and one fumble and Brent dear saying look don't make a bad situation worse they had a route combination in the bottom of the screen it got kind of messed up there and then the pressure and right here at this point tuck that ball put that thing away just right at the very last minute tries to tuck it but not before it gets popped out see CYO knocking that ball out deloren goes quickly on first down Jack Clin beard the Junior from Springfield Missouri his first reception of the night takes it for a gain of six zimo going with a little uptempo here and Brandon epon the transfer from SMU he's really yet to get going tonight only seven yards on four [Music] carries sets up a third and three here started the night three for three on third down but they' failed to convert their last two they run it with epon again trying to push that pile might have just gotten there this will be very close needed three they still haven't given the signal now they finally do a first down that was [Applause] close favorable spot needed three got three keeps the drive alive deloren sends it to epton Jr three straight plays where epton Jr has gotten the ball but he is yet to break out tonight great jump on the outside I think that was bmy they're going to come out and try to block you look fighting that block off getting off and holding contained forcing that receiver back got the calvary coming that's a great job on the perimeter there by a cornerback a defensive back in Vimy like that you always want Corners you want Nicholls that can play The Run shed blocks delen in trouble plenty of room after the catch though this is the true freshman Payton Brown playing it his first Collegiate game he's made a real impact takes that for a gain of 16 and that's what you do Jay versus a defense that's aggressive and fast use that aggression against him get him up field and just bloop dump that ball right over their heads that'll slow him down they go right back to Brown This Time blown up in the back [Applause] field thean Williams great Pursuit there really quick off the edge oh w d e at the end too slinging him down this is what Simo will do they'll go Up Tempo then they'll really slow things down where North Alabama's always go go go I I think this is more effective a defense when you're going fast all the time you can settle into that but when you change it up that's tougher deloren did well to get it away there Dorian Anderson breaks the tackle gain of 17 there we go get the ball out there to that 6'7 young man tall long body look at that not a bad job but look at the length even that arm that stiff arm get some extra yardage love it seven yards after first Contact they go right back to Anderson who makes the catch again I always like a quarterback you you feel if your wide receiver's kind of in he's got his MO Joe going a little bit so he goes right back to Dorian Anderson and after they were just sitting on the ball now deloren running with Tempo Payton Brown the true freshman he has not been shy of this first half it's like a pitcher in baseball Jay you're just throwing fast balls all day a hitter can adjust that but then that change up comes gets you off balance that's what varying the tempos does of this defense first and 10 play action deloren quick hitter this is Cam Pedro who scored the opening touchdown this time wrapped up Jackson Bratton the transfer from UAB who started his college career at Alabama Jackson Bratton already making an impact hit a nice rush earlier and then right there playing sideline to sideline great looking football player Timeout on the field Bratton has a teammate down in the secondary we'll step aside North Alabama at 8-7 lead here in Montgomery in there though he's had four tackles a tfl and a QB hit made an impact packs to deloren quarterback for Simo in his senior season he has looked good on this drive 11th play of it second and 11 just outside the Red Zone delen steps up room to run Cuts back at the 10 big hit at the seven talk about laying some Lumber Jabari Hill and a Flags out [Applause] see what the flag is here I think I have an idea what it is but that play parted like the red C and delen took off I didn't there is no foul on the play for targeting I say he didn't lead with the crown of his helmet he didn't hit I mean delar was a runner anyway so it wouldn't have mattered there was a bit of a launch but that was not a targeting foul I'm glad to see referees pick up that [Applause] flag correct call but Tor did take a big hit he's got to shake that off so what America Tunes in the sea baby that's it but gets the juices flowing that's a good job by that's a legal hit he'll be all right spoken like the former linebacker yeah that's physics right there delen just sent flying backwards clean hit yeah it's clean hit and he is a runner at that point he is not a defenseless player so unless he used the crown of his helmet that's going to be legal every time Payton Brown trying to weave his way through churning those legs stood up at the two yd line been impressed by true freshman Payton Brown playing at his first Collegiate game one to just earn the spot on the field and now he's delivered in this first half I always love that when you see freshman I I mean a year ago they're playing High School football right and now here they are in a college game on espm at 7:00 delore incomplete looking for cam Pedro again couldn't quite squeeze it in there but two flags come in in the aftermath now my eyes were on the end zone and Pedro these two flags are at the 11 and 16 yard line so something happened in the back field after this play look like Danny Joiner the tight end was involved there was some pushing going back and forth with some unaa players after the play was over personal foul unnecessary roughness Defense number 33 that penalty's half the distance to the goal line and an automatic first down EJ Colbert called for the personal foul Brent dear head coach of North Alabama not happy about that it looked like there was just something going on in that back field there after the play and that's what drew the flag deerman wears that 212 because that's the temperature water boils at he's hitting two 11 right now he's ready to b 2 11 and a half that's it you see just a little pushing shoving after the play and it's that last one where they said yeah it's always the second guy it's always the second guy they get you got to hold your water there broken play blown up in the back field Carter Hensley in his first snap the backup quarterback in for Paxton deloren something was not right there North Alabama capitalizing his loss of three and unless theen is hurt I can't understand why you bring in a quarterback Fresh's first play of the game inside the 5 yd line they must have some issues there with with theen still on the sideline this has been a long drive for Simo 15th play trying to punch it in with a backup quarterback Hensley Under Pressure loses the football no whistle that ball is loose as it stands again it's hot potato go [Applause] finally Tyreek Daniels picks it up for the Lions and then it was the old Chris Burman rumbling [Applause] stumbling and it was Ric ruling on the field there's a fumble by the offense recovers by the defense first down North Alabama they will review this play play they really must have Lo he 22 yard and theball so what have AO touchdown they're right at the two yd line ends up being North Alabama ball it's still a one-point lead P taking a deep shot incomplete but a flag flies in this will be defensive holding against Adrien patter pass interference defense automatic first down yeah all day long you see Adrien Patterson pulling at the Jersey it's an easy call I like and I like the offensive play call there trying to take a shot well you'll see Tu and pulling Midfield on yeah it's easy 20 yards of pass interference there now we'll try and get an update for Morgan down on the sideline as soon as we have one on cimo starting quarterback Paxton deloren because they're going to either need Hensley to really step up because they can't have a chance with those two plays we just saw from their offense they've given North Alabama a great opportunity here can they convert so far so good right over the middle wide open Kaden Cooper gain of 21 that was a great throw there tight cover threw that ball right down the pipe in between two safeties now they go fast right back to Cooper breaks a tackle spins in to two Simo Defenders gain of six and they are really really going fast right now Patu doing a good job commanding that offense verbal play calls getting to the line and this is the risky run here sometimes see might be a guy off sides B yep offense number n 5yd penalty still second down and and that is the risk you run when you try to go fast sometimes all your guys aren't set you want to go fast fast fast and like that happens [Applause] here backed up to a second and nine after the penalty I I feel like Patu is really starting to get in the groove here let's see what he can do here inside a 30 yard line quarterback keeper hu read the whole way slides and takes a big hit and that's the easiest call the [Applause] [Music] [Applause] night Ali Walton coming in with that helmet as Patu clearly gave himself up with the slide it's important to point that out and the officials are told as soon the instant that quarterback starts to give himself up that's when he becomes defenseless and that's what's going to draw that that penalty right there and watching it in real time