Alabama makes change at punter, utilizing walk-on from Madison

Montgomery Advertiser

Alabama punter Mike Bernier (98) punts against Tennessee in first half action at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tn., on Saturday October 20, 2018.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 1 Alabama brought two punters to Knoxville, Tennessee, and one of those was starting middle linebacker Lyndell "Mack" Wilson.

The top-ranked Crimson Tide made a change at punter this week, utilizing senior walk-on Mike Bernier from Madison after true freshman Skyler DeLong struggled while averaging 34.4 yards on 16 punts over five games so far this season.

More:Alabama earns high marks for 12th straight win over Big Orange

More:Alabama writes new chapter in its history with Tennessee

DeLong’s 34.4 yards per punt average would rank among the worst in the SEC, if his 2.3 punts per game average wasn’t too low to qualify. Given Alabama’s offensive prowess this season, DeLong didn’t even appear against Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas.

Bernier is a compelling story after giving up a scholarship opportunity at Eastern Illinois, where he averaged 37.7 yards per punt while starting 12 games in 2015 as a freshman.

Bernier walked on at Alabama in order to be closer to his mother, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2015. Bernier’s mother, Sonja, recently passed away from her illness.

Bernier’s first punt came 1:40 into the second quarter after a rare three-and-out by Alabama’s offense and went 41 yards across midfield. Bernier had another 41-yard punt following a second-straight three-and-out the very next series.

Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (99) watch from the sidelines against Tennessee in first half action at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tn., on Saturday October 20, 2018.

Davis sits out first half

Raekwon Davis spent the first half Saturday on Alabama’s sideline while serving a team-issued suspension following an incident against Missouri when he was penalized for punching a Tigers offensive lineman last weekend.

More:Will Alabama ever lose to Vols again? Not on Saban’s watch

More:Injured knee or not, Tagovailoa makes Heisman Trophy case vs. Tennessee

Saban announced Monday that Davis would serve unspecified internal discipline for his actions after speaking with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey earlier this week.

“I visited with Commissioner Sankey about Raekwon’s actions and we will handle that internally,” Saban said Monday. “We will have him do some things. I think it should affect his playing time in the future.”

Sophomore defensive end LaBryan Ray earned his first career start in Davis’ place and finished with three tackles, including one for loss, in the game. Davis returned to the field for the start of the second half but didn't record any stats Saturday.

Alabama offensive linemen Jedrick Wills, Jr., (74), Deonte Brown (65), Ross Pierschbacher (71), Lester Cotton (66) and Jonah Williams (73) in second half action against Arkansas State at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 8, 2018.

Brown makes first career start

Deonte Brown, a redshirt sophomore from Decatur, made his first career start Saturday after replacing senior Lester Cotton in Alabama’s starting lineup this week at practice.

The guard position has been a question mark much of this season for the Tide and the 344-pound Brown provides the Tide a lot of power and push at the line of scrimmage.

Cotton had started the last the previous 20 straight games, including all 13 last season at right guard, but has struggled some in protection after moving to left guard this offseason.