Touchdown Alabama Magazine - Tennessee - 2010

Volume 3, Issue 8, $4.00

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SEC West Rules Conference Power Rating

SEC West Rules Conference Power Rating

2011 Recruit BRENT CALLOWAY

having record season

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In This Issue

All content is the property of Touchdown Alabama Magazine. Touchdown Alabama Magazine reserves all rights to content in both the print and online (www.touchdownalabama.net) versions of the publication. No image or text may be reproduced without written consent from Touchdown Alabama Magazine.

Pregame Preview 8

Exclusive: Tennessee Coaches 10

Exclusive: The Dooley Lineage 12

Player Spotlight: Dre Kirkpatrick 16

Rosters 18

Recruit of the Week: 20

Opposing Team 21

Larry's Lowdown 22

Catching Up With Martin Houston 26

Pro Connections: Demeco Ryans 28

Tide Trivia 30

My First Game 32

Tailgater of the Week 34

Traditions 38

Recruiting 39

SEC News 40

Showing Pride in the Tide 42

OctOber 23, 2010 | VOlume 3, Issue 8

StaffPresident/Publisher Bennie Bice

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Writers Jessica Brown Larry Burton Troy Farsoun Jennifer Gorham Haley Namie Mike Parker Coe Robbins Donald Staffo Jen Underwood Thomas Watts

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6 | TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA October 23, 2010

Letter from the Editors:

Dear Fans, Last week was Homecoming at the University. Alumni gathered at the Capstone for food, fun and football, along with plenty of reminiscing about the good ol’ days. This year, Homecoming brought together students, fans and alumni to “Celebrate the Tide.” Homecoming also brought another much-needed SEC West win for the Tide, and they have another in-conference opponent to face before a hard-earned week of rest. At just past the halfway mark of the season, a trip to Atlanta for the conference title game, and a likely shot at the national championship, are still up for grabs.

With a win this week in Knoxville, the Crimson Tide will be one step closer to achieving that goal. For those of you making the trip to Big Orange country, enjoy the trip and bring home a big win for the Tide! Roll Tide! Touchdown Alabama staff

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MISSION STATEMENT“Touchdown Alabama Magazine was created to bring Alabama football fans the coverage of their team that they crave and expect, as well as to bring them closer to the action on the field. The University of Alabama has a long college football history, rich with tradition. Each season has added more dynamic players and colorful stories to the Alabama family. It is only fitting that a program with 13 National Championships should have a weekly magazine dedicated to conveying the excitement of the game to its devoted fans. Touchdown Alabama Magazine strives to be the most up-to-date, relevant and exciting magazine covering University of Alabama football. Furthermore, we guarantee in-depth articles, exclusive interviews and quality content surrounding the Crimson Tide. We will never forget who we generate this magazine for... you, the fan. God bless.”

ON THE COVER#21 Dre Kirkpatrick We've gone pink! TDAL is sporting a new look in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The 6-3, 190 pound sophomore from Gadsden, Ala., played 12 games as a true freshman in 2009. This year, the starting DB has racked up 27 solo tackles ans 8 assists with 4 tackles for loss. He has also grabbed 3 intercep-tions for 30 yards. For more on Kirkpatrick, see page 16. Photography by Matt Gaston.


Pregame Preview

Alabama faces its third straight opponent coming off a bye week in the Tennessee Volunteers this weekend. The

game is in Knoxville in Neyland Stadium, the stadium was so poorly planned that it appears to be literally eating the building next to it.

Tennessee’s football team has a lot in common with their stadium. The team is

bad. They have been annihilated by Georgia, and taken to the wire by the UAB Blazers. While they did nearly beat LSU, that moral victory was Les Miles, fault, not the vaunted skill of the Tennessee Volunteers.

Tennessee is breaking in a new coach, Derek Dooley, son of Georgia legend Vince Dooley. Dooley was hired away from Louisiana Tech with a 17-20 record

Thomas Watts

Hard Knox:Alabama at Tennessee

touchdownalabama.net | 9touchdownalabama.net | 9

"They play hard every time we play them. Like last year, we couldn't say anything about their record, but when they came to play us, they put up a fight." - Marcell Dareus, on playing Tennessee "The Alabama-Tennessee game is certainly a signature game for our fans, our alumni. We've had some great games in the series over the years." - Nick Saban, on the Tennessee rivalry "Well, I think it’s really hard to say anything about Greg when you haven't set back in an SEC pocket with big 350-pounders running at you." - Barrett Jones, on recent criticism of Greg McElroy

"You have personal relationships with people, and you have profes-sional relationships with them. And you have to compete against them, but that doesn't mean you have to dislike them." - Nick Saban, on his relationship with UT head coach Derek Dooley

over three seasons. He worked under Nick Saban at LSU and at Miami, but Dooley was quick to dispel the idea that he would be “Nick, Jr.” saying “I’m not Nick Saban. Have I been influenced by him? Of course. But I have my own personality, my own beliefs,” in an interview with the Knoxville News-Sentinel shortly after he was hired.

The game itself does provide some intrigue. While Tennessee is bad, Alabama has had a rough couple of games. The run game was a non-factor against Ole Miss and South Carolina. Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson have been held below 100 yards in both games. Greg McElroy did have a career game against South Carolina, but went back to the check-down passing that has been his hallmark throughout his career for the Crimson Tide. If Tennessee stacks the box against Alabama, and they should, McElroy will have to throw the ball down the field to force the defense to back off.

The Tennessee offense is a lot like Alabama’s, except the talent level is much lower. The Tennessee quarterback is a junior college transfer, Matt Simms. He has thrown 7 touchdowns this year to go with 4 interceptions, He is completing under 60 percent of his passes. Complimenting Simms is leading rusher, Tauren Poole, who has rushed for 478 yards on 95 carries for the year. The offense is ranked 97th in the country.

Alabama’s defense matches up well against Tennessee’s offense. Tennessee runs a power running game, which Alabama is much better against then the option. The porous offensive line has given up 22 sacks, so the Tide defensive front should be able to control the line of scrimmage. They have a decent set of wide receivers overall, including Da’Rick Rogers, a former five-star recruit, but they do not have a “go-to” guy

Tennessee’s defense is only slightly better. They rank 78th in the country and last in the SEC. The defense is led by captain Nick Reveiz, who averages nine tackles a game for the Volunteers. The weakness of the defense is in its run defense. It gives up 150 yards per game, which comes in at 9th in the SEC. If Greg McElroy can force the defense to stretch out, then Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson should have excellent games.

On paper, Alabama should win going away. Tennessee’s offense is inferior to Alabama’s defense, and Alabama’s offense is superior to Tennessee’s defense. If Alabama can come in focused and knock the Vols out of the game early, the game will turn into a rout quickly. If Alabama is lackadaisical and lets the Volunteers hang around, expect a nail biter in Knoxville.

PHOTO BY MATT GASTON


Exclusive

PHOTO ABOVE BY PHIL FULMER - AP FILE PHOTO

Tennessee football has been in a period of transition over the past three years. The school fired Phillip “Fat

Phil” Fulmer and hired Lane Kiffin after the 2008 season, then Kiffin left Knoxville to take the head coaching job at Southern Cal and the Vols hired current head coach Derek Dooley.

Fulmer compiled a 152-52 record during his tenure at Tennessee from 1992-2008. He won the inaugural BCS Championship game in 1998 by beating Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl. He is most well known among Tide fans for his role in Alabama’s probation in the mid-90s. He was one of the leading witnesses for the NCAA against Alabama over the Albert Means case. Alabama fans have vilified him ever since. He was even once subpoenaed outside of SEC Media Days in Birmingham in an attempt to get him to testify in a defamation lawsuit. The “Fulmer Cup” goes to the

Thomas Watts

Tennessee Football Coaches:

From Doughnuts to Dummy to Dooley.

touchdownalabama.net | 11

Exclusive

PHOTO ABOVE BY ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / PHOTO RIGHT: BY AP PHOTO/WADE PAYNE

school whose football players have the worst criminal record each year.

Fulmer’s final few seasons were marked by continual decline. He did not finish in the AP top ten after the 2001 season and did not win an SEC Championship after his national title year in 1998. He only had one ten-win season after 2004. The final year of Fulmer was sweetest for rival fans when Tennessee lost to Wyoming. He was fired in 2008 after a 5-7 campaign.

Fulmer was succeeded by Lane Kiffin. Kiffin had been the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, where he had a 5-15 record. He was an assistant at Southern California during the Reggie Bush era. He came to Tennessee for the 2009 season and brought his father with him to coach the defense. Monte Kiffin is seen as a legend in the NFL because he invented the “Tampa 2” defense that won so many games for the Tampa

Bay Buccaneers. SEC fans remember the younger Kiffin as a loud-mouthed dummy. He constantly prodded Urban Meyer during his stay in Knoxville, one time accusing Meyer of breaking the rules when Meyer was in total compliance. He earned multiple letters of reprimand from the SEC for his antics.

Alabama fans most remember the Lane Kiffin-coached Volunteers for a near-loss on the way to the national championship. Terrance Cody blocked two field goals, one as time expired in the game, to preserve Alabama’s perfect season with a 12-10 victory in Tuscaloosa.

