Alabama Football
Crimson Tide Continues To Ready For Tigers
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - The Alabama Crimson Tide football team continues to prepare for its in-state rival, fellow SEC West member and a top 10 team in the Auburn Tigers. Bama worked out for another two hours on Wednesday afternoon, practicing to slow down, if not stop, the sixth-ranked team in the College Football Playoff rankings who just happen to live down the road. The Tide practiced yesterday in full pads at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields on the UA campus.
For the first time since this season's opening contest with Florida State, Alabama's Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis were on the field practicing yesterday. Not just those two, but Mack Wilson who was injured during the clash with LSU was also hard at work at practice. It is hoped that three, or even one or two of them will be available for the Iron Bowl clash this Saturday, but head coach Nick Saban says he's unsure yet if that is possible. He said that all three are "able to practice to some degree," but no committing to whether or not any will see action this weekend. Regardless, it's good that the three are able to work out with team though all were wearing black non-contact jerseys.
Also present for the Wednesday practice session was left guard Ross Pierschbacher. He suffered a high ankle sprain against Mississippi State on November 11th, and was in a black non-contact jersey as well for his first practice back.
Also listed as a game-time decision is kicker Andy Pappanastos, unable to play in last Saturday's game versus Mercer, continues to work his was way back from a "slight" pulled muscle.
Star defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was again at practice and working. He seems to be stronger and ready to play.
This will be the 82nd meeting between Alabama and Auburn, with the Crimson Tide holding the advantage, 45-35-1. Bama has won seven of the last nine contests, with four leading to a National Championship for UA. The Tide won the last meeting at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2015 by a score of 29-13.
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Nick Saban 11-22 Press Conference
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| Click H E R E to view press conference via Tide TV |
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Alabama Volleyball Falls In 3 Sets At Missouri
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
COLUMBIA, Missouri – It was the final road match of 2017, and it didn't go exactly to script. The University of Alabama volleyball team fell in three set to Missouri on Wednesday evening.
It was a tough contest for the Crimson Tide (18-13, 6-11 SEC), struggling on offense and committing 21 hitting errors as well as picking up just 25 kills against the Tigers (20-10, 13-4 SEC). Bama sophomore Mahalia Swink picked up three of the team's service aces, a career best. Tide junior Quincey Gary led the back-row defense with 19 digs while sophomore Ginger Perinar led the offense with seven kills.
The Tigers committed 17 errors versus those 21 for the Tide, while producing 42 kills which far-outdistanced Bama's 25.
Alabama will host its final match of the regular season this Saturday, November 25th at Foster Auditorium facing the Texas A&M Aggies (8-15, 5-11 SEC) at Noon CT.
| Game Stats | UA | MIZ |
|---|---|---|
| Kills | 25 | 42 |
| Errors | 21 | 17 |
| Hitting % | .043 | .240 |
| Points | 35.0 | 57.0 |
| Aces | 4 | 4 |
| Blocks | 6.0 | 11.0 |
| TA | 94 | 104 |
| Assists | 24 | 38 |
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Jalen Hurts Named Semifinalist
For Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
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| Jalen Hurts Quarterback, University of Alabama Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is given annually to the "top offensive player in NCAA Division I that exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity." The recipient must have been born in the state of Texas, attended a Texas high school or attend a Texas junior college or university. Hurts fits the criteria. He is no stranger to the award, having been a finalist for the 2016 award.
Hurts has been phenomenal almost from the time he stepped onto the playing field. Take away the miscue in his first game coming in as relief in 2016, he immediately took the reigns of the Alabama football team has won every game but one during his tenure as the Tide quarterback. He already ranks among the top quarterbacks in Alabama football history, and is the school record-holder in quarterback rushing touchdowns (21) and ranks No. 2 in quarterback career rushing (1,640 yards) and career touchdown responsibility (58). Hurts is currently third in career total offense (6,248 yards), fifth in career touchdown passes (37) and ninth in passing yards (4,608). This season Hurts has completed 123-of-201 passes for 1,828 yards and 14 touchdowns with just one interception. He is also the Tide's second-leading rusher, having carried the pigskin 119 times advancing it 686 yards and scored eight touchdowns.
The finalists for the 2017 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award are scheduled to be announced on December 6th, with the winner to be announced on January 10, 2018 at the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet in Tyler, Texas.
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Saban Talks Iron Bowl, Injuries & More On Radio Show
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| Photo courtesy rolltide.com |
Christian Miller, Terrell Lewis, Mack Wilson and Andy Pappanastos will all be game-time decisions for this Saturday's annual Iron Bowl clash between the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers, according to UA football head coach Nick Saban. Bama's top pachyderm says that practice doesn't necessarily translate into playing this Saturday. Saban says their availability will be determined by how they progress throughout the remainder of the week. He said it could be Saturday before he makes a decision.
Saban offered up praise for J.C. Hassenauer, saying the young man has done a good job for two weeks filling in for Ross
Pierschbacher. Saban commented that Hassenauer has "definitely taken advantage of his
opportunity."
Coach offered up that Auburn takes advantage of coverage situations and has been able to make a lot of plays down field in the passing game.
Saban also stressed ball security and how important it is in a game like this huge rivalry clash. He said "you're going to win on fundamental execution."
The freshman class received praise from Saban, saying this group has surprised with its ability to adapt, adjust and perform with consistency. He also commented that while all of this group may not be star players, these youngsters helped to improve the overall depth of the Tide and "make the back end of our team better."
Saban shared that he always speaks to the team on Friday about the week and the upcoming game. He said that the talk usually lasts approximately 10 minutes, and shows the team a "good, bad and ugly film" on Mondays while hashing the previous week's game.
The Tide's head man brought up the dedication and work-ethic of Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, saying that the starting QB always visits him on Sunday to take a look at the previous day's game film to find areas on which he can improve.
Saban stressed that his whole thing with this team was directing the team's focus to where it needed to be and cautioning each one not to get caught up in the external hype.