it looked like Walton definitely LED with that crown of the helmet after the play was over personal foul leg hit unnecessary roughness with targeting on the defense plays under further review and it's important to note had Patu not given himself up that that would have been a legal hit but when as soon as he starts to go down and gives himself up he becomes defenseless and then I mean there's also crown of the helmet that's the whole smash there dictionary definition targeting a couple of weeks ago the college football team at ESPN gets together before the season and we go through plays like this this this one might as well have been in that colge football seminar Rocky easy call yeah and as soon as he starts to to give himself up that's the instant he becomes defenseless and you hear from former Defenders you're one of them that when you're in pursuit of the football it's so hard to put the breaks on but to do it yeah things are happening bang bang it's a safety issue I I I get it I I feel for these Defenders out there you're trying to go hard I mean you got a 6'4 220lb quarterback running right at you your job is to stop him but uh you know as soon as he starts to give himself up you got to just find a way to roll off that thing and if the targeting is upheld and we expected to be the ball would move half the distance to the goal line to the 10 yd line and put North Alabama in great position here before halftime to extend this lead there's been some key times tonight where Patu is is taken off and gained some valuable yards with his legs kind of an under talk about part part of his game that was a good decision you wonder why this is taking so long because we we saw it live and said that that's the easiest call of the night I just wonder Jay if they're they're trying to figure out the time to put on the clock or trying to find the right yard line I'm not quite sure but and we were just told from our production team that they're trying to figure out where pacu started that slide where to assess theen from this should be the 20 yd line 20 after review targeting is confirmed that penalty will be half the distance to the goal line and an automatic first down for North Alabama huge play so the ball play number three is disqualified for the game and it's not number three it's number 13 Molly Walton here Walton will miss the rest of this game Jared Pedraza yeah and Walton was out there before they don't go tell you nice try Pedraza in at the linebacker spot first and 10 for North Alabama after the target a penalty both quarterbacks on the field Patu and TJ Smith Patu keeps it himself untouched into the end zone touchdown lions [Applause] and that's what that Personnel Group does does Jay you bring two quarterbacks on the field the defense is saying what's going on is it going to be a double pass and then all it is is just a simple Zone Run play to the quarterback for a touchdown and they're going for two again they did this after their first touchdown this is the third string quarterback Ben Harris and then they back up for the extra point so they showed that same formation they converted the two-point on in the first quarter that is a standard extra point and the Lions up 15 to7 now like the play call there a great Drive helped out by a penalty for North Alabama Ari Patu making some plays out there little quarterback run right off the side shown his ability with his legs North Alabama taking control to you from Montgomery Alabama for North Alabama a 15-7 [Music] lead Brandon epton on the return room to run a couple of broken tackles just the kicker to beat and a touchdown saving tackle Sam canoro the kicker putting his body on the line but still a solid return to 53 yds for epon it's a great job you know maybe your defense is struggling a little bit counting your special teams and get a spark back nice return go back to to the return here he just a good job of reading blocks here and breaking tackles that's how you draw it up and it's still the backup quarterback Carter Hensley in the game for Simo so the Red Hawks start in great field position offense 5yd penalty still first down this is a train wreck for Hensley let's check in down with Morgan Uber on the sideline well guys starting quarterback cimo Paxton delore took that big hit earlier this quarter and it is his left shoulder and AC sprain the same injury that he had to that right shoulder last year and being told he is questionable to return there it is a big hit there clean hit but it took went right on that shoulder so if you don't have delor the rest of the way Hensley's got to start to show something incomplete and it should have been intercepted Travis klier in and out of his hands of the secondary Hensley took a big hit on that play and there's a flag down in the back field it almost went from bad to worse for Hensley he's already got a a fumble on the night went in with the ball at the two yd line turns it over this was nearly an interception and look this is a tough thing for a red shirt freshman quarterback getting thrown into the game tight game as we said earlier that the defense is is shown no mercy they're bringing lots of pressure they're trying to rough up Carter Hensley ball should have been pick on that one during the play and one after the play in eligible player downfield offense number 69 that 5yd penalty will be enforced after the play was over personal foul late hit unnecessary roughness number 45 of the defense that penalty's 15 yards and an automatic first down the we see there's that's Kobe's six killer the offensive guard just kind of gets too far you're allowed five yards in college but just just started to break that barrier and then right here not not sure what he was thinking about on that play that's right in front it's Marlin karuk on that play I'm not sure what he's thinking on that [Music] play and another broken play by Simo they have not run one clean play with the backup Carter Hensley in the game Derek Ponder the stop there for North Alabama yeah I think right now that the nerves are getting to Carter Hensley he's got to find a way to calm him down they got to get that run game going just allow him to take a breather here try to get his head back in this game they've run three plays with Hensley in the game- 23 yards completes the pass there cedra who scored the lone TouchDown for Simo tonight positive yardage and sets up a third and manageable not bad get a nice easy completion for your quarterback try to settle him down you see Mass substitutions here on defense for North Alabama bringing some fresh bodies in crowding that line of scrimmage third and two at lower his shoulder not going to get there only got one what do you do here Rocky I think you go for this thing right here this area of the field I think it's too far for a manageable field goal look like that's what they're going to do get up that line try to Quick snap them hard to do with your backup quarterback in though [Applause] Hensley was trying to go right under C to spotted the ball different place and now North Alabama has time to get set and get a good push here lose the element of [Applause] surprise the clock continued to run and it runs right into the two-minute timeout new to college football this Seas college football yeah in the second quart qu and the fourth quarter when you hit that two minutes much like the NFL two-minute timeout so we'll take it with them Simo try a quarterback sneak now into shotgun here on a fourth and one Anderson in motion they go to the Freshman Payton Brown churning those legs just enough for the first [Music] down good job by Jackson Bratton filling that hole but forward progress certainly is going to move those chains nice Collision linebacker and running back pton Brown is able to turn those legs and pick up the first play action Hensley loads up throws a deep ball incomplete tried to place it Braden Thompson the tight end Thomson should had that ball love the play call rolling him out a little bit and try to come back the other way on the wheel route this is far from ideal for the RedHawks he got a backup quarterback and a true freshman pton Brown in the backfield and running back and yet they're finding ways that was a good play design good play design well placed ball he's got to come up with that he would do a lot for their momentum and their confidence headed design screen Brown turns up field doesn't go down until inside the 20 another first down from the true freshman Payton Brown second time we've saw the screen be used against this defense as attacking getting up field dumping the ball over their head pass Jimmy Peyton Browns pressure coming Hensley in trouble throws it away and I just I believe North Alabama's going to keep bringing pressure on the red shirt freshman quarterback Carter Hensley until he does something to get him out of and so far in this game has not shown the ability to find an open wide receiver when they Blitz [Music] trips left looking that way it's caught Camp Pedro has it and a flag comes in Pedro inside the 5 yd line he's got the lone touchdown for the Red Hawks tonight interference pass interfer number six 15 ydd penalty still second [Applause] down Dorian Anderson his back Simo up and that's a shame because that was a nice job by Hensley they brought pressure again but he did a good job finding I don't know that's that seems pretty ticky tacky [Music] there wasn't like he extended his arms out and and tried to throw a block it was a pick route nonetheless