Lane Kiffin’s tenure was as short as it was incendiary. He left Knoxville to coach the Southern California Trojans after Pete Carroll left to join the Seattle Seahawks. Tennessee students reacted by rioting. There were mattresses on fire throughout Knoxville. Tennessee fans

now despise Kiffin as much as many other fan bases throughout the country.

Kiffin’s sudden departure left the Tennessee athletics department scrambling for a new coach. The school hired Derek Dooley on January 15, 2010, to replace Kiffin. Dooley’s experience included stints with Nick Saban at LSU and Miami. He was the head coach at Louisiana Tech, where he compiled a 17-20 record over three seasons. Dooley is the son of Georgia legend Vince Dooley. He has amassed a 2-4 record thus far at Tennessee.

Volunteer fans have high hopes that Dooley’s pedigree will bring success to their downtrodden football program. There have been flashes, such as the near upset of LSU in Baton Rouge earlier this year. Only time will tell if he can bring Tennessee back to the national prominence it enjoyed in the late 90s.


Exclusive

On October 23, the Crimson Tide will walk into Neyland Stadium to face the Tennessee Volunteers.

Tennessee is led by their head coach, Derek Dooley. Although Dooley may be new to Knoxville, he is not a rookie to college football. His most recent coaching position was at Louisiana Tech, his first as head coach.

Not only that, but Derek is also the youngest son of the renowned Vince Dooley. Vince is the former head coach and athletic director for the Georgia Bulldogs, to whom Tennessee lost on October 9.

On January 15, 2010, Derek Dooley was named the 22nd head coach at the University of Tennessee after Lane Kiffin ended his 14-month reign for a job at USC. Kiffin was named Tennessee coach after former coach and alum Phillip Fulmer resigned in November of 2008. After three different coaches in three years, many would wonder how Dooley will handle the changes that have occurred in Knoxville. However, although he is new as a head coach in the SEC, he has been around it his entire life. Not only that, but he was raised under the roof of one of the best coaches in college football.

Vince Dooley is known throughout the south for his vital part in the success of Georgia football. He was named the NCAA Coach of the Year in 1980 and 1982. He has also been granted the title of SEC coach of the year on seven separate occasions. Although he is a native of Alabama, his legacy is bequeathed to Athens, Ga., where he led the Bulldogs to 201 wins over his 25-year stint. Even after the completion of his time as head coach, Dooley remained at

Football in the Family

The Dooley LineageJen Underwood

touchdownalabama.net | 13ART FROM OLDMISS.EDU

Georgia as the athletic director for 15 more years.

Many would presume that living under his father’s shadow would be a difficult task for Derek Dooley as he tries to make his own legacy in football. However, he has done an excellent job of establishing himself as a successful coach. He was the wide receivers coach at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and also served under Alabama’s Nick Saban with LSU and the Miami Dolphins.

In fact, Dooley often credits Saban for granting him so many opportunities early on and for assisting him as a new coach. Dooley said of Saban, “I really thrived in his way of doing things. I’m very grateful for the opportunity he gave me in wearing so many hats, coaching different positions, coordi-

nating recruiting and coordinating special teams, assistant head coach -- he really allowed me to blossom as a young coach.”

Many wonder how Vince Dooley feels about his son coaching at a rival school, especially after Tennessee’s loss to Georgia on Oct. 9. “In a perfect world, I’d rather him be farther away and not in the same conference,” Vince said of Derek. “I wish he had been in the far West and not so close. But it is what it is. We’ll make the make the best of it. I am very proud of him.”

If trying to live up to the standards set forth by his father is not enough of a challenge, Dooley also has the added complication of being one of the youngest coaches ever in the SEC. Dooley, 42, has already made an impression on Mike Hamilton, the

athletics director at Tennessee.“Derek is one of the bright

young coaches in America. He understands our league and the competitive environment in which we compete,” Hamilton said of Dooley. “He took a very difficult first head coaching job and made significant strides there in a short period of time. He is incredibly bright, a tireless recruiter and excellent on-the-field coach.”

During his first few weeks at Tennessee, Dooley has led the Vols to a 2-4 season. Although he has a long way to go, Dooley has shown that he may have what it takes to coach in a nationally-recognized confer-ence. Even though he is new to the game, he has many experi-ences that will aid in his

successes in Knoxville. His lineage in the Dooley family and his time spent under Saban have taught him many things and helped him in his transfor-mation at Louisiana Tech, where he tried to change the team’s record drastically.

“I did take a little bit of a risk,” he said. “I took the head coaching job at Louisiana Tech. It was a program that had been struggling, it was a program that hadn’t made a lot of investment in football, and I’m very proud of the improvements we made in all phases.”

When Alabama and Tennessee meet under the Knoxville sky, it will be a memorable game for many reasons. This will truly be an intense game battled out on the gridiron, and a young coach will face off against one of his mentors.

“Derek is one of the bright young coaches...He understands our league and the competitive environment in which we compete.”

-Mike Hamilton


Rankings

1 AuburnThere can be no doubt at this point that Auburn is the SEC’s top team. Though they did give up 43 points on defense this past week, their own 65 points scored will make people overlook the defense’s miscues.

Auburn has started out well in the past, only to falter badly as the season goes on. Even as late as last season, they started off 5-0 before finishing out the season at 7-5.

Will that happen again this year? No, not to that extent. But with remaining games against LSU and then later in Tuscaloosa for a game which may ultimately decide the SEC championship, will they stumble in one or the other?

One reason for their late season collapses has been Auburn’s insistence on saving their bye week for before the last regular season game of the year with Alabama. By the time they play LSU, for example, they will have played eight games without a rest.

This season will certainly have some-late season surprises.

2 LSUIs this the high water mark of LSU this season as they face Auburn this coming weekend? All season long, LSU has been playing like a team on borrowed time, and this coming week’s contest will tell whether LSU has been a contender all along or just a luck pretender.

They have remaining games with Auburn and Alabama, then two schools which always have less talent but somehow find a way to way to beat them: Ole Miss and Arkansas.

Jarrett Lee has finally given them some consistency from the quarterback position and the defense is doing well, so they can’t be counted out entirely. Whether they go face down in the SEC yet again is to be determined.

3 AlabamaSince Auburn and LSU play this week, one of the two teams above Bama will lose this week, and Alabama must play both of them in the remaining games. Alabama holds its fate in the SEC in its own hands and can still win the conference champi-

onship with no help from anyone.The question is if they will do it.With the running game slipping and the defense continuing

to give up big plays, there is still much work to be done before facing the two teams above them.

They have the talent without question, but the heart and desire seem to be lacking at this point, and they appear to a team just going through the motions. Nick Saban needs urgently to find the right buttons to push.

Comparing Alabama’s FBS rankings to the two SEC teams above them, an SEC title game is still a real possibility.

4 ArkansasArkansas is a better team than their record shows. They have played every loss tough, not lost to an opponent that wasn’t in the top ten and haven’t lost to an inferior opponent all year.

These are all things for the Hogs to be proud of, despite their two losses.

With plenty of firepower on offense, they will be in any game they play. However, the defense simply has to stand up and be recognized, or they may have other losses as the season goes on.

Future games against South Carolina, Mississippi State and LSU will tell if they are as good as most think and will determine just how good a bowl they may land.

5 Mississippi StateNot in recent memory has the SEC West ever had the top five power rankings in one week. This shows where the true power of the league lies, at least this year. With South Carolina’s loss to a less-talented Kentucky team, and the Mississippi State win over Florida, few can argue this case.

Dan Mullen is making a case for SEC Coach of the Year with the quick turnaround of the disastrous Dogs. He finally has an offense at State to go along with a talented defense.

With remaining games against Alabama and Arkansas, he could have some problems, but now, no matter what, a bowl game is within the Bulldog’s reach, and that would be quite an accomplishment from where they were just one year ago.

SEC Power RankingsWEST RULES THE FIRST FIVE SPOTS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

Larry Burton


6 South CarolinaIn the SEC, it doesn’t take long to go from the top of the pack to also-ran status. With the surprise upset to Kentucky, South Carolina is taking a plunge this week.

Call it being caught napping or still euphoric over the big win over Alabama, but call it a loss to less-talented team and it drops you rather rudely.

With a win over Florida, South Carolina could still make the SEC Championship Game, and with the right amount of luck, they could still be SEC Champions. But now, few people believe that is going to happen for the Gamecocks.

7 FloridaAt the first of the season, nobody thought there was a remote possibility that Florida would be in the bottom half of the SEC after week seven.

It’s been 22 years since Florida has lost three in a row, and such a streak tarnishes Urban Meyer’s crown as one of the premier football coaches today.

With remaining games against South Carolina and FSU could we be looking at a Florida team with a 7-5 record struggling to stay out of Shreveport for a bowl game?

It’s a distinct possibility.

8 KentuckyEarlier in the year, Kentucky seemed to have an easy road to keeping their continuous bowl appearance streak alive. But while the win against South Carolina certainly helps, the loss

to a pitiful Ole Miss team means that they will still have to win one remaining game against an improving Georgia, a red hot Mississippi State or a tougher-than-the-record-shows Tennessee or Vanderbilt.

This year, six wins may not get an SEC team into a bowl, so Kentucky must find a way to win two of those above mentioned games to be secure a slot.

Like so many SEC teams, Kentucky has learned that life in the SEC can be great one week and terrible the next. They just need some consistency.

