Crimson Tide Begins Preparation For Western Kentucky
 |
| Tide's Marlon Humphrey during yesterday's practice Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt via AP |
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team began preparation yesterday for this Saturday's contest at Bryant-Denny Stadium with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Tide practiced in shells in temps in the low 90s during the approximately two-hour session at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.
Things looked a little different in the quarterback corp as compared to the weeks and months past. It was Blake Barnett leading the group through drills, followed by Jalen Hurts, Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell and Montana Murphy. Barnett headed one line after drills with Hurts leading the other.
Damien Harris led the running backs through drills, with Bo Scarbrough, Derrick Gore, Ronnie Clark, B.J. Emmons and Joshua Jacobs following.
Defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson was indeed on the practice field yesterday and appeared to be doing well. Tomlinson had to leave Saturday's game against USC briefly with an injury during the second half. He was able to re-enter the game, and was seen practicing during the short media viewing period.
Defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson was indeed on the practice field yesterday and appeared to be doing well. Tomlinson had to leave Saturday's game against USC briefly with an injury during the second half. He was able to re-enter the game, and was seen practicing during the short media viewing period.
 |
| Alabama running backs working with Coach Burton Burns Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
-----------------------------------
Crimson Tide Kicks Off Home Schedule With Western Kentucky
_____
A Look At What Saban Had To Say Yesterday
_____
A Look At What Saban Had To Say Yesterday
 |
| Nick Saban Addresses Media Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
University of Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban met with reporters yesterday prior to the opening practice of the week in preparation for Western Kentucky on Saturday. Saban was highly complimentary of the Hilltoppers.
This will be the first home contest for the Crimson Tide, with the game being held inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Be sure to review the new bag policy which can be found at RollTide.com.
As is the norm, the head man held a press briefing talking about last Saturday's contest, a look at the upcoming game, as well as any special situations that may exist, injuries, lineup changes, etc.
Here is Saban's opening statement yesterday:
"After looking at the film of the USC game obviously we didn't get off to the kind of start that we wanted to get off to in the game. I think the first quarter was a little shaky on both sides of the ball. As the game went on, we kind of settled in to the game. The players responded and competed and played through some adversity. We need to play with a lot better consistency, but we made some big plays. We made some explosive plays on offense. The defense was pretty consistent throughout the game, and I thought did a pretty good job of stopping the run and being able to play a lot of coverages that allowed us to minimize their explosive plays with some very good skill guys. Obviously the lesson to be learned is we want to be more ready to play and get off to a fast start. Start fast, and finish strong is something that we talk about, and obviously being able to play with a little bit more discipline and consistency will help us become a better team. I think that's the objective.
"When you start playing games, people don't realize this, and I don't care what position you play, what team you play on, what unit you play on, people really study what you do. They study your strengths. They study your weaknesses, and they do things to take away what you can do, and you have to be able to improve through that as a player, whether it is individually or collectively as a unit so you can continue to have success and not get taken advantage of. The best example I can give is one of my own. I was one of these outstanding high school baseball hitters. When I went to college, I thought I would be an outstanding college hitter. Because they never did a book when I was in high school, they never knew what pitches I couldn't hit. When they started doing the book in college and figured out that low outside slider I'd hit it like a weak ground ball to second base, then the next thing you know if you don't learn to hit that pitch that's all you see. I'm talking about the kind you don't even want to run to first base on. You have to improve as a player. You have to analyze and understand and know what your strengths are and what your weaknesses are and work on overcoming those things individually and collectively as a team. That's something that we obviously need to do as a team right now.
"The team we are playing this week, Western Kentucky, I think most people probably don't even know that they were a top 25 team, finished ranked 24th in the country last year with a 12-2 record and actually won a bowl game and won their conference. They have a lot of starters back on that team, like nine on offense. Even though they lost their quarterback they have a transfer quarterback (Mike White) who started at another Division I school (South Florida). They've got really good skill guys. These guys play with a lot of toughness and a lot of energy. They've got a lot of confidence. They score a lot of points on offense. They've got one of the most prolific passing attacks that we're going to see and some very good players to implement it, and they play really tough, physical defensive football. This is a good team, and I know that I'm preaching to the choir here when it comes to what you guys create and what you think, but it is what it is. We had two teams in our league that actually lost to teams that were nowhere near this good, nowhere near what they accomplished a year ago, nowhere near the number of players coming back, and a third team that had to win in overtime. These are not things that we can take at all for granted. We need to get ready to play this game as if we are playing a really good football team because we are."
