Saban Addresses The Press
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Alabama football players have their noses to the grindstone to get ready for Saturday's game with Louisiana-Monroe following last Saturday's loss at Bryant-Denny. Alabama head coach Nick Saban talked with reporters about both games.
Alabama had five turnovers in this past Saturday's contest. Saban said they're worked hard on that, and not just this week. He said they've addressed the issue ever since the end of last season and said, he's emphasized it "more than I ever have in 42 years or however long I've been coaching." One thing for certain, it will be hard to win most of the games on this season's schedule giving up the ball five times.
Saban was very complimentary of running back Derrick Henry, saying his has been "outstanding" through the three games played thus far. The 6' 3" Henry is the Tide's leading ground-gainer in these first three with 370 yards and seven touchdowns on 54 carries. Those seven touchdowns, incidentally, leads the nation. He added another 51 yards catching seven passes already this young season.
Saban also bragged on Tony Brown and his work on the special teams. Saban said, "I think he's a guy that takes great pride in the way he plays on special teams. It's his role on the team right now, and he has done probably the best job for three games of anybody in terms of his production, his performance. He's been very disruptive."
Turning to Louisiana-Monroe, Saban talked about the fact they had a "really good" offense scheme. He said there were things the team would have to adjust to since they do such a good job in their passing, especially the little flair passes and ability to block on the perimeter to help break the receivers loose.
Saban also said the team's focus has been good since last weekend's loss. He said they have worked hard the past two days getting ready for ULM.
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Crimson Tide Working Hard Readying For Saturday
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
So, what do you do after a devastating loss? A loss in which you committed five turnovers? A loss in which you gave away enough points to crush the opposing team?
You work. You work hard. You concentrate and do the little things. You focus, and practice, and go back to fundamentals. That's exactly what the Alabama football team is doing this week. And yesterday they were back at it in the afternoon heat of Tuscaloosa, Alabama in the humidity and grinding out a two-hour practice session in full pads on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.
Missing from the practice field yesterday was running back Derrick Henry, who was held out of practice due to a case of tonsillitis. (See related following story.) Also missing, of course, was receiver Robert Foster, lost for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury in the Ole Miss game.
The game plan has been drawn up and is being tweeked. The Tide is getting ready for battle again this Saturday inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. The nations leading home win streak is no longer theirs, but now they're determined to begin a new one.
Bama hosts the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks this Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on the SEC Network at 3:00 pm CT with Dave Neal and Matt Stinchcomb making the calls. On the sidelines will be Kayce Smith. Bama faces four non-conference opponents this season, and this will be number three. The Tide handily disposed of the first two, Wisconsin in the season-opener followed by Middle Tennessee State University.
This will be the third meeting between the Tide and Warhawks, and, believe it or not, officially ULM owns the series. 2006 was the first time the two teams met, with Alabama take that one 41-7. The win, however, was vacated by the NCAA. The next season, the first for new Alabama head coach Nick Saban, the Warhawks pulled off a 21-14 upset win over the Tide in Tuscaloosa.
Bama should be ready for this one. Pride is on the line.
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Derrick Henry Misses Wednesday Practice
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
One major contributor, Robert Foster, is already out of the Tide's lineup due to a season-ending injury. Yesterday another was missing. Alabama junior running back Derrick Henry did not practice on Wednesday, according to Tide head man Nick Saban.
During his post-practice press conference yesterday Saban addressed the absence of Henry, saying, "Derrick Henry is the only guy that you might ask about. He was sick with tonsillitis, I think, yesterday. Probably could have practiced today, but rather than take a chance, we did not practice him today. But we expect him to be back tomorrow (Thursday's practice)."
The 6' 3" Henry is the Tide's leading ground-gainer in the first three games with 370 yards and seven touchdowns on 54 carries. Those seven touchdowns leads the nation. He added another 51 yards catching seven passes already this young season.
The Tide continues preparation for game four of the 2015. Bama hosts ULM this Saturday, with a game time of 3:00 pm CT. The game will be broadcast live on the SEC Network.
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Tide Football Adds 4-Star Safety To 2017 Class
University of Alabama football has picked up another key commitment for the 2017 recruiting class. 6' 1", 170-pound Xavier McKinney, a four-star safety, has giving his verbal commitment to the Tide, according to BamaOnline.
McKinney is being recruited by defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, and in Tuscaloosa this past Saturday for the Ole Miss game. He was offered a scholarship earlier this summer.
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McKinney is rated as the number 13 safety, and the number 215 overall player in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite.
McKinney becomes the seventh commit for the class of 2017.
2017 University of Alabama Football Commits
Najee Harris 6' 2", 220-lbs Running Back
Cam Akers 5' 11", 210-lbs Running Back
D.D. Bowie 6' 1", 170-lbs Wide Receiver
Netori Johnson 6' 5", 330-lbs Offensive Guard
Alex Leatherwood 6' 4", 297-lbs Offensive Tackle
Chadarius Townsend 6' 0", 180-lbs Athlete
Xavier McKinney 6' 1", 170-lbs Safety
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Alabama Men's Basketball
Johnson Picks Up 4-Star JUCO Shooting Guard
I think the question, if there ever was such a question, of whether new Bama head basketball coach Avery Johnson could recruit or not has been answered. He verbal skills, get-up-and-go, his love for Alabama as well as his tenacity are proving to be a great combination for luring players to the Capstone. Of course hiring a great coaching staff has to be listed among his many accomplishments in turning heads toward Tuscaloosa.
Another major recruit has committed to the Tide. He's four-star JUCO shooting guard Ar'Mond Davis from College of Southern Idaho. Davis made his announcement via his Twitter account, and is the second commit in Johnson's 2016 recruiting class. The first was five-star guard Terrance Ferguson.
Bama basketball assistant Antoine Pettway is the primary recruiter for Davis' services.
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Bama Basketball To Hold Open Tryouts
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Say you've always been interested in playing a little basketball? Organized basketball? And the University of Alabama basketball team would be your team of choice. Then you're in luck. The Alabama men's basketball team is holding open tryouts for any currently enrolled male students who may be interested in trying out and walking on to the men's basketball team.
Wednesday, September 30th is the date to remember. The tryouts will be held in the men's basketball practice gym located near the entrance of Coleman Coliseum with a 6 a.m. CT check in. Warm ups and tryouts will begin at 6:30 a.m. CT.
A complete medical examination is mandatory, including all lab work and results from EKG and sickle cell trait tests. Students are also required to bring proof of the physical, a completed medical history form completed insurance form and copy of front and back of insurance card, according to RollTide.com. All paperwork must be turned in to the men's basketball office no later that this coming Monday, September 28th at 5 p.m. CT.
If any other information is needed you are invited to contact the Alabama men's basketball office.