9 GeorgiaFinally out of the bottom third with well-deserved blowout wins over Tennessee and Vanderbilt, Georgia has now shot up to 9th in the SEC, and, while that’s quite an improvement from where they were just a few weeks ago, Bulldog fans are beginning to listen to the “get rid of Richt” talk going around.

With remaining games against Kentucky, Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech, this is a Bulldog team that may not make a bowl game for the first time in a long time. A 4-8 season is a distinct possibility.

Then the Bulldog faithful will be set with a fateful decision of whether or not to keep the best coach they’ve had in a long while a little longer.

10 VanderbiltThe Commodores have shown signs of life in some games on offense, and the defense has also looked good at times. With such limited quality depth, it’s hard for Vandy to play for four

2010 OVERALL FBS RANKINGSTeam Passing Rank Rushing Rank Points Rank Points Rank Yards Yards Scored Given Up Auburn 197.4 76 283.7 6 40.7 6 24.40 63LSU 140.3 113 188.3 33 26.7 70 14.40 11ALABAMA 243.6 46 183.6 37 33.3 31 12.90 5Arkansas 366.3 2 113.7 96 32.2 39 23.30 56Mississippi State 180.4 88 211.9 21 28.6 57 16.00 13South Carolina 245.0 40 145.7 69 31.0 43 10.80 39Florida 186.9 84 142.1 75 27.6 65 18.75 25Kentucky 270.6 25 158.7 51 35.3 21 29.90 89Georgia 244.9 41 150.4 64 29.7 51 17.40 20Vanderbilt 162.5 101 152.8 59 20.8 98 25.50 67Ole Miss 177.8 90 215.5 19 32.7 36 31.00 95Tennessee 206.8 71 115.0 94 23.3 84 27.57 5

continued on next page


Rankings, con't

quarters with much consistency.Like Georgia, there’s no bowl game in Vandy’s future, but

they could wind up out of the cellar this year with a good finish, and, for the Commodores, that’s something to be proud of.

They have a chance to beat Tennessee later in the year to cement their standing as not the worst team in the SEC.

11 Ole MissWith a loss to Vandy, Ole Miss’ stay at the bottom was simply prolonged. They are a disaster on many levels, but there is reason to be optimistic about the future.

With a win against Tennessee, they might leapfrog the very team that beat them, Vanderbilt, and move all the way to 10th place by season’s end.

Was the Jeremiah Masoli experiment worth a knock to Nutt’s reputation? No, it wasn’t. Has he won a game that a backup may not have won? No, he hasn’t.

Will the idea that a kid who signs with a college from high school and pays his dues to be the starter ever be resurrected at Ole Miss? Time will tell.

12 TennesseeSomewhere in Tennessee Phillip Fulmer is sitting and laughing at the Vols’ fortunes since they discarded him as coach. They jumped out of the frying pan with Lane Kiffin and right into the fire with Derek Dooley.

Not that Dooley hasn’t done a good job with the cards he was dealt, but the program at Tennessee couldn’t be is worse shape than it is right now.

There have been some bright spots and some oh-so-close moments that could have changed the outlook of the program. Had Tennessee have had only eleven men on the field for the last play of the LSU game, they would be far removed from the bottom posting here, but that is football.

No rival SEC team should relish seeing just how far the Tennessee program has sunk, but many do. There are things to build on, though. Tennessee has a good quarterback, and if they can just bring in some recruits to help with depth issues, they should return in the near future.

With remaining games against Ole Miss and Vandy, Tennessee can at least fight their way out of the cellar this season.


Dre Kirkpatrick Got that Alabama Swagger

PHOTOS BY MATT GASTON

Player Spotlight

Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick has worked hard to earn a starting position for the Crimson Tide this season.

With the reconstruction of the defense, Kirkpatrick gets the chance to step up and demonstrate his ability to play football. Being a five-star recruit out of high school, according to scouts.com, he was one of the top signees for the 2009 Alabama recruiting class.

Kirkpatrick attended Gadsden City High School, where he was a standout player and one of the top high school defensive backs across the country. In his final three seasons in high school, Kirkpatrick had 193 tackles and 17 interceptions, with three returned for touchdowns. He also had 36 pass breakups, two sacks, one punt return touchdown and one kick return touchdown.

After Kirkpatrick’s senior season, he was honored with the ASWA 6A Back of the Year Award and received first team All-State defensive back for the second consecutive year. The notable 6-foot-2-inch athlete accepted the invitation to play in the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and the 2008 Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Football Classic before attending college.

Being a top prospect, Kirkpatrick had many offers from schools across the country, but as his recruiting process came to an end, he had narrowed his choices down to two teams: Texas and Alabama.

Announcing his decision live on ESPNU, Kirkpatrick had Texas and Alabama hats sitting on the table in front


Dre Kirkpatrick Got that Alabama Swagger

of him. He picked up the Texas hat and said, “This hat here? It ain’t got no swagger.”

He then proceeded to put on the Alabama hat. The Alabama native chose to stay in-state, represent the Tide, and play for head coach Nick Saban.

Kirkpatrick is a well-rounded player. Freshman year, he contributed on special teams in twelve games and recorded eight tackles.

Pasadena-bound in January 2010, Kirkpatrick got to face the team he almost committed to. Coming out on top and with the 13th national championship for Alabama, Kirkpatrick should have been feeling confident about coming to Bama and playing for the best team in the country.

In the 2010 A-Day game, Kirkpatrick made the game’s only interception and received the Bobby Johns Defensive Back Award for his impressive showing. From that spring game, he gained much respect from fans and his teammates.

“He’s got great speed and great quickness, but he’s so long,” Quarterback

Greg McElroy told The Anniston Star. “He’s like 6-1 or 6-2 and he’s got extremely long arms. He can swat or rip at the ball easily. I probably didn’t understand how important that could be until this spring. He knocks down more balls that we’ve had. I look for him to continue to improve.”

He had plenty of time to learn the complex Alabama defense from Coach Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. This season he has stepped up and started all six games for the corner-back position. Kirkpatrick has been a valuable player for the Tide. He currently has three interceptions for thirty yards and one forced fumble, which came during the Florida game.

With the rebuilding of the Tide’s

defense this season, Kirkpatrick has stepped up and filled the shoes of former Alabama cornerback and 2010 NFL first round pick Kareem Jackson, and it’s a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly.

"We're a little hungry to prove that we're still the defense that we were last year," Kirkpatrick told the Mobile Press- Register.

Growing up just 122 miles from the University of Alabama, Kirkpatrick has been a huge impact for this young defense. The first-year starter has established his position and role on the team and has given the Tide a little more “swagger.” Kirkpatrick’s five-star ranking hasn’t left any Alabama fan doubting his potential. He has shown college football fans across the nation that the Alabama defense may be young but it doesn’t lack talent.

Jessica Brown

CRIMSON TIDE

NO NAME P CLS HT WT HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL 82 Earl Alexander WR SR 6-4 207 Phenix City, Ala. Central 19 Jonathan Atchison LB FR 6-2 228 Atlanta, Ga. Douglass 31 John Baites TE JR 6-4 235 Hendersonville, Tenn. Beech 4 Mark Barron DE JR 6-2 210 Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s 7 Kenny Bell WR FR 6-1 172 Rayville, La. Rayville 86 Undra Billingsley TE/DL SO 6-2 269 Birmingham, Ala. Woodlawn 69 David Blalock OL JR 6-5 255 Charlotte, N.C. Providence 93 Chris Bonds DL FR 6-4 263 Columbia, S.C. Richland Northeast 67 John Michael Boswell OL JR 6-5 291 Northport, Ala. Tuscaloosa County 88 Michael Bowman WR SO 6-4 225 Rossville, Ga. Ridgeland 37 Hardie Buck WR SO 5-9 184 Birmingham, Ala. Vestavia Hills 87 Drew Bullard LB JR 6-3 232 Florence, Ala. Florence 34 Hunter Bush DE SO 5-11 181 Wetumpka, Ala. Wetumpka 20 Nate Carlson RB JR 6-4 230 Birmingham, Ala. Air Force 77 James Carpenter OL SR 6-5 300 Augusta, Ga. Coffeyville CC 33 Caleb Castille DE FR 5-11 163 Birmingham, Ala. Briarwood Christian 99 Josh Chapman DL JR 6-1 310 Hoover, Ala. Hoover 57 Marcell Dareus DL JR 6-4 306 Huffman, Ala. Huffman 96 Luther Davis DL SR 6-3 279 West Monroe, La. West Monroe 51 Michael DeJohn LB SR 6-1 237 Hoover, Ala. Hoover 85 Preston Dial TE SR 6-3 237 Mobile, Ala. UMS-Wright 40 DeMarcus DuBose LB JR 6-1 240 Montgomery, Ala. Jefferson Davis 13 Rob Ezell WR SR 5-10 172 Athens, Ala. Athens 76 D.J. Fluker OL FR 6-6 340 Foley, Ala. Foley 43 Cade Foster PK FR 6-1 221 Southlake, Texas Southlake Carroll 45 Jalston Fowler RB/LB FR 6-1 236 HS Mobile, Ala. Vigor 10 John Fulton DE FR 6-0 179 Manning, S.C. Manning 95 Colin Gallagher PK SR 5-10 194 Atlanta, Ga. Marist 58 Nick Gentry DL JR 6-1 282 Prattville, Ala. Prattville 6 Demetrius Goode RB JR 5-10 191 LaGrange, Ga. Hargrave Academy 25 Corey Grant RB FR 5-9 186 Opelika, Ala. Opelika 23 Robby Green DE JR 6-0 181 New Orleans, La. John Curtis Christian 15 Darius Hanks WR JR 6-0 184 Norcross, Ga. Norcross 54 Glenn Harbin DL/LB SO 6-5 260 SQ Mobile, Ala. McGill-Toolen 48 Rowdy Harrell LB JR 6-0 213 Moundville, Ala. Hale County 5 Jerrell Harris LB JR 6-3 231 Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City 30 Dont’a Hightower LB SO 6-4 260 Lewisburg, Tenn. Marshall County 15 Mark Holt DE SR 6-1 172 Muscle Shoals, Ala. Muscle Shoals 21 Ben Howell RB SO 5-9 193 Gordo, Ala. Gordo 42 Adrian Hubbard LB FR 6-6 227 Lawrenceville, Ga. Norcross 22 Mark Ingram RB JR 5-10 215 Flint, Mich. Southwestern Academy 62 Brandon Ivory DL FR 6-4 335 Memphis, Tenn. East 35 Nico Johnson LB SO 6-3 238 Andalusia, Ala. Andalusia 57 Aaron Joiner OL SO 6-2 258 Florence, Ala. Florence 75 Barrett Jones OL SO 6-5 301 Memphis, Tenn. Evangelical Christian 40 Harrison Jones TE FR 6-4 235 Germantown, Tenn. Evangelical Christian 8 Julio Jones WR JR 6-4 220 Foley, Ala. Foley 9 Phelon Jones DE JR 5-11 199 Moblie, Ala. LSU 36 Chris Jordan LB JR 6-3 232 Brentwood, Tenn. Brentwood Academy 43 Sam Kearns DE JR 5-6 156 Mobile, Ala. McGill-Toolen 26 Kendall Kelly WR FR 6-3 214 Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City 10 J.B. Kern LB SR 6-1 232 Dove Canyon, Calif. Mission Viejo 21 Dre Kirkpatrick DE SO 6-3 190 Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City 59 Arie Kouandjio OL FR 6-5 335 Beltsville, Md. DeMatha Catholic 42 Eddie Lacy RB FR 6-0 212 Geismar, La. Dutchtown 37 Robert Lester DE SO 6-2 206 Foley, Ala. Foley 95 Brandon Lewis DL JR 6-3 274 Pleasant Grove, Ala. East Mississippi CC 78 Chad Lindsay OL FR 6-2 277 The Woodlands, Texas The Woodlands72 Tyler Love OL SO 6-6 304 Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook

