Bama Holds Final Full Practice For Hogs
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Alabama head coach Nick Saban after last week's contest, as well as his press briefing this week, said that better decisions had to be made fielding punts so as not to lose valuable field positions. You can bet time was spent on that during the week, and especially yesterday during the special teams workouts.
Running back Damien Harris, as well as receivers ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster, were practicing again. In his weekly radio show, "Hey Coach", Saban said the trio are doing "all right."
Alabama and Arkansas are scheduled for this big Southeastern Conference showdown, with both conference and national championship implications, this Saturday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The game will be broadcast live with Joe Tessitore, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe on the call.
The Crimson Tide leads the series 16-8 (19-7 before forfeited and vacated games) as well as claiming victory in the last nine matchups. Alabama has also won four consecutive meetings in Fayetteville, outscoring the Razorbacks 139-47 during that. Last season, Alabama posted a 27-14 Homecoming win over Arkansas at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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Herb Jones Celebrates 18th Birthday Announcing For Tide
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| Herb Jones Alabama Athletics |
Happy 18th birthday and welcome to Crimson Tide men's basketball, Herb Jones. The 6' 7", 185-pound wing from Hale County High School yesterday announced his commitment to Avery Johnson and Alabama in a ceremony at his high school. He is the first commitment to the 2017 class, but another followed later in the day.
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4-Star Alex Reese Chooses Alabama Basketball
This 6-foot-9, 230-pound basketball machine is a versatile forward who can play down low or stretch his game out to the 3-point line making him a threat to any opponent. Reese joins Hale County guard Herb Jones as a member of the 2017 Alabama basketball recruiting class. He is ranked as the No. 86 prospect in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Reese averaged 25.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and one block for Pelham last season while earning first-team All-State honors.
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What Saban Said...On 'Hey Coach'
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| Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban Hey Coach Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The coach again talked about the proposal involving an early signing period or signing day. He already had mentioned he was against it, or at least expressed reservations.
Saban mentioned Hurricane Matthew scheduled to make landfall in Florida (at the time of the broadcast), and that both current players and recruits from there had expressed concern.
Some of the freshman players got a pat on the back, as well as offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Saban said that it's easier for running backs and receivers to play early for Alabama, and mentioned Joshua Jacobs, B.J. Emmons and Calvin Ridley as prime examples. He then said that Kiffin does a good job of easing these young players into the offense, and then gradually expands the number of plays in which they are used in the games.
There was some disappointed expressed concerning the play of the team in the Kentucky contest. Saban said that although the team practiced well that week it didn't really carry over into the game. He doesn't like the slow starts in the games. Saban said that getting off to a good start has been an emphasis this week in practice.
Concerning the Arkansas offense, Saban said that many players really aren't used to going up against the I-formation and I-slot. He compared playing Arkansas to back in the day when playing against a Wishbone offense. Saban spoke of the "really good" skill players that the Razorbacks have, and their ability to make explosive plays. He said the team is really focused this week on that Arkansas offense...as well as defense.
Concerning the injury situation, Saban said that running back Damien Harris as well as receivers ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster are doing "all right."
Saban spoke of the upcoming Arkansas game as being a real challenge. He said that the Razorbacks were an "old fashioned" type team and that it was really important for the Crimson Tide to execute in this game "over and over and over again."
Saban mentioned his book. He said that he really didn't have a great experience working with a ghost writer, so he took matters into his own hands and rewrote the book during his vacation.
Again, turning to the Arkansas offense, Saban said that the Razorbacks have always been able to run the ball, but that they are more balanced this season.
He again said that the Tide would have to have better starts to games, and the the momentum of good practices needed to carry over into the games. Saban said a lot of the problems are self-inflicted.
Saban offered up some praise for the Arkansas defense, and the front seven in particular. He said that the Hogs can make explosive plays with skill players on the outside.
Some big praise for starting quarterback Jalen Hurts from the Crimson Tide head coach. Saban said that he really like Hurts during the recruiting process, and how he handles himself now. He likes the young man's athleticism, that he doesn't get flustered when things don't go his way and he isn't turning the ball over. He also likes that Hurts doesn't covet attention.
Before the end of the show Saban was very complementary of Archie Manning and the Manning family. He called the elder Manning one of the finest ambassadors for college football, and that the family was "classy."
Saban mentioned that one of the new proposals for college football that he liked was one that would add an additional assistant to coaching staffs.
The Crimson Tide and Razorbacks will meet tomorrow for a 6:05 p.m. CT kickoff.
