Alabama struggled to get receivers open downfield, its quarterback was slow to scramble away and a lackluster offensive line didn’t make it any easier. Meanwhile, its defense had moments but conceded too many explosive plays.

No, Bryant-Denny Stadium wasn’t transported back to the 2022 season, but Saturday night conjured up bad memories.

The No. 3 Crimson Tide came out flat against Texas for the second year in a row, and while Bryce Young led a comeback in Austin, Jalen Milroe and co. couldn’t prevent Alabama’s first non-conference home loss since 2007 — the infamous defeat to Louisiana-Monroe in Saban’s first season.

Here are three takeaways from the 34-24 final:

Tide offense inconsistent, Milroe falters with two bad INTs

Milroe delivered five touchdowns and history against Middle Tennessee State in Week 1. But even as quick as his postgame press conference, Nick Saban noted tougher competition was coming. And when it did come in the form of the Longhorns’ stout front seven, UA looked overwhelmed.

Milroe’s two interceptions sucked the momentum out of the home crowd. On his first drive, Milroe stared down Jermaine Burton and Jahade Baron peeled off his assignment for the interception. In the third quarter, Milroe threw another to Jerrin Thompson that nearly resulted in a pick-six. Milroe had another bounce pick off a Texas defender’s hands on a fly-route.

Alabama tried two-running back formations and created confusion on counters and options. Milroe and Jase McClellan found moderate success on the ground — Alabama rushed for 107 yards on 35 carries — but more often than not, Texas’ three-man rush disrupted timing and put Milroe in 3rd-and-longs. Too often, it appeared Milroe was left on an island and was caught between scrambling and looking for an open target.

The reprieve came when Milroe had time to do one or the other. Like his multiple first-down runs, a 49-yard dime to Burton that gave UA its first lead in the game and a 39-yard broken play to Amari Niblack that helped the comeback effort. Milroe threw for 255 yards on 14-of-27 attempts with two touchdowns. But it wasn’t enough to make up for the timely errors.

Alabama offensive line gets mauled, negates two touchdowns with penalties

Alabama’s penalty issues first emerged last year against Texas when the Tide committed 15 total. There were nine called on UA in Tuscaloosa, a few coming at crucial moments, like when two touchdowns were called back due to flags on offensive linemen.

In the second quarter, Milroe danced in the red zone and lofted a desperation pass to Burton who caught it after a white jersey tipped the ball in the air. The first true roar of the crowd was silenced once Darrian Dalcourt was penalized for being too far downfield. Then in the second quarter, Milroe threw across his body to Burton, who spun out of a tackle and sprinted across the goal line. But that was taken off the board when Proctor committed a false start.

The Crimson Tide had to settle for two field goals on those possessions. Alabama also allowed five sacks compared to none for Texas.

Alabama defense battles Texas, can’t prevent explosive plays

Entering Week 2, the matchup to watch was Texas’ pass-catchers versus Alabama’s secondary, specifically with Malachi Moore and Jaylen Key’s status uncertain. Credit to both sides of the battle, because each unit produced big moments.

Longhorns star Xavier Worthy dropped his first target of the day. He had been wide open in the endzone, but head coach Steve Sarkisian kept feeding him. On its next drive, quarterback Quinn Ewers launched three straight fly routes. Worthy was open on the first attempt, but the pass was overthrown. On the second, Worthy drew pass interference. On the third, Worthy caught a 44-yard touchdown in stride.

Alabama held Texas scoreless the four drives after it took a 13-3 lead. Malachi Moore and Terrion Arnold flew around the field, combining for eight tackles and two pass breakups.

But Ewers finished 24-for-38 for 349 yards, the most of any non-conference thrower in Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2007, per ESPN. His gains came in chunks, like the bomb to Worthy and a 50-yard pass to Ja’Tavion Sanders that gave Texas a fourth-quarter lead.

Following Milroe’s second interception, though the Tide defense conceded a 5-yard score. And after Milroe answered with a quick strike, Texas was able to manage another extended drive, ending with a 39-yard strike to Adonai Mitchell.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].