but instead of the ball being inside the 5 yd line Simo backed up all the way to the 32 tall task here for the backup quarterback Carter Hensley completes the pass turning up field clinking beard [Applause] Dan of and now do you just try and set something up for your field goal unit here Rock inside the 25 yeah I mean it seems like that's what their M MO is here going slow still have three timeouts under 30 seconds left in the half and it's north Alabama who takes a timeout timeout North Alabama 30 seconds that's their first of the half it's going to force them to run this third and 17 well for the opening weekend of the college football season we certainly had game a fun first half lots of action it's early in the game interception ball gets tipped up in the air giv Simo some momentum little two-point conversion this was the point where Simo started to get some momentum and then this was the play the game so far here this has been the big difference Paxton dearen out of the game and North Alabama they started the Feeding Frenzy on Carter Hensley so far I think it would do a lot for Hensley at this shimo offense just to put three points up on the board I I agree you can go into halftime here with as crazy as as the last part of this has been down Five [Applause] [Music] Points Hensley good protection steps up right on the money Doran Anderson a bullet thrown from Hensley that's more like it gain of 31 seimo uses a timeout they've got three of them now two that's their first of the half what a Big Time throw by Carter Hensley yeah there you see him it seems like all that pressure in the weight of the world has just come off his shoulders what a confidence Builder little stun up front good job blocking and just threads the needle right in between four purple jerseys that's a big boy throw by Hensley love seeing a young man that had kind of a rough start to his tenure here come up and make a big play at a crucial moment overcoming all that adversity to throw a right on the money dime and with 22 seconds left to this first half you still have two time out so you can run this football you're going to have at least three chances to punch this thing in 100% you have three chances here you get a crack at the end zone and most importantly with those timeouts you can run the ball and it's the true freshman Payton Brown in the back field 21 yds on five carries tonight in his first Collegiate [Music] [Applause] game Brown gets the carry powers in touchdown Simo Payton Browns first collegate touchdown CS at 11pl 51 yd drive and what a swing of emotion we thought maybe Simo could go into halftime with a long field goal but a beautiful throw by Hensley sets up one yd plunge by pyton Brown and the offens has stayed on the field Red Hawks going for two to try and tie this game at 15 headed into halftime Hensley pressure coming in trouble gets rid of it right through the hands of Danny Joiner North Alabama protects his two-point lead and that was tough he had Brandon epton the running back run right to the flat I think he pulled that ball out quick and shot at the epon he might have had a chance to get in you'll see right there he's open right now just a little hesitation then he couldn't throw that ball in he's got to try to fit one into a tight window there that's a great job by North Alabama holding that two-point conversion I mean if you're SEO right now I mean you are feeling fantastic right now because you get the touchdown you got your quarterback your red sh freshman backup quarterback Carter Hensley seemingly settled down down and kind of in the flow of this game making a couple plays now if you're North Alabama you pride yourself being on a a risk-taking team a lot of trickery in this first half you have two timeouts you have 18 seconds do you think about taking a shot here I think you do you got the quarterback that can do it I think you you know your first play you try to get a big chunk yards play and if it works out then maybe you you try to press a little [Music] bit so we're getting you started on ESPN First Saturday at college football next Saturday you got Clemson Georgia Miami Florida Notre Dame Texas A&M all right in a row all on ABC that is called you're sitting on the couch for 12 hours all day long that's it order to take out and sit there all day they're going to go the four wide set and you can see Simo defense [Applause] is got seven guys back at the first down marker they run it with juice Allen good to see him with the ball in his hands again he had 81 yards with that opening quarter his first Carry of the second quarter there North Alabama content to take this two-point lead into halftime zimo set to receive the first half to start the second half well football is back and we've got a competitive game here in Montgomery Alabama let's take you into the studio SPN college football for the first time at 2038 days this is a critical drive for the Red Hawks to start this third quarter Rocky because you ended strong you saw signs of life from Carter Hensley but if you can go down the field Take the Lead that'll be a big statement to start this second half no doubt about it I think you can continue to lean on your run game pton Brown has been great Brandon epton both your running backs continue to let your quarterback red shirt freshman Carter Hensley just thrust into duty let him to relax don't give him the feeling he's got to put this whole team on his shoulder and go win this game in that run game a bit epon couldn't quite turn it up field lost [Music] two Brandon Upton we talk about how hard is is going to be getting around this defense it's quick and fast fast as they are got to keep keep trying to pound away at them inside go vertical on that D second and 12 play action Hensley steps up just a little short there he was trying to pick out Dorian Anderson missed him third and 12 upcoming it wasn't a real conf throw by Hensley right there didn't look like he really wanted to step into that thing came up short imagine what it's like for you know every we talked all game this whole team going to lean on Paxton delar coming back from injury last year now this is Carter Henley's very much the identity yeah of the Simo team they're starting quarterback to Lauren pressure coming on a third and 12 Hensley throws it out of bounds trying to go to Anderson again and that's a three and out to start this third quarter North Alabama more times than not has brought pressure on Hensley on those key third downs and that's what you do to a Young quarterback you know let's see how calm and cool and Collective he is back there he's done a decent job but for the most part that pressure has been able to force a quicker throw than Hensley wanted [Music] Logan leftrick punts it away cleanly Logan klier Retreats from his own 26 can't split the tackle gets to the 30 that's where Ari Patu and this North Alabama offense will take over what are your impressions of the transfer from Stanford in that first half well I think look kind of a similar situation things start off bad gets the early interception on the tip ball and then tries to tuck one and run and the fumble happens but look he's a older guy he's got some experience out there he settled in made a couple nice throws toward the end of that first half and here on the touchdown run they bring in the backup quarterback TJ Smith In Motion him out there get a nice kick out block by the guard Ryan Walker and he just punches that thing in with his legs I I think he his composure is really impressive even when things were bad he looks composed doesn't look like he get he gets rattled out there at all 91 yds in that first half 61 through the air 30 on the ground graduated in three years from Stanford puts his name into the portal head coach Brent dearman didn't think they had a prayer at him he recruited him heavily when he was the offensive coordinator at Kansas he ends up going to Stanford here they are reunited as dear the head coach and his second College start ever only started one game in those three three years at Stanford it's incredible he he graduates walks across the stage on June 17th Rocky shows up in Florence Alabama the very next day to start learning this offense and deerman was actually trying to recruit his brother his brother was in the portal and he said well we have no shot at getting you Ari but maybe we can get your brother and Ari calls back a couple days said hey I'd love to come down here to North Alabama and careful what you wish for that was turned out to be a good thing third and eight putu in trouble scrambles out of it has the first down aru showing that dual threat ability on a third and eight breaks free 25 yd gain what a huge play and what a demoralizing play because SEMA had great coverage on the back end but you get an athletic quarterback deceptively fast like Patu is that's a back breaker for a defense it's kind of the under talk about part of his game as his scrambling and running ability looks great Kobe Warden he's been the bubble screen guy tonight rips that off for a gain of 10 and another first down they've tried they've had a lot of luck with that play to the outside here now you see the tempo getting lined up fast they got to move the chain so it's going to hold it back a little bit dear out there calling the shots with this offense trying to get him lined up they go to juice Allen no room to run juice Allen's been a little bit quiet it was early in that first half here he popped a long run right up the gut