During the course of the press conference Saban addressed other topics and situations and responded to some questions.
The coach said there have been no updates to speak of concerning the eligibility issues of defensive lineman Raekwon Davis and cornerback Tony Brown.
The coach said there have been no updates to speak of concerning the eligibility issues of defensive lineman Raekwon Davis and cornerback Tony Brown.
Concerning the sideline altercation between safeties Eddie Jackson and Ronnie Harrison that ABC featured for all to see, Saban said that Harrison's behavior was "totally out of character." He explained that Harrison had gotten upset by the trash talk from USC, then got upset when Jackson tried to calm him down. The coach said that the lesson learned from all of this was that Harrison should have offered a "thank you" instead of a "screw you."
Moving to what was/is bad news to at least a little-better-than-bad news, Saban said that the injury to receiver Cam Sims wasn't as bad as initially thought, and that he has a bruised shoulder. Sims may be questionable for game against Western Kentucky on Saturday.
Saban complimented inside linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton, saying he played well this past Saturday. He told everyone that Hamilton played more because Rashaan Evans had missed roughly a week of practice before the game against USC. He then added that Hamilton is "very dependable."
Concerning quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Blake Barnett, Saban said they both were "shaky" at the beginning but did improve over the course of the game. He said he, as of now, still plans to employ the two-quarterback-system, although how the two are deployed may change.
Saban confirmed the hiring of former USC coach Steve Sarkisian, saying, "We're glad to have him as part of the organization."
One last note on last week's game. Saban said that after viewing the film, he believed the team did play "through some adversity" and made "explosive plays" where they were needed. He also complimented the defense saying they performed consistently against USC.
Concerning the upcoming contest with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Saban reminded everyone that they were a ranked team last season and did win their bowl game. He further stated that Alabama cannot take this team for granted.
-----------------------------------
Alabama vs Western Kentucky
_____
Saban Probably Will Play Two QBs In The Game
-----------------------------------
AP Top 25 College Football Poll
------------------------------------
Saban Confirms Hiring Of Sarkisian
Alabama vs Western Kentucky
_____
Saban Probably Will Play Two QBs In The Game
 |
| Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
When it comes right down to it, nothing is really resolved concerning the position of starting quarterback at The University of Alabama. Concerning this week's contest with Western Kentucky and his quarterbacks, Coach Nick Saban said, "I still think that we need to play two quarterbacks to try to gain the experience and knowledge and consistency that we need to see. We may do it a little different way than we did last week. But I think we'll probably still play two guys in the game."
Forget about what that means exactly. Someone actually asked Saban for some clarification on the subject of trying something different, but didn't really get a clear response. Saban said, "Well, I said I might do it a little different, so what does that mean?" Saban said. "I said I might do it a little bit different, so I didn't make a decision or a statement about who I was starting."
Concerning the play of Jalen Hurts and Blake Barnett last Saturday, Saban had said, "I thought that both guys were a little shaky in the beginning in
terms of how they played. And I think that the longer they
played in the game, the better they played. That goes for both guys."
Okay, so the two-quarterback system really isn't a long-term plan. Or maybe it's not. He seemed to insinuate it could extend deeper into the season. Or maybe he didn't. He commented to reporters, "Well, you know, you all don't need to be reading more into this than
what there is. Do you understand we're doing this for now? So that
means that's how it is today. We act like now there's going to be two
quarterbacks for the whole season or there's not any competition or ... I
don't understand the question.
"I think that if we're going to have two young quarterbacks both of
them need to gain experience so they can play in the future. How we go
about doing that is a plan that I think is very, very important to both
guys and to our team."
So there. Maybe clear and maybe not.
Suffice it to say, Saban wants both quarterbacks to gain experience on the field in actual game competition. Both and/or one may be needed in any game at any time. So like the Boy Scouts, be prepared.
-----------------------------------
AP Top 25 College Football Poll
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Florida State
4. Ohio State
5. Michigan
6. Houston
7. Stanford
8. Washington
9. Georgia
10. Wisconsin
11. Texas
12. Michigan State
13. Louisville
14. Oklahoma
15. TCU
16. Iowa
17. Tennessee
18. Notre Dame
19. Ole Miss
20. Texas A&M
21. LSU
22. Oklahoma State
23. Baylor
24. Oregon
25. Miami (FL)
------------------------------------
Saban Confirms Hiring Of Sarkisian
 |
| Steve Sarkisian, Offensive Analyst Photo Credit: USA TODAY |
University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban confirmed yesterday the hiring of Steve Sarkisian, formerly the coach at USC, to the Crimson Tide coaching staff as an offensive analyst.
