Bryce Young, Alabama Can’t Call Up a Return Without 2 Best Players – Orange County Register

By JOHN ZENOR

Bryce Young couldn’t deliver another impressive performance with two of his best wide receivers watching from the sidelines.

Not with the nation’s best defense along the way.

The Alabama sophomore had his Heisman Trophy championship season effectively culminate with a last-minute sixth goal in a 33-18 loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game. on Monday night in Indianapolis.

All-around American Jameson Williams injured his left knee in the first half and failed to return, along with teammate John Metchie III at 1,000 yards, on Alabama’s injury list. Missing two of its biggest players, the offense only finds the end zone once.

“J-Mo has been a great player for us all year,” said Tide coach Nick Saban. “He made a lot of explosive plays. And I think any time you lose players like him and John Metchie it’s definitely going to have some impact on how you can play offensively. ”

Saban said he won’t know the extent of Williams’ injury until he has an MRI scan. Players on the first round are expected and the establishment wants to get back into the game.

“He really wanted to play in the second half and the medical staff wouldn’t let him, which I think is smart because he has a future as a footballer,” Saban said.

Young pushed Crimson Tide across midfield for the final two minutes before Kelee Ringo picked up an underpass designed for backup Traeshon Holden and returned 79 yards for a touchdown over the post.

Deadlocked on catch-up play in the fourth quarter, Alabama desperately could use one of its top catchers.

Williams’ injury took away the nation’s leading deep threat and explosive opportunity for the pacemaker with four touchdowns at at least 70 yards.

“Losing someone like J-Mo is hard, but that’s our theme, it’s overcoming adversity,” Young said. “A lot of guys stepped up in a pivotal moment.

“I am extremely proud of the way we played offensively and the way everyone came forward. I’m incredibly proud of how everyone around me has played. I have to perform better.”

Young ended his first season as a starter 35 of 57 for 369 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and was his biggest critic.

“I’m just proud of my boys,” Young said. “I love my boys, each of them on both sides of the ball. I just wish I could be better for them tonight.”

Williams had four catches for 65 yards following a seven-shot, 184-yard, two-touch performance in the SEC title game against the Bulldogs.

Metchie was sidelined with a knee injury in the first half of that first encounter. They became Young’s locomotive for the whole season.

With no preferred targets, Young was firmly left with less experienced targets like Agiye Hall, Ja’Corey Brooks and Holden. All are talented, but all are pretty green by comparison.

When Alabama took over with eight minutes to one point, Young threw an incomplete ball to Hall and a pass to Slade Bolden was broken.