they had 81 of those 93 yards in the opening quarter battling through some left knee pain good to see him out there in the third quarter P two this time can't escape lost the football as well Caro shot out of a cannon got po to cleanly theim Caro untouched into the backfield loss of nine North Alabama does have the football though he Carol did a nice job from that interior position not even a line stun he just beat him with quickness beat the center with quickness right run was down before the ball came out [Music] that's always tough when you get defensive lineman down there that has that those quick twitch muscle fibers can read that snap count and get off on the ball that's tough third and 16 well out of field goal range as well Patu surveys rolls right nobody open trying to squeeze it over on the sideline sails incomplete Dakota Warfield was the target I like that call there for Simo they dropped seven into coverage rushed three and had a spy on Patu in case he decided to take off up short and you know Brent deerman does not want to punt this ball from the Simo 39 but he's got no choice with it being fourth and 16 they're a team known for trickery but on Fourth and 16 you don't have to worry about anything ball bounces Out of Bounds at the 6yd line SEO battling fist bumping all of his teammates and in the year of quarterback Carter Hensley with this new iPad technology and still trying to do anything that he can to contribute for thisam defensive injury we've got a defensive injury Garrick Ponder down for North Alabama yeah and it's just unfortunate for delen because he was really starting to you felt like he was getting into the flow here and getting back into the swing of things had some good numbers before he took that big hit you just hope for both him and this Simo team this is something that's not going to put him out for an extended period of time yeah we mentioned the injury from last year you know Simo a disappointing season after a 2022 campaign that saw nine wins you made the FCS playoffs so high expectations a year ago and you go four and seven you lose your starting quarterback for the last five games you know their head coach Tom matuku it's called it a painful gift will be a lot better this year and you don't even make it through the first half with deloren healthy that's what's tough yeah kind of you know last year they had a really good veteran team and he went into Camp saying okay we're not going to go real hard don't want to get our guys injured and he felt that affected just their whole mentality That season so this year get back to getting after it in Camp but no matter what you do you start a season without your main trigger man that's that's just never a way you want to do it I mean so much in today's football relies on that quarterback when you got a good one like delar it's tough when you're losing and they've brought the cart out with Garrick Ponder down he missed last season with an injury as well see him off to the left side there sure what happened like he went down got landed on Ponder carded off and the drive resumes the backup Carter Hensley and a quarterback for Simo you know week one we trying to find your footing and it doesn't help when you have all these disruptions go right back to Brown true freshman with his eighth carry this will set up third and short that was key getting a few yards there because I think Simo can run the ball here instead of having to drop back where you know North Alabama's going to bring a bunch of pressure that's what this game is going to come down to can Carter ly deal with the pressure that North Alabama is going to bring if they pass this looks like it's going to come right here again pressure comes but it doesn't stop the Oney gain to move the chains it's not going to be pretty offensively for Simo when you got a backup quarterback like that week one but if you can just find a way to keep chipping away move the chains it doesn't have to be pretty you just need to find a way to grind this one out well two things you got to rely on your run game and you got to rely on your defense your defense can keep it from getting out of control where you now you don't have to put the ball in the air a ton you can stay keep this thing close short pass game run the ball I think that's the game plan right now for [Applause] Simo and what North Alabama can do defensively is really load that box when you know the run is coming correct and that's exactly what they it's going to come down to can Simo and Carter Hensley beat this loaded box beat the pressure in the pass game can you get some quick passes to the outside I mean that that's what takes a A team out of stack in the Box get that ball to the perimeter a little bit and force that defense to stretch back out then you can start the hammer away [Applause] inside Hensley clean pocket fires over the middle it's caught gain of eight Downing the slot receiver and another North Alabama Defender goes down that's reic he's already been down once tonight good job you see Barry walock running into the referee taken out there never helps time out on the field reic who made the tackle there player this seems to happen every season game one where defensive guys just can't seem to get that conditioning down they they keep cramping up yeah it is look it's a hot humid night out here tonight in North Alabama's defense been on been on the field 50 snaps never and not one day in practice during the fall are you on the field playing 50 snaps you're going have to endure here big hit on a third and three stopped well short Brandon nepton did well to hang on that's Jack Bratton the transfer from UAB who started his career playing for Nick sa in Alabama showing why on this hit yeah Brock caribo the defensive coordinator was Raven last night about Jackson Bratton just saying he he's just a different guy out here at the FCS level obviously former Alabama UAB last year that was a heck of a play flying down for that ball North Alabama back to receive this punt Logan CER lets it bounce this will be excellent field position for the Lions time now for some random fandom new segment Rocky and I are doing this year Meet Chuck beard whose love for North Alabama began all the way back in 1949 he played offensive line on the very first Lions football team well 75 years later beard now 95 years old passionate as ever for his beloved lions and he had a message to share this week I'm excited for the season to start and to watch the UNA Lines on ESPN good luck it's in Ro line to me the backbone the heartbeat of college football are guys like Chuck beard the fans whether you're at home or in the stands fandom makes college football so this year Rocky you and I are going to look for some random fandom whereever wherever we each week find some great stories some crazy fans but that's what you love about this game young and old everybody loves college football even at age 95 so getting after it I Chuck and his wife Elaine they've been married 70 years oh my God they love North Alabama football they never miss a home game 75 years of North Alabama football he's watching at home hoping his Lions can hang on to the this two-point lead third down up coming this seems like a big opportunity for North Alabama Simo offensively starting to stall with a backup quarterback you've got to add some cushion to this two-point lead you got to add some cushion to it again you you got to start you know put some points on the board and force the backup quarterback to have to do things he's not comfortable doing which is putting the ball in the air a bunch this is a critical third down here for Pat two empty set the transfer from Stanford surveys rolls right nowhere to go with it and he's flushed out of bounds Jared Pedraza in Pursuit and you know Jay you talked about it the SEO defense is not flashy they don't do a bunch of complex blitzing and things like that they're rushing for dropping guys into coverage and they're not giving any room for Pat to throw that football just simple fundamentally sound defense I love it you know all my my two years were the Colts we played about three coverages cover two cover three and cover one we knew we were playing it we knew the offense knew we were playing we knew the people in the stands knew we were playing it but we knew how to play that defense and how to get to that football a Miss hit here on the punt and all the north Alabama fans in the stands are at home like Chuck beard they're thinking and we we need some more points we got a two-point lead but this is I think they got to keep doing what they did just there which is attack this defense downhill again they're quick you're not going to get around their Edge but as this game wears on here you hopefully those body blows you keep throwing inside one can break here and then once you start pounding away with that run then maybe you come back for the play action help Carter Hensley out Hensley pump fake now throws wide open beautiful ball Doran Anderson he's been the top Target tonight whether it's been Hensley or deloren in his fourth reception 61 yds like that play call there they run a wheel up the sideline and then Anderson follows right in behind little pump and lays that ball in here Carter Hensley has made some nice throws tonight great you see Cedro running that corner off and then Anderson comes right back underneath him Hensley quarterback keeper lowers his shoulder flag comes out holding offense number 19 10yd penalty still second