NASHVILLE — Alabama had backup quarterback Austin Mack preparing all week to start at Vanderbilt with Keelon Russell limited by an ankle injury.
Turns out the Crimson Tide’s top option behind center is a bit of a quick healer.
Russell threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns, and Alabama beat Vanderbilt 21-6 in a Southeastern Conference matchup Saturday at FirstBank Stadium, an ugly game that did little to help the Tide’s stock for the College Football Playoff. Alabama, which improved to 8-2 overall and 6-2 in SEC play, is third in the CFP rankings and seventh in the AP Top 25 poll.
“We were definitely playing it day by day here throughout this week and especially the end of the week,” coach Kalen DeBoer said of Russell, who got hurt during last weekend’s win at LSU but finished that game. “We truly didn’t really know the last 24 hours what direction we’d go. … If he can go, I expect him to go.”
Russell was 22-of-33 passing despite being sacked three times.