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Alabama Football
Tide Holds Final Pre-Dallas Practice
Head Coach Nick Saban
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Daniel Melograno
The University of Alabama completed its final practice yesterday morning before winging their way to Dallas, Texas. The Crimson Tide practiced early Tuesday morning in shells for it's 90-minute workout inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. Everyone will enjoy a three-day Christmas holiday break with family and friends before their Saturday departure.
Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said, "I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone out there a happy holiday. We have a lot of fans, people who support the program, and folks out there celebrating the holidays with people that they have relationships with, whether it's family or friends. These times with family and friends are certainly something that we should be very, very thankful for, and we should be sure to count our blessings."
After practice ended Tuesday morning the team and coaches had the remainder of the day to head home, or to relatives or friends to enjoy Christmas. Practice had been scheduled early to specifically allow more time for the players to pack up and get an early start home.
Saban had commented on Monday that things looked good as far as injuries and players being ready for the game. "We don't really have anybody that's injured or not able to work. A couple of guys missed a day here and a day there, but I think everybody's going to be able to go for sure when we're back on the 26th..."
Alabama will begin practice preparations once in Texas to get ready for the Michigan State Spartans. The two teams clash in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The winner of that game will continue on to the national championship game to be played in Arizona. The Alabama-Michigan State contest is scheduled to kick off at 7:10 p.m. CT on December 31st inside AT& T Stadium. (The Tide opened the 2015 season in this same stadium where they defeated Wisconsin.) The game will air live on ESPN with Chris Fowler handling play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreit on color/analysis and Heather Cox working the sidelines.
This will be only the second meeting between the two teams. The Crimson Tide won the first contest 49-7 at the 2011 Capital One Bowl.
Running Back Derrick Henry
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Daniel Melograno
ArDarius Stewart
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Daniel Melograno
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Derrick Henry 2nd In AP Player Of The Year Voting
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
For the first time is six years the winner of the Heisman Trophy was not named as the Associated Press Player of the Year. As everyone knows, University of Alabama running back Derrick Henry won the 2015 Heisman Trophy. Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey of Stanford, however, has been named the 2015 A.P. Player of the Year. The announcement came Tuesday by the Associated Press.
Henry had already won every award imaginable previous to this one, including the Heisman, Maxwell, and Walter Camp as a player of the year.
The finalists, and winner, in order of voting by the 60-voter panel are:
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford ---29
Derrick Henry, ALABAMA ---16
Deshaun Watson, Clemson --- 11
Kennan Reynolds, Navy --- 2
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma --- 2
McCaffrey was the runner-up to Henry in the Heisman voting.
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UA To Suspend Normal Operations Today At Noon
The University of Alabama will be closing early today because weather forecasters are reporting that north and central Alabama will likely see thunderstorms, some possibly severe, with strong winds, hail and the threat of a tornado.
The National Weather Service in Birmingham is reporting that a "severe weather outbreak" is expected this afternoon through tonight. Check with the National Weather Service for more details, and keep an eye on your televisions and/or radios and internet weather sites.
The University of Alabama issued the following statement:
"The University of Alabama will suspend normal operations beginning at Noon on Wednesday, December 23, due to impending inclement weather.
In the event of an emergency, shelters will remain OPEN even through UA has suspended normal operations. UA housing will also remain open for students residing on campus for the holidays, but you are urged to seek shelter immediately at the closest available location if there is a weather emergency.
The National Weather Service is predicting the possibility that severe weather could occur in central Alabama, including The University of Alabama, midday through midnight Wednesday, Dec. 23. Damaging winds, hail and tornadoes, are possible. The threat of isolated storms, including tornadoes, also exists through 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24.
Since severe weather can develop quickly and without warning, please identify areas of safe refuge and be prepared to move to safety if severe weather occurs. Please be familiar with UA's severe weather guidelines and stay tuned to local weather sources as long as the potential for severe weather lasts. If a tornado watch is issued, please be alert for rapidly changing conditions that may require you to move quickly to safety.
If a tornado warning is issued, you should avoid traveling and seek shelter immediately at the closest available refuge area (BARA) or the lowest level of the nearest building until you are notified that the warning is over.
Because of the potential for severe weather, campus tornado shelters at North Campus Storm Shelter, East Campus Storm Shelter, and the Magnolia Parking Deck BARA are available to students, faculty and staff who feel safer on campus than in their off-campus residences. A map of the shelters is available at http://prepare.ua.edu/?page_id=4319. If needed, updated information will be available on the UA website at http://www.ua.edu, through local radio and television stations, and via the campus PA system. We urge you to take safety precautions and follow weather developments over the next few days."
The University of Alabama issued the following statement:
"The University of Alabama will suspend normal operations beginning at Noon on Wednesday, December 23, due to impending inclement weather.
In the event of an emergency, shelters will remain OPEN even through UA has suspended normal operations. UA housing will also remain open for students residing on campus for the holidays, but you are urged to seek shelter immediately at the closest available location if there is a weather emergency.
The National Weather Service is predicting the possibility that severe weather could occur in central Alabama, including The University of Alabama, midday through midnight Wednesday, Dec. 23. Damaging winds, hail and tornadoes, are possible. The threat of isolated storms, including tornadoes, also exists through 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24.
Since severe weather can develop quickly and without warning, please identify areas of safe refuge and be prepared to move to safety if severe weather occurs. Please be familiar with UA's severe weather guidelines and stay tuned to local weather sources as long as the potential for severe weather lasts. If a tornado watch is issued, please be alert for rapidly changing conditions that may require you to move quickly to safety.
If a tornado warning is issued, you should avoid traveling and seek shelter immediately at the closest available refuge area (BARA) or the lowest level of the nearest building until you are notified that the warning is over.
Because of the potential for severe weather, campus tornado shelters at North Campus Storm Shelter, East Campus Storm Shelter, and the Magnolia Parking Deck BARA are available to students, faculty and staff who feel safer on campus than in their off-campus residences. A map of the shelters is available at http://prepare.ua.edu/?page_id=4319. If needed, updated information will be available on the UA website at http://www.ua.edu, through local radio and television stations, and via the campus PA system. We urge you to take safety precautions and follow weather developments over the next few days."