down and normally I would like the idea of having your quarterback run around a little bit but if you're Simo can you afford to put your second string quarterback at at risk the two teams with very contrasting Styles coming into this game North Alabama they want to go up Tempo like the scoreboard up Simo comfortable playing a slower game grinded out style so the tempo you would think is favoring the Red Hawks but at some point you need some offensive production this will help positive yardage again going right back to Anderson for a gain of 10 yeah Hensley and Anderson have something going on right now let's let's keep it going now here we go SE a little Tempo and another play blown dead the penalties piling up this is a false start false start offense for 83 5yd penalty still second down and I know it's week one but the penalty's really piling up very choppy game so how can you find a rhythm offensively if feels like every other play someone's cramping injury there's a penalty I I think the the hard part here is you know right now they try to go a little Tempo and try to you know go fast go slow that sort of thing I think right now you just got to look let's let's flush it out let's let's simplify things as much as possible make sure we're get lined up and make a good good play call and execut [Applause] it finally some room to run Brandon epton burst through the hole that's a gain of 11 transfer from SMU finally showing that speed they're high on this junior out of Dallas Texas just hasn't had the opportunity so far tonight that's his biggest run of the night gain of 11 and another Timeout on the field for a defensive injury North Alabama Defender is down that's the true freshman Josh angland yeah I mean that's a Telltale sign for for cramping right there trying to stretch those Cavs out well guys I've been running sideline to sideline with all of these injuries happening here today and I can attest it is warm it has not down there's no Breeze out here and when I was on the north Alabama sideline I noticed a concerted effort from that training staff trying to pass cups with electrolytes to guys you know more and more especially after all of these cramps happening as of late Morgan you're running sidel the sideline you're not cramping down there are you yeah Morgan's finding a way to get it down come on I've been staying hydrated I'm on water bottle number three uh but let me tell you I'm going to need some electrolytes after this one I think too yeah as we discussed it's always tough these first games of the year hot we've seen seven North Alabama players go down in this game Simo getting stretched out as well between that and the penalties I hate beating this drum but it's just so tough to get an offense in Rhythm yeah and offense has to have rhythm but yeah I mean every other play it's an injury it's an off sides I mean the injuries that the cramps not much you can do about it but stay hydrated but they they got to stop the foolish penalties third and four they go to the Freshman Payton Brown and he picks up the first down again quickly turning into Mr reliable the true freshman now despite these stoppages R off about three great runs in a row here so I feel like that run game is starting to get in Rhythm here we go with a quick count Hensley play action fires into the chest of Cam Pedro he's thrown down gain of nine RPO run the ball then they pull it out hit the slam right back to Brown and he rumbles forward for another first down when you need a first down 22 in white has delivered you can see why they're going Tempo Tempo forces you to get into a rhythm you get a good play Boom get up the line make another good play starting with string a couple together here how about that stat line for the Collegiate debut for Payton Brown touchdown and more than 50 yards between receiving and running first and 10 from the 31 right back to Brown North Alabama even when they get that initial contact he still can churn those legs that's a positive gain of six yeah this is the most Rhythm we've seen the SEO offense have all night and they look resigned to just keep running that ball on the inside until North Alabama stops it what that's going to do though is is they start to crowd that box is going to open up some things in the pass game for Hensley they're sticking with brown why not breaks a tackle stays on his feet dives into the end zone [Applause] touchdown the true freshman second score of the night he is quickly becoming the story for Simo the inside run you know it's coming but can you stop it Sima says we don't think you can and pton brown an early enroll lead played High School football last year came into this program grasped the college game quickly and now here he is when his team needs a big play he made a monster one right there and the Red Hawks are going to go for two [Applause] here they have to burn a timeout play clock was down to five I think they have enough guys on the field they're missing a lineman had to call timeout so North Alabama going for that two-point conversion after the first touchdown has forced them to chase points and they failed to do it on the previous two-point conversion now they're trying to pick it up [Music] again the college football returns it a big Way Labor Day weekend it kicks off Thursday night at Colorado then temple in Oklahoma on Friday look at that Saturday all on ABC Clemson and Georgia Miami at Florida Notre Dame and Texas A&M you agree that the dog should be the preseason number one team I I had Ohio State but it's it's a coin flip right between Georgia and Ohio State who has in my opinion the most talented roster you know for Georgia 12 returning starters Carson Beck Heisman candidate quarterback they seem to have the pieces here but they got a very very tough tough schedule third toughest schedule in college [Music] football and zimo converts count it for two and the Red Hawks a 2115 lead with 15 seconds left in the third quarter now we've said a couple of times tonight this is a new era of college football the FCS has had the playoff for a while but the playoff is coming to FBS this is how it's going to break down 12 teams but it's not as simple as one through 12 it's not the 12 best teams it's the five highest ranked Conference champions and then the next seven highest ranked teams or best teams and those four highest ranks Conference champions are seated one through four so you could be the quote unquote 12th ranked team but if you're a conference Champion you could get that buy so Rocky boyman we put you on the spot here's a look at your pre-season college football playoff here's how I see it right here as I talked about I think Ohio State and Georgia have the two best rosters I think you talked the Big 12 I think Utah is a tough team to beat got a lot of returning production tough place to play and with what happened Florida State earlier today Miami put Miami in there I think they got a chance same thing another very talented roster so here's a really good example Rocky because clearly you don't think Utah and Miami are the three and four best teams in the country but doesn't matter if they win their conference Big 12 in ACC they will get the buy so Oregon they could be on paper the third best team they the best they can do is the fifth seat your team Notre Dame they have a pretty tough sled there right yeah I mean they they'd be the eight they'd have to play Alabama if you win you get Ohio State but the Irish they cannot finish in the top four because they're not in a confence confence the best they can do is fif right yeah so that means they can never get that first round by which is which is key you know you see a 12 there in terms of the group of five teams I think app state has a great roster Joey aglar quarterback 3700 yards 33 touchdowns last year em and Memphis I think are the two leading candidates in my opinion big run here at the end of the third quarter exactly what North Alabama needed a 2 6yd Scamper for jayen Fletcher as we start the fourth quarter Red Hawks in White on defense North Alabama with the football trailing by six Ari Patu dual threat quarterback what does he need to do rock here in the fourth quarter well for right now I mean the important thing for Simo is you got to find a way to get a stop now because if you get the ball back I don't think North Alabama's defense we talked about their defense is small I don't know they look gassed I I don't think they can stop the run at this point but comes down to your defense right now getting that ball back and Patu and North Alabama offensively might know that so that puts a premium on this possession that you have to go down and put up a score here absolutely I I I think that's you I mean right now Brent deerman knows we we can't you know punt this ball away and give that ball back to seimo and just let them pound the ball inside all the way down the field again got to find a way to get points here that falls on the shoulders number one the quarterback P two goes under center for the second time tonight hands off to juice Allen needed two got three so first down North Alabama keeps the drive alive and we came into this game talking about the quarterbacks but it's been the running backs for both these teams that have really carried the weight and with that carry Allen hits 100 yards on 13 touches and a touchdown Dennis Moody into the game to relieve Allen gets the carry Moody sheds a tackler Falls forward for a solid gain of seven on first down it's good stuff