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Touchdown Alabama Magazine P.O. Box 3251 Tuscaloosa, Al 35403
September 9, 2010 | Volume 3, Issue 2
In This Issue 8
President/Publisher
Pregame Preview
10
Exclusive: Blast From the Past
12
Exclusive: The Team Behind the Scenes
14
JoePa and The Tide
16
Rosters
18
Pro Connections: Ozzie Newsome
21
Larry's Lowdown
22
Opposing Team
23
Player Spotlight: Robert Lester
26
SEC News
28
Tide Trivia
29
Recruit of the Week: Vinnie Sunseri
30
Tide Traditions
32
Quick Glance: Duke
34
Q & A:
36
My First Game
38
Tailgater of the Week
40
Catching Up with Billy Neighbors
42
Showing Pride in the Tide
Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Bennie Bice Mike Lacy
Managing Editor Copyeditor Photography
Jessica Temple Micah Phillips BDL Matt Gaston Tim Bailey Rivals.com Flashlight Media Group
Creative Director Graphic Design Chief Information Officer Website Designer Public Relations Customer Relations National Sales Director
Jenifer McCormick Cassandra Johnson Tramayne Wright Brian LaShomb Carey Landon Eric Hudson Herb Neu George W. Garmon
Account Executives
Rebecca Ashley Kimberly Carter Mike Long
Writers
Jessica Brown Larry Burton Troy Farsoun Jennifer Gorham Mike Parker Coe Robbins Donald Staffo Chris Tubbs Thomas Watts
Reporters
Johnathan McMath T.J. Paysinger
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Letter from the Editors: Dear Readers: The Tide is on a roll for 2010 and we want to keep it going! This week is our first big game of the season. Even though it’s not an in-conference game, Penn State represents a football legacy and presents a challenge as Alabama’s first ranked opponent this year. For those of you lucky enough to attend the opening game, we hope you felt at home in the expanded BryantDenny. We hope all of you enjoyed our expanded layout as well! As always, we need your feedback! Let us know what you love and what we need to work on. We are always up for new ideas from our readers, so let us know what you want to see in Touchdown Alabama! Next week the Tide travels to Duke, so subscribers can access our digital magazine at touchdownalabama.net.
ON THE COVER Trent Richardson #3
So.
RB
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MISSION STATEMENT
5-11/220
Trent Richardson racked up 751 yards rushing and eight touchdowns as a true freshman last season and is starting off strong again this time around. With Heisman winner Mark Ingram out with an injury, Richardson stated in the opening game. He amassed 146 all-purpose yards against San Jose State, including a 34-yard kick return, 3 receptions for 46 yards and 66 rushing yards. He scored two touchdowns. Richardson, from Pensacola, Fla., won the Johnny Musso Offensive Back Award following 2010 spring practice. Photography by Time Bailey.
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“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.”
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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
Pregame Preview
RETURN OF THE
RIVALS: Big Ten vs.
SEC
Pregame Preview Jennifer Gorham
Two powerhouses will go head-to-head and only one will come out on top
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wo historical rivals meet again for a game to last week against Youngstown State. When asked about go down in the history books. On Sept. 11, the Alabama game he had some insight into what the Penn State ventures into Bryant-Denny team needs to work on coming into this weekend. Stadium to slug it out against the Tide for “We have a lot to do this week: working on chemistry, the first time in two decades. Although working on timing, working on all that stuff,” Brackett most freshmen at the Capstone were not even born the told gopsusports.com. “It's going to be a tremendous year Penn State shut out Alabama 9-0 in a frustrating challenge and we are excited for the opportunity, but we loss, they will witness a tradition come alive. really have to work hard and focus on the little things Penn State has a legend in their midst. Joe Paterno, and we'll see what happens.” also known as “JoePa,” is starting his 45th season with Senior kicker Collin Wagner hit a career-best kick at the Penn State Nittany Lions. He has surpassed Paul 49 yards during the season opener and told gopsusports. “Bear” Bryant for the most career wins in football history. com the standards he has for himself. This game will hold a special place for many Tide fans “Anything inside 50 yards I expect myself to make; because Paterno coached against the legendary “Bear” whether it is 25 yards or 48 yards,” Wagner admitted. Bryant and he is a link to an era that is unforgettable and The Crimson Tide is coming off a win against San Jose close to the hearts of thousands. State in which the Heisman-Trophy winner, Mark The last time Penn State and Alabama duked it out Ingram, had to sit out because of a knee problem. was the 1990 homecoming game where the Tide faced a Sophomore running back Trent Richardson stepped in shut-out. The Nittany Lions didn’t even score a for Ingram and totaled 114 yards, 68 rushing and 46 touchdown, but won by three field goals. through the air. While most expect Ingram to be back in The Nittany Lions have several fresh faces on the field full swing this week, the Nittany Lions have had their eye this season. One new face in particular, Rob Bolden, has on Richardson and are prepared. fans on both sides taking a second look. Paterno reveals “They have Richardson back there,” senior linebacker to gopsusports.com what makes Bani Gbadyu told gopsusports. Bolden shine. com. “I think he is unbelievable. I When his team clenched “Let me put it this way,” Paterno have been watching him on film a said. “He got here in May, and lot. They are not going to miss a the national title of the when you come in and learn a new beat with Richardson in.” 1978 season from the system at quarterback it's like Senior quarterback Greg learning a new language. We had McElroy didn’t disappoint when he Nittany Lions, Bryant to put that program together to completed 13-of-15 passes for 218 said, "There is only one help him learn. He learned Spanish yards and one touchdown against team that could have this week. Next week, he has to the Spartans. Linebacker Dont’a learn Mandarin-Chinese, and be revealed to rolltide.com stopped Penn State on the Hightower fluent in it on the road [against that all the team needs is to get rest goal line and that team is and treatment to get ready for Bama].” Bolden made a dazzling Penn State. Alabama." premier last week against This game is sure to meet fans’ Youngstown State. He threw for expectations and live up to the 239 yards and two touchdowns. He is the first true hype swirling around this battle. When his team clenched freshman to start for Paterno in a season opener. Another the national title of the 1978 season from the Nittany player to watch for is the one Bolden connected with, Lions, Bryant said, "There is only one team that could and that is 6-foot-6 wide receiver, Brett Brackett. have stopped Penn State on the goal line and that team is Brackett was recently named a captain of the Nittany Alabama.” Lions and had a career-best 22-yard touchdown reception This week, we will see if the same holds true in 2010.
touchdownalabama.net |
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Exclusive
Chris Tubbs
Penn State: Blast from the Past
S
ome Alabama football games are played every year, and every year, Tide fans look forward to playing teams like Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Auburn. They can feel safe in knowing that next season, they will be playing them again. Some games, though, are fairly rare. This Saturday is indeed one of those rare games, as the Nittany Lions have not squared off against the Crimson Tide since 1990, Coach Stallings’ first season as Alabama Head Coach. While that game was fairly disastrous for the Tide (a 9-0 loss in front of 70,000 fans at BryantDenny Stadium), Alabama has managed to fend off Penn State
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with a 9-5 all-time record. Visiting Legend While this winning record officially started with Coach Xen C. Scott in 1922, Coach Paul Bryant was responsible for several early wins, despite an initial loss at the Liberty Bowl in 1959. The Tide had Coach Bryant, but the Nittany Lions still have their own prolific head coach in the shape of Joe Paterno. Both coaches are in fact quite similar. Paterno, regularly referred to as JoePa, is as much an institution at Penn State as Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant is to Alabama. Bryant had a winning average of .78 with a 25-year career at Alabama, and Paterno
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
has managed to keep a .751 average and is now in his 45th year as head coach. That means every coach since Bryant who has led the Tide against the Lions has faced the same man: Joe Paterno. Coaches Bryant and Bill Curry were both able to fend off Paterno without a single loss, while Ray Perkins and Gene Stallings weren’t quite as lucky. Bringing JoePa and his Nittany Lions back to Tuscaloosa is like importing a legend to challenge the champions. While the Nittany Lions aren’t the fiercest competitors in the league, they do consistently win games, and have been doing so for 45 years. The Crimson Tide, on the other hand, have just relearned to believe in their head coach after
years of mediocrity and vacated wins. It’s the expectation of a win versus the strength to earn a win. The Crimson Tide is the reigning BCS Champion; however, Alabama had to pull itself from a period of stagnation into greatness, and that’s much easier said than done. The Tide is not yet convinced that they can sail by the success of the previous season. They know full well that it takes work to get to the national title game. Reliving the Past For many Alabama fans, the Texas Longhorns will always be a team worth playing. Something about playing a team for the national title leaves lasting effects on the fans. The same can be said for Penn State. In 1978, Alabama not only reached the National Championship game, but played, and beat,
Penn State for the title. For fans that remember that game, Penn State is that final obstacle, that last villain left to be conquered before greatness is attained. Every chance to replay the Lions is yet another time to relive that past glory. While many students currently attending the University of Alabama weren’t even alive the last time the Tide played Penn State, competition against the Lions was indeed a fact of life in the 80s, when the teams met on the gridiron for ten years straight. So, playing the Lions is a blast from the past for many Alabama fans. It means hearkening back to a decade of success, which does nothing if not instill trust and hope for the decade of college football to come. Relating to the Present A lot has changed since 1990.
