Six In A Row!
Bama Bests Bengal Tigers 10-0
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Oh what a game! If you are a defensive-minded sports buff and Alabama Crimson Tide fan, then you should have really enjoyed this one!
The top-ranked Crimson Tide improved it's 2016 season record to 9-0 overall, 6-0 in the Southeastern Conference as it went on to shut out the 13th-ranked LSU Bengal Tigers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday evening by a score of 10-0. That was the first shut out for Bama since the 52-0 shellacking giving to the Arkansas Razorbacks back on September 15, 2012. LSU now drops to 5-3 overall, 3-2 SEC.
Game captains for last night's contest for the Crimson Tide were Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson and Cam Robinson.
Game captains for last night's contest for the Crimson Tide were Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson and Cam Robinson.
It was a monumental defensive struggle, with both offenses being stymied by both the opposition's defense as well as passes intercepted, fumbles being lost, sacks being made and balls being overthrown. Finally Alabama's true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts was able to rally the troops, and helped the Crimson Tide power its way to a touchdown and a field goal near the end of the game to demoralize the Tigers. Time-outs all gone, interim LSU head coach Ed Orgeron saw his hopes of a quick score at the end and recovery of an onside kick to either win or tie the game disappear.
The victory is the 21st-consecutive win for the Tide, but it's 10-game streak of scoring a non-offensive touchdown died in Death Valley last night. Incidently, though the 21 consecutive wins is the longest streak in the FBS, it's the fourth longest streak in Alabama football history. Bama's last loss was September 19, 2015 and came at the hands of the Ole Miss Rebels.
So some mistakes were made by the young freshman, Hurts. But as strong leaders do, he persevered in the face of adversity, in this case a stout LSU defense intent on shutting him down. And they did, for just over three quarters. The biggest play of the game came with 13:08 remaining, when Hurts capped a 12-play, 90-yard drive by managing to spot the open lane and zigged here and zagged there to paydirt. The scoreless tie was finally broken, which turns out to be the first FBS game of the current season to enter the fourth quarter scoreless.
Bama's first half scoring streak? Gone. It ended at 126 games. Incidentally, the last time that an Alabama football team had failed to score in the first half was back in 2007 against the Florida State Seminoles, which was also Alabama head coach Nick Saban's first year at the helm of the Alabama football program.
Speaking of Coach Saban, Bama's top man is 36-6 (.857) in SEC road games. He is 71-13 (.845) against conference opponents. Saban now has 69 wins against Associated Press Top 10 teams, good enough for third on the all-time list. Only Joe Paterno (86) and Bobby Bowden (82) have more. Incidentally, the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant is fourth on that list with 66.
Speaking of Coach Saban, Bama's top man is 36-6 (.857) in SEC road games. He is 71-13 (.845) against conference opponents. Saban now has 69 wins against Associated Press Top 10 teams, good enough for third on the all-time list. Only Joe Paterno (86) and Bobby Bowden (82) have more. Incidentally, the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant is fourth on that list with 66.
The longest play of the game was a 52-yard toss from Jalen Hurts to wide receiver ArDarius Stewart early in the third quarter. Unfortunately the Tide was unable to roll it into the end zone, as the LSU defense stopped Bama on fourth and goal on the one-yard line.
Then Hurts and Bama went on a tear, eating up 9:51 on the clock in the fourth quarter to get the ball back into scoring range after a 15-play, 50-yard drive. Running back Bo Scarbrough provided much of the yardage chewing up yards against the tired LSU defense. Adam Griffith then sealed the win with a 25-yard field goal with just 2:41 remaining in the contest.
Hurts was 10-of-19 passing for 107 yards on the night with one interception. He was also the rushing leader for the Crimson Tide with 114 yards on 20 rushing attempts. It was senior linebacker Reuben Foster leading the defense with 11 tackles, and the entire unit put the Tiger quarterback on his rear five times to increase its national lead to 37 sacks on the season. Marlon Humphrey picked up six solo tackles on his own and eight overall.
All-in-all, didn't that Alabama defense shine! You just read about the leaders, but others contributed heavily in limiting LSU to just six first downs and 125 total yards. For all the talk of Tiger domination coming into the game, how does just 33 yards on the ground for LSU versus 216 for the Tide sound? Domination, yes, but as most of us already knew, it was the Tide doing the dominating. Of course the "big" night that the LSU faithful expected from their ever-hyped Heisman-hopeful, Leonard Fournette, never materialized. He was again corralled by the Tide, just 35 rushing yards on 17 attempts. Of course that's 2 yards better than he had last season. Tiger quarterback Danny Etling was 11-of-24 passing for 92 yards with one interception. DJ Chark was Etling's main target, picking up 45 yards on three receptions.
Oh, no doubt the Tide offense didn't look dominating for much of the game. But a little here, and a little there. Hit this big pass then run this one up the gut. For all the complaining being done by armchair quarterbacks, turns out the Alabama offense did okay against the second-ranked defense in the league.
The Crimson Tide was forced to punt more in last night's contest than in most. Punter JK Scott had a big night, averaging 51.6 yards on five punts with a season long of 66 yards.
All-in-all, didn't that Alabama defense shine! You just read about the leaders, but others contributed heavily in limiting LSU to just six first downs and 125 total yards. For all the talk of Tiger domination coming into the game, how does just 33 yards on the ground for LSU versus 216 for the Tide sound? Domination, yes, but as most of us already knew, it was the Tide doing the dominating. Of course the "big" night that the LSU faithful expected from their ever-hyped Heisman-hopeful, Leonard Fournette, never materialized. He was again corralled by the Tide, just 35 rushing yards on 17 attempts. Of course that's 2 yards better than he had last season. Tiger quarterback Danny Etling was 11-of-24 passing for 92 yards with one interception. DJ Chark was Etling's main target, picking up 45 yards on three receptions.
Oh, no doubt the Tide offense didn't look dominating for much of the game. But a little here, and a little there. Hit this big pass then run this one up the gut. For all the complaining being done by armchair quarterbacks, turns out the Alabama offense did okay against the second-ranked defense in the league.
The Crimson Tide was forced to punt more in last night's contest than in most. Punter JK Scott had a big night, averaging 51.6 yards on five punts with a season long of 66 yards.
Next up for Alabama will be a home contest on Saturday, November 12th at Bryant-Denny Stadium with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, upset winners 35-28 over the fourth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
| Game Stats | UA | LS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 323 | 125 |
| Pass Yards | 107 | 92 |
| Rushing Yards | 216 | 33 |
| Penalty Yards | 6-29 | 3-20 |
| 1st Downs | 16 | 6 |
| 3rd Downs | 7-17 | 4-15 |
| 4th Downs | 1-2 | 0-2 |
| TOP | 33:55 | 26:05 |
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
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The Team That Talked Smack Got Smacked
The 10-0 Shutout Is A Big Deal
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Associated Press College Football Poll
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Amway Coaches Poll
Week 11
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The Team That Talked Smack Got Smacked
The 10-0 Shutout Is A Big Deal
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| Nick & Terry Saban prior to LSU contest The two brought a little life to Death Valley Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
There was a lot of smack-talk from LSU Tiger football players the past two weeks. The Alabama Crimson Tide, with very little exception, is above that. Pretty much all season the Alabama student-athletes have remained calm, determined and believed their play would do their talking for them.
CBS Sports sideline reporter Allie LaForce reported that she was seeing very little emotion on the sideline when Alabama wasn't having much success on the field in the battle in the Bayou. Not her words, but LaForce made it sound a little like the guys on the sideline were dejected and confused over what was happening rather than a quiet confidence. I'm willing to admit there could have been a little of both, especially on the offensive side of the ball when it appeared that nothing was truly working against the highly-ranked LSU defense. But I can't believe that Alabama players were dejected.
I love that the team values the discipline that head coach Nick Saban tries, and most successfully, instills in his players. There are times for shouting on the sidelines and times for reflection as well. The outcome speaks for itself. Even without the touchdown that many LSU fans are saying shouldn't have been counted because of a block in the back during the play that broke Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts loose for his scamper into the endzone, the score still would have been 3-0. The problem wasn't on the winner's side of the score, but with the "goose egg" on the LSU side of the scoreboard. A win is a win.
Now, about this "domination" of the Alabama football team that LSU defensive back Dwayne Thomas said was going to happen...well, let's quote him: "I really see us dominating this offense," Thomas stated. "I really see us dominating this team." Okay, LSU did hold the Crimson Tide scoreless during the first three quarters of the game. But Bama had moments of moving the football. But, still, 10 points is 10 points, especially when it is on the winning side of the equation.
Now to the "...really see us dominating this team" part of the statement. No, there is no one in the country that can dominate this particular Alabama Crimson Tide defense. No one. In fact, it was the Bama defense that dominated this game last night...dictated the outcome. There is no way a team can win a football game if it cannot score. Even just the field goal would have given Alabama this victory. Thanks to the Crimson Tide defense.
