Alabama Football Looking To Go 2-0
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Game two of the 2017 college football season for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide is today at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Bama looks to improve their mark to 2-0 with a victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Concerning last week's problems, Alabama football head coach Nick Saban knows all too well what is needed. According to AL.com, Saban commented concerning the protection breakdowns with Florida State.
He commented, "I think overall our entire offensive line needs to be a little more physical," Saban said. "We need to finish blocks a little better."
Tide starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was sacked twice and chased from the pocket four different times last week. Most of that pressure came from the right side of the line. That has been worked on during this week's practices.
Game time today for the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide and the Fresno State Bulldogs is set for a kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
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Crimson Tide Defeats Fresno State
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - After only 39 seconds and two plays, the No. 1-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide was well on its way to a rout of the Fresno State Bulldogs. Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts dashed 55-yards eluding three would-be tacklers to paydirt following an 18-yard screen pass to Cam Sims to go up 7-0 before finally finishing at 41-10 for the blow-out. It was a 2-play, 73-yard drive to begin the dismemberment of the Dogs in front of 101,127 fans in Bryant-Denny Stadium..
Captains for the Crimson Tide for today's game were Hale Hentges, Calvin Ridley and Shaun Dion Hamilton. Bama won the toss and elected to receive. It was on.
Following a three-and-out by Fresno State, UA began the march toward another score. Hurts hit Hentges on a 23-yard touchdown pass to cap off a 10-play, 62-yard drive that took just 4:25. The Tide was up 14-0.
The Alabama defense got pushed around just a little due to arm tackling and coverage, but Bama was able to keep the Dogs out of the endzone with a touchdown, forcing State to settle for a 27-yard field goal and pull just a bit closer 14-3.
The Tide once again began steadily and methodically marching down the field on a mix of passes and runs and quarterback keepers. Bama was nearing the end zone as the first quarter came to a close with the Alabama Crimson Tide leading the Fresno State Bulldogs 14-3.
Jalen Hurts was 10-of-11 in the first quarter in passing for 92 yards. carried the ball four times himself for one touchdown on 78-yards.
The Tide picked up where it left off to start the second quarter, scoring its third touchdown on three possessions to take the lead 21-3 with 14:25 remaining in the half. This was Hurts' 15th rushing touchdown of his career, and the second of this contest.
Following a block-in-the-back call on State, the Dogs began the series on its own six-yard line. Eventually, and mainly due to a high snap losing a country mile, Fresno State was forced to punt.
True freshman Tua Tagovailoa then came in for his first series as an Alabama football player. Several plays look good, but the series resulted in a punt, with JK Scott pinning the Dogs inside their 10. That series, too, resulted in a punt though Fresno State picked up some yardage.
Jalen Hurts then came in again to run the Bama offense and he wasted no time pushing the Tide down the field. Damien Harris ran the ball in from the five-yard line capping the 77-yard drive to push Bama to a 28-3 lead.
The half came to a close, with Hurts accounting for 231-yards and three touchdowns as the the Tide headed to the locker room with that 28-3 lead. Hurts was 12-of-13 in the passing department with 112 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He carried the ball seven times for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
After stopping State on the first drive of the second half, Alabama's offense took to the field at the Tide 10-yard line. The Bama offense immediately began chewing up yardage on the ground, with Hurts again not hesitant whatsoever to carry the ball. A pair of incomplete passes, however, brought in JK Scott to punt the Dogs back to their own 11-yard line.
The offense stalled out and Fresno State was forced to punt to the Tide, where Alabama began it's next series from their own 41-yard line. A good mix of the run and pass began chewing up offensive yards until the drive stalled and Bama settled for three points supplied by kicker Andy Pappanastos from 24-yards out. That's where the half ended, with Crimson Tide leading the Bulldogs 31-3.
Jalen Hurts passing is now at 3004 career yards with 128 yards today after three quarters. He passed the football to eight different receivers in the first three.
The fourth and final quarter began with Bama going over 250 yards rushing on a great run to make a statement. Tagavailoa was back in at QB and Najee Harris supplied the great run. Despite two consecutive big gainers the drive stalled and Scott was forced to punt. State took over on their own 10.
A first-career interception by Anthony Averett brought the ball down to the Fresno State four-yard line after the big return. Bama was unable to punch it in and once again had to settle for three from Pappanastos making the score 34-3.
Fresno State finally put together a complete drive, however again quite a few second-teamers. The score now reads 34-10 with just over six minutes remaining in the contest.
On the next series Tua was able to connect with receiver Henry Ruggs III for both of the freshmen's first touchdown in the Crimson and White! Alabama now led it 41-10.
State was able to take the final drive down to the red zone, but time ran out before they could try for any type score.
Alabama improves to 2-0 with the 41-10 victory over Fresno State.
Update to follow.
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Alabama Volleyball Wins Pair On Friday
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – It was a really good day for the University of Alabama volleyball program on Friday. The Crimson Tide swept both of its opponents yesterday at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash, defeating Tennessee State in the morning contest and following that up with a victory over Hofstra in the night cap.
Leah Lawrence led the Bama ladies team in kills and hitting percentage in both matches, ending the day with a combined 22 kills and .486 percentage, while picking up only four errors on 37 swings. Lawrence stepped up even bigger last night, also led the team with 10 blocks, three solo and seven assisted. Freshman Christine Jarman continued to look good here early in the season,posting 18 kills and 25 digs. Reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week Quincey Gary contributed from the back row, adding 39 digs over the six sets, and an average of 6.50 per set.
In match one the Tide took the victory over Tennessee State 3-0. It was Lawrence and Mahalia Swink leading the team with eight blocks apiece which tied a season high for both ladies.
It was a 3-0 victory for Bama over Hofstra last night. Lawrence led UA with 12 kills, Jarman following with 11 kills and 13 digs (her third double-double of the season) and Gary led the team with 23 total digs.
The Crimson Tide will finish its performance at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash facing Furman (4-4) today at noon.
Team Statistics
Game 1
Game 2
| HOFSTRA | UA | |
|---|---|---|
| Kills | 36 | 37 |
| Errors | 20 | 15 |
| Hitting % | .114 | .167 |
| Points | 50.0 | 53.0 |
| Aces | 4 | 6 |
| Blocks | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| TA | 140 | 132 |
| Assists | 34 | 36 |
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Crimson Tide Men's Golf Currently Tied For 8th
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Senior Jonathan Hardee and junior Davis Riley led the Crimson Tide in the opening round with both carding a first round 1-over par 73 on the par 72, 7,012-yard Farm Golf Club. The pair of Bama baddies will begin round two in a tie for 22nd place.
Bama seniors Lee Hodges and Steven Setterstrom are currently in a tie for 32nd place, carding a 2-over par 74 yesterday. True freshman Davis Shore shot a 78 to end the day in a tie for 66th.
No. 10 Florida leads the tournament at 7-under par 281, followed closely by fellow SEC rival Tennessee at 6-under par 282. Tournament host No. 18 Georgia Tech is in third (287), while No. 13 Auburn (289) is fourth followed by No. 7 LSU (292) and South Carolina (292) to round out the top five.
The Tide will tee off the second round this morning at 7 a.m. CT on Hole No. 1.