NO NAME P CLS HT WT HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL 29 Will Lowery DE JR 5-9 188 Hoover, Ala. Hoover 7 Keiwone Malone WR FR 5-11 165 Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell 32 Cody Mandell P FR 6-4 201 Lafayette, La. Acadiana 33 Mike Marrow RB FR 6-2 235 Holland, Ohio Central Catholic 4 Marquis Maze WR JR 5-10 182 Birmingham, Ala. Tarrant 24 Nathan McAlister WR FR 5-11 165 Russellville, Ala. Russellville 10 A.J. McCarron QB FR 6-4 190 Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s Episcopal School 52 Alfred McCullough OL JR 6-2 309 Athens, Ala. Athens 12 Greg McElroy QB SR 6-3 225 Southlake, Texas Southlake Carroll 24 DeQuan Menzie DE JR 6-0 195 Columbus, Ga. Copiah-Lincoln CC 28 DeMarcus Milliner DE FR 6-1 182 Millbrook, Ala. Stanhope Elmore 56 William Ming DL FR 6-3 263 Athens, Ala. Athens 97 Brandon Moore DL FR 6-5 305 Montgomery, Ala. Carver 32 C.J. Mosley LB FR 6-2 225 Theodore, Ala. Theodore 66 Brian Motley OL SR 6-3 289 Autaugaville, Ala. Autaugaville 64 Kerry Murphy DL SO 6-4 319 Hoover, Ala. Hargrave/Hoover 46 Wesley Neighbors DE SO 6-1 205 Huntsville, Ala. Huntsville 83 Kevin Norwood WR FR 6-2 187 D’Iberville, Miss. D’Iberville 18 Morgan Ogilvie QB FR 6-0 198 Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook 53 Anthony Orr DL FR 6-4 268 Madison, Ala. Sparkman 2 Tana Patrick LB FR 6-3 231 Bridgeport, Ala. North Jackson 39 Kyle Pennington DE JR 5-11 188 Chatom, Ala. Washington County 27 Nick Perry DE FR 6-1 193 Prattville, Ala. Prattville 3 Trent Richardson RB SO 5-11 220 Pensacola, Fla. Escambia 74 David Ross OL SR 6-3 302 Homewood, Ala. Homewood 1 B.J. Scott DE SO 5-11 193 Prichard, Ala. Vigor 94 Darrington Sentimore DL FR 6-3 261 Norco, La. Destrehan 90 Jeremy Shelley PK SO 5-10 165 Raleigh, N.C. Broughton 79 Austin Shepherd OL FR 6-5 307 Buford, Ga. North Gwinnett 18 Blake Sims A FR 6-0 195 Gainesville, Ga. Gainesville 14 Phillip Sims QB FR 6-2 214 Chesapeake, Va. Oscar Smith 71 Allen Skelton OL SO 6-1 261 Coker, Ala. Tuscaloosa County 17 Brad Smelley TE JR 6-3 227 Tuscaloosa, Ala. American Christian 38 Petey Smith LB FR 6-1 250 Tampa, Fla. Armwood 92 Damion Square DL SO 6-3 284 Houston, Texas Yates 61 Anthony Steen OL FR 6-3 292 Lambert, Miss. Lee Academy 47 Ed Stinson LB/DL FR 6-4 252 Homestead, Fla. South Dade 46 William Strickland WR JR 6-0 188 Tuscaloosa, Ala. Northridge 47 Logan Thomas WR SR 6-3 206 Houston, Texas Cyrpress Creek 51 Carson Tinker ST SO 6-1 220 Murfreesboro, Tenn. Riverdale 26 Nick Tinker RB FR 5-10 215 Ralph, Ala. Tuscaloosa County 87 Chris Underwood TE SO 6-4 238 Vestavia Hills, Ala. Vestavia Hills 41 Courtney Upshaw LB JR 6-2 263 Eufaula, Ala. Eufaula 73 William Vlachos OL JR 6-1 289 Birmingham, Ala. Mountain Brook 84 Brian Vogler TE FR 6-7 242 Columbus, Ga. Brookstone 65 Chance Warmack OL SO 6-3 300 Atlanta, Ga. Westlake 91 Alex Watkins LB JR 6-3 232 Brownsville, Tenn. Haywood 49 Ranzell Watkins DE FR 5-9 168 Charlotte, N.C. Independence 2 DeAndrew White WR FR 6-0 180 Houston, Texas North Shore 55 Chavis Williams LB SR 6-4 223 Dora, Ala. Dora 60 David Williams OL SO 6-3 267 Duncanville, Ala. Hillcrest 20 Jarrick Williams DE FR 6-1 203 Mobile, Ala. Blount 44 Jay Williams P FR 6-3 208 Thomasville, Ala. Thomasville 63 Kellen Williams OL FR 6-3 307 Lawrenceville, Ga. Brookwood 89 Michael Williams TE SO 6-6 270 Reform, Ala. Pickens County 9 Nick Williams WR FR 5-10 179 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas

Alabama Football Roster


NO NAME P CLS HT WT HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL 3 Zach Allen DB SO 5-9 183 Knoxville Farragut 36 Anthony Anderson DB JR 6-0 185 Knoxville Austin-East 60 Carson Anderson OG SO 6-2 280 Florence, Ala. Florence 47 Jerod Askew LB FR 5-11 230 Chesapeake, Va. Oscar Smith HS 65 Joseph Ayres DT FR 6-3 262 Knoxville Chattanooga McCallie 39 Ben Bartholomew TE JR 6-1 247 Nashville Montgomery Bell Academy 86 Willie Bohannon DE SO 6-3 238 Mobile, Ala. Blount 94 Minor Bowens DT SR 6-3 293 Memphis Tennessee State 27 Nick Branum DB FR 5-10 180 Knoxville Knoxville Catholic 8 Tyler Bray QB FR 6-6 210 Kingsburg, Calif. Kingsburg 17 Brent Brewer DB FR 6-2 205 Tyrone, Ga. Sandy Creek 50 J.R. Carr DS FR 5-10 215 Lomita, Calif. South Torrance 23 Jacob Carter WR FR 6-0 175 Nashville, Tenn. Ensworth 40 Chris Cates QB SO 6-0 184 Knoxville Christian Academy of Knoxville 54 Keensen Chambers DE SO 6-6 240 Greenville, S.C. Dean College 89 Greg Clark DT FR 6-3 300 Warner Robbins, Ga. Northside 5 Tyler Coombes DB FR 6-0 175 Leebanon Wilson Central 45 Kevin Cooper FB SR 6-0 242 Chattanooga Baylor 29 Dorian Cozart LB FR 5-7 195 Knoxville Catholic 50 Raiques Crump LB FR 6-2 215 Birmingham, Ala. Minor 84 Jeremy Curtis WR FR 5-11 184 Memphis Fairley 3 Matt Darr P FR 6-2 215 Bakersfield, Calif. Frontier 96 Chad Cunningham P/PK SR 6-2 210 Dawsonville, Ga. Dawson County 33 LaDarius Denson LB JR 6-0 245 Delray Beach, Fla. Alfred State [N.Y.] JC 5 Tyler Drummer WR SO 6-1 165 Powell Cumberland Univ. 41 Sam Edgmon FB JR 5-11 237 Pulaski Giles County 12 Chris Eggert WR JR 5-10 205 Knoxville Univ. of the Cumberlands 82 Cory Eichholtz WR JR 5-8 183 Knoxville Bearden 25 Art Evans DB JR 6-0 185 Lakeland, Fla. Evangel Christian 72 Zach Fulton OL FR 6-5 315 Homewood, Ill. Homewood-Flossmoor 38 C.J. Fleming DB JR 5-10 173 Richmond, Va. Highland Springs 90 Steven Fowlkes DT SO 6-5 253 College Park, Ga. Banneker 43 Savion Frazier LB SR 6-0 221 Woodbridge, Va. Gar-Field 46 Channing Fugate FB FR 6-2 244 Jackson, Ky. Breathitt County 68 Jacob Gilliam OL FR 6-4 255 Farragut Farrgut 73 Darin Gooch C SO 6-3 305 Reno, Nev. Butte JC 24 Eric Gordon DB SO 5-10 186 Nashville Hillsboro HS 59 Nick Guess DS JR 6-2 215 Knoxville Farragut 76 Daniel Hood OT FR 6-4 275 Knoxville Catholic HS 93 Montori Hughes DT SO 6-4 305 Murfreesboro Siegel HS 11 Justin Hunter WR FR 6-4 183 Virginia Beach, Va. Ocean Lakes 15 Janzen Jackson DB SO 6-0 187 Lake Charles, La. Barbe HS 97 Malik Jackson DE JR 6-5 265 Van Nuys, Calif. Southern California 44 Martaze Jackson LB FR 6-2 225 Demopolis, Ala. Demopolis 21 Nick Jackson DB SO 5-11 199 Memphis Central 70 Ja’Wuan James OT FR 6-7 313 Suwanee, Ga. North Gwinnett 54 Travis James OL FR 6-3 336 Mascoutah, Ill. North Central College 95 Arthur Jeffery DT FR 6-3 294 Sarasota, Fla. Booker HS 39 Grant Jessen LB SO 5-11 223 Cordova St. George’s 40 Austin Johnson LB JR 6-2 231 Hickory, N.C. Hickory 4 Gerald Jones WR SR 6-0 195 Oklahoma City, Okla. Millwood 8 Chase Ketron DB FR 5-11 200 Seymour Seymour 48 Greg King LB SO 6-1 222 Memphis Melrose HS 34 Herman Lathers LB SO 6-0 217 Baton Rouge, La. Scotlandville 90 Ben Lehning TE JR 6-1 236 Nashville David Lipscomb 67 Caleb Leonard OG FR 6-3 265 Knoxville Halls 26 Daniel Lincoln PK SR 6-0 210 Ocala, Fla. Forest 85 T.J. Marrs DS JR 5-10 206 Bluefield, Va. Graham 99 Ben Martin DE SR 6-3 251 Cincinnati, Ohio La Salle 18 Myles McKee QB FR 6-1 178 Arden, N.C. Fork Union [Va.] Military Academy

NO NAME P CLS HT WT HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL 5 Ted Meline DB FR 6-2 183 Miami, Fla. North Miami Senior 80 Corey Miller DE FR 6-3 255 Wellford, S.C. Byrnes 80 Matt Milton WR FR 6-5 220 Mascoutah, Ill. Mascoutah 37 Nigel Mitchell-Thornton LB SO 6-0 230 Stone Mountain, Ga. Stephenson HS 6 Denarius Moore WR SR 6-1 194 Tatum, Texas Tatum 7 Nash Nance QB FR 6-3 215 Calhoun, Ga. Calhoun 20 Rajion Neal RB FR 5-11 215 Tyrone, Ga. Sandy Creek 35 Robert Nelson LB FR 5-11 200 Stone Mountain, Ga. Stone Mountain HS 27 David Oku TB SO 5-10 195 Midwest City, Okla. Carl Albert HS 12 Naz Oliver DB FR 5-11 183 Jersey City, NJ Saint Peter’s Prep 66 Marques Pair OL FR 6-6 275 Sumter, S.C. Sumter 17 Tyler Page QB FR 6-1 190 Candler, N.C. Asheville 1 Michael Palardy PK/P FR 6-0 170 Coral Springs, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas 78 Chase Phillips OG FR 6-3 275 Knoxville South Doyle HS 28 Tauren Poole TB JR 5-11 213 Toccoa, Ga. Stephens County 77 Cody Pope C JR 6-6 290 Julian, Calif. Cathedral Catholic 51 John Propst LB FR 6-1 220 Hoover, Ala. Hoover 29 Stephaun Raines DB JR 5-10 182 Dalton, Ga. Coffeyville [Kan.] CC 14 Doak Raulston QB FR 6-2 190 Fort Worth, Texas Louisiana Tech University 56 Nick Reveiz LB SR 5-10 224 Farragut Farragut 30 Shane Reveiz LB JR 5-9 218 Farragut Farragut 63 Kevin Revis OG FR 6-2 285 Evansville Rhea County HS 47 Chip Rhome P JR 6-3 200 Christiana Austin Peay State Univ. 81 Mychal Rivera TE JR 6-4 240 Valencia, Calif. College of the Canyons 21 Da’Rick Rogers WR FR 6-3 215 Calhoun, Ga. Calhoun 83 Zach Rogers WR SO 6-0 178 Nashville David Lipscomb HS 41 Dontavis Sapp DB FR 6-3 205 Valdosta, Ga. Valdosta 75 JerQuari Schofield OG FR 6-6 331 Aiken, S.C. South Aiken HS 74 Jarrod Shaw OG SR 6-4 331 Lafayette, La. Northside 7 Mandela Shaw DB JR 6-0 193 Memphis East 2 Matt Simms QB JR 6-3 217 Franklin Lakes, N.J. El Camino [Calif.] CC 89 Brent Slusher TE SR 6-4 254 Pineville, Ky. Auburn University 55 Jacques Smith DE FR 6-2 248 Ooltewah Ooltewah 88 Luke Stocker TE SR 6-6 253 Berea, Ky. Madison Southern 64 James Stone OL FR 6-4 295 Nashville Maplewood 53 Jake Storey LB JR 5-10 219 Titusville, Fla. Astronaut 24 Deanthoine Summerhill TB FR 5-9 189 Deshler, Ala. Deshler 43 Dakota Summers TE FR 6-3 228 Camden Central 98 Rae Sykes DT JR 6-4 270 Alcoa Alcoa HS/Coffeyville CC 10 Marsalis Teague DB SO 5-10 178 Paris Henry County HS 71 Dallas Thomas OT SO 6-5 295 Baton Rouge, La. Scotlandville 52 Victor Thomas C SR 6-3 293 Olive Branch, Miss. Olive Branch 42 LaMarcus Thompson LB SR 6-1 228 Lithonia, Ga. Redan HS 30 Jaron Toney TB FR 5-9 171 Alcoa Alcoa 96 Ellis Turner DL SO 6-1 258 Atlanta, Ga. Carver 9 Daryl Vereen LB JR 5-11 221 Charlotte, N.C. North Mecklenburg 23 Prentiss Waggner DB SO 6-2 181 Clinton, La. Clinton 84 Chris Walker DE SR 6-3 245 Memphis Christian Brothers 58 Marlon Walls DT SO 6-3 278 Olive Branch, Miss. Hargrave Military Academy 86 Matt Wegzyn TE SO 6-2 234 Northville, Mich. Northville 80 Dylan West WR FR 6-1 178 Oneida Oneida 28 Joey Windler DB FR 6-1 188 Marietta, Ga. Walton 22 Rod Wilks DB SO 6-0 211 Smyrna Smyrna 19 DeMario Williams WR SO 6-1 178 Culleoka Middle Tennessee State 57 Gerald Williams DE SR 6-3 250 Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. City Col. of San Fran. 33 Toney Williams RB FR 6-1 214 Alpharetta, Ga. Milton HS 26 Tyler Wills DB FR 5-11 179 Russellville Morristown East 18 Tyler Wolf DB SR 5-11 202 Cookeville Cookeville 26 Robert Yonce DB JR 6-0 187 Wytheville, Va. George Wythe

VOLUNTEERS

Tennessee Football Roster


Tennessee’s Matt Simms arrived at Knoxville ready to jump on the field in 2010. He played the 2008 season

with Louisville and came from El Camino Community College in California this past January.

Football is not an unfamiliar sport in the Simms’ household. His father is a former New York Giants quarterback, and his older brother was quarterback for Texas. In the 2009 season Simms completed 159 of 269 passes for El Camino. He had 2,204 yards and 17 touchdowns under his belt last season.

Simms stepped into the quarterback position after the Vols lost Jonathan Crompton at the end of last season. The junior quarterback weighs in at 217 pounds and 6-foot-3-inches.

Simms threw 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs. He was sacked a total of four times and threw one interception. So far this season, he has thrown 88 of 154 for four interceptions, 1,136 yards and 7 touchdowns. His best game came against the UAB Blazers. He went 19-of-34, passing for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns. He connected with wide receiver Denarius Moore for a 25-yard touchdown pass in the second overtime. He elaborated on the play in the post-game conference.

