Ty Simpson benched vs. Indiana: Explaining why Alabama QB was pulled from Rose Bowl

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Ty Simpson benched vs. Indiana: Explaining why Alabama QB was pulled from Rose Bowl

Ty Simpson benched vs. Indiana: Explaining why Alabama QB was pulled from Rose Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Alabama Crimson Tide's season ended in a stunning $38-3$ demolition by the Indiana Hoosiers at the Rose Bowl, a performance that saw the No. 1 team put its pedal to the medal to secure a spot in the CFP semifinals. Alabama's offense struggled mightily, managing just 193 total yards and being held scoreless for the entire first half for the second time in three games.

Midway through the third quarter, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was removed from the game, with the sophomore Austin Mack taking his place. Postgame, Simpson confirmed he sustained a cracked rib on a hit he took late in the first half that caused a fumble. The move was publicly described as a "coach's decision" by Kalen DeBoer, who explained that despite Simpson's desire to play through the pain, he lacked the "zip" on the ball and the staff felt that a healthy Mack gave the team the best chance to mount a comeback.

Simpson finished the game completing 12-of-16 passes for just 67 yards before giving way to Mack, whose one successful drive resulted in Alabama's lone score: a field goal.

Here's why Simpson was benched and the latest updates on the Crimson Tide signal caller.

MORE: Updates, highlights from Alabama vs. Indiana at the Rose Bowl

Was Ty Simpson benched?

Simpson was benched in the third quarter of the Rose Bowl as part of a coach's decision, per the ESPN broadcast.

Head Coach Kalen DeBoer made the decision to bench the hampered starter, who fractured his rib on the fumble, giving the team the best chance to mount a comeback against a 24-0 deficit.

"I just, on the fumble, took a helmet to the ribs, cracked my rib," Simpson said after the loss. "Tried to go back in second half, and just felt like it was the best chance for us to win it was Austin."

Austin Mack took over for the Crimson Tide, leading the team to its first points of the game on his first drive. Simpson exited the game completing 12-of-16 passes for 67 yards and no touchdowns, while also fumbling for the game's only turnover.

MORE: Ty Simpson benched for Austin Mack after injury

Is Ty Simpson injured?

Though Simpson was not benched only due to injury, it seems to be a factor. The quarterback went to the injury tent briefly and came out, with Mack taking his place on the field.

Simpson's injury, which has reportedly hampered him during practice for several weeks, became critically noticeable after a vicious second-quarter hit that resulted in a fumble. While Simpson attempted to play through the issue, reporters noted that after receiving treatment at halftime, he lacked his characteristic "zip" and velocity on the ball during warm-ups, visibly grimacing with every throw.

After the game, Simpson told the media that he fractured his rib on the hit that caused the fumble, with X-rays revealing it at halftime.

Simpson played a few drives in the third quarter before being replaced by Mack.

What happened to Ty Simpson?

Simpson was reportedly nursing an elbow injury that had been a persistent issue late in the season. The injury appeared to be aggravated in the second quarter after Simpson took a massive hit that resulted in a fumble, which Indiana recovered and converted into a touchdown. 

But later, Simpson revealed that he fractured a rib on the play when he took a helmet to the body.

The Alabama signal caller tried playing through the injury, but was in noticeable pain, leading to DeBoer's decision to pull him for Mack.

MORE: Ranking the top transfer portal QBs

Who is Ty Simpson's backup?

Simpson's primary backup is Austin Mack, who completed 11-of-16 passes for 103 yards in the Rose Bowl.

Mack, a redshirt sophomore, replaced Simpson in the third quarter of the Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal against Indiana. The true freshman Keelon Russell is also listed on the depth chart as a backup option.

MORE: Tracking quarterback moves in the college football transfer portal

Alabama QB depth chart

PositionPlayer
1Ty Simpson
2Austin Mack
3Keelon Russell

MORE: Who will Indiana play in the CFP semifinal?

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