Alabama football was looking to get many of its backups in against Eastern Illinois. The quarterback position was no exception. Ty Simpson played the entire first half, finishing the game 11-for-16 passing with 147 yards and two interceptions. The rest of the way, Alabama’s backups got reps, mostly Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. After the game, UA head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about Russell’s development, and praised his fellow coaches for helping the freshman get reps in practice throughout the season. “I credit him, I credit our staff,” DeBoer said. “I think it’s always hard to get three guys a lot of reps in practice but I think we’ve really done a good job. Credit to (quarterbacks coach) Nick Sheridan, (offensive coordinator)Ryan Grubb of having some intentionality about how we can get all those guys really important, valuable reps. And they take it very seriously. Not just when they’re on the field, but when they’re behind the line going through their checks and giving these guys a chance to go out there and play.” Russell was a five-star prospect entering Alabama as part of the 2025 recruiting class. He battled for the starting job alongside Simpson and Mack, before Simpson won the position. During the Eastern Illinois game, Russell completed seven of his nine passing attempts, for 78 yards. He also ran twice, for 16 yards. Mack was 5-for-5 passing for 45 yards, while also contributing a 20-yard rushing touchdown. After the game, DeBoer praised both backup quarterbacks. “I thought (Russell) made a lot of good decisions,” DeBoer said. “There’s one to finish a drive there, probably got a little anxious, a little quick on it, I think hang in there a little bit longer, he could’ve made something happen, but that’s gonna happen. Especially with where he’s at in his progression. But come a long ways throughout the season. The way he spits out things in the huddle. Command of the offense, command of the verbiage. “He’s right there and doing a great job, as is Austin Mack. Austin goes out there, and you really don’t skip a beat with any of those guys.” Alabama also got walk-ons Cade Carruth and John Gazzaniga reps in the late going of Saturday’s blowout win. The Crimson Tide will be back in action next Saturday, facing Auburn on the road in the Iron Bowl.
https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2025/11/how-did-alabama-footballs-backup-qbs-perform-vs-eastern-illinois.html
How did Alabama football’s backup QBs perform vs. Eastern Illinois?
