Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Bama Football Practice Update; Tide Golfer Davis Riley Matches Course Record At U.S. Amateur; Nick Saban Press Conference; Celebrity Birthdays




Bama Completes Final Pre-Academic Practice Of Fall Camp
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Classes Get Underway At The Capstone Today


Rashaan Evans
Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt


Yesterday's fall practice for The University of Alabama football team was the last without having to balance academics with their sweat and toil on the practice field. The Crimson Tide practiced for approximately two hours in full pads on the Thomas-Drew Practice Field yesterday afternoon. Earlier in the morning, the Crimson

Yesterday's afternoon practice session got underway at 2:30 p.m. CT. The Tide got in its final work before the start of classes this morning at UA. This was Bama's 15th practice in the 28 fall practices allowed by the NCAA leading up to the season opener. The No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide meets No. 17 Southern California in the AdvoCare Classic on September 3rd inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Game time is 7 p. m. CT and will air on the ABC Network.

Defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson did not participate in yesterday's practice sessions. He was working on a stationary bike on the sideline during the media viewing period. Tomlinson picked up a twisted ankle on Saturday during Bama's second fall scrimmage of the year.

Both inside linebacker Rashaan Evans and running back Bo Scarbrough were hard at it yesterday after having some minor injuries this past weekend. Cornerback Kendall Sheffield wasn't spotted at practice at all, according to AL.com.

Several representatives of the National Football League were again present to observe the practice session.

With the start of fall classes today, the Crimson Tide will take part in three consecutive 3:30 p.m. practices today through Friday leading up to the team's second scrimmage of Fall Camp this Saturday at 1 p.m. CT  inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.


Prior to practice, CBS Sports released its 2016 Preseason All-America Teams. The Crimson Tide placed an FBS-leading seven players on the two teams. Sophomore wide receiver Calvin Ridley, junior offensive lineman Cam Robinson, senior defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, senior linebacker Tim Williams and junior punter JK Scott were all named to the first team. Senior tight end O.J. Howard and senior linebacker Reuben Foster all picked up second team honors.


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Tide's Davis Riley Matches Course Record At U.S. Amateur



Alabama's Davis Riley
Photo Credit: RollTide.com


University of Alabama sophomore Davis Riley was burning up the golf course yesterday in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan as he tied a course record of 7-under par 63 during Tuesday's second round of stroke play at the 116th U.S. Amateur Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club's North course. That phenomenal round jumps Riley to a fourth-place finish in stroke play with a 36-hole total of 4-under par 136 (73-63). Riley now advances to the round of 64 match play beginning this morning.

Following the round, Riley commented, "I felt really good going into [Tuesday]. As crazy as it sounds, I felt like I hit it just as good [Monday], just had a couple mental errors on the South Course. I just kept on staying with it. I gave myself chances and had a few fall.

"This definitely ranks in the top couple of rounds I've played for sure," Riley said. "I shot a 58 at my home course that has to be up there, but yeah, definitely in the top two or three rounds I've played."

Riley's bogey-free round yesterday included seven birdies. As a result of yesterday's assault on the course, Riley tied the competitive record on the North Course and tied for the third-lowest stroke-play round in U.S. Amateur history. His 63 tied PGA professional and recent Olympic Bronze Medalist Matt Kuchar.


A total of 23 players will play off at 2-over 142 for the final eight match-play berths. Action gets underway this morning at 7 a.m. CT on the North Course. The 64-player match play round begins on the South Course at 8 a.m.


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Nick Saban Press Conference

Photo Credit: RollTide


Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban addressed the media following yesterday's practice session. Saban discussed Saturday's scrimmage, the absence of defensive back Kendall Sheffield and walk-on linebacker Jamey Mosley earning a scholarship.

Concerning Sheffield, who has missed three practice sessions since the scrimmage on Saturday, Saban said he was unsure of his status at this point, but was hoping to get him back on the field.

"We're happy to have him back," Saban said. "He's a fine young man. He's worked hard and he's made a lot of improvement here. We enjoy having him as part of the team if that's what he chooses and we will continue to work with him in a positive way."

Saban did say that there was not a cut off time for Sheffield's return and wants "what is best" for his players.

He commented further, "We want what's best for the people on our team. If there's something that we can do to help resolve this from their family's standpoint, we're certainly available to do that. There's no pressure from our standpoint."

Touchdown Alabama, however, is reporting that Sheffield is transferring from the university.

Concerning the Tide's second scrimmage of the Fall Camp held this past Saturday inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saban said that he didn't believe that the players had played with the effort he wanted to see.

Concerning Jamey Mosely, Saban said the young linebacker had "earned" the scholarship with his hard work and performance. The 6' 5", 230-pound redshirt sophomore lines up at outside linebacker and is the younger brother of former Alabama star linebacker, C.J. Mosley.


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Famous Celebrity Birthdays


Here are the celebrity birthdays for 8/17/16:

Gracie Gold, 21
Tierry Henry, 39
Rudy Gay, 30
Paige, 24
Dustin Pedroia, 33
Rachael Hurd-Wood, 26
Donnie Wahlberg, 47
Robert De Nero, 73
Austin Butler, 25
Jessica Vazquez, 23
Jayy Von Monroe, 25
Taissa Farmiga, 22
James Tindale 26
Tammy Townsend, 46
Lil B, 27
Mark Salling, 34
Sean Penn, 56
Drew Justice, 15
Ella Cruz, 20
Belinda Carlisle, 58