Under interim head coach Ed Ogeron, LSU had scored 38 or more points in each of its last three football games. They had just two weeks ago, their last game, knocked out 634 yards of total offense against the Ole Miss Rebels. The Tigers had been averaging 7.6 yards per carry in those three contests. But not this one. And no Alabama player or coach, or a knowledgeable fan thinking with their head and not their heart, already knew the numbers would not hold up against the number one rushing defense in the Southeastern Conference.
The Tigers managed only 125 yards of offense and six first downs all night. And only one in just over two quarters starting just prior to halftime. And the passing "attack"? Danny Etling only managed 92 yards with only 11 completions. Compare that to 13 incomplete passes.
Nick Saban said, "Our defense was outstanding." Nick, that's an understatement.
I love the "hateful guys" comment made by Saban. He said, "We have some pretty hateful guys that play defense around here that are pretty good competitors. And when they get challenged, they usually respond, and I thought they responded really well [last] night."
Oh yes, Coach Saban, congratulations on your 200th collegiate win. Pretty fitting it came in such a great matchup, huge defensive fight, SEC West foe and your most recent college head coaching position prior to the University of Alabama.
Ahhh, yes...the cherry on top.
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| Alabama Defense: Nope, Fournette, not going anywhere! Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
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Associated Press College Football Poll
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team once again is sitting atop the Associated Press College Football Poll for week 11. The Tide received 60 first place votes, firmly holding their grasp on the top spot. Michigan is second with one first place vote, Clemson is third with Washington and Louisville completing the top five for this week.
A total of five teams from the Southeastern Conference made this week's poll, with three of those in the top 10. They are Alabama (1), Auburn (8), Texas A&M (10), LSU (19) and Florida (22).
Here are the top 25 teams in the nation according to the Associated Press:
1 Alabama Crimson Tide
2 Michigan
3 Clemson
4 Washington
5 Louisville
6 Ohio State
7 Wisconsin
8 Auburn
9 Oklahoma
10 Texas A&M
11 West Virginia
12 Penn State
13 Utah
14 Western Michigan
15 North Carolina
16 Colorado
17 Oklahoma State
18 Virginia Tech
19 LSU
20 Florida State
21 Nebraska
22 Florida
23 Washington State
24 Boise State
25 Baylor
Amway Coaches Poll
Week 11
Alabama is again number one this week, but a little shakeup in the rest of the poll. Clemson jumps ahead of Michigan this week who in turn falls to number three. Then it's Washington and Ohio State to round out the top five.
The same five teams from the Southeastern Conference in the AP Poll are in this one, but in a slightly different position. Alabama (1), Auburn (8), Texas A&M (11), Florida (16) and LSU (19),
Here are the top 25 according to the Amway Coaches Poll for this week:
1 Alabama Crimson Tide
2 Clemson
3 Michigan
4 Washington
5 Ohio State
6 Louisville
7 Wisconsin
8 Auburn
9 Oklahoma
10 West Virginia
11 Texas A&M
12 Utah
13 North Carolina
14 Penn State
15 Colorado
16 Florida
17 Oklahoma State
18 Florida State
19 LSU
20 Nebraska
21 West Virginia
22 Virginia Tech
23 Washington State
24 Boise State
25 Baylor
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Crimson Tide Defense Receives Big Honor
Named Walter Camp Defensive Player Of The Week
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| Entire Alabama defensive unit is Player of the Week Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Wow! Talk about an honor!
The University of Alabama football team is used to its members receiving various honors week after week and year after year. But this one - special!
The entire Alabama Crimson Tide defense has been named as the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week for this past Saturday's shutout of top-15 and SEC West foe LSU 10-0 in Baton Rouge yesterday. The Alabama defense is the second team to earn this honor, with Virginia Tech's defense being the first.
The "hateful guys", as Alabama head football coach Nick Saban called Alabama's defense, totally shut down the potent LSU offensive unit. The Bama D shut down the passing game, as well as the vaunted running game of the Tigers. The Tide defense recorded five sacks on the night, limited the rushing game to just 33 yards on 27 attempts, 92 yards in the air and kept the Bengal Tigers out of the red zone the entire evening.
Reuben Foster led the Bama D with 11 tackles, Marlon Humphrey recorded eight tackles, Dalvin Tomlinson had six tackles including 1.5 TFL, Ryan Anderson had six tackles and one sack, Tim Williams got into the backfield to record 1.5 TFL and Jonathan Allen delivered three tackles including one sack. Then there's Minkah Fitzpatrick picking off his third pass of the season while delivering on three tackles as well as a pass breakup.
