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Saban Press Conference After Win Over A&M
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban addressed the media following the University of Alabama's big win over Texas A&M yesterday evening 41-23.
"This was a great team win. We knew this was going to be a really tough game against a very good team and a very difficult place to play. The thing I'm probably most proud of with our players is where we kind of lost the momentum of the game in the second quarter when we kind of dominated the first quarter...when they had the punt return, and we didn't have a lot of fire in our eyes at halftime.
"The players responded really well in the second half to go out there and compete. We had a lot of guys to play a lot of plays. They got hot, they got tired, they got their second wind...they kept competing, and they kept playing.
"I think our offense did a fantastic job. The plan coming in here was we were going to try to run the ball. We were going to try to keep the ball away from them as much as we could. Derrick Henry had a fabulous game, the offensive line did an outstanding job. The defense we made some mistakes and gave up some plays that I think...
"The four interceptions were huge in the game. Three scores on defense is unprecedented probably, and some kind of record. Minkah (Fitzpatrick) having two is fantastic as a freshman.
"Our specialists did a nice job for us today. I think JK (Scott) did a good job. We just didn't do a very good job of covering the one punt return, but other than that...I know we've got a lot of things we can fix, we've got a lot of things we can do better...
"But you've got to hand it to this. You know, this is the second team in the Top 10 that we beat on the road in some really tough places to play. So, I think you've got to respect the competitive character of this team. You know, my hat's off to them. They did a fantastic job today. The coaches did a great job too...did a really good job of preparing them."
Saban was asked about the four interceptions and how the front seven seven contributed to that. He said, "I think the front seven contributed a lot. I think we did a good job of affecting the quarterback, making him uncomfortable, pushing the pocket. You know, they ran on us a couple of times, made some first downs. Both of those guys are good athletes that played out there. But I think pushing the pocket made it hard for the guy to make accurate throws, and I think our guys were in good position to make plays. We work on taking the ball down the number and everybody runs to the numbers and gets a block...and the entire team did a good job."
When asked about Derrick Henry, Saban commented, "Derrick Henry. What can you say? The guy had like 247 yards or something. But you've got to say a lot about the offensive line. They did a good job of creating some good holes, and Derrick certainly took advantage of it. I just think that we have to get more players that are productive on a consistent basis. You know, Derrick's a real work horse for us...I don't know what else you can say about the guy's performance. He's a work horse, he's tough...the guys just had a great game."
Concerning the status of center Ryan Kelly the coach said, "Ryan was a little woozy in the first half. We just decided to hold him out in the second half. I think he'll be okay."
A bit of levity when Saban was asked about whether he had tried to call a time out and didn't get it. He said, "The shot clock was down to one. I'm glad we didn't get it." Laughter throughout the press room.
Coach was asked to comment on how the team has played up to this point in the season. Saban said, "We haven't always played pretty as a team, but we compete well in games. We play with a lot of toughness. The defense has played pretty well for the most part. The quarterback has played better and better and better. I think our offensive line is getting better, so we have a little more balance in what we're doing. I think we're going to have to continue to improve if we're going to be the kind of team that we're capable of being. I don't think we've played our best yet, and that's something we want to continue to focus on, continue to work on and try to make some improvements."
Concerning the half time talk to the team Saban said, "Get some fire in your ass." Everyone laughed. "No, I just asked the players, I said, 'How bad do you want to do this? Now everybody just needs to think about it for a second. And how important is this to you? How bad do you want to do it, and what are you willing to do to go out there in the second half and make it happen? Because we're capable of winning this game. We're capable of getting the momentum of this game back.' Alright, but it's going to come with guys keeping their poise, and executing and doing their job. And I thought the players responded really well. I think the big thing is we got tired. We got tired on defense in the second quarter. But we played a lot of players and they all responded and played well"
Saban made an interested statement, "I think...the message of today was, you've got to play it one play at a time. You've got to have poise and focus to play the next play. No matter what happened on the last play, because these guys are going to make some plays, we're going to play the next play. And you're going to put your whole focus on that play, and we're going to do it for 60 minutes of the game. I think our players did a good job of that because there was a lot of adversity to overcome today and they did a good job of handling it."
Saban was asked about what he learned about the secondary in the environment of this game. He said, "Well, we made some mistakes...and they made some plays, but I think we were sort of prepared for the fact that they were going to make some plays. When they spread you out like they do, and they have really good skill guys, they're going to make some plays. I think the defensive backs overall did a good job. I thought we started reeling a little bit in the second quarter. We were late getting lined up. We weren't focused on what we were supposed to do. We were getting blocked. We didn't have the right leverage on people. We busted a couple of things. But the first quarter, third quarter, fourth quarter I thought we did a really, really good job when we got our second wind. Those guys were playing pretty well back there for about three weeks in a row now. I know they (Texas A&M) had some yards today, but when you throw it that much, you know, that's what happens."
The last question dealt with Derrick Henry and the Tide running outside. Saban said, "...We have to run with what the game plan is." (Should be especially important for all the Kiffin complainers.) "We had a game plan to get him outside. We had a game plan to get him inside. We have confidence in our players. And we have confidence in J.C. So we're going to do what we do."
