Bama Central

Live Blog: No. 21 Alabama Football vs. ULM

Score updates and analysis as the Crimson Tide takes on the Warhawks in its home opener at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Theodore Fernandez|
Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas (80) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against UL Monroe at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0.
Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas (80) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against UL Monroe at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0. | Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

In this story:

Alabama Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 21 Alabama football is two hours away from kicking off its 2025 home opener against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks.

The Crimson Tide is coming off its first week one loss in 23 years after falling 31-17 to Florida State in Tallahassee last week. Alabama will likely be without star receiver Ryan Williams, who exited last week's game with a concussion. Defensive tackle Tim Keenan and running back Jam Miller will not play.

Louisiana Monroe enters this game 1-0, following a 29-0 week one victory over FCS St. Francis. The Warhawks are led by second-year head coach Bryant Vincent, who led the team to a 5-7 record last year, the team's best finish of the decade. Louisiana Monroe has the longest bowl game drought in the nation, with its last bowl appearance coming in 2012.

Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m. CT. As of 4:45, the weather for kickoff is 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite concerns earlier in the day about potential precipitation, weather has cleared up and there is no rain currently forecasting.

SEE ALSO: Alabama Football vs. ULM Injury Updates

FOLLOW ALONG FOR LIVE UPDATES AND ANALYSIS. BE SURE TO REFRESH THIS BROWSER AS THE LATEST EVENTS WILL BE PLACED AT THE TOP.

Live Blog

Fourth Quarter

ULM runs out the clock and that's a wrap. It's a 73-0 win for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama 73, ULM 0

Alabama seemed content to just run out the clock. Dear had other plans. The true freshman just outran the entire Warhawk defense and took a handoff 56 yards to the house. Notaro hit the PAT.

If anybody doubted Mbakwe's athletic brilliance, they have likely been quieted down by today's performance. Mbakwe made a beautiful open field move and created what would have been a twenty-yard rush out of thin air. A holding penalty brought the play back.

Reese is making the most of his opportunities. After recovering the fumble earlier in the half, he forced one on third down. Cayden Jones recovered the ball and Alabama takes over at its own 40 with just over two minutes to play.

ULM took an end zone shot. Grey threw a good ball, but Calhoun was able to break the pass up.

Herring has his second reception of the game. He took a screen 15 yards for a first down and then unsuccessfully tried to hurdle Calhoun.

Cam Calhoun missed a tackle on third and one, allowing ULM to move the chains.

Third-string QB Landon Grey is in the game for ULM. It does not look like Tuscaloosa native and former Hillcrest High School star Bryson Kimbrough, a true freshman, will see any action.

Alabama 66, ULM 0, 6:07 remaining

Russell has his second touchdown in as many drives. He found MJ Chirgwin for a twenty-yard score. It's Chirgwin's first career reception. Notaro hit the PAT.

After a five-yard run from Washington, tight end Jack Sammarco dropped a second-down screen.

As expected, Russell is moving out of the pocket on most of his snaps. He just found Pritchett for an eleven-yard gain.

Russell rolled out to the left on first down and found Jaylen Mbakwe for a 16-yard reception, his first catch of the year. Mbakwe rushed for four yards on the following play.

ULM had an interesting fourth-down play call. Armenta threw a screen to Herring (the backup QB). Dijon Lee stopped him short of the line of scrimmage, and Alabama will take over at its own 44.

Yhonzae Pierre blew up ULM's second down play, stuffing the run for a four-yard loss to set up third and 14. ULM gained seven yards on third down.

Backup QB Hunter Herring has entered the game for ULM.

Kirkpatrick has been ejected for targeting. ULM is in Alabama territory for the first time of the game.

Kirkpatrick laid a monster hit on a Griffin reception to knock him down. The play is currently under review for targeting.

Alabama 59, ULM 0, 12:46 remaining

Russell has his first career touchdown. He found an open Adams for an 18-yard score. Notaro drained the PAT.

Keelon Russell is in the game. The true freshman ran for one yard on his first snap and slightly overthrew Cuevas on second down to set up third and nine.

Armenta found Powers on a hook, but Kirkpatrick knocked the ball loose. Reese picked it up and ran it for 21 yards to the ULM 19.

Armenta moved the chains with a nine-yard rush on third down. He had a lot of open field ahead of him, but Domani Jackson was able to trip him up.

Justin Hill is in at Wolf for Alabama. ULM had a ten-yard gain to set up third and two.

Third Quarter

There are some new faces on the field for Alabama, as Cayden Jones and QB Reese are in at linebacker. Bray Hubbard stopped ULM behind the line of scrimmage to end the quarter.

Alabama 52, ULM 0, 0:17 remaining

Mack finds a wide-open Cuevas in the end zone for the touchdown. Backup kicker Peter Notaro made the PAT. Alabama had a ten-play drive, its longest of the drive.

Dear rushed for three yards on first down and one on second, setting up third-and-goal from the three.

