The scouting report of Kalen DeBoer’s offensive system includes the word “explosive,” nearly every time. Alabama football’s new head coach has been lauded for his ability to orchestrate high-flying attacks, turning former Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. into a Heisman Trophy finalist.

On Saturday, during DeBoer’s first A-Day game in Tuscaloosa, it was the rushing attack that led the way. All four touchdowns came on run plays for the offense, which finished with 206 rushing yards.

“I thought they did a better job of, when they saw a hole today, they hit it,” DeBoer said after the scrimmage. “Especially early on, there was some seams and they’re not dancing, which means they’re getting more and more comfortable with the schemes, the trusting of the offensive line.”

While the passing attack gets most of the attention, the run game is an underrated part of DeBoer’s repertoire. Dillon Johnson rushed for 1,195 yards last season for Washington, scoring 16 touchdowns.

Jam Miller started for the Crimson Tide offense on A-Day, and earned the MVP award. The junior from Tyler, Texas rushed for 83 yards on eight attempts, scoring two of the four touchdowns.

Miller raved about DeBoer’s run scheme after the scrimmage.

“Everybody loves it,” Miller said. “As soon as the play gets called, everybody knows what to do, everybody knows that the play’s gonna succeed at the end of the day.”

Miller wasn’t the only running back to show out. Richard Young scored a touchdown, going for 29 yards on two carries, while Justice Haynes also scored on one of his three carries.

Young earned praise earlier in the week from offensive lineman Tyler Booker, who reiterated that the redshirt freshman is seeing holes better. Quarterback Jalen Milroe spoke of the running backs after the game, noting how they all can help the offense.

“Jam runs downhill,” Milroe said. “Passionate, hard, physical back. He’s hungry. Steadily trying to grow. And Justice, they’re challenging each other to get better each and every day. Justice has great flexibility. He’s agile. Comes to work, I’ve seen him in the weight room, trying to work with our strength coach, UJ (Johnson), each and every day trying to get his body right, constantly trying to build.

“Richard’s the young guy in the room but he’s steadily trying to build and trying to be a better version of himself. But all three of them are pushing each other to be great, and that’s what you want in the team, is to have shared success and have guys that are constantly trying to build.”

Alabama’s spring practice ended Saturday with the A-Day game. The Tide opens the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky.