Alabama football debuted its new offensive and defensive schemes in front of an eager fan base on Saturday afternoon. The annual A-Day spring scrimmage brought a game-like atmosphere around Bryant-Denny Stadium as supporters welcomed new coach Kalen DeBoer and returning stars like Jalen Milroe and Malachi Moore.

In a new format more akin to practice, the 72,358 in attendance caught a glimpse of position battles likely to carry over into the fall and the newcomers who’ve had a solid offseason period. The White Team, or the offense, beat the Crimson Team, 34-28.

Stats were kept by UA officials and distributed to the press. Here are our takeaways:

QBs produce early points

A year ago, fans walked into BDS ready to evaluate the team’s options at quarterback. A starter hadn’t been named between Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner. Milroe entered this year as the incumbent and anticipated starter. He scored on his first two drives and the white team jumped out to an early 28-0 lead with four scoring trips.

The first drive was sparked by a long Jam Miller run. Milroe then found Washington transfer Germie Bernard after a pump fake. Milroe targeted Bernard on his following series with a touch pass that went for over 50 yards after Bernard broke free down the sideline. Milroe appeared decisive running plays called by new coordinator Nick Sheridan and ran a couple of option handoffs.

Elsewhere, Simpson completed some nice throws but missed others. His first series featured a dart to Cole Adams on one deep crosser and a near interception in double coverage a snap later. Some of the team’s most efficient plays came from a jet-action motion when a receiver would catch a touch pass or take a handoff around the corner of the defense.

The offense cooled when freshman Austin Mack checked in with walk-ons on both sides of the ball and penalties began. Alabama QBs’ overall stats:

Jalen Milroe – 3-for-9, 100 yards

Ty Simpson – 7-for-12, 102 yards

Dylan Lonergan – 8-for-12, 67 yards

Austin Mack – 6-for-9, 33 yards

Defense makes highlight plays, struggles to stop chunk gains

The turnover that defined Alabama’s offseason could be easily observed on the defensive side of the ball. Malachi Moore was one of the three holdovers from last year’s starters. While it’s hard to make an overall assessment without stats, the group struggled to stop big plays initially but gradually improved during the game.

The defense was allotted three points for each three-and-out produced, which it did five straight drives after getting blitzed early. Defensive line returners Tim Keenan III and Tim Smith started to clog rushing lanes. UA coaches began to celebrate when sacks* — quarterbacks in black jerseys weren’t allowed to be touched, let alone tackled — piled up.

Jeremiah Alexander (five solo tackles) and Justin Okoronwko (11 total tackles) delivered from the linebacker position. Second-year defensive back Bray Hubbard delivered a big hit and nearly completed an interception near the endzone on Simpson’s long throw. Legacy Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. also had an interception negated after an offsides penalty.

Jihaad Campbell and Jeheim Oatis were in uniform but did not participate.

No separation in placekicker battle

Signs of the past were scattered around the field. Former coach Nick Saban was at Denny Chimes for the captain’s ceremony and kicker Will Reichard roamed the sideline. DeBoer will attempt to fill in for the former, UA is still figuring out who will replace Reichard.

As part of an ongoing position battle, Upton Bellenfant, Conor Talty and Reid Schuback attempted field goals or extra points. Schuback split the uprights with a 27-yard try, Bellenfant made one from 23 yards out and Talty missed a 45-yard attempt. All extra points were converted.

One day isn’t likely enough to decide a starter with four months to go until Week 1 against Western Kentucky, but the spring game demonstrated the open competition.

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