“He [Denarius Moore] was my first read on the play, came off the play action, the safety flat footed there for a split-second and that was all the time I needed to make my decision,” Simms said. “I just tried to put it in a place where he could go up and get it and jump over the corner and that is exactly what he did."

Opposing Team

22 | TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA October 23, 2010 PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH OLIVIER, UT ATHLETICS

New quarterback and underdog linebacker shine in preparation for Tide’s trip to Knoxville

matt Simms#2

Third Week in OcTOber

Weighing in at 224 pounds and standing 5-foot-10-inches, senior linebacker Nick

Reveiz is a Tennessee native and shines for the Vols. He went from underdog to star player within a few years at Tennessee.

In 2006 he was redshirted, but made a name for himself in 2009. Last season he was UT’s first walk-on team captain since 1992.

In 2007, 2008 and 2009 he was named Academic All-SEC. Reveiz finally snagged a scholarship in 2009 and the position of starting middle linebacker.

He asserted in the UT-UF post-game conference that they went into the game

and played a full 60 minutes.“That [competing hard the entire

game] was something we took person-ally as a defense,” Reveiz said. “I didn't feel like we competed all 60 minutes last week [against Oregon]. As a leader and a senior, that's disheartening. I really felt like this week we really went out there and put it all out on the line. Really, that's all you can ask but we have to be better."

He leads the Vols with 54 tackles this season. His best game came against UAB and he elaborates on what UAB managed to do to inconvenience the Vols.

"I just think it was a combination of not tackling and not getting lined up

right,” Reveiz confessed at a post-game conference. “Quite honestly, I felt like we came out flat. You can add up a lot of those things. We weren't really matching up routes well. They were doing a lot of crossing routes and we were having trouble with it. We were into some man-to-man and getting picked. The screens were just killing us. You can go on and on about how bad we played on defense but at the end of the day I'll give you this. We competed. All 11 guys on defense out there competed. I know the offense competed too. By God's mercy, we got a win."

The Vols hope to repeat that spirit of competition as they host the Tide this week after a bye last weekend.


New quarterback and underdog linebacker shine in preparation for Tide’s trip to Knoxville

nick Reveiz

Third Week in OcTOberJennifer Gorham

#56


The Lowdown

Though the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ole Miss Rebels last week as expected, few fans and far fewer coaches were pleased with the win.

The dynamic duo of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson’s running threat has ground to a halt. Since being proclaimed by Gary Danielson of CBS Sports as “Fast and Furious,” the two have looked more like “Flat and Flabbergasted.”

The offense can’t finish drives, the team still gives up turnovers and the defense still gives up the big plays. In addition, injuries, which have heretofore passed by the Crimson Tide, have finally caught up to the Tide.

The Tide has six banged-up starters nursing one kind of ailment or another.

There is still some soul-searching going on within the team for answers that can pull this team from the doldrums and return them to championship form.

By this time of year, playing a schedule as tough as Alabama has played, of course there is the chance that this team is both mentally and physically tired, but they still have a game to go before they get a bye week.

The timing may be perfect, as they’ll need a rest before playing out the final stretch of tough competitors in LSU, Mississippi State and

Auburn. All three teams are capable of beating Alabama, and each has momentum on their side at this point.

Only a game with Georgia State before the Auburn game will give the Tide any room to breath between their bye week and the end game of the regular season.

Wins against all of those teams will put Alabama back in the national spotlight and title talk again, but before they can count on that, they have to contend with themselves.

Alabama is simply not playing up to their potential right now and, if the truth be told, are simply not playing very well at all. Unless Nick Saban can find a way to get this team to the next gear, there will be no winning out, no title talk and no BCS bowl, in all likelihood.

Is this team capable of winning out? Judging by talent, yes. Will they win out? That is a question soon to be answered as the season plays out.

What will it take?1. Make the running game a feared commodity once again.

Alabama’s backs were once averaging anywhere from six to eight yards a carry, but that production has dropped to barely four in their

LOWDOWN

Larry’s

LOWDOWN

Trouble in TidelandWhat the team must do to get back on top

Larry Burton


last game against a weak opponent. They have to not only step up the production again, but regain the fear factor.

2. Get the defense to stop giving up the big play and be consistent.

South Carolina exposed the weaknesses in Alabama’s defense and others are sure to watch that game film and try and copy that blueprint.

3. Get the offense to finish drives with touchdowns.

Nothing is more demoralizing than moving the ball up and down the field but coming away with little or nothing to show for it on the scoreboard. Since Nick Saban’s arrival at the Capstone, the most consistent theme has been “Finish.” But even against a really down Ole Miss team this past weekend, the offense couldn’t finish drives and failed to put away a team that can be dangerous if left “just hanging around.”

4. Be consistent.In every game this year, Alabama has had

flashes of greatness, then regressed. To be champions, they have to play like champions. There can be no off days, no coasting, no taking a series off every once in awhile. Every down must be played like it is the most important one of the game. This is something the Tide just hasn’t done so far this year.

5. Get over the injuries.Alabama has one of highest-quality benches

in the entire college football world. Use them and get over the injuries. Have faith in the back ups. Most would start at other schools. Don’t let injuries affect the focus. Every team has injuries.

If the Tide can accomplish these things, the trouble in Tideland will be over; if they fail to do so, the talk will turn to next season.

BOT County Platt Book Ad.indd 1 8/10/10 11:58 AM

By Donald F. Staffo

PHOTOS FROM BRYANT MUSEUM PHOTOS FROM BRYANT MUSEUM

Catching Up

Fullback on 1992 National Championship Team Now a Preacher

Catching Up WithMartin Houston

Alabama won a national championship in 2009, and is this season ranked No.1 in the nation and competing for another BCS title. However, prior to last year, the Crimson

Tide’s last national championship was in 1992. Martin Houston was the fullback on that ’92 national champion-ship team.

Today, Houston, after a brief stint in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a short career as a manager with BellSouth/ATT, is Director of Public Relations and a spiritual leader with PraiseFest Ministries. He is also the lead pastor in the start-up of Catalyst Community Church, which will launch on Easter Sunday 2011. Also a public speaker, Houston, in a talk to the Tuscaloosa Quarterback Club entitled “The Return to Prominence,” shared his five-step philosophy to success by relating Bama’s climb back to the top of the football mountain.

“The first step is that you have to have a plan, a clear vision and direction for the future,” stated Houston, who also played on SEC Championship teams in 1989 and 1992 and rushed for over 1,000 yards with the Crimson Tide. “You have to know what you want, and how you’re going to get there.”

Houston believes Crimson Tide athletic director Mal Moore had a plan to get Alabama through the tough times the program experienced prior to the arrival of Nick Saban. “This (1997 through 2006) was a down time in Alabama football, and I think that Mal Moore believed that Nick Saban was the coach that could get us through that, and he was going to go after Saban.

“Step two is perspective,” explained Houston. “Even though we had just gotten beat by Florida 35-0 and were two games removed from the ‘The Fiasco Bowl’ (a 34-7 loss to Louisville in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl), we were still Alabama. We had a players’ meeting in which we stated, ‘We’re Alabama, so let’s play like Alabama. The tradition says it can be done, so let’s go out and do it.’ From that point on we won 28 straight games, 23 when I played, and five more after I graduated.”

Houston said the third thing is dealing with pressure. “It can make you or break you. When you’re down, part of that pressure comes from resistance. You can either fold up shop, or get stronger because of the resistance.

“In 1992 throughout the season (critics) were saying we were the worst 5-0 team in the country, the worst 7-0 team



in the country, the worst 10-0 team in the country. But after we won the national championship Coach (Gene) Stallings stated, “We may be the worst 13-0 team in the country, but we’re the only 13-0 team.

“You also have to be able to overcome adversity, like this year’s team did against Arkansas. Beating Arkansas helped us beat Florida because the team knew what it meant to fight back. When you’re pressured and squeezed, the potential will come out.”

The fourth step is the process. “That simply means that you have to stay the course. You can’t abandon your plan when the going gets tough. Mal Moore refused to give up in trying to get Saban to come here.”

Houston then used Saban as another example of sticking to his plan and his well-documented process. “People forget that a few years ago we got beat by Louisiana-Monroe. People forget that Saban only won six games his first year here. But Coach Saban adjusted,” said Houston. “He had a plan, stuck to his plan, and didn’t let resistance or adversity stop him from following and working his plan.”

Houston said that you can have all of the above, but you still need the people to pull it off. “You have to have the right people, in the right place, making the right decisions at the right time,” he said. “We’ve got a great coach, a great coaching staff, great players and great supporters of the program. Most programs could not have weathered what happened to Alabama (NCAA sanctions and other on and off-the field problems) during the down years. Alabama was down, and we came back to promi-nence,” Houston said in concluding his message.

Houston then compared this year’s team with the 1992 team. “The two teams are a lot alike (with the philosophy) that we’re going to hit you in the mouth, we’re going to knock you down, and by the fourth quarter you won’t want to be playing Alabama. But this year’s team is more explosive, they have got more weapons than we had. I love everything about our offense. I love the style they play.”

