No. 13 Alabama leans into ground game, tops East Carolina 48-10

Field Level Media|published: Sat 5th September, 15:43 2026

Sep 5, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback John Gazzaniga (13) Alabama running back EJ Crowell (13) scores his first career touchdown and the first touchdown of the season for the Crimson Tide as he slips past East Carolina linebacker Julien Davis (42) at Saban Field in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

Daniel Hill accounted for two of Alabama's five rushing touchdowns as the 13th-ranked Crimson Tide opened their season with a dominant 48-10 win over East Carolina on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Keelon Russell, EJ Crowell and Trae'Shawn Brown also added rushing scores for Alabama, which delivered a ground statement after finishing last season 125th nationally in rushing yards per game (104.1).

The Crimson Tide's 227 rushing yards and five scores were more than they had in any game against an FBS opponent last season.

Russell, making his first career start, finished with a team-high 86 rushing yards. He also completed 17 of 29 passes for 249 yards. Ryan Coleman-Williams caught five passes for 130 yards, reaching 100 yards receiving for the first time since last September.

East Carolina quarterback Mitch Griffis completed 10 of 16 passes for 137 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jeremiah Melvin had four receptions for 60 yards, while Tyler Johnson had a 68-yard reception for the Pirates (0-1).

Alabama scored on all five of its first-half possessions while opening up a 38-7 lead by halftime. It held a 307-99 yardage advantage in the first half.

After the Crimson Tide settled for a field goal from Conor Talty on their opening drive, they led 17-0 just 12 seconds into the second quarter after rushing TDs by Crowell and Hill.

The Pirates got on the board on the following possession with Jeremiah Melvin's 1-yard touchdown catch, set up by Johnson's explosive play.

Alabama responded with Hill's second touchdown and then made it 31-7 two plays later on Yhonzae Pierre's 27-yard interception return for a touchdown.

The Crimson Tide put an exclamation point on their first half with Russell's 3-yard scamper with 14 seconds left.

East Carolina scored the only points of the third quarter on a 34-yard Noah Perez field goal set up by a turnover.

Alabama scored on the opening play of the fourth quarter on Brown's 2-yard run to open a 45-10 lead. Talty then closed the scoring with his second field goal with 6:15 left.

Alabama's defense held the Pirates to 2 net rushing yards and didn't allow a conversion on any of East Carolina's eight third downs.

--Field Level Media

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