The last time Penn State came to town, Bryant-Denny seated only 70,123 fans, and Alabama played many of its game at Legion Field in Birmingham. But Penn State’s return to Alabama marks a villain’s return to the fray. If this game can’t bring the past and the present together, nothing can. This isn’t just any ordinary game. Just because it’s not Auburn, Florida or Tennessee, doesn’t mean it’s not one of the biggest games of the season. If any game deserves fans, it has to be this one. Not pleasant, quiet fans who sit in their seat for the duration of game, but loud, dedicated, enthusiastic fans that can be heard from far outside the stadium, fans that scream so loud at their television that they can be heard down the street. Basically, fans just itching to belt out “Rammer Jammer” at the end of the game.
Alabama vs. Penn State All-Time Record Date Score November 4, 1922 December 19, 1959 December 31, 1975 January 1, 1979 November 14, 1981 October 9, 1982 October 8, 1983 October 13, 1984 October 12, 1985 October 25, 1986 September 12, 1987 October 22, 1988 October 28, 1989 October 27, 1990
W L W W W W L W L L W W W L
UA 9 - Penn 7 UA 0 - Penn 7 UA 13 - Penn 6 UA 14 - Penn 7 UA 31 - Penn16 UA 42 - Penn 21 UA 28 - Penn 34 UA 6 - Penn 0 UA 17 - Penn 19 UA 3 - Penn 23 UA 24 - Penn 13 UA 8 - Penn 3 UA 17 - Penn 16 UA 0 - Penn 9
Alabama Head Coach Xen C. Scott Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Ray Perkins Ray Perkins Ray Perkins Ray Perkins Bill Curry Bill Curry Bill Curry Gene Stallings
touchdownalabama.net |
11
Exclusive
The Team Behind the Scenes Rebecca Ashley
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G
etting a win is a team effort for the Crimson Tide. But it takes an even bigger team just to get that team on the field each week. Paul Wuebold joined the UA team as Executive Director of Facilities and Grounds Operations a year and a half ago. He can’t guarantee a win, but it is his job to make sure the game experience is an enjoyable one for fans. From making sure the lights come on for night games to having enough trash cans to handle the expanded stadium, he works to make game days go smoothly and allow campus to return to a normal by Monday morning. According to their mission statement, the facilities department exists “to provide an attractive, clean, comfortable, safe and healthy environment that is well maintained and functional for use by the University of Alabama community as we work, learn and live.” Considering that the University has over 30,000 students and employees, and becomes home to four times that many on Saturdays in the fall, that’s a big job. Wuebold’s team coordinates facility maintenance, transportation, vendors, custodial services and grounds keeping to create a positive environment for the game day experience. It’s a job he takes seriously. “I would say we are the warm-up band for
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
game day,” he said. Wuebold said his department makes and important contribution to the overall game day experience, and he is proud to be a pert of it. “The dedication, spirit and excitement of the fans when they show up days before game day,” is one of his favorite things about Alabama. “But most of all on game day when the motorcade comes through University and sirens are blaring, and fans [are] cheering just gives me chills and a sense of pride to be apart of this university,” he said. Wuebold said his team has to get an early start to preparing for each home game. “It begins on Wednesday before game day, starting with restroom trailers being positioned and ready for use, power outlets connected and PHOTO (ABOVE) BY BDL
“The dedication, spirit and excitement of the fans when they show up days before game day,” is one of his favorite things about Alabama. “But most of all on game day when the motorcade comes through University and sirens are blaring, and fans [are] cheering just gives me chills and a sense of pride to be apart of this university.” -Paul Wuebold
placed in approved areas for tailgating, recycle and garbage receptacles are placed through out campus, reserved tailgating and vendor areas are marked [and] grounds are landscaped and refreshed.” They work until the last minute, on Friday at 6 pm, when tailgaters flood the campus. Wuebold said he can’t compare this year to past seasons at UA, since he is new in town, but compared to other university communities he’s lived in, “the fan base here is electrified with loyalty and enthusiasm I have not experiPHOTO (RIGHT) BY REBECCA ASHLEY
enced with any other university.” Wuebold says he is looking forward to a good season, especially for junior running back and Heisman winner Mark Ingram. Ingram was one of the highlights for Wuebold last year. “Anytime Mark Ingram got the football I knew something magical would happen that defied odds, laws of gravity and physics.” Wuebold suggest that to make the most of the game day experience, fans should visit the University’s game day site at uagameday.com. touchdownalabama.net |