Sarkisian is now the fifth former head coach hired by Nick Saban. Besides Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin once coached USC. The other three former head coaches on the Tide staff are Mario Cristolbal, Bobby Williams and Mike Locksley.
Concerning Sarkisian, Saban said, "I told him that we’d love to have him as part of the organization. He’s gone through some personal things himself to get himself in a very positive position and wants to continue to do those things in the future. Professionally, he loves coaching, and so we thought it would be a good thing for our organization to have (him)."
So now it's a done deal. Saban offered and Sarkisian accepted.
Saban concluded, "I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s a very, very good coach. We’re glad to have him as part of the organization, and hopefully he’ll be able to get back on his feet professionally and this will be beneficial to him."
-----------------------------------
Tide Football Coaching Staff Recognizes 10
As Players Of The Week
 |
| Graphic/Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
Harris led the team in rushing with 138 yards on nine carries, with his longest being 46 and 73 yards. had a career game against the Trojans, using nine carries to rush for a team-leading 138 yards, with long rushes of 46 and 73 yards. Robinson and Williams did a great job of helping to clear the lanes for the runners as well as defend the quarterbacks. Robinson graded out with an 88 percent, didn't allow a sack, pressure the quarterback or penalty. Stewart caught four passes for a career-high 113 yards and two scores. His 71-yard catch and score (mostly on yards after reception) was the longest reception of his career, while his other touchdown came on a 39-yard reception.
Allen, Foster and Humphrey helped lead a Tide defensive unit that limited the Trojan offense to 194 total yards, no touchdowns and only six points. Allen finished the game with four tackles, including two sacks for a loss of -15 yards. This was the sixth multi-game of his career, pushing his career total to 20.0, ranking him seventh all-time in UA history. Foster recorded four tackles, including one for a loss. Humphrey finished with two tackles, one for a loss, and added a pick-six late in the second quarter providing Alabama with a 17-3 lead heading into halftime.
Fitzpatrick not only had a tackle on special teams to his credit, but also helped keep USC kick- returner Adoree' Jackson under wraps. Griffith made his only field goal attempt on the night from 29 yards out and was a perfect 7-of-7 on extra points. On kickoffs, the redshirt senior averaged 63.1 yards per kick and registered four touchbacks/ He had nine kickoffs for 568 total yards. Scott helped flip the field for the Crimson Tide throughout the game with his punting. He punted five times for 235 yards, averaging 47.0 yards per punt. Three of his punts were for 50 or more yards with a long of 54. He finished the night placing three punts inside the Trojans' 20-yard line, including his 54-yarder that landed out of bounds at the USC 2-yard line.
Congratulations and Roll Tide!
-----------------------------------
Swimming & Diving 2016-17 Schedule
 |
| Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
Bama will host two of this season's three home meets during the month of September, following the first meet of the season against Delta State with a women's meet against the Vanderbilt Commodores and also West Florida on September 20th at 4 p.m. CT. That particular meet will be Alabama's Power of Pink meet, to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer.
The Crimson Tide will close out its home slate early in 2017, doing battle with ACC power Florida State on January 21st in a meet scheduled for 10 a.m. CT. This particular meet will be senior day for one Bama's largest classes in recent memory. All three home meets will be held in the Don Gambril Olympic Pool at the Alabama Aquatic Center. Admission is free.
In between the home meets, Alabama will hit the road to face Missouri (October 14th), Auburn (November 4th), Tulane women (January 16th), LSU (January 17th) and Georgia Tech (January 20th). Alabama will also travel to Atlanta for the Georgia Tech Invitational (November 17-19) as well as diving invitational at Auburn (December 17-19) and Tennessee (January 3-5).
For the postseason the Crimson Tide will be in Knoxville, Tennessee for the Southeastern Conference Championships slated for February 14-18, followed by the Bulldog Invitational in Athens, Georgia February 25-26. The NCAA Zone B Diving Championships will be held March 6-8 in Auburn, Alabama.
The Women's and Men's NCAA Championships will both be held in Indianapolis with the women's championships being held March 15-18 and the men's scheduled for March 22-25.
