Alabama Continues Preparation For Kent State Contest
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| Alabama's Brandon Kennedy (56) and Ryan Anderson (22) Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Receiver Robert Foster didn't practice yesterday, and according to Saban is questionable for Saturday's game. He said that Foster "tweaked his knee" in a practice session.
Another of the Tide receivers, ArDarius Stewart, was wearing a black, non-contact jersey yesterday. He was spotted during the media viewing period working through drills with trainer Jeff Allen. Stewart is recovering from a knee sprain received last Saturday in the Ole Miss win, and is listed as doubtful according to Saban.
Minkah Fitzpatrick is showing definite signs of improvement, working out yesterday in a full contact jersey. CBS showed the youngster taking a knee to the back/side of the head several times during last Saturday's game.
There were several areas of concern for Saban in these opening games, and had the Crimson Tide focused on making improvements in yesterday's practice session. Technique, concentration, individual coaching and focus were the order of the day in addition to the usual drills.
This will be the only the second time that Alabama and Kent State have met on the football field. The Crimson Tide defeated Kent State 48-7 in Tuscaloosa back in 2011 in the first-ever meeting between the two. Saban is 14-1 overall against current members of the MAC. Eight of those victories came while a head coach at Toledo in 1990.
Alabama and Kent State will kick it off at 11:01 a.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The game will air on the SEC Network, with Tom Hart and Andre Ware handling the play-by-play and color analysis in the booth and Cole Cubelic working the sidelines.
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Tide Soccer Faces A Pair Of SEC Foes
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Alabama soccer will host No. 15 Arkansas tonight at the Alabama Soccer Complex at 7 p.m. CT, and then face No. 14 Texas A&M on Sunday at 6 p.m. CT. Tonight's match marks the first Southeastern Conference home contest of the season for the Tide, as well as Bama's first top-25 opponent coming to Tuscaloosa this season. This weekend also marks the first time since the 2012 season that Alabama has faced two top-25 opponents in back-to-back matches, much less two from the SEC.
Alabama soccer head coach Wes Hart said, "We are really excited to be back at home. We are looking forward to playing in front of a good crowd. Certainly, we were happy with our results on the road and in those six games we were able to get out with three wins, two loses and a tie against really good competition. Now to be able to come back home and be able to host a very good team in Arkansas that has knocked off two top five nationally ranked opponents is something we are looking forward to."
All in the Tuscaloosa area or driving distance are encouraged to come out and support the Crimson Tide tonight, and make arrangements to come in for Sunday's contest.
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Alabama Men's Basketball
Tickets On Sale For Rocket City Classic
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
This will be only the second time that Alabama men's basketball has participated in the Rocket City classic, with the only other game coming during the 1999-2000 season in which Bama defeated Chattanooga 75-51. The Rocket City Classic is played in Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center and is set to tipoff at 8 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. Tickets for the game are on sale now through Ticketmaster and at the Von Braun Center box office.
University of Alabama men's head basketball coach Avery Johnson commented, "We are very excited about playing in Huntsville as part of the Rocket City Classic. Our men's basketball team has played in north Alabama just one other time in program history. We felt this would be a unique and exciting opportunity for our fans in that area of the state to enjoy and experience Alabama basketball first hand."
According to Johnson, the trip to Huntsville will also include an educational and community service component. Johnson and the Crimson Tide will spend two days in the Rocket City, where the team will visit the Space and Rocket Center and volunteer their time at a local non-profit organization.
Birmingham-based sports marketing and event management company, Knight Eady, will manage the Rocket City Classic.
"Knight Eady is proud to partner with the Huntsville Sports Commission and provide an opportunity for the Crimson Tide to play in the Rocket City," remarked Mark Whitworth, Chief Operating Officer at Knight Eady. "The excitement of the team returning to Huntsville, coupled with the educational and community service activities, will make for a memorable experience for everyone who is a part of this game."
Johnson, in partnership with Knight Eady, shared the details of the team's trip and announced tickets on sale at a press event held this week at the Von Braun Civic Center.
"The building seats about 7,000, so we are expecting a capacity crowd which would create a great home court-like atmosphere," continued Johnson. "We are really looking forward to this game, as well as our partnership with Knight Eady who does a phenomenal job."
The Rocket City Classic is a part of Coach Johnson's initiative to showcase the Alabama men's basketball program throughout the state of Alabama. The team will also play a neutral site game, The Vulcan Classic, in Birmingham on December 18th against the Clemson Tigers. Knight Eady will also produce this contest.
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What Saban Said...On Wednesday
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Saban seemed to be in good spirits following the Crimson Tide's afternoon practice session yesterday. He said there was good energy in the practice.
Saban brought up an injury situation involving receiver Robert Foster, saying the young man had "tweaked his knee" in practice and was questionable for Saturday's game with Kent State.
On deep passes, Saban said that some of the young players were out of position a few times.
The head coach offered up a little praise for Ryan Anderson yesterday. Saban spoke of how the senior is a well-liked member of the team, as well as possessing a good work ethic and leadership ability. He smiled as he commented that everyone appreciated Anderson's sense of humor.
Saban used the term, "bell cow," is connection with Damien Harris. He said the young man's experience as a freshman helped to prepare him for this season.
There was news, of a sort, concerning the status of Tony Brown's suspension. Saban said that he and the university have heard back from the NCAA on Brown's situation, but is not sure if those findings can be released. So, no further word on that one.
The Crimson Tide will face the Kent State Golden Flashes this Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Game time is 11:01 a.m. CT, and will air on the SEC Network.
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2017 Alabama Crimson Tide Baseball Schedule
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The 2017 schedule will feature eight opponents that advanced to NCAA postseason play in 2016, including four Super Regional hosts and one College World Series participant.
In his announcement, Goff said, "I'm really excited about our schedule, especially having the opportunity to play 37 home games this season. Our team is looking forward to getting to play in front of our great fans and inside our beautiful stadium every opportunity we get. I hope to see "The Joe" packed out every night to provide us with some extra energy and help us build a home field advantage unlike any other."
Here is a look at the upcoming 2017 Alabama Crimson Tide baseball schedule:
2017 UA Baseball Schedule (Click the link)