With that Saban left the press conference.
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Tide Drowns Aggies 41-23
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Despite referees and turnovers, the Alabama Crimson Tide dominated the Texas A&M Aggies at College Station Texas, taking them to the woodshed yesterday. Interceptions and sacks played a big part in this game, as well as the rushing game of his career by Derrick Henry. The Crimson Tide moves to 6-1, 3-1 SEC.
Alabama had three touchdowns off interceptions (a school record), two by Minkah Fitzpatrick and one by Eddie Jackson. The two by freshman Minkah Fitzpatrick were the first two of his career, and what a two it was in returning both for scores. His first went for 33 yards opening the scoring for the Crimson Tide, putting them in the lead 7-0. The second was for a 55-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter. Fitzpatrick is the only Bama receiver to ever return two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game. Eddie Jackson scored on a 93-yard interception return with the help of two great blocks by team mate Cyrus Jones.
Running back Derrick Henry had a huge game, scoring a touchdown in his 12th consecutive game to take sole possession of the Alabama record. He had 236 yards and two touchdowns on the day on 32 carries, with 153 of those yards coming in the first quarter.
The score at the half was Alabama 28-6, and the Aggies were never able to get closer than 8 points during the contest. Prior to this game A&M had outscored their opponents 121-37 in the first half of play. Alabama has changed that to 124-65, which is still respectable.
Alabama had 17 first downs as compared to 16 for A&M. The Tide led in total yards 396-316, with 138 of that passing for Bama and 284 for the Aggies. Alabama quarterback Jake Coker was 19 of 25 in passing for a 5.3 yard per pass average.
The Tide had one turnover, compared to four for Texas A&M which proved to be devastating to the Aggies. Alabama was penalized 60 yards on seven calls as opposed to one penalty for the Aggies for five yards.
Next week Alabama takes on the Tennessee Volunteers in what was once known as "The Third Saturday in October." Let Tennessee Hate Week begin!
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
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Derrick Henry Sets Rushing Record
He stands alone.
Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry now stands alone with the record for consecutive touchdowns with 12. Henry scored on a 55-yard touchdown run to give the talented back a rushing touchdown in 12 consecutive games.
Henry was a beast in yesterday's game with Texas A&M. He had 236 yards and two touchdowns on the day on 32 carries, with 153 of those yards coming in the first quarter.
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Kiffin's Back Must Be Tired
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Yes, this one is another criticism on my part of the rude criticisms taking place concerning Alabama's offense. More specifically the criticisms of Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. So many have climbed on his back surely it must be tired and sore.
So many "experts" on Twitter were dogging Kiffin before the football game even began. Throughout the game these same experts continued relentlessly with taunts and their commentary on the game. Yes, they have the "right". Just as I have the right to speak against it. Amazing that so many don't understand that if you don't throw the football, or run mis-direction at times then the straight-ahead run will not always work. And consider that some of the "big" runs that excite everyone is because passes have caused the secondary to have to cover their men, leaving an open field for Derrick Henry to be able to make the long runs.
Do I agree with all of the Kiffin calls? No. But I don't agree with every defensive call either. Perhaps I wouldn't be so ticked off at the time of writing this but the criticism began before anyone knew anything about the game plan. One even signed his criticism from Saban and the Alabama fans. Yes, Lane is offensive coordinator, but do people honestly believe that Saban doesn't know what Kiffin has planned for the game that week? Really? You criticize Kiffin but not Saban?
I have great respect for all of our coaches and players. Each of us should give the respect. It's not respectable to start the criticism prior to the start of the game. We talk of respect. We get angry when our team is not respected. Yet it seems that those who are angry about disrespect from "non-Bama fans" directed at us should realize they are doing the same, except it's worse. It's directed at our own coaches.
Something else. Let a pass play work and everyone is happy. Everyone is thrilled. That includes the critics of throwing the football.
There goes four or five more blog readers. Fine. I happen to believe there is plenty of commenting that can be done concerning a football game that we don't have to resort to name-calling or innuendo.
Of course I've noticed that many just want to see their comments in print along with the "sports accounts" that are helping call the play recaps and provide stats. I've now muted some and blocked others on Twitter. Others, I'm sure, will now do it to me.
How soon the critics forget that numerous times last season games were won on Kiffin's play selection. How many games have we lost since Kiffin became offensive coordinator? How many times have we fallen out of the Top-10? How many times have we been out of it because of Kiffin and the offense? Oh, and how many times when our defense was leaking did we need Kiffin and the offense to keep us in the games in the past?
Yeah.
Roll Tide! I have an appreciation for the players and coaching staff. If I could get the kind of money the coaches get for calling plays I'd be doing that. Obviously many of you making these disrpectful remarks aren't any better than the rest of us or you'd have Lane Kiffin's job. Or Saban's job, since he hired Kiffin and keeps him in the position.
Again, thank you, coaches. ALL of the coaches. My hat's off to you. Not only do you have a difficult job coaching and planning for a different team each week, you have "experts" out here second-guessing everything.
Again, Roll Tide! Love you, UA.
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