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Larry Burton
JoePa and the Tide:
An in-depth look at the history between Alabama and Penn State
T
Larry Burton
his week the Crimson Tide and Nittany Lions re-unite in a rivalry that hasn’t been played for over 20 years. It has always been a rivalry based on respect and mutual admiration. That respect and mutual admiration has been based mostly on the reputations of the coaches who have guided their teams into those contests. Few men and fewer coaches are admired more than Joe Paterno and this sentiment extends to most of the Bama fans. So let’s take a look at the series that is about to be renewed, along with the results during the Joe Paterno era that saw him face off with Alabama coaches from Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant on.
Dec. 31st, 1975 – Sugar Bowl – #4 Alabama met #8 Penn State
Alabama won the game 13-6 in a defensive struggle that marked the first meeting of JoePa and the Bear. Penn State could never get the offense going and on the best chance they had to tie the game up, Penn State QB Jon Andress got picked off by Bama defensive back Mark Prudhomme on the Bama six yard line. JoePa would comment later that Alabama had the better team and Penn State just needed a break they never got. Penn State wound up 9-3 and finished tenth while the Tide finished third that year.
Jan. 1st, 1979 – Sugar Bowl – National Championship Game
Prior to the game, both coaches spoke of what a great coach the other was and what a great team the other had. Coming
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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
into that game, Penn State was number one and Alabama was number two. It was a rare match up of number one and two meeting and it was another defensive struggle. It is a game that will be remembered as one of the best championship games ever played. Alabama had played over the heads on defense the entire game and with the win on the line late in the fourth quarter and Penn State right on the goal line, the Tide players told the Lions, “You’d better pass because you aren’t going to run it in on us.” Paterno wanted to throw the ball on fourth down and goal from the one, following three great run stops by the Tide, but was talked out of it by his assistants. On fourth down Barry Kraus stopped PSU running back Matt Suhey at the one foot line in the famous goal line stand since immortalized in legend and paintings. It gave Alabama the National Championship, but left Penn State with nothing to be ashamed of. It made Penn State a team revered by Alabama fans as full of class and one tough team and coach. Later Paterno would say of the game that it was one of the most intense games he ever participated in and that neither team gave an inch without a fight. He said it was indeed a game between two champions. Coach Bryant called it one of the most defining games of his life, and said it showed what heart and class are all about.
Nov. 14th, 1981 – Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.
By now coaches Bryant and Paterno were good friends, and both thought they should schedule another game to keep this rivalry alive. Neither knew at the time they scheduled it that the game would have such high-ranking teams meeting and such ramifications for the loser. The Tide was ranked number six and PHOTO FROM THE PATRIOT-NEWS
Penn State was 7-1 and ranked in the top 10, but the crushing 31-16 game killed any hope of Penn State making it to a title game. After the game Paterno said that you have to find something good in every game to learn from and maybe his team has now learned they need to work a lot harder.
Oct. 9th, 1982 – Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.
Stung by the lopsided loss the year before, the Nittany Lions did indeed go back to work. They entered the game ranked number three in the nation and the Tide was ranked number four. It was just one more game with big national ramifications between these two. This game was actually close for most of the game until Jeremiah Casteele intercepted a forth quarter pass from Todd Blackledge with the Tide ahead 24-21. They would pour on 18 fourthquarter points and make the game look much worse than it really was. In an ironic twist of football fate, the Tide would crush PSU 42-21 and drop State to eighth in the polls. However, the Lions regrouped to win six in a row, including a Sugar Bowl win over number
one Georgia and went on to take the National Championship. Meanwhile, Alabama fell apart and lost four of their next seven games, barely finishing in the top 20.