he put a trips formation way off down near the sideline just remov some of those players from that box and run the ball quick snap here send it outside to Kobe Warden trying to turn that corner and another first down for North Alabama really finding a rhythm here this is a great job wide receiver blocking you get three wide receivers out there in front of warden look at this it's like having three offensive linemen out there doing the Dirty Work making nice Tough Run and and the the M Mo here is keep peppering the outside okay then get that defense to stretch it out then get juice Allen going up the [Music] middle hu steps up going to tuck and run well read by Simo that's Bryce Norman the leading tackler for the last three seasons now we asked does he set the standard defensively and the coaching staff replied he is the standard he is the standard and that was a nice tackle he made right there if Bry Norman doesn't bring Patu down he could be scampering all the way to the end zone [Applause] some point here it's going to be up to Patu to make a big time throw here feel like he's been a little bit late on a lot of his throws tonight find an open guy and pull the trigger there you go that's Warden again absorbs a big hit short of the six third and two upcoming go some Tempo [Applause] here Moody trying to push that pile needs two going to be very close here really depends on the spot I think they're just going for it here going to try to go quick fourth and half a yard they snap it quickly blowing up in the back field Bryce [Applause] Norman Jared Pedraza and Bryce Norman storming through the two linebackers turn over on Downs what the stop for Simo biggest play of the game the KO the defensive lineman with the interior penetration and there came the calvary a huge stop trying to go quick seo's defense simplified plan comes up big they bring the ball back to their offense here Simo really struggled to penetrate both in the run and the pass well tonight Rocky they've used that off seon they've been terrific this last one biggest play of the night this was the play of the game and you're going to see Caro right here just the penetration right in that b Gap and that's going to leave a gap wide open for Pedraza the linebacker but you can see the penetration forces that running back to bounce to the outside and then padra is right there untouched here comes the Cavalry it's just great simple team defense Gap sound and flying into the football and whether it's that pass rush you see the three sacks that we' had tonight or in the running game they are getting a really nice push now can their offense capitalize and make this a two-score game if you get a field goal on this drive you're up by nine two- possession football game some breathing room for the first time because these two teams have been tight throughout well I mentioned earlier but I in my opinion North Alabama's defense is gas so I think it's going to be handoffs up the middle over and over turn over here until they show they can stop it quarterback play action little trickery there everyone thought they were going with the run and it's cam Pedro on the grab for Simo well that's your run pass option right that that ball could have been easily handed off but he saw the the overhang player the linebacker collaps down so he throws the slam that's how it works the north Alabama clearly frustrated as Shad Williams another lion kamping we've seen eight of them in this game and their defense needs a stop trailing by six of the fourth quarter go some Tempo here [Music] Moody trying to push that pile needs two going to be very close here really depends on the spot I think they're just going for it here going to try to go quick fourth and half a yard they snap it quickly blowing up in the back field Bryce Norman Jared Pedraza and Bryce Norman storming through the two backers turn on Downs what aop for Simo biggest play of the game the the defensive line with the interior penetration and there came the calvary a huge stop trying to go quick Simo defense simplified plan comes up big they bring the ball back to their offense last year Simo really struggled to penetrate both in the run and the pass well tonight Rocky they've used that off season they've been terrific this last one biggest play of the night this was the play of the game and you're going to see Caro right here just the penetration right in that b gab and that's going to leave a gap wide open for Pedraza the linebacker but you can see the penetration forces that running back to bounce to the outside and then Pedraza is right there untouched here comes the Cavalry it's just great simple team defense Gap sound and flying of the football whether it's that pass rush you see the three sacks they've had tonight or in the running game they are getting a really nice push now can their offense capitalize and make this a two-score game if you get a field goal on this drive you're up by nine two possession football game some breathing room for the first time because these two teams have been tight throughout I mentioned earlier but I in my opin iion North Alabama's defense is gas so I think it's going to be handoffs up the middle over and over and over here until they show they can stop it quarterback play action little trickery there everyone thought they were going with the run and it's cam Pedro on the grab for Simo well that's your run pass option that that ball could have been easily handed off but he saw the the overhang player the linebacker collaps down so he throws the slam that's how it works the north Alabama clearly frustrated as Shad Williams another lion kamping we've seen eight of them in this game and their defense needs a stop trailing by six of the fourth quarter J came came into this game talking about the impact of these two quarterbacks but it's been the Freshman running back pyton Brown has really been the story tonight 80 yards and two touchdowns in his last two drives he's been a particular Workhorse five rushes 47 yards in the touchdown and I think we're going to see plenty more of pton brown as this game goes on breaking tackles here what a tremendous start of a career for that young man yeah you could not have scripted a better Collegiate debut than this one now just trying to hold on to this lead and secure the Win Brown gets the carry bounces off a tackler he is so tough to bring down feels like he always avoids that first Contact another gain of seven it's it's best in football when you can hear a play versus just see it look at that just bounces off you heard that pop all the way up here in the booth 61 215 lbs compact strong body on that kid what a start North Alabama has not shown they can stop pton brown in this Simo rush they do there no quarterback keeper Carter Hensley everybody in the stadium was fooled Hensley all the way to the 10 what a moment for the backup quarterback he has come in and grinded this for the RedHawks gain of 46 and let's give Jeremy McDow the play caller for him a lot of credit here he says look we know that whole team is focused on Peyton Brown how about we just let Carter Hensley pull that ball in a naked outside run no blockers just pull that thing and fools everybody gutsy play call gutsy run man at times it has not been pretty for Hensley and this Simo offense but they're leading on the scoreboard and they're trying to make this a two touchdown lead Brown bottled up that time again we'll go back to you got to give Sim's defense a lot of credit because it was them getting the stops that allowed their offense to run this kind of game plan take the pressure the red shirt freshman backup quarterback let the Run game take over it's worked out [Applause] [Applause] beautifully flag thrown before the snap [Applause] offside Defense number n uned to the quarterback half the distance the goal still second down and if you are looking for UFC Fight Night that is started over on ESPN news this feels like the ball game for North Alabama have to find a way to get a stop here that penalty won't help so so what you're seeing North was just selling out to stop the run so if I'm Simo I'm going to Target that guy right there my six foot seven wide receiver try to throw one up to him here oneon-one coverage Hensley goes to Brown instead he's up ended this will be third and goal from the two yd line [Music] [Applause] s would breathing rooming by trying to make this a two-core game punch it in here on a third and goal they have grinded in this second half with their backup quarterback Carter Hensley they go to Brown trying to muscle it in and he does wow what a night for the true freshman three touchdowns in his Collegiate debut and J to me what separates a good running back from a great one is the great one the great ones their legs don't stop on contact reic one of the best defensive player bang meets him in the hole and the legs keep driving through the py line what an excellent job of just Smashmouth football by Simo offense stays on for the two-point [Applause] try confusion here epon trying to turn the corner not going to get there seemed like a broken play from the start so North Alabama holds on the two-point try but the Lions down 12 73 to one of the gutsiest calls of the game having Hensley pull this ball and go on the run to the outside with the keeper and then from there it's the pton brown shows we've seen all night setting up the touchdown here pton Brown hitting per turnning those legs seeo in control of this game starting tonight