NASHVILLE, − Among the many plays that sparked Vanderbilt 's stunning 40-35 upset of Alabama football on Saturday was an interception returned for a touchdown on the Crimson Tide 's first offensive possession. But although UA quarterback Jalen Milroe 's pass to freshman receiver Ryan Williams was an accurate one − the pick-six was deflected high in the air and fell into the waiting arms of Randon Fontenette for a 29-yard return − Milroe took responsibility for the crucial turnover.
Vanderbilt linebacker De'Rickey Wright, an Alabama native from Gadsden, broke up the pass and appeared to make contact with Williams from behind a bit early, but Milroe praised the Commodores ' defensive work on the play.
"He did a good job," Milroe said of Wright. "I've got to have better eye discipline, and read the coverages better. That's on me. I've got (to) protect the football, so I take all ownership of that."
That's a mature way to process an interception that came off a deflection. It was just the second pick thrown by Milroe this season, and the first one, against Georgia, wasn't his fault either. Still, the fourth-year junior believes he should have looked for another receiver on the play.
"I should not have put Ryan in that situation. I should have gotten through my progression, moved on with my progression," Milroe added.
Milroe finished 19 of 25 for 312 yards with a touchdown passing and another rushing. For the season, Milroe has completed 80 of 109 passes for 1,274 yards and 11 touchdowns along with 283 rushing yards with another nine scores on the ground.
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Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Why Alabama football QB Jalen Milroe took blame for deflected pick-six