AK Dear is on the field and rushed for three yards on his first career snap. Adams followed it up with a 25-yard catch and run to set up first-and-goal.

Mack has been missing on a couple of his throws. He threw a first-down pass into the dirt, and his third-down screen to Adams almost hit the ground, but he was able to move the chains.

Alabama's offense remains mostly the same, with Dre Washington in for his first reps. He just took the first down snap for seven yards and got three on second down to move the chains.

Cole Adams drew his second kick-catch interference penalty of the day as ULM hit him on a fair catch. Alabama will get the ball at its own 44.

LT Overton and Xavier Mincey blew up ULM's second-down run, forcing a four-yard loss. ULM gained back some yardage on third down, but is punting for the seventh time of the night.

Alabama 45, ULM 0, 6:15 remaining

After a lengthy video review, it was ruled that Pritchett caught the third-down screen, moving the ball up one yard. Talty split the uprights on his 46-yard field goal.

Mack finally threw Alabama's first incompletion of the game, overthrowing Brooks on a wheel route. Marshall Pritchett dropped a third down pass and the field goal unit is out.

Alabama just ran a very interesting set, with right guard Williams Sanders pulling to the left and blocking for Young. The play only went for two yards, but it may be a set to look out for in the future.

Mack finds Brooks on third down for a sixteen-yard gain. Brooks continues to make defenders miss in the open field.

Mack has faced pressure on each of his last two snaps, escaping the pocket and rushing for two yards both times, bringing up third and six.

Simpson's day is likely done as Mack takes the field for Alabama. The rest of the Crimson Tide's starting offense is on the field.

Armenta finds Tyler Griffin on the first snap of the half for a fourteen-yard completion, ULM's longest play of the game. Smith continues to wreak havoc on the inside, stuffing the next run for a two-yard loss. The Warhawks stalled out and punted for the sixth time of the game. Alabama will begin its drive at its own 24.

Alabama has its starting defensive unit out to start the second half.

Halftime

Alabama 42, ULM 0

It does not get much better than that for Alabama. The Crimson Tide has 334 yards to ULM's 43. Simpson is 17/17 with 223 yards and three touchdowns, with a fourth on the ground. Riley has rushed eight times for 53 yards for an average of 6.6 yards per carry, while also hauling in three passes for 45 yards.. Alabama has not thrown an incomplete pass and has had just two plays go for negative yardage. The Crimson Tide is averaging 9.3 yards per play, and four receivers are over thirty yards on the night.

The defense has allowed just one first down and has recorded six tackles for loss.

Second Quarter

ULM kneels down to end the half.

Alabama 42, ULM 0, 31 seconds remaining

Horton has his first touchdown in crimson and white, as Simpson finds him on a corner route for a 29-yard score.

Simpson has continued to impress on the ground. He would have had a 19-yard touchdown rush if it weren't for a holding penalty on Brailsford.

Riley continues to get whatever he wants on the ground, as he takes an inside rush eleven yards for a first down.

Simpson finds Scott on fourth down to move the chains. Alabama is now se tup at the 28 with 90 seconds remaining.

Simpson connected with Horton for a 19-yard gain on third down, setting up fourth and four. It appears Alabama will go for it after the two-minute warning.

Simpson showed off his mobility, escaping a collapsing pocket and throwing a beautiful ball to Bernard for what would have been a 42-yard touchdown. Bernard got very physical with the defensive back and was called for offensive pass interference.

Alabama faced third down for one of the first times of the game, but moved the chains as Simpson found Riley for a six-yard reception.

Ty Simpson is back in the game. He gave Isaiah Horton the ball for the first time of the day on first down for a three-yard gain.

The Warhawks have finally moved the chains, as JP Coulter caught an 11-yard pass from Armenta. It did not end up meaning much as the Warhawks punted on the following series. Adams had another solid return, taking it up the sideline for nine yards. ULM nearly tripled their total yardage on the drive, going from 13 net yards to 32. Alabama will start its drive at its own 42.

Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is in the game at strong safety.

For the first time today, Talty did not squib the kickoff. A holding penalty on ULM means the Warhawks will start the drive from the six-yard line

Alabama 35, ULM 0, 9:20 remaining

True freshman Caleb Edwards has his first career touchdown, as he gets open in the end zone for a six-yard score. Mack went 3/3 with 30 yards and the touchdown in his first drive of the year. Alabama still has not thrown an incompletion today.

Riley continues to impress. He just hauled in a 15-yard reception from Mack to get Alabama in the red zone.

True freshman Michael Carroll is in at right tackle for the first snaps of his collegiate career. Austin Mack has also replaced Simpson at quarterback. VanDeMark has moved to left guard, replacing Kam Dewberry. Makes sense as VanDeMark is viewed as one of Alabama's stronger interior utility pieces. Adams is also now taking reps in the slot.

