Bama Continues Work For This Saturday
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The biggest game of the season thus far looms in the near-future. The University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee go to battle this Saturday, October 15th at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Alabama Crimson Tide put in another two hours of work in full pads yesterday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields in preparation for the "Third Saturday In October" clash. Tennessee boasts one of the SEC's top-ranked offices, and the Tide was hard at work yesterday on the game plan to, if nothing else, slow it down. This 99th meeting of the two football powers could prove to be one of the best yet.
Linebacker Reuben Foster was once again practicing yesterday following his concussion sustained this past Saturday in the Arkansas game. Though he was sporting a black, no-contact jersey, Foster was working with the first team nickel defense, according to AL.com's Matt Zenitz.
Right guard Alphonse Taylor, however, didn't practice and is question for this Saturday's game with Tennessee according to head coach Nick Saban. Saban said yesterday, "I would say he's probably pretty questionable for this game but there's no decision that's been made."
Freshman Trevon Diggs wasn't wearing the brace he had been sporting earlier.
Game time this Saturday is set for 2:30 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast live on the CBS Network. Verne Lundquist will handle the play-by-play, Gary Danielson will provide color commentary and Allie LaForce will provide updates from the sidelines.
The Crimson Tide has won the last nine meetings betweet the two teams, including four in a row in Knoxville. Alabama defeated the Vols last season in Bryant-Denny Stadium 19-14.
Yesterday quarterback Jalen Hurts and tight end O.J. Howard were honored by being named to two different mid-season watch lists. Hurts was named to the 2016 Manning Award Watch List honoring the nation's top quarterback, and Howard was honored by being named to the 2016 John Mackey Award Watch List which is given annually to the top tight end in the country.
Additionally, the Crimson Tide offensive line has been noticed for their play this season. The squad has been placed on the mid-season Joe Moore Award Honor Roll. The 2015 edition of the Bama OL won the inaugural Joe Moore Award as the top offensive line in the country.
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Minkah Fitzpatrick Honored
Named Jim Thorpe Player Of The Week
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| University of Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
What a game Alabama sophomore defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick had last week in the Crimson Tide's 49-30 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville. He was honored yesterday for that performance by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in being named the Jim Thorpe Player of the Week for week six.
Fitz was instrumental in helping the Crimson Tide force a season-high five turnovers last week. The young man tied the Alabama single-season school record with three interceptions, adding five tackles to the tally as well as breaking up two passes. Fitzpatrick set the Alabama record for the longest interception return in Crimson Tide history by returning one of those interceptions for a 100-yard touchdown. As the song says, "...sweet dreams are made of these...".
The young DB leads the secondary and ranks third overall in tackles with 27 so far this season. He has 1.5 sacks to his credit (-13 yards) as well as two tackles for loss (-13 yards). He leads the team in pass breakups with five as well as forcing one fumble on special teams.
The Jim Thorpe Award is named after one of the greatest athlete's of all time, Jim Thorpe. He was a running back, passer, as well as kicker on the offensive side of the ball as well as an outstanding defensive back. He also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The award was established in 1986 in honor of him.
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| Jim Thorpe Photo Credit: via Bing |
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Crimson Tide Volleyball Victorious
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The University of Alabama volleyball team took a four-set victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs last night at Foster Auditorium in Tuscaloosa. It wasn't looking good for the Bama Belles last evening, dropping the first set 21-25, but after three consecutive road games and glad to be back home, the ladies rallied to take the next three sets 25-20, 25-20 and 25-21.
In fact, Alabama (14-5 overall, 3-3 SEC) hit their highest percentage in Southeastern Conference play all season with a .315. The gals from Bama were able to hold the Bulldogs (11-9 overall, 3-3 SEC) to a .208 hitting percentage.
It was Leah Lawrence leading the way for the Crimson Tide with a season-high .600 hitting percentage, as well as showing-out at the service line, tying a career-high four aces, She has now scored four aces in two consecutive matches. She also added 10 kills and four blocks on the night.
Brittany Thomas posted her second double-double this season with 11 kills and 15 digs in the contest. She had a season-best hitting percentage herself with .409. She also added one block on the night.
Krystal Rivers contributed 31 kills and five blocks in the contest, with Hayley McSparin adding six kills to the tally.
The Crimson Tide next must face the Missouri Tigers (15-3 overall, 6-0 SEC). Mizzou boasts a perfect SEC record, and will come to Foster Auditorium on Sunday looking to keep it that way. Match time is set for 1:30 p.m. CT, as will be Bama's Power of Pink event. The Power of Pink is an Alabama Athletics initiative to raise breast cancer research awareness.
| Game Stats | MS | UA |
|---|---|---|
| Kills | 55 | 62 |
| Errors | 23 | 16 |
| Hitting % | .208 | .315 |
| Points | 69.0 | 76.0 |
| Aces | 8 | 5 |
| Blocks | 6.0 | 9.0 |
| TA | 154 | 146 |
| Assists | 51 | 60 |
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