TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 13 Alabama wasted little time setting the tone for 2026, rolling past East Carolina 48-10 Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Quarterback Keelon Russell delivered in his first career start, throwing for 256 yards while adding 86 on the ground and a touchdown. Ryan Coleman-Williams emerged as his top target with 130 receiving yards.
Alabama broke the game open with 28 second-quarter points, taking a 38-7 lead into halftime. The Tide finished with 487 total yards and 227 rushing yards, while its defense smothered ECU’s ground game to just two rushing yards. Yhonzae Pierre supplied the defensive highlight with a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown.
It was a convincing opening statement from Alabama, which now turns its attention to an SEC road matchup at Kentucky on Sept. 12.