Oct. 8th, 1983 – Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.
This game saw Alabama come in as the nation’s fourth-rated team against an unranked PSU squad. Alabama fans had reason to feel confident the streak would continue against a Penn State team that had struggles earlier in the year. It was also a game with a new Alabama coach, Ray Perkins. Alabama had their chances to win the game and the game was mired in controversy. With eight seconds left to and trailing 28-34, Alabama tight end Preston Gothard was ruled out of the end zone with a catch that would have won the game with an extra point. The replay, however, showed that he was clearly in bounds and was robbed of a touchdown. Then, in a game of true reversals of history, it was Alabama with just one second left on the two yard line and just one more chance to win it. Just as Alabama had once defeated Penn State with a goal line stand, this time Alabama running back Kerry Goode was stopped at the one by Greg Gattuso and cornerback Mark Fruehan. That loss spiraled Alabama down the polls and they would lose three more times to finish 8-4 and fifteenth in the final poll that year.
Oct. 13th, 1984 – Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.
Alabama vowed revenge and got it with a 6-0 win in a defensive slugfest. Penn State was eleventh in the nation and Bama was unranked. Just as the previous year’s loss caused Alabama to spiral down, this loss was the beginning of the end for Penn State, who went on to lose four of the final six games and barely have a winning season at 6-5. The win was a bright spot for Alabama, continued on page 45 touchdownalabama.net |
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Alabama Football Roster NO NAME 82 Earl Alexander 19 Jonathan Atchison 31 John Baites 4 Mark Barron 7 Kenny Bell 86 Undra Billingsley 69 David Blalock 93 Chris Bonds 67 John Michael Boswell 88 Michael Bowman 37 Hardie Buck 87 Drew Bullard 34 Hunter Bush 20 Nate Carlson 77 James Carpenter 33 Caleb Castille 99 Josh Chapman 57 Marcell Dareus 96 Luther Davis 51 Michael DeJohn 85 Preston Dial 40 DeMarcus DuBose 13 Rob Ezell 76 D.J. Fluker 43 Cade Foster 45 Jalston Fowler 10 John Fulton 95 Colin Gallagher 58 Nick Gentry 6 Demetrius Goode 25 Corey Grant 23 Robby Green 15 Darius Hanks 54 Glenn Harbin 48 Rowdy Harrell 5 Jerrell Harris 30 Dont’a Hightower 15 Mark Holt 21 Ben Howell 42 Adrian Hubbard 22 Mark Ingram 62 Brandon Ivory 35 Nico Johnson 57 Aaron Joiner 75 Barrett Jones 40 Harrison Jones 8 Julio Jones 9 Phelon Jones 36 Chris Jordan 43 Sam Kearns 26 Kendall Kelly 10 J.B. Kern 21 Dre Kirkpatrick 59 Arie Kouandjio 42 Eddie Lacy 37 Robert Lester 95 Brandon Lewis 78 Chad Lindsay 72 Tyler Love
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P CLS HT WR SR 6-4 LB FR 6-2 TE JR 6-4 DE JR 6-2 WR FR 6-1 TE/DL SO 6-2 OL JR 6-5 DL FR 6-4 OL JR 6-5 WR SO 6-4 WR SO 5-9 LB JR 6-3 DE SO 5-11 RB JR 6-4 OL SR 6-5 DE FR 5-11 DL JR 6-1 DL JR 6-4 DL SR 6-3 LB SR 6-1 TE SR 6-3 LB JR 6-1 WR SR 5-10 OL FR 6-6 PK FR 6-1 RB/LB FR 6-1 DE FR 6-0 PK SR 5-10 DL JR 6-1 RB JR 5-10 RB FR 5-9 DE JR 6-0 WR JR 6-0 DL/LB SO 6-5 LB JR 6-0 LB JR 6-3 LB SO 6-4 DE SR 6-1 RB SO 5-9 LB FR 6-6 RB JR 5-10 DL FR 6-4 LB SO 6-3 OL SO 6-2 OL SO 6-5 TE FR 6-4 WR JR 6-4 DE JR 5-11 LB JR 6-3 DE JR 5-6 WR FR 6-3 LB SR 6-1 DE SO 6-3 OL FR 6-5 RB FR 6-0 DE SO 6-2 DL JR 6-3 OL FR 6-2 OL SO 6-6
