Crimson Tide Defeats Hilltoppers 38-10 In Home-Opener
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| Photo Credit: nflmocks.com |
It didn't take long for WKU to threaten and then score on a field goal of their own though. The Hilltoppers picked up 70 yards on a first-down flea flicker down to the Alabama nine yard line. The Tide defense held on three straight plays forcing Western to settle for a 25-yard field goal to tie it up 3-3 with 8:03 remaining in the first quarter.
The Tide defense pretty much held the Hilltoppers offense in check until a fumble late in the game that allowed them to put the first opposing touchdown on the board against the Tide for 2016, and the first of the season in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The Crimson Tide was 25-of-42 in passing for 351 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Jalen Hurts led in that department hitting 23-of-36 for 287 yards and both passing touchdowns. WKU was 19-of-38 for 216 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Mike White led the Hilltoppers at 10-of-34 for 135 yards and one of the interceptions.
Rushing stats for Bama were 39 runs for 139 yards with eight different runners. Damien Harris led the way for the Crimson Tide with 11 carries for 45 yards, a 4.1 yard average. Close behind him was B.J. Emmons with six carries for 41 yards and one touchdown. He also had the longest run of the night for Bama at 14. Incidentally, quarterback Jalen Hurts rushed 11 times for 19 yards. WKU rushed for 23 yards on 22 carries.
Alabama receivers had 351 yards on 25 receptions on the day. Calvin Ridley led all receivers with 129 yards and one touchdown on on nine receptions averaging 14.3 yards per catch. His longest of the day was for 51 yards. ArDarius Stewart had 90 yards and one touchdown on five receptions, with his longest being a 52-yarder. WKU had 216 yards on 19 receptions with the longest for 59 yards by Taywan Taylor.
Eddie Jackson picked off one Western Kentucky pass and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. Ronnie Harrison picked off one himself with a six yard return.
Kicker Adam Griffith was one-of-two on field goal attempts hitting a 36-yarder. He was a perfect five-for-five in extra points.
Punter JK Scott had another banner game. He booted the ball five times for 232 yards, a 46.4 yard average. His longest of the day was for 58 yards.
[Updates to follow]
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Alabama Crimson Tide vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
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| Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
It was 2012 the last time that The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team faced the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Bama won that contest, by the way, in fine fashion by a score of 35-0. Alabama head coach Nick Saban has repeatedly warned players and fans not to take this team for granted, having finished in the top 25 last season and returning some great play-makers. Both teams posted big victories in their season-openers last weekend.
This year's defense will probably be the weakest point for the Hilltoppers, ranking 72nd a year ago and losing all but four of those starters for this season. The previous meeting between the two the Hilltopper defense was much better, ranked 26th nationally at that time. The defensive line, however, is the strong point of the unit, with cornerback probably the weakest which hopefully the Bama receivers can exploit.
The Hilltoppers are the kings of Conference USA, posting an 8-0 record in conference play last season, and expected to take the crown again this year. Before snubbing that conference, just know that they were second only to the SEC in winning percentage (.600 vs .800) in bowl games.
WKU went 12-2 last season, finishing No. 24 in the Top 25 rankings. Over the past five years they are 43-33 overall.
Western could actually have one of the deepest backfields in the nation, a good line on both sides of the ball, and should be ready to end up in the top 25 once again this season. Incidentally, the receiving corp is no slouch. Returning and expected to play a big role in this week's game is Taywan Taylor who last season caught 86 passes for 1,467 yards and 17 touchdowns. Nicholas Norris is also back, with 63 catches for 971 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Last season the Hilltoppers' defense was second in the conference, holding opponents to a 35.2 percent third-down conversion rate and forcing a conference-best 31 turnovers. That was the upside for the defense, thanks to that line.
Runningback Anthony Wales was selected as Conference USA's most elusive back, averaging 7.0 yards per carry last season. Taywan Taylor was selected best athlete in the conference , third in the nation with the most receiving yards. Left tackle Forrest Lamp was chosen the conference's Top NFL prospect and head coach Jeff Brohm was selected the best coach in Conference USA.
Kickoff is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m. CT inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
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Alabama Crimson Tide Soccer Defeats Tennessee Vols
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| Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
With this victory over Tennessee, Alabama improves to an overall 6-1, while Tennessee falls 3-4 overall. This is the best start for the Tide since the 2005 season.
