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Prep Continues For Rocky Toppers
RollTide.com
As everyone is aware, Tennessee comes to down this Saturday, and the University of Alabama football team is in high gear in preparations for the big rivalry game. The Tide put in two hours of practice in full regalia yesterday afternoon on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields working on their game plan.
Freshman quarterback Blake Barnett was back on the practice field for the first time yesterday after being realized from the hospital with an undisclosed diagnosis. He appeared to be just fine.
Starting center Ryan Kelly was at practice, though in a black non-contact jersey. The staff is still treating Kelly with kid gloves due to the concussion received at last week's game with A&M. His backup, J.C. Hassenauer, was working with the first-team offensive line.
Though working with a bruised thigh, running back Kenyan Drake was practicing.
Defensive lineman Jarran Reed didn't practice yesterday.
The game once known as the "Third Saturday in October" now usually ends up on the fourth Saturday since the Southeastern Conference office now handles the scheduling of SEC games. The game will air live on CBS with Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce handling the duties for the network.
This will be the 98th meeting between the two teams, with Bama having firm control of the series 51-38-7 (52-27-8 actual). The two first met in Birmingham, Alabama back in 1901. That game ended in a 6-6 tie. Bama is riding an eight-game winning streak against the Vols, with the most recent win coming in Knoxville, Tennessee to the tune of 34-20.
RollTide.com
Former Tide RB Altee Tenpenny Passes
John Talty of AL.com has confirmed the death of former Alabama running back Altee Tenpenny. Reportedly the young man passed away as the result of a one-vehicle car accident last night. It has been reported he was ejected from the automobile. Many of the Alabama players are mourning the death of their former teammate.
Tenpenny spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide, 2013 and 2014, rushing for 82 total yards on 22 carries.
Tenpenny left Alabama back in January of this year and transferred to UNLV. He was later dismissed from the team and joined Nicholls State in August.
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Rise And Shine & Roll Tide With Women's Basketball
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Rise and Shine & Roll Tide with the University of Alabama women's basketball team will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd at Fosters Auditorium. It is a special event with all Crimson Tide fans being introduced to head women's basketball coach Kristy Curry and the 2015-16 edition of the women's basketball team. All Alabama fans are invited to attend the event, with the doors opening at 7 a.m. CT, with the open practice taking place from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.
For this even only there will be complimentary Chick-Fil-A breakfast, coffee, juice and water available in the lobby. Also available will be schedule cards as well as booster club and season ticket information for any of those interested in making a purchase as well as sign up on site.
Women's head basketball coach Kristy Curry will make opening remarks, followed by team introductions. The open practice will begin sometime between 7:30-7:40 a.m. CT and will last approximately 45 minutes.
Parking for the Rise and Shine and Roll Tide event will be available at the Baptist Student Union lot located at 401 University Blvd.
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Jackson-Fitzpatrick Co-FWAA Defensive Players Of The Week
Two Alabama defensive backs share the honor of being named the AutoNation FWAA National Defensive Players of the Week. They are Eddie Jackson and Minkah Fitzpatrick, and were named by the Football Writers Association of America yesterday. The pair picked off two passes each while returning three for touchdowns in the Crimson Tide's win over the Texas A&M Aggies.
True freshman Fitzpatrick had two big interceptions this past Saturday, the first two of his career. His returns, both for touchdowns, went for 33 and 55 yards. He is the only player in Alabama football history to return interceptions for touchdowns in the same game. His 88 interception return yards places him tied for the seventh most return yards in a single game. He also ha two solo tackles in the contest.
Junior safety Eddie Jackson also had two key interceptions for the Crimson Tide last week, one of which was for a 93-yard touchdown return, the third-longest in school history. He also had one other interception in the game and a return of 26 yards. His total of 119 return yards is the most in a single game by an Alabama player. He also had two solo tackles and two pass breakups.
The game against Texas A&M set an Alabama single-game record in return yards at 207, as well as being the third most return yards in Southeastern Conference history.
AutoNation will donate $1,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the names of Fitzpatrick and Jackson.
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Bama Baseball Practice Continues
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The fourth week of fall practice for the Alabama baseball team began yesterday. The Tide took to the field at Sewell-Thomas Stadium yesterday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. CT after taking Monday off. Today will be Bama's second practice of the week before closing out with two intrasquad scrimmages. One will be held Thursday afternoon and the other coming Friday.