Suspended players will be eligible for Auburn game

November 17, 2007

Ken Rogers

The five University of Alabama football players suspended in the improper receipt of textbooks investigation will be eligible to play against Auburn in next Saturday’s regular-season finale.
A press release issued just before Saturday’s game against the University of Louisiana at Monroe read that Alabama was informed this morning by the NCAA that the five players—starting offensive linemen Antoine Caldwell and Marlon Davis, running back Glen Coffee, and defensive backs Chris Rogers and Marquis Johnson—have had their eligibility reinstated after the ULM game.
The five were suspended the morning of the Tennessee game Oct. 20. While they have practiced since then, it will have been six weeks since they have played in a game—going back to the Ole Miss game on Oct. 13.
The University suspended the players. Last week, its submitted a report to the NCAA on the still-ongoing inquiry. Today’s ruling, the press release read, was the NCAA’s response to that report.

Tide fights back, leads by 3 at halftime

November 03, 2007

Ken Rogers

Alabama overcame a 17-3 deficit early in the second quarter and took a 20-17 lead at halftime over third-ranked LSU.
The Crimson Tide capitalized on several huge defensive plays to turn the momentum in their favor.
The first was against the LSU defense. A roughing-the-passer penalty kept a drive alive after it looked like Alabama had gone three-and-out. The second chance came one play before John Parker Wilson hit DJ Hall in stride behind the LSU secondary for a 67-yard touchdown.
Bama safety Rashad Johnson followed with an interception of Matt Flynn’s long pass to stop LSU’s next drive. Another key play came when Zeke Knight picked off Flynn with 7:06 left in the second quarter. That set up a Leigh Tiffin 21-yard field goal that made it 17-13.
Alabama took the lead after freshman cornerback Kareem Jackson picked off Flynn and returned it 51 yards. That set up Wilson’s 29-yard strike to a leaping Keith Brown in the end zone.
The half ended with Jackson blocking a 46-yard LSU field goal attempt.

LSU overcomes early Tide lead

Ken Rogers

Alabama scored a field goal on the opening possession, but LSU controlled the line of scrimmage for the rest of the first quarter.
LSU led 10-3 and was at the 1-yard line as the first quarter ended. The Tigers then scored on Jacob Hester’s 1-yard run to make it 17-3.
Alabama went 44 yards in 10 plays and took a 3-0 lead on Leigh Tiffin’s 36-yard field goal.
LSU answered on its first possession. Matt Flynn threw for 35 yards to tight end Richard Dickson and for 21 yards to Early Doucet to move LSU to the 12. Two Wallace Gilberry sacks shoved them back before the Tigers settled for Colt David’s 43-yard field goal that tied the game.
The game turned when Chevis Jackson intercepted a short pass by John Parker Wilson to Matt Caddell. That set up Flynn’s 10-yard scoring strike to Doucet for a 10-3 LSU lead.
LSU added to its lead. A trick play that ended with Doucet’s long pass to Flynn set up LSU’s second touchdown.
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Fans filter into stadium after accident snarls traffic

Ken Rogers

A raucous, early arriving crowd started filling Bryant-Denny Stadium nearly 90 minutes before kickoff Saturday between Alabama and LSU.
At least, those were fans not delayed by a traffic accident that caused a tie-up on Interstate 20/59 near Mercedes on Saturday morning.
The accident on that stretch from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa caused two lanes to shut down. As late as noon, only one lane was open and traffic was backed up for miles.
University of Alabama athletic department officials sent out a warning encouraging fans to consider two detour options:
1. Use the Cottondale Route - which is:
From Birmingham, take I-20/I-59 toward Tuscaloosa.
Take exit 100.
At the top of the ramp, take a right on state Route 216.
Follow state Route 216 to University Boulevard East (HWY 215).
At the traffic light at the intersection of HWY 216 and University Boulevard East, proceed straight ahead.
Continue straight onto 15th Street East.
(Note: 15th Street East will bear to the right just past the bridge.)
Go beyond McFarland Boulevard.
Turn right on 6th Avenue East.
Proceed to the UA Campus.

Or
2. Take the McAdory exit off of I-459 and take Hwy 11 into Tuscaloosa.

Saban wants Tide to expand ‘comfort zone’

October 24, 2007

Ken Rogers

Alabama head coach Nick Saban always emphasizes the bigger picture instead of bogging down in the mundane stuff—you know, like winning and losing.
With his team on its second three-game winning streak of the season, the coach talked about raising the bar Tuesday night after practice.
“When you play that way, you set a little different standard for yourself,” he said. “Your standard of excellence and the high quality of expectation is actually a good thing because you should aspire to do a little more.
“Everybody has a comfort zone. Everybody in this room does. You take a little more risk, you expand your comfort zone. Some people don’t want to take a little more risk. There’s a lot of people in this world, they play in the shadows all the time. ‘If I’m not trying, I’m not failing.’”
Saban said it’s much more difficult—but much more worthwhile—to try to do “the best you can do and be able to live with whatever those results are. ... Everybody doesn’t do that.”