WT 207 228 235 210 172 269 255 263 291 225 184 232 181 230 300 163 310 306 279 237 237 240 172 340 221 236 179 194 282 191 186 181 184 260 213 231 260 172 193 227 215 335 238 258 301 235 220 199 232 156 214 232 190 335 212 206 274 277 304
HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Phenix City, Ala. Central Atlanta, Ga. Douglass Hendersonville, Tenn. Beech Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s Rayville, La. Rayville Birmingham, Ala. Woodlawn Charlotte, N.C. Providence Columbia, S.C. Richland Northeast Northport, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Rossville, Ga. Ridgeland Birmingham, Ala. Vestavia Hills Florence, Ala. Florence Wetumpka, Ala. Wetumpka Birmingham, Ala. Air Force Augusta, Ga. Coffeyville CC Birmingham, Ala. Briarwood Christian Hoover, Ala. Hoover Huffman, Ala. Huffman West Monroe, La. West Monroe Hoover, Ala. Hoover Mobile, Ala. UMS-Wright Montgomery, Ala. Jefferson Davis Athens, Ala. Athens Foley, Ala. Foley Southlake, Texas Southlake Carroll HS Mobile, Ala. Vigor Manning, S.C. Manning Atlanta, Ga. Marist Prattville, Ala. Prattville LaGrange, Ga. Hargrave Academy Opelika, Ala. Opelika New Orleans, La. John Curtis Christian Norcross, Ga. Norcross SQ Mobile, Ala. McGill-Toolen Moundville, Ala. Hale County Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City Lewisburg, Tenn. Marshall County Muscle Shoals, Ala. Muscle Shoals Gordo, Ala. Gordo Lawrenceville, Ga. Norcross Flint, Mich. Southwestern Academy Memphis, Tenn. East Andalusia, Ala. Andalusia Florence, Ala. Florence Memphis, Tenn. Evangelical Christian Germantown, Tenn. Evangelical Christian Foley, Ala. Foley Moblie, Ala. LSU Brentwood, Tenn. Brentwood Academy Mobile, Ala. McGill-Toolen Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City Dove Canyon, Calif. Mission Viejo Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City Beltsville, Md. DeMatha Catholic Geismar, La. Dutchtown Foley, Ala. Foley Pleasant Grove, Ala. East Mississippi CC The Woodlands, Texas The Woodlands Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
NO NAME 29 Will Lowery 7 Keiwone Malone 32 Cody Mandell 33 Mike Marrow 4 Marquis Maze 24 Nathan McAlister 10 A.J. McCarron 52 Alfred McCullough 12 Greg McElroy 24 DeQuan Menzie 28 DeMarcus Milliner 56 William Ming 97 Brandon Moore 32 C.J. Mosley 66 Brian Motley 64 Kerry Murphy 46 Wesley Neighbors 83 Kevin Norwood 18 Morgan Ogilvie 53 Anthony Orr 2 Tana Patrick 39 Kyle Pennington 27 Nick Perry 3 Trent Richardson 74 David Ross 1 B.J. Scott 94 Darrington Sentimore 90 Jeremy Shelley 79 Austin Shepherd 18 Blake Sims 14 Phillip Sims 71 Allen Skelton 17 Brad Smelley 38 Petey Smith 92 Damion Square 61 Anthony Steen 47 Ed Stinson 46 William Strickland 47 Logan Thomas 51 Carson Tinker 26 Nick Tinker 87 Chris Underwood 41 Courtney Upshaw 73 William Vlachos 84 Brian Vogler 65 Chance Warmack 91 Alex Watkins 49 Ranzell Watkins 2 DeAndrew White 55 Chavis Williams 60 David Williams 20 Jarrick Williams 44 Jay Williams 63 Kellen Williams 89 Michael Williams 9 Nick Williams