there is going to be college football on your TV every Saturday night until January and it's kind of a new era the college football playoff expanding to 12 teams we've heard a lot about conference realignment it's finally happened 14 FBS schools changing conferences this offseason the one thing that's remained the same Georgia entering as pre-season favorites Kirby SM and the Bulldogs looking to add a third National Championship in his tenure yeah Georgia always recruiting at high level and then you return 12 starter from a great team last [Applause] year they start the season on ABC next Saturday with naos swi and Clemson which of these six games stands out to you Rocky yeah they're all mustat but the one that you really can't wait for I I mean look I'm going to point to the Notre Dame A&M game because I I think Notre Dame schedule sets up very very favorably if you can get past that opening game tough place to play in college station and I'm interested to see Clemson I feel like they're a team everyone's kind of you know said H they're not going to be in a part of the conversation here you never know first game of the year they're always kind of crazy maybe they sneak up and catch Georgia another incomplete pass from Ari Patu to start the drive you he's trying to pick out toari kibu who's the leading receiver in school history has the Lions touchdown record with 26 he's only been targeted twice tonight including that ball and he's yet to make a catch and North Alabama has just not found a way to get the ball in hands of their Playmakers tonight I think a lot of that falls falls on P two over the middle hard hit balls outo says they have it and they do Jared Pedraza he had the stop on fourth down on the previous possession comes up with the takeway there and Simo can feel [Music] it BYU tries to just force one in here drive it in and it looked like ball was actually caught but he ripped that thing out as it was wasn't secured by Dakota Warfield what a great job of just second effort on that play always good Defenders are always hacking and ripping away at that ball and it comes up big for Pedraza there I I'm wondering Rocky if warfield's knee down before the ball's ripped out look at that that Ball's out yeah that balls out and I certainly don't see any indisputable video evidence to overturn that thing just a great football play as know the former defend you know those are the plays that fire up a coaching staff they'll Replay that play tomorrow 15 times and saying hey look that's what happens when you go with the football aggressively ripping pulling that thing away good things happen but what an incredible comeback this is for Simo they were down 157 in this game and then you lose your starting quarterback and from the time deloren went out the Red Hawks have ripped off 20 unanswered points I mean in and for North Alabama you got to just look at this as a total missed opportunity again like you you give a team an option to you where you're playing the backup quarterback you like your odds in that thing but they get 20 unanswered and that's that's tough have not been able to capitalize offensively and do much all night greatmin shown by Simo now trying to throw the knockout punch here's Brandon epon turning the corner inside the Five Flags in the back field this could very well negate the epon Run personal foul face Mas Defense number 19 that penalty's half the distance to the goal line and an automatic first down not only does it not neg it it puts the ball at the one y line now if they give the ball to the true freshman running back pton Brown and he scores a fourth touchdown that would tie an F or that would break FCS kickoff game record he's already tied it with three touchdowns tonight impressive night Coachman twitz talk very highly him coming into the week and that young man has delivered you never know how it's going to work out for a freshman right first time playing college football hot night like that Bo he showed up big looks like they keep the SMU transfer in the back field make it 26 unanswered for Simo untouched Carter Hensley the backup quarterback Engineers a heck of a comeback for this RedHawks team that's twice tonight they've had the quarterback just pull that ball take it to the outside and there's Paxton delen liking what he's seeing see everybody's selling out to stop that interior run pull that thing head to the outside great play call Great [Applause] execution so we thought the moment this game with North Alabama leading 15-7 was Pax deloren getting knocked out and it very well might have been because it has inspired them to rip off 26 unanswered and here's a play where delen goes out takes a big shot to that shoulder he goes to locker room Hensley comes in in three of his first five plays were no good at allus three- 19 fumble but then he settled down this was the play of the game this got him into Rhythm third and 17 hits one for 23 and then this was the second big play he had pulling that ball on the dive scampers to the outside huge run sets up touchdown and then same thing later on there with this touchdown we just saw a second ago and what a confidence Builder I mean hopefully for Simo Paxton DeLorean injury isn't very significant he can come back here but it's always nice to know you got a quarterback in Carter Hensley you can count on he's got some experience good thing to have Flags coming out on the kickoff return during the return personal foul the leg of Blindside block receiving team number 32 that penalties half the distance to the goal line first down North Alabama [Music] well guys coach matuko just walked up to me and said I just want to let you know that Carter hens he just got put on a scholarship just this fall something he didn't share with us in our meetings this week but wanted to make sure that we knew that but it's been really interesting to watch Carter and deloren and deloren really implementing some of the things that he learned at that Manning Passing Academy he wants to be a coach one day and he said he really enjoyed hearing from Bill bellich those lessons of leadership through his military perspective team first teammate second and self last and he has not missed a beat still serving as a coach really upbeat and congratulating the team after every single one of these touchdowns since he's been out great story about Carter Hensley and thanks to coach matuko wit for telling us that yeah really that was great he's earned that scholarship in this second half no doubt about it co mukt is saying made a good decision there got a guy we can rely on singled him out so as positive as this has been for Simo feels like a missed opportunity for North Alabama who held the lead in this game almost another turnover there just feels like a very sloppy second half and and I didn't play quarterback growing up but but to me Patu is he's just late on every throw it's like the guy's open pull the trigger and it's just a little bit late that's why you're seeing balls getting ripped away getting batted down a lot of quarterback is just seeing and letting it rip not overanalyzing it and it's intercepted four turnovers on the for Alabama andson what a second half performance this has been for the Red Hawks and I don't think P even saw Johnson there was pressure in his face boy Casey bringing it on defense here little bit of a line stunt a little bit of a shot there to him but I don't think he's even before I don't think he saw Justice Johnson undercutting that thing great job Johnson was in cover to he had that flat but he did a good job of sinking getting depth forcing that throw either go high or getting underneath it he picked that thing off and as it stands Teo shutting out north Alabama in this second half that defense has set the tone and Carter Hensley and the offense has stepped up in a big way 26 unanswered they have made a statement in this second half the first college football Saturday it starts in Dublin awesome college game day Nick Sabin joining the crew overseas and Georgia Tech then upsets Florida State one game in you get a huge win for the yellow jackets Florida State what can you say you the good news news is you said it a year from now they would be eliminated from the conversation now at least they still have a chance if they can battle back and find a way to win the ACC tell you what though for Florida State that isn't the issue it's they need better quarterback play dju was not as impressive as a lot of people thought in his fifth year most of his passes were five yards or less and missed some big time throws Haynes King was easily the best quarterback on that football field Georgia Tech Guy thrilling game they win it on a walk-off field goal feel like those games in Dublin always get a terrific awesome game to start this season the Irish have played in it a bunch you were telling me you've never been to Ireland never been there I feel like that has to change it does that was an awesome scene in Dublin the the closest thing we've gotten to to Ireland this week is we had lunch at the C and Le con here in Montgomery had some great food there though 10 out of 10 trust me that you're going to want to go to Ireland going to the C leprechaun doesn't quite check the bo yeah I'll still keep Ireland itself on my vacation list fourth and three Simo going to just run as much clock off as possible under three minutes here in the fourth quarter timeout Southeast Missouri here second and a half 30 seconds how about this for the Red Hawks