Jefferson faced heavy scrutiny for his performance against Florida State. He just came up with a third-down interception to give Alabama the ball in Warhawk territory for the third time today,

Red Morgan is on the field at Husky for his first reps of the evening. Godfrey set ULM up with third-and-short with a seven-yard gain, ULM's longest play of the day so far.

Alabama 28, ULM 0

Ryan Grubb draws up a designed run for Simpson and it works like a charm, as he storms into the end zone untouched for an eight-yard touchdown. Talty makes his fourth PAT.

Simpson finds Riley for 12 yards to open the quarter and then Rico Scott shows off his speed on the following play, outrunning defenders for a 25-yard reception that moves Alabama into the red zone.

First Quarter

Simpson ends the first quarter 7/7 with 120 yards and two touchdowns. Bernard has three catches for 67 yards and two scores, while Brooks has hauled in three catches for 42 yards. Riley is leading on the ground with three rushes for 26 yards.

Simpson has looked poised throughout the entire quarter, having no trouble picking apart the Warhawk defense. He finds Josh Cuevas for an 11-yard reception to move the chains as the quarter expires.

Jaeden Roberts is in for his first action of the game, taking the field at right tackle where Geno VanDeMark started.

Jordan Renaud is in the game for Alabama and just made a strong tackle on second down to bring up third-and-12. Smith backed ULM up even further with a tackle for a loss on third down to force ULM's third straight three-and-out.

Talty has squibbed all three of his kickoffs. Alabama is evidently trying to force a turnover on the returns. This last one nearly worked as the ball deflected off a Warhawk leg before being scooped up by ULM.

Alabama 21, ULM 0

Alabama now has completed three consecutive five-play drives. Richard Young got a great block from Kadyn Proctor and walked into the end zone untouched for a three-yard score. Talty nailed the PAT.

Center Parker Brailsford committed a false start on the opening drive and just had a high snap on first down, resulting in Ty Simpson taking a sack. Alabama moved the chains on second down as Simpson found Brooks for a 19-yard reception to set up first and goal at the five.

Cole Adams found a seam on the punt return, taking it 36 yards to the ULM 23 yard line. Punter Makenzie Ryan made one of the more impressive tackles you will ever see a punter make to bring him down.

Warhawks QB Aidan Armenta just made an excellent play on third down. With Smith and Qua Russaw closing in on a sack, he evaded the pressure, got out of the pocket and found receiver Rico Powers wide open for what would have a 29-yard reception. Replay review overturned the call and the Warhawks go three-and-out for the second straight drive.

Alabama has its second tackle for a loss of the quarter. DaShawn Jones blew up Jake Godfrey in the backfield and Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson made the tackle for a one-yard loss.

Alabama 14, ULM 0

Bernard is dominating this football game. The senior finds himself wide open again, walking into the end zone untouched for a 16-yard touchdown reception. Talty drains the PAT. It's a five-play, 39-yard drive for Alabama.

Brooks is putting his athleticism on display. He just took a screen 14 yards, shaking off a defender to move the chains.

Alabama will set up shop in opposing territory at the ULM 39 after the Warhawks commit kick-catch interference on Cole Adams after he called a fair catch.

James Smith makes a nice tackle in the backfield on second down to force a three-yard loss. Jefferson leaps to deflect the third-down pass, and the Warhawks go three-and-out on their opening drive.

Alabama 7, ULM 0

It's a five-play, 80-yard drive for Alabama to open the game. After Brooks catches a nine-yard slant for his first career reception, Bernard finds himself wide open for a 29-yard touchdown. Conor Talty drains the PAT, and Alabama is up 7-0 less than three minutes into the game.

Germie Bernard picks up right where he left off, taking a screen for 22 yards and making some nice moves in the open field. A false start backs the Crimson Tide up but Kevin Riley picks up 22 yards of his own with a tough run up the middle.

Kevin Riley and Lotzeir Brooks are both starting for Alabama. Brooks is playing out of the slot.

Pregame

ULM wins the toss and the Warhawks elect to defer.

Jarrett Johnson and Kenny King are Alabama's honorary gameday captains for today.

Deontae Lawson is not wearing a knee brace today like he was last week against Florida State in his first game back from last season's ACL tear. He does have a sleeve on the knee.

Jam Miller is out on the field in full pads warming up, despite the fact that Kalen DeBoer said he would not play today.

Alabama has just taken the field. Ryan Williams is currently out there fielding punts.

The specialists are currently the only ones on the field for the Crimson Tide. The rest of the team will join them shortly.

Read more on BamaCentral:

Published | Modified
Theodore Fernandez
THEODORE FERNANDEZ

Theodore Fernandez is an intern with Alabama Crimson Tide On SI/BamaCentral and combined with his time with The Crimson White and WVUA 23 News has covered every Alabama sport across He also works as the play-by-play broadcaster for Alabama’s ACHA hockey team and has interned for Fox Sports.

Home/Football