P CLS HT DE JR 5-9 WR FR 5-11 P FR 6-4 RB FR 6-2 WR JR 5-10 WR FR 5-11 QB FR 6-4 OL JR 6-2 QB SR 6-3 DE JR 6-0 DE FR 6-1 DL FR 6-3 DL FR 6-5 LB FR 6-2 OL SR 6-3 DL SO 6-4 DE SO 6-1 WR FR 6-2 QB FR 6-0 DL FR 6-4 LB FR 6-3 DE JR 5-11 DE FR 6-1 RB SO 5-11 OL SR 6-3 DE SO 5-11 DL FR 6-3 PK SO 5-10 OL FR 6-5 A FR 6-0 QB FR 6-2 OL SO 6-1 TE JR 6-3 LB FR 6-1 DL SO 6-3 OL FR 6-3 LB/DL FR 6-4 WR JR 6-0 WR SR 6-3 ST SO 6-1 RB FR 5-10 TE SO 6-4 LB JR 6-2 OL JR 6-1 TE FR 6-7 OL SO 6-3 LB JR 6-3 DE FR 5-9 WR FR 6-0 LB SR 6-4 OL SO 6-3 DE FR 6-1 P FR 6-3 OL FR 6-3 TE SO 6-6 WR FR 5-10
WT 188 165 201 235 182 165 190 309 225 195 182 263 305 225 289 319 205 187 198 268 231 188 193 220 302 193 261 165 307 195 214 261 227 250 284 292 252 188 206 220 215 238 263 289 242 300 232 168 180 223 267 203 208 307 270 179
HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Hoover, Ala. Hoover Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell Lafayette, La. Acadiana Holland, Ohio Central Catholic Birmingham, Ala. Tarrant Russellville, Ala. Russellville Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s Episcopal School Athens, Ala. Athens Southlake, Texas Southlake Carroll Columbus, Ga. Copiah-Lincoln CC Millbrook, Ala. Stanhope Elmore Athens, Ala. Athens Montgomery, Ala. Carver Theodore, Ala. Theodore Autaugaville, Ala. Autaugaville Hoover, Ala. Hargrave/Hoover Huntsville, Ala. Huntsville D’Iberville, Miss. D’Iberville Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook Madison, Ala. Sparkman Bridgeport, Ala. North Jackson Chatom, Ala. Washington County Prattville, Ala. Prattville Pensacola, Fla. Escambia Homewood, Ala. Homewood Prichard, Ala. Vigor Norco, La. Destrehan Raleigh, N.C. Broughton Buford, Ga. North Gwinnett Gainesville, Ga. Gainesville Chesapeake, Va. Oscar Smith Coker, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Tuscaloosa, Ala. American Christian Tampa, Fla. Armwood Houston, Texas Yates Lambert, Miss. Lee Academy Homestead, Fla. South Dade Tuscaloosa, Ala. Northridge Houston, Texas Cyrpress Creek Murfreesboro, Tenn. Riverdale Ralph, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Vestavia Hills, Ala. Vestavia Hills Eufaula, Ala. Eufaula Birmingham, Ala. Mountain Brook Columbus, Ga. Brookstone Atlanta, Ga. Westlake Brownsville, Tenn. Haywood Charlotte, N.C. Independence Houston, Texas North Shore Dora, Ala. Dora Duncanville, Ala. Hillcrest Mobile, Ala. Blount Thomasville, Ala. Thomasville Lawrenceville, Ga. Brookwood Reform, Ala. Pickens County Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas
Penn State Football Roster NO NAME P CLS HT 38 Tyler Ahrenhold SS JR 6-0 73 Mark Arcidiacono G FR 6-4 28 Drew Astorino SS JR 5-10 67 Quinn Barham T JR 6-3 83 Brad Bars DE FR 6-3 84 Kyle Baublitz DE FR 6-5 3 Brandon Beachum RB JR 6-0 1 Robert Bolden QB FR 6-4 83 Brett Brackett WR SR 6-6 19 Justin Brown WR SO 6-3 45 Alex Butterworth K FR 5-10 76 Nate Cadogan T FR 6-5 40 Glenn Carson FB/LB FR 6-3 96 Cody Castor DE SO 6-3 51 Patrick Christie OL FR 6-5 48 Chris Colasanti LB SR 6-2 81 Jack Crawford DE JR 6-5 13 Andrew Dailey SS JR 6-2 24 Derek Day RB SO 5-9 39 Jesse Della Valle CB FR 6-1 31 Nick Delligatti LB FR 6-0 