Alabama will be back on the field of battle on Tuesday, September 13th. The Tide will travel up the road to Birmingham to take on the Samford Bulldogs at 7 p.m. CT. Bama will continue SEC play on Sunday, September 18th with the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington, Kentucky. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network beginning at 4 p.m. CT.
| Game Stats | UA | UT |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 5 | 1 |
| Shots | 13 | 13 |
| Shots on Goal | 9 | 6 |
| Saves | 5 | 4 |
| Corners | 2 | 3 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
| Fouls | 6 | 7 |
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| Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
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It's A Sweep For Alabama Volleyball!
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| Tide Volleyball Celebrates Wins Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
Alabama's Krystal Rivers produced 45 kills between the two matches, including 38 in five sets against the Eagles. These 38 kills set a new career-high for the senior and is the most for any Alabama player in a match since Michelle Green totaled 38 against Eastern Michigan back in 1998.
Kat Hutson led the Crimson Tide with 11 kills in the first match, finishing with 17 kills between the two matches yesterday, while Hayley McSparin led the team at .481 with 14 kills and just one error on 27 swings. Earning double-doubles in both matches for Bama was Shannon Mikesky with 92 assists and 21 digs.
The Crimson Tide winds up the weekend at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash against Lehigh (3-5) this morning at 11 a.m. CT in Foster Auditorium in Tuscaloosa.
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Bama Swimming & Diving Open Season With Huge Wins
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| Bama Swimming & Diving Celebrate Opening Wins Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
Alabama swimming & diving head coach Dennis Pursley said, "We had a good day. I haven't had a chance to go over all the results, but I feel like we were ahead of where were at this meet a year ago, so I was real excited about that. I was also pleased with the team spirit, the way the teams came together and supported each other with fire and energy."
For the women in the 400 medley relay it was Caroline Korst, Justine Macfarlane, Hannah Musser and Bailey Scott taking the win.
On the men's side, it was Connor Oslin, Anton McKee, Luke Kaliszak and Christopher Reid picking up the win in the 400 medley relay.
In the 400 freestyle relays for the women it was Temarie Tomley, Morgan Fleming, Musser and Scott for win, while the men picked up the victory via Laurent Bams, Robert Howard, Alex Gray and Knox Auerback.
Picking up individual wins were Mia Nonnenberg taking top honors in the women's 1,000 freestyle, and Carl Madden doing the same for the men. Nonnenberg also picked up a win in the 200 individual medley as did Reid. Scott and Bams took the 50 freestyle, Bams won the 100 freestyle, and Tomley took the women's 100 freestyle. The first freshman win of the season was posted by Cameron Brown in the 500 freestyle, and junior Will Freeman took the men's 500 freestyle overall.
Alabama took the 100 backstroke men's division. In fact, they took the first five slots with Kaliszak picking up the win. Katie Kelsoe won the women's 100 and 200 backstroke races, Macfarlane and Pavel Romanov took the breaststroke events.
In the butterfly events it was Hannah Musser and Taylor Charles with the victories in the 200 butterfly, Musser in the women's 100 butterfly and Bams in the men's 100 butterfly.
The Crimson Tide swept the diving events as Brent Sagert won the 1-meter and 3-meter for the men, Ayanna Woods won the 1-meter and Taylor Zablocki took the 3-meter.
Next up will be the Alabama women return to action double dual meet with Vanderbilt and West Florida on September 30th.
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Kiffin, Alabama Agree To New Contract Terms
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| Crimson Tide Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
University of Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is now the highest paid assistant on Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban's staff. According to Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman, Kiffin has agreed to a salary of $1.4 million, up from $714,000 this current season. Ed Enoch of The Tuscaloosa News is reporting that Kiffin's contract has been officially extended through February 2017 by a vote of the university's trustees compensation committee.
Other coaches received raises as well. Baseball coach Greg Goff will be paid $450,000 annually plus a bonus package. Softball coach Patrick Murphy get $305,000 annually with $5,000 added in years three and five.
All coaches up for review received increases in pay.
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Tide Cross Country Teams Place 2nd In Chattanooga
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| Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
Crimson Tide head coach Dan Waters said, "We had a number of athletes competing for the first time this year, including several who were running in their first collegiate meet. So to have so many personal bests turned in was good to see. The experience gained today will benefit us as a team down the road."
It was Bama senior Antibahs Kosgei the Tide's top male runner in the men's 5k race. He finished fourth in a time of 14:57.13.
Emily Edwards led the Tide women in the two-mile race, completing the course in 11:28.54 to finish sixth.