Houston also mentioned that his organization is presenting the initial Heroes of Faith Award this year. The first recipient is Siran Stacy, a star running back for the Crimson Tide from 1989 through 1991 who on November 19, 2007, tragically lost his wife Ellen and four of his five children when a car driven by a drunken driver smashed into the side of the Stacy van. “The award goes to someone who, through his faith, chooses to be a victor rather than a victim,” Houston explained. “Siran, through his faith and the way that he has responded to the challenges that he has faced, has impacted the lives of so many people.”

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Pro Connections

PHOTOS BY HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

DeMeco RyansBama’s leading linebacker from 2005 still calling shots

Fans may remember the bittersweet highs and lows of the 2005 Alabama football season: the return of a healthy Brodie Croyle, “The Catch” made famous by wideout Tyrone Prothro, his

subsequent injury in a blowout victory over Florida, the Tide’s undefeated record up to the heartbreaking losses to LSU and Auburn. But most will always remember the punishing 2005 defense which so resembled the veteran squad of last year’s national championship team, ranking in the country’s top 10 in nearly every category. And at

Troy Farsoun


Pro Connections

the heart of it was outside linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

Finishing his senior year at Alabama with 76 tackles and 9.5 tackles for a loss, Ryans was the first pick in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft, picked up by the Houston Texans. After a huge showing in the preseason, the Texans moved him into the middle linebacker position, where he then started every game of the regular season.

Ryans made an immediate impact on the Texan’s defense, which had been struggling for years. In his first game alone, he recorded 12 solo tackles, a league high. In fact, for most of the 2006 season, he led the entire team in tackles, eventually winning the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He finished the year with 155 tackles. After another dominating performance in 2007 in which he led the team in tackles for a second year in a row, DeMeco Ryans was named the starting linebacker for the 2008 Pro Bowl.

Ryans always credited his preparedness for the NFL to former Alabama defensive coordinator Joe Kines. In an interview with Bama Magazine in 2006, he told the publication, “Coach Joe Kines did a good job of preparing me, technique wise. The linebacker position is all about learning how to run a defense and learning all about defense. [Kines] did a great job of teaching me.”

Ryans is reported to have signed a six-year $48 million contract extension through the 2015 season, making him one of the highest paid linebackers in the league. Displaying the same leadership he showed throughout his career with Alabama, Ryans is also the defensive captain on the Houston Texans’ squad, and has been calling the signals from the inside line-backer position since his rookie season. He was named to a second Pro Bowl in 2010 as his contribu-tions to the team led the Texans to their first winning season at 9-7. Ryans has made over 100 tackles in each season of his NFL career, and seems to be well on his way to another as he has recorded 47 total tackles just five games into the regular season.

In his first game alone, he recorded 12 solo tackles, a league high.

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1 How many career victories did Paul “Bear” Bryant amass?

2 Which post-season bowl games have been affiliated with automatic tie-ins to the SEC?a. the Independence Bowl, the Music City Bowl, and the Liberty Bowlb. the meineke Car Care Bowl,the Alamo Bowl, and the Sun Bowlc. the poinsettia Bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl and the Emerald Bowld. the Gator Bowl, the Armed Forces Bowl, and the Humanitarian Bowl

a. 303b. 312

c. 323d. 333

3 The 1965 Orange Bowl, played between Texas and Alabama, was the first played____________.a. on New Year’s Dayb. under artificial lightsc. on national televisiond. on Spanish radio

4 Joe Namath went by what nickname?

a. “Alabama Joe”b. “Broadway Joe”

c. “Joltin’ Joe”d. “Hollywood Joe”

5 What jersey number did Joe Namath wear at Alabama?a. 10b. 11

c. 12d. 13

Answers to the 5 questions above: 1. C, 2. A, 3. B, 4. B, 5. C

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My First Game

On September 10, 2005, a moment happened in Alabama football that will never be forgotten. While

losing 21-10 to Southern Mississippi in the first half, with 25 seconds left before halftime, quarterback Brodie Croyle threw a Hail Mary pass to Tyrone Prothro. Prothro reached behind defender Jasper Faulk’s head, caught the ball, and held it tightly against Faulk’s shoulderpad while both players tumbled to the ground. They landed in the end zone.

Although the referees eventually called Prothro’s knee down at the one yard line, the Tide scored on the next play. This reception deemed Prothro the “Pontiac Game Changing Performer of the Year,” and he was awarded a 2006 ESPY.

Videos of this classic play, known as “The Catch,” are scattered all over the internet. Even now, five years later, it is still talked about often. Although it is a memorable moment for Alabama fans everywhere, it is considered especially significant to those who were actually in the stadium that day.

One of those fans is Debby Faught. Faught is a junior at the University of Mobile, where she is majoring in communications and inter-cultural

studies. Growing up in Greensboro, Ala., less

than an hour from Tuscaloosa, Faught experienced Alabama football her entire life. Her stepfather, Greg Bryant, is actually a former Alabama baseball player. “My stepdad’s family tailgates, so

I went to the game with them,” she said. “Little did I know, it was going to be an unforgettable game.”

Faught described the game as being very intense. “The entire game was really awesome…especially Prothro’s catch. I did not sit down much because it

Jennifer Underwood

A Memorable Moment:

Fan witnessed The Catch at her first game


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was so exciting,” she recalls. “You could not help but to get into the game with the surrounding Alabama fans.”

Faught describes her experience at that game as being unforgettable. She said, “I remember watching it happen and going, ‘Did he really just catch that? Wow!’ Now, every time I see the clip it takes me back to that game, that end zone, that Crimson Tide moment!”

Every Alabama fan will tell you that they had a memorable first game. In fact, for many, their introduction to the Tide occurred during the reign of Bear Bryant, or while Joe Namath played on the field. To some, there may not have been anything in particular that made their first game special, but just being the stands with their fellow fans was enough. However, for some, like Debby Faught, their first game will live in the back of their minds forever.

The night that Tyrone Prothro made this impossible catch will never be forgotten. People everywhere will remember the catch that has been integrated into Alabama tradition. Prothro will certainly never forget an extraordinary play so highly celebrated.

However, there are those select few who will have this instant seared into their memories forever. Debby Faught is one Alabama fan who will never forget her first game. As she hears people discuss this moment, or views videos online, she will always remember that she was in the stadium, under the big screen, screaming “Roll Tide” as “the catch” was made.

Fan witnessed The Catch at her first game

34 | TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA

Tailgater of the Week

Tailgating from two perspectives:Father-son duo, Ole Miss Alumnus Share the Quad

Jennifer Gorham


Some Tide fans celebrate a game by tailgating beforehand with friends, but some choose to spend the day with family.

For Riley Geary, 14, and his father John Geary, nothing is sweeter than spending a birthday on the Quad. John, an alumnus of the University, celebrated his birthday with son Riley last week. He graduated from UA with a degree in corporate finance and now resides in Atlanta, Ga.

Although the Iron Bowl is their favorite game to watch together, cele-brating his father’s birthday and watching Ole Miss get a “beat down” will go down as one of Riley’s favorites this season.

“I guess since this is my dad’s birthday, I will have to say Ole Miss [is his favorite game],” Riley said.

This was Riley’s first time at the Capstone and he plans on attending UA after high school.

As for the Geary’s game day neighbor, Banks Shephard visited from Oxford and enjoyed the festivities Tuscaloosa had to offer. For many reasons, he hasn’t been able to venture to Tuscaloosa every season, but he has made an appearance six or seven times.

“The problem has always been rush,” Shephard confessed. “It [Tuscaloosa] is a great town for football.”

Shephard graduated from Ole Miss

in 2009 with a marketing and communi-cations degree. While the Quad crawls with fans dressed to the nines in shades of crimson, he takes notice of the large crowds and compares it to the Grove at his alma mater.

“Tuscaloosa has modernized [compared to Oxford] and the amount of people is impressing,” he admitted. “People come to Tuscaloosa as a spectacle. They come to see football.”

He readily admitted that Alabama has had more success than Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa. But, regardless of which team they pull for, fans are treated with respect on the Quad, and fun follows those who come out to support their team.

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Homecoming Parade Pride


Recruiting

Future Tide Stars Take in Game

Atmosphere has Huge Effect on Recruits

Alabama’s blow-out win against the Florida Gators, 31-6, dramatically affected recruits throughout the country.

That weekend was the biggest recruiting event the University of Alabama has probably ever experienced. Some of the Tide’s clear-cut targets were in atten-dance that night: Isaiah Crowell, running back from Georgia, along with his teammate, Gabriel Wright, Tony Steward, the No. 1 linebacker in the country, athlete Quan Bray, offensive lineman Xzavier Ward, defensive end Xzavier Dixon, offensive tackle Bobby Hart, top tight end Nick O’Leary,

running back Buck Allen, and literally over thirty 2012 prospects.

Nick Saban probably spent as much time with the 2012 prospects as he did with the 2011 ones, especially since the Tide has anywhere from five to eight spots left in that class, having already secured 19 commitments. It is safe to say that the crowd, game day atmosphere and Alabama’s stomping of the Gators swayed many prospects in attendance towards the Crimson Tide.

