Jermaine Burton spent last weekend in his Tuscaloosa apartment, watching the Tide “handle business” in Kentucky. The Alabama wideout was too sick to travel to Lexington, missing his first game of the year.

Though nce he returned to practice, Burton got a welcome-back gift from offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Alabama planned to attack its next opponent, Chattanooga, early and often. UA planned to “go explosive,” and that meant the ball would be headed toward Burton.

Playing his last game in Bryant-Denny Stadium, Burton capitalized on his early opportunities. He caught the ball on the first and fourth plays from scrimmage. First, he recorded a 56-yard bomb from Jalen Milroe, splitting the safeties down the middle. Burton then scored the first of UA’s 66 points with a 5-yard in-route.

“I thought Jalen played really really well in the game, starting out 10-for-10 or something. We made some explosive plays that were designed and practiced all week based on what they play and how they do,” head coach Nick Saban said postgame. “… Burton had a good day.”

The second-year Georgia transfer continued his run as Milroe’s favorite target. Burton produced triple-digits (105 yards) for the second time this season — he’s the only Tide pass-catcher to cross the century mark at all. He is also the only UA pass-catcher with over 500 receiving yards or five touchdowns. His per-reception average (64.2) is more than 20 yards better than the second-best (Isaiah Bond’s 42.5).

On Alabama’s second drive, Burton ran a similar post route as he did on his first catch, this time cutting across Milroe’s face toward the home sideline on a 44-yard reception. Burton caught the ball and stepped out at the Chattanooga 2-yard line untouched, a weird moment that would’ve given him his seventh touchdown of the season.

Burton later explained the play: “I thought he was on my outside shoulder going in so I thought he was going to dive or something and I was gonna break the tackle. I didn’t feel him for the next few seconds and I was like ah.”

He said he tried not to think about the last time he’d be playing in front of a home crowd. Since moving from one side of the SEC rivalry to the other, Burton has been a consistent deep threat. He’s 36 yards away from topping his career-high set last year (677 yards).

Burton is likely to be featured next weekend in the Iron Bowl and then against his former team on Dec. 2 in the SEC title game.

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