When it came to his defense, Saban commented after the game, "Our defense was outstanding." That they were, Nick, that they were.
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Bama Women's Tennis Picks Up 4 Wins Yesterday
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Savva and Valero teamed up in the championship match of the Renegade/Osci doubles draw to defeat their own teammate Smith Hinton as well as Elizabeth Bagerbaseh of UCF 8-6.
Hinton defeated UCF's Cortney Cesarini in straight sets to advance to the championship match of the Seminole singles draw. Hinton will meet Nandini Das of FSU in today's championship match.
In Bama's second singles win of the day, Valero defeated Oklahoma's Malene Strip, followed by Savva beating Mellisa Pick of Wisconsin for the final win.
There will be one round of singles play today, with match play set for an 8 a.m. CT start.
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Southeastern Conference College Football Scores
In a defensive struggle, the Alabama Crimson Tide remained undefeated to shut out LSU 10-0 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday night. The fourth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies were shocked by the Mississippi State Bulldogs 35-28, effectively knocking them out of the college football playoffs. Auburn continued its tear 23-16 over Vandy, 11th-ranked Florida fell to Arkansas 31-10 to hurt their chances for the SEC East championship, though Kentucky's loss helped greatly.
Here are all 14 of the Southeastern Conference school's scores from Saturday, November 5th:
1 Alabama 10 13 LSU 0
4 Texas A&M 28 Mississippi State 35
9 Auburn 23 Vanderbilt 16
11 Florida 10 Arkansas 31
Ole Miss 37 Georgia Southern 27
Georgia 27 Kentucky 24
Tennessee 55 Tennessee Tech 0
Missouri 21 South Carolina 31
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Alabama Rowing Posts 6 Top-10 Finishes Yesterday
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
University of Alabama rowing head coach Larry Davis said, Our overall team performance was our strongest Saturday performance at this this regatta that we've ever had. Everyone placed in the top 20 and we had six top-10 finishes and two medal finishes. Our sixth-place finish in the Championship 8+ is our highest finish in that race at this event and we were less than a second away from fourth place."
Davis continued, "One of our focuses during the fall has been performing as a whole as a team. A lot of the rowers doubled up today and maintained a competitive edge even though they were racing in more than one race."
Fortunately there was some good weather, which benefitted Bama while doing their thing on the Tennessee River. It hasn't always gone well for the Tide on the road over the past year.
"These were the best road conditions we've had in a long time," Davis said. "We've had miserable conditions over the last year traveling and we had great weather today. The weather looks good tomorrow and we're looking to finish the weekend with another strong performance."
Today will be the last day of the contest, with the Women's Open 8+ set to begin at 12:06 p.m. CT.
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Tide Men's Tennis Finishes Day 2 Of SEC Coaches Classic
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
It was a good day in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the Crimson Tide men's tennis team yesterday picking up eight singles wins and posting a 3-0 mark in doubles play to conclude the second day of the Southeastern Conference Coaches Classic at the Alabama Tennis Stadium. Two Alabama sophomores, Mazen Osama and Spencer Richey, were named champions of the Ellis Ferriera doubles draw.
Cancel defeated two nationally ranked opponents in straight sets to advance to the championship match of the Francisco Rodriguez singles draw. In his first singles match, Cancel defeated Florida's No. 76 ranked Chase Perez-Blanco. Cancel then won in the second match topping 30th-ranked Gabriel Friedrich of South Carolina. In today's championship match, Cancel will face Tim Sandkaulen of Ole Miss.
The Tide's 34th-ranked singles player, Osama, won both of his singles matches in straight sets to advance to the championship match of the Jeff Robinson singles draw. Osama defeated Florida's Joseph Guillin before going on to defeat South Carolina's No. 96 ranked singles player, Harrison O'Keefe. The sophomore will meet Kentucky's Trey Yates in today's championship match.
Nesterov defeated 62nd-ranked Max Hinnisdaels of Auburn in three sets. He then defeated Kentucky's Alex Dominguez in another match that was decided in three sets to advance to the consolation championship of the Francisco Rodriguez singles draw. Nesterov will face Vanderbilt's Tate Allwardt in the championship match.
Kruunenberg's singles win came against LSU's Cameron Andry. Richey defeated Juan Marino of Arkansas in singles play in three frames.
There will be only one round of singles play today set to begin at 9 a.m. CT.
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