One player the Tide has made a priority is Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell, from Carver-Columbus High School. So far, Crowell’s recruitment has been a two-way race between Alabama and

Georgia, with Saban pitching the idea that Crowell could be the next back in Bama’s running back rotation after Mark Ingram goes pro. Georgia coach Mark Richt has tried to keep Crowell in-state by telling him that Georgia wants to get all the top prospects, called the “All-Star” team, in the state to go with the Bulldogs. With the combination of the Alabama vs. Florida game atmosphere and Georgia’s being off to one of its worst season starts in recent memory, not only has the Tide taken the lead with Crowell, but its lead seems to be growing every week.

Following the game, Coach Saban could not have given Crowell a better compliment than when he said if he had

Crowell GulledgeCalloway

Mike Parker

PHOTOS BY RIVALS.COM


to pick one player in the country at running back, it would be Crowell. With the recent decision by Demetrius Hart, whom the Tide did not seriously pursue, to commit to Michigan, look for the Tide to put a full-court press on Crowell.

Crowell is a different kind of back than those the Tide has had in recent years; he has lightning break-away speed, but will have to put on some weight to run effectively for the Tide’s system. The Tide should not lose out on Crowell, but never count Mark Richt out of a race for the signature of an in-state Georgia prospect…he will fight to the end. Should Bama lose out on Crowell, it will be interesting to see if the Tide will go for the bigger back, Buck Allen, or wait to pick up a pair of running backs in 2012. A much more physical runner than Crowell, Allen resembles Eddie Lacy, the current third back for the Tide.

Over the Florida game weekend, the Tide got its second commit for 2012 and a top in-state kid in Caleb Gulledge, who got his recruitment over quickly by pledging to Saban before Alabama and Florida took to the field. Gulledge, at 6-foot-4-inches, 265 pounds, and only 16 years old with room to grow, will start out playing defensive end for the Tide’s defense. Gulledge joins Eddie Williams from Panama City, Fla., as the first two commits in the class of 2012. A HUGE get for the Tide, Williams, who already stands 6-foot-4-inches and weighs in at 200 pounds, is projected to play an extremely gifted safety for the Tide. Probably the No. 1 prospect out of the state of Florida next year, Williams’ recruitment to Alabama had to put a bad taste in Urban Meyer’s mouth.

The Tide also gained ground on another top 2012 target, Reggie Ragland.

At 6-foot-4-inches, 250 pounds, Ragland is being recruited by the Tide as a jack linebacker. After the game, Ragland’s exact words were, “If it got any louder, it would have hurt everyone’s ears. It was insane!”

Ragland watched Courtney Upshaw very closely during the game and said of him, “That dude is a straight-up beast.” Reggie Ragland is sure to be a priority for the Tide.

The in-state crop in Alabama for 2012 looks like it could possibly be as good as the 2008 class, which included such outstanding players as Julio Jones, Mark Barron, Courtney Upshaw, Tyler Love, Gerald Harris, Marcel Darius, and Robert Lester…and the list goes on and on.

Mike Parker hosts Crimson Cover each Saturday on the radio, 8-10 a. m. on 99.1 the Goose, and on TV, 10-10:30 a.m. on WVUA. Contact Mike at (205) 799-2137 or [email protected].

TDAL: Let’s talk a little bit about Brent Calloway and what a season he’s having. How is your season going?DG: Pretty good. Other than one game [49-28 loss to Walker], we are doing alright.

TDAL: I know Calloway is having a great season as a running back, but is he playing any defense?DG: Not quite as much as he did last year. He is such a big part of our offense, we can’t put him on the field as much on defense as we’d like.

TDAL: How would you describe the way he runs the ball? He’s pretty fast and physical as well. At least that’s the way he looks on film.DG: He’s a great talent. He’s big, and he has a lot of power. He’s also got a lot of athletic speed. He’s kind of a slasher-type runner, but always going up-field.

TDAL: Now, with Calloway projected to play linebacker, and with his having such a huge season as running back, does that make him think twice about what position he will play at the next level?DG: I don’t know about that. But, I don’t think he really cares which position he plays.

TDAL: What do you think Brent’s greatest asset as a football player is? DG: He’s got an unreal amount of natural talent. He’s a good kid, very conscientious about what he wants to do with the amount of ability the good Lord’s given him.

Brent Calloway, who committed to Alabama in June 2009, is having a monster senior year rushing the ball. The linebacker for Russellville High School in Russellville, Ala., has some big games under his belt, like when he rushed 28 times for 226

yards and two touchdowns against Walker. Another big break-out game for Calloway had was when he rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant 35-14 win over East Limestone. Calloway’s coach, Doug Goodwin, talks about Calloway’s outstanding abilities:

SUPER SENIOR SEASON 2011 Bama recruit having fantastic year!

News

LSU at Auburn 2:30 CBS Auburn feels as if they were in a heavyweight boxing

match against Arkansas, as both teams combined to score 108 points, the most ever scored in a regulation SEC contest. Quarterback Cam Newton continues to impress Heisman voters, as the JUCO transfer accounted for 70 percent of Auburn’s total offense, throwing for 140 yards and rushing for 188. LSU extended the nation’s longest non-conference win streak to 32. The Bayou Bengals are 7-0 for the first time since 1973 after having a tune-up game with McNeese State and defeating the Cowboys 32-10. Quarterback Jarrett Lee finished the day 9-of-16 for 75 yards, while freshman Michael Ford rushed for 86 yards on 10 carries and a pair of scores.

This contest will pit, arguably, the best offense against the best defense in the conference. Auburn is leading the SEC in total offense, while LSU boasts the best total defense. The key to the game may be special teams, as Auburn is next-to-last in the conference in net punting, whereas LSU is second in punt return yardage.

Ole Miss at Arkansas 11:30 SEC Network The newly-adopted Rebel Black Bear mascot at Ole

Miss did not get off to the best of starts, as the Rebels suffered a 23-10 loss to Alabama during the Crimson Tide’s homecoming weekend. Transfer Jeremiah Masoli was 18-of-40 for 110 yards, a touchdown and a pick, while the Rebel offense managed 133 yards rushing. Ole Miss came into the game ranked the best team in the conference in penalties and points per game. Both of those fell by the wayside as Ole Miss was flagged 12 times and only scored 10 points. The Hogs suffered a heartbreaking loss to Auburn, and even more importantly lost Ryan Mallett for the rest of the game with a concussion. Backup Tyler Wilson came in and did not miss a beat, completing 13 straight and four touchdowns. A late fumble, however, seemed to unglue the offense, and Wilson threw back-to-back interceptions to seal their fate.

Arkansas edges the overall win column with a 29-26-1 record. Last year’s contest gave Ole Miss a convincing win, defeating Arkansas 30-17. Arkansas will look to get revenge in this game with a potent passing attack and a very susceptible Ole Miss secondary.

South Carolina at Vanderbilt 6:00 Fox Sports SouthSouth Carolina became the fourth-straight squad to beat

the No.1-ranked team then lose the following week. The Wildcats, down 28-10 at the half, scored 21 unanswered points to defeat the Gamecocks 31-28. Garcia did throw a career-high 382 yards and 2 touchdowns, but four turnovers turned out costly in the outcome of the game. The loss threw the door wide open for a race for the Eastern Division crown. Vanderbilt is coming off a 43-0 drubbing by the Georgia Bulldogs, which would have been the largest margin of victory in the series if it weren’t for a missed field goal in the fourth quarter. The Commodore offense could only gain 140 yards total and was 1-of-11 on third down conversions.

South Carolina’s defensive front is very good, ranked second in the country in sacks and second in the conference in rushing defense. It just all depends on which Stephen Garcia shows up, a question which has frustrated coach Steve Spurrier all year long. South Carolina looks to get a win over Vanderbilt in pursuit of their first Eastern Division crown.

Other SEC Games:Game Time Station Alabama at Tennessee 6:00 ESPNUAB at Mississippi State 6:00 ESPNUGeorgia at Kentucky 6:30 CSS

Injury Report Alabama offensive lineman D.J. Fluker remains

questionable and will be day-to-day after suffering a strained groin during the South Carolina game.

Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett suffered a concussion during the Auburn game and will be monitored to determine if he will have to miss any games.

Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins left the game against Mississippi State with an undisclosed injury and is questionable for their contest on Oct. 30 against Georgia.

South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore rolled his left ankle early in the second half against Kentucky. Lattimore will be day-to-day to determine if he is ready to go against Vanderbilt

Coe Robbins


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BIG ALBIG ALThe EVOLUTION of a MASCOT

The sight of Big Al is so commonplace at University of Alabama events that fans would find it far stranger if

they did not see their beloved mascot ambling throughout the crowd, posing for pictures and delighting the public. But how did the Crimson Tide mascot come to be?

The image of an elephant storming the field was first conjured in the minds of Tuscaloosa sports fans in 1930 when a writer by the name of Everett Strupper described the Alabama football team in

the Atlanta Journal as, “a typical [Alabama head coach Wallace] Wade machine, powerful, big, tough, fast, aggressive, well-schooled in fundamen-tals, and the best blocking team for this early in the season that I have ever seen. When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes.

“Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, ‘Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,’ and out stamped this Alabama varsity.” The Tide won the national title that year, and from then on

the elephant became both a mascot and a symbol for Alabama prowess.

Big Al officially made his costumed debut in 1979, when Paul “Bear” Bryant and his elite Crimson Tide squad took on Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions in the infamous Sugar Bowl that gave Bryant his fifth national title. Over the years the costume has changed with the times, sporting various eye sizes, different jerseys, floppier trunks, but never losing the energy and spunk fans from around the nation have come to love.

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