they had 30 rush yards since the 441 Mark in the third quarter they 47 after they went more than two and2 quarters with only yeah it's been amazing me their Rush game has been legit and and what it does it allows your Young quarterback Carter Hensley take the pressure off him just keep pounding that football it's been a great great recipe for him you know college football is back a really exciting game for about three quarters and then Simo just steps on the gas from then on out looking big picture Rocky what are you most looking forward to in this college football season again I go back to I mean of course the playoff but also with conference realignment you're going to get some great matchups I mean you're going to get Oregon Ohio State in October right that's not usually like an early season game maybe but with some of this conference reignment you're going to get some great matchups I know people are a little uneasy about you know West Coast teams in the Big 10 and all that sort of thing but at the end of the day it's about putting a great product on the field that people want to watch and a lot of great matchups that folks are going to want to tune into felt like last season a big storyline coming into the year Dion Sanders and Colorado well week one they've got an FCS opponent and and usually when it's FBS against FCS you're thinking this is a cupcake not North Dakota State the Buys in are going to bring it to Boulder yeah North Dakota stayed number two in the preseason FCS rankings they made it all the way to the semis last year lost to Montana but always a tough out they recruit very very well that's going to be a tough tough game for Colorado especially with Colorado with you know all the transfers and things new players they got to get used to being a part of that program you can watch it Thursday 8 Eastern Time right here on ESPN that kicks off what is a loaded Labor Day weekend of football this is the appetizer here FCS kickoff 10th year in a row that ESPN has done it tomorrow night Sunday night baseball the series fidale of this four game set between the Astros and Oriol 7 Eastern 4 Pacific on ESPN ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio ESPN 2 will have a special stat cast Edition and our coverage begins 6 Eastern with baseball tonight Sunday night countdown down it's hard to believe MLB season coming coming to an end playoffs going to be starting there soon and those are two teams that are definitely going to be in the mix MLB keeps expanding the playoff as well college football they're on to something here yeah taking a page out of a lot of playbooks it's funny at the FCS level these two teams they've been doing an expanded playoff they expanded the 12 teams in 1982 so it took him four decades for FBS to to catch up and now what's funny is we haven't even had one season of 12 and there's people already calling for 16 16 and then it'll be 24 yeah keep adding on I think it's exciting because again we just said it but a team like Florida State a year ago they're dead now they've got a chance and I think there's going to be a lot of teams that can absorb a loss or two that do there is no foul for intentional grounding the quarterback was outside the pocket legitimately have a chance to win a National Championship and now they'll get that chance the game I always point out is 2018 Ohio state had an unbelievable team they go into Purdue Purdue puts it on them right they lose they come back a couple weeks later put like 62 points on Michigan but they're left out of the playoff you know that one loss just just totally derailed their chances in a scenario like that would never happen this year moving forward with the 12 team playoff we're talking about this new year of college football another new thing this season the twom minute timeout so we'll step aside one final time as Simo a comfortable 22-point Le cushion the 12 team college football playoff is here the four highest ranked Conference champions will get first round buys and the eight teams seated 5 through 12 will play at the host campus starting December 20th from there the playoff will play out as dictated by the bracket the quarterfinals and semifinals will be played at traditional New Year six bowl game locations and it all culminates with the national championship game on January 20th only on ESPN great explainer there by ESPN's Kirk herb Street you know it's a lot to digest with this new 12 te playoff the good news is you got till December 20th to wrap your head around it and figure it out and we're going to be talking a lot about it all fall long this was a very competitive game through three quarters Rocky and then Simo just stepped on the gas they have outscored North Alabama 24 to nothing second half yeah and we've talked about Sim's Run game that that of course was was the big the big difference here but their defense coming up big stopping aratu in this North Alabama offense and that just allowed seo's Run game to be able to just settle in didn't force Carter Hensley to have to put the ball in the air a ton good complimentary football tonight from Simo there's been some hard hits to for this Red Hawks defense feel like they've really set the tone and when you lose your starting quarterback as a a former Defender does that make you raise your game you know that you have to be even better oh AB absolutely and and that's why football is the Ultimate Team game because okay hey look we're we're down our guy at quarterback that means we got to step up I've been in huddles and units where that conversation has had you know that's why it's in my opinion the greatest of games cuz something bad happens on one side the other side of the ball's got to pick up the slack and on the other side it's human nature but North Alabama you've got a 15 to seven lead you see the opposing team lose their starting quarterback you're thinking we got this thing and it was nothing but the sort you think they got and how it started off you know Carter Henley did not look good but it came down to North Alabama just could not take advantage of that humongous opportunity you catch a team with their backup quarterback who doesn't have any experience you got to F find a way to stomp on them and they didn't another turnover on Downs a pitiful second half offensively for North Alabama they're going to be shut out in this second half and the Mantra all offseason for this Lions team was finish finish they had seven leads last year that they lost mark this down as one lead that they lost to start the 2024 season had every opportunity this is one I like Bren dear I think he's going to find a way to circle the wagons here but they got a lot of things to figure out on this football team right now the Lions head coach dear you see that 212 on his chess the temperature which water boils at this has been taken off the burner yeah well I think he's been boiling over tonight a little bit just I think frustrated with how his team has played you can't say enough good things about the true freshman running back pton Brown and the backup quarterback Carter Hensley an unlikely Duo to give Simo the win credit to them well and and this is the kind of football that Tom matuga witz the offense excuse me the head coach Simo wants to play right he talked about let's get back to our fundamentals blocking tackling and they did just that tonight he's got to be really really happy with how his team played and the style that they played the Red Hawks finish this game with 30 unanswered points put a stamp on Saturday night there we were talking in the lead up to this how great it is that just the sun would go down on a Saturday night and there would be Football on ESPN for the first time in 238 days and guess what you get football every Saturday night now until middle of January middle of January yeah it's GNA be I mean such a fun ride and and and just the the newness of it with the playoff and and the conference realignment and some of the rule changes I mean FBS is going to get the helmet to helmet communication that's going to be a different wrinkle that teams are going to have to adapt to you know the sideline you know have they have the iPads where they can view the film on the sideline that's a new wrinkle so a lot of new cool stuff never know what's going to happen this year [Music] and let's go down to Morgan Uber here from the hero backup quarterback Carter Hensley for S Carter congratulations quarter quarterback Paxton deloren goes down your number was called when did you feel in complete Command of this offense uh you know i' I've felt that way from the beginning you know Paxton's been a really good Mentor and we just got great leadership on the team it's really just you know great great atmosphere to succeed what was his role on the sideline how much was he in your ear tonight what was he telling you oh he was telling me everything man helping me helping me you know know the ropes you know he's taught me since the beginning so I've got a close relationship with him it's it's been good but I got to give all credit to the man upstairs and my o line and running back great great game speaking of your freshman running back pton Brown three touchdowns tonight how much did that take the pressure off of you with his ability to run the ball oh yeah made it a lot easier you know I only had to step up when I needed to but yeah pton Brown's great player great player he'll continue to be for the rest of the season so it's great for you C look got look up