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Crimson Tide Soccer Falls To Ole Miss
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The Crimson Tide recorded 16 shots, six shots on goal and four corner kick in the 90 minute contest. Bama's Kat Stratton had one save, and her record between the posts falls to 7-5-1 and 2-3-1 in league play.
Maddie Anzelc recorded three shots, one shot on goal as well as scoring the Crimson Tide's only goal of the evening. Auburn Mercer took four shots on the night, one shot on goal. It was Abbie Boswell contributing two shots last night while Hailey Brohaugh offered up one assist.
Alabama travels to Columbia, Missouri to face the Missour Tigers this Sunday, October 9th at 1 p.m. CT.
| Game Stats | OM | UA |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 1 |
| Shots | 7 | 16 |
| Shots on Goal | 3 | 6 |
| Saves | 5 | 1 |
| Corners | 2 | 4 |
| Offsides | 0 | 3 |
| Fouls | 6 | 8 |
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Alabama Women's Tennis
Routliffe, Daniell Compete In 2016 Riviera/ITA
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| Andie Daniell (left) & Erin Routliffe (right) Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Routliffe, ranked 18th nationally in singles play, defeated Alex Valenstein of Texas Tech in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0, to advance to the second round. Routliffe will take on Hayley Carter of North Carolina at 12:45 p.m. CT today.
In doubles play, 34th-ranked doubles duo Routliffe and Daniell lost to Carter and Jessie Aney of North Carolina in an 8-6 decision. The pair is set to take on Virginia Tech's Caroline Daxhelet and Elena Cerezo-Codina in the doubles back draw bracket at 11 a.m. CT.
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Tide Golf Coaches To Enter GCAA 2016 Hall Of Fame
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Those six coaches named include Alabama head coach Jay Seawell, former Alabama assistant coach and current Baylor coach Mike McGraw, as well as Vince Clark, Tim Poe, Mike Small and former Bama coach Dick Spybey. They will officially be inducted at the GCAA Hall of Fame Reception and Awards Banquet to be held on Monday, December 12th in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Seawell was named the University of Alabama head men's golf coach back on July 26, 2002. He led
the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national championships in 2013 and 2014, while his teams have captured a total of four Southeastern Conference championships. In addition, Seawell has led Alabama to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances and nine NCAA Championship berths. He has successfully coached Alabama to 46 team tournament championships with 34 individual medalists. Seawell was honored with the Dave Williams National Coach of the Year Award in 2013.
During his coaching career Seawell has coached 31 PING All-Americans, which is quite an accomplishment. His golfers at Alabama have been nominated for the sport's highest national awards, which includes the Ben Hogan Award, the Jack Nicklaus Award, the Fred Haskins Award, the Phil Mickelson Award and the Byron Nelson Award. Justin Thomas won the Nicklaus, Haskins and Mickelson awards in 2012 and Robby Shelton was named the Mickelson Award winner in 2014.
Seawell began his coaching career at Anderson College, where he was the head coach from 1991-96. He won five consecutive NJCAA Region 10 championship and earned five Region Coach of the Year awards. Seawell returned to coach Anderson again in 1997-98 after having briefly left for another career pursuit.. He was next hired by Augusta State as its head coach prior to the start of 1998-99 season, and led ASU to four consecutive NCAA Regional appearances as well as three trips to the NCAA Championships. He coached three PING All-Americans during his tenure at Augusta State.
Dick Spybey served as Alabama's women's head coach from 1985-88 and its men's head coach from 1988-2002 and led the Crimson Tide to eight regional appearances and advanced to the NCAA finals four times. Spybey was named Dave Williams National Coach of the Year Award recipient in 1992 and was time recognized as GCAA District 3 South Coach of the Year. He earned SEC Coach of the Year Awards as both a men's and women's coach, the only individual to win both honors. Spybey also served on the team USA coaching staff for the inaugural Arnold Palmer Cup in 1997.
Five of Spybey's golfers earned All-America honors while five received All-America scholar recognition. Marten Olander received the 1993 Ben Hogan Award. Allen MacDonald represented GB&I in the inaugural Arnold Palmer Cup matches. A total of 16 golfers earned All-SEC honors and 48 were All-SEC Academic Honor Roll recipients.
Spybey served as the GCAA president from 1995-97 and served on the National Advisory Board from 1991-99. He served a two-year term as the GCAA representative on the USGA Committee on Amateurism and was the District 3 South Selection Committee chairman. Additionally, Spybey hosted a number of college tournaments and was tournament director for the 1998 Arnold Palmer Cup held at St. Andrews.
Congratulations.
