Alabama Football
Wednesday Workout Preps Tide For Dogs
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Wednesday afternoon found the University of Alabama football team putting another two-hour workout in preparation for this Saturday's top-20 clash with the No. 16 Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Crimson Tide practiced in full pads at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.
Bama continues to fine tune the game plan to stop the Dog running game that ranks fourth in the Southeastern Conference, averaging 233.2 rush yards a game. In addition, the Tide offense must be able to move the ball against a defense that is ranked third in the SEC in rush defense.
Alabama reserve cornerback Nigel Knott didn't practice on Wednesday. Star defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) was looking more like his old self on the practice field yesterday. Left tackle Jonah Williams was also looking much better in the Wednesday practice session.
Of course linebackers Shaun Dion Hamilton (knee) and Mack Wilson (foot) were spoken of as being long-term disabled, with Hamilton definitely out for the season and recovering from knee surgery. Neither, naturally, did not practice.
This will be the 102nd meeting between the two teams in a series dating back to 1896. Alabama leads the series 81-17-3 (79-18-3 after vacations and forfeits), and won last year's game 51-3, in T-town. The Crimson Tide has played more games against Mississippi State than any other opponent and the series is the fifth-oldest in UA history.
Alabama has won nine games in a row now, looking for the tenth-consecutive, following last season's win. Last time in Starkville, the Tide took a 31-6 win.
This Saturday's SEC clash is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT kickoff at Davis Wade Stadium. The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN with Dave Pasch handing play-by-play, Greg McElroy on analysis and Tom Luginbill working the sidelines.
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Alabama Volleyball Falls To Kentucky
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – It was a hard-fought match. One that the University of Alabama scrapped and clawed for. Though the Crimson Tide volleyball team had suffered through losing the first two sets, the Bama babes tried to fight their way back and managed a third set win before falling in the fourth to drop the match to seventh-ranked SEC foe Kentucky 3-1.
Alabama (16-11, 4-9 SEC) dropped the first set 15-25, followed by a very close 23-25 loss in the second set No. 7 Kentucky (21-3, 12-1 SEC). Bama was then able to flip the script taking a tough 25-23 victory in the third before losing the fourth set 25-19 to drop the match 3-1.
It was Tide sophomore Mahalia Swink leading the offense with 14 kills, with sophomore Ginger Perinar also posting double-digit kills with 11 along with two of UA's six service aces. Freshman Meghan Neelon picked up her 10th double-double of the season grabbing 31 assists and a team-tying 12 digs. Senior Leah Lawrence picked up three blocks in the contest, putting her just five blocks away from the career blocks record.
UK had a huge lead in kills over UA, 64-38. The assists were a bit lopsided as well, with the Cats holding a 56-38 lead over the Tide.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will next welcome the Tennessee Volunteers (11-11, 4-9 SEC) to Foster Auditorium this Sunday, November 12th with a 1 p.m. CT start scheduled.
| Game Stats | UK | UA |
|---|---|---|
| Kills | 64 | 38 |
| Errors | 25 | 19 |
| Hitting % | .269 | .146 |
| Points | 84.0 | 53.0 |
| Aces | 8 | 6 |
| Blocks | 12.0 | 9.0 |
| TA | 145 | 130 |
| Assists | 56 | 38 |
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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JK Scott Is 2017 Senior CLASS Award Finalist
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| University of Alabama punter JK Scott Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
The Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. Incidentally, CLASS is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School.
Scott maintains a 3.12 grade point average in general business and is on track to graduate early, this December in fact, after only three and a half years. He was selected to the SEC Academic Honor Roll each of the last two years and was tabbed to the SEC's First Year Academic Honor Roll as a freshman.
This outstanding young man and punter has ranked near the top of the Tide roster for hours worked in the community each of his first three years at UA. He spends extensive time working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, speaking at local schools and working with youth groups. Scott also participates each year in Alabama Athletics' Halloween Extravaganza, efforts with Project Angel Tree during the holiday season and has volunteered his time at local hospitals during the Tide's bowl trips during his career.
Scott has punted 32 times for 1,359 yards to average 42.5 yards per kick with a long of 59 this season. He has booted 10 of his punts over 50 yards and forced 19 fair catches with only two touchbacks.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in the areas of community, classroom, character and competition.
The finalists were chosen by a selection committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in October. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to vote www.seniorclassaward.com through December 4. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches' votes to determine the winner. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January.
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Griffin James Sign NLI With Alabama Gymnastics
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| Griffin James signs NIL with Alabama gymnastics Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Duckworth said, "Griffin is an excellent student-athlete and has the ability to be a difference maker as a freshman with an immediate impact on our line ups. Her demeanor and personal expectations allow her the opportunity to be a leader in our program. As a person she is mature beyond her years, a natural competitor and we look forward to helping her excel as a champion in life."
James is a five-year Junior Olympic National Championship qualifier and is coached by Nic and Amanda Tolley at Gymstrada Gymnastics. She is a three-time member of the Region 7 All-Star team and a five-time Virginia state champion. She was fourth on the vault and eighth on the floor exercise at the 2017 J.O. National Championships.
Concerning the University of Alabama and the gymnastics program, James said, "From my first visit I felt like I was part of the Alabama family. Everyone is always welcoming and the bond that the team shares is incredible. I cannot wait to be part of this family and carry on the legacy of greatness."
James is a member of the National Honor Society and the Math Honor Society. A senior at First Colonial High School, she carries a 4.0 cumulative grade point average. She is the daughter of Anne and Phillip James.
Duckworth continued, "Griffin exudes what it means to be an Alabama gymnast and she has been verbally committed for a very long time so it is refreshing that the time has come we can finally introduce her as an Alabama gymnast."