65 Miles Dieffenbach C FR 6-3 7 Curtis Drake WR SO 5-11 24 Jonathan Duckett SS FR 6-1 26 Curtis Dukes TB FR 6-1 33 Andre Dupree FB FR 5-10 77 Lou Eliades G/T SR 6-4 57 Emery Etter KS FR 6-1 27 Jacob Fagnano SS SO 6-0 78 Mike Farrell T SO 6-6 30 Anthony Fera PK FR 6-2 62 Frank Figueroa G FR 6-3 49 A.J. Firestone FR 6-0 222 11 Khairi Fortt LB FR 6-2 44 Michael Fuhrman KS SO 5-10 15 Bani Gbadyu LB SR 6-1 89 Garry Gilliam TE FR 6-6 18 Andrew Goodman WR SO 6-0 79 Luke Graham OL FR 6-4 21 Stephfon Green TB JR 5-10 58 Adam Gress T FR 6-6 75 Evan Hailes DT FR 6-1 82 Kevin Haplea TE FR 6-4 47 Jordan Hill DT SO 6-1 6 Gerald Hodges LB SO 6-2 60 Ty Howle C FR 43 Mike Hull LB FR 6-0 52 Brian Irvin DE SO 6-3 36 Kyle Johnson SS JR 6-0 91 DaQuan Jones DT FR 6-3 10 Paul Jones QB FR 6-3 30 Ryan Keiser FR 6-1 15 Alex Kenney WR FR 6-0 4 Shawney Kersey WR FR 6-1 68 Doug Klopacz C SR 6-3 72 Khamrone Kolb OL FR 6-5 29 Kevin Kowalishen RB SO 5-10 17 Christian Kuntz WR FR 6-4 44 Kevion Latham DE JR 6-2
WT HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL 185 Blue Bell, Pa. Chestnut Hill Academy 279 Holland, Pa. St. Joseph’s Prep 193 Edinboro, Pa. General McLane 298 Durham, N.C. Hillside 223 Nashville, Tenn. Montgomery Bell Academy 248 York, Pa. Central York 225 Struthers, Oh Cardinal Mooney 208 Orchard Lake, Mich. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 246 Lawrenceville, N.J. Lawrence 216 Wilmington, Del. Concord 192 Indianapolis, Ind. Heritage Christian 297 Portsmouth, Ohio Portsmouth 237 Manahawkin, N.J. Southern Regional 261 Uniontown, Pa. Uniontown Area 255 Carlisle, Pa. Boiling Springs 241 Leonard, Mich. Brother Rice 256 Longport, N.J. St. Augustine 217 Massillon, Ohio Washington 196 Bellefonte, Pa. Central Dauphin 182 Pittsburgh, Pa. Shaler Area 206 Grove City, Pa. Grove City 290 Pittsburgh, Pa. Fox Chapel 172 Philadelphia, Pa. West Philadelphia Catholic 193 Harrisburg, Pa. Bishop McDevitt 237 Evans Mills, N.Y. Indian River 224 Waldorf, Md. North Point 310 Ocean, N.J. Ocean Township 230 Chambersburg, Pa. Chambersburg Area 203 Wiliamsport, Pa. Williamsport 303 Pittsburgh, Pa. Shady Side Academy 210 Cypress, Texas St. Pius X 285 San Antonio, Texas Thomas Edison Mercersburg, Pa. Mercersburg Academy 233 Stamford, Conn. Stamford 215 Pittsburgh, Pa. North Allegheny 241 Gaithersburg, Md. Quince Orchard 263 Carlisle, Pa. Milton Hershey 185 Philadelphia, Pa. George Washington 278 Harrison City, Pa. Penn Trafford 197 Bronx, N.Y. John F. Kennedy 293 West Mifflin, Pa. West Mifflin 307 Chesapeake, Va. Oscar F. Smith 243 Annandale, N.J. North Hunterdon 309 Steelton, Pa. Steelton-Highspire 228 Paulsboro, NJ Paulsboro 290 Wake Forest, NC Bunn 211 Canonsburg, Pa. Canon-McMillan 240 Orrtanna, Pa. Gettysburg 192 Landenberg, Pa. Avon Grove 309 Johnson City, N.Y. Johnson City Senior 246 McKees Rocks, Pa. Sto-Rox 191 Selinsgrove, Pa. Selinsgrove 190 State College, Pa. State College Area 197 Woodbury, N.J. Woodbury 286 Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. St. Joseph Regional 335 Burke, Va. Lake Braddock Secondary 187 Northampton, Pa. Northampton Area 212 Camp Hill, Pa. Trinity 252 Greensboro, N.C. Page
NO NAME P CLS HT 56 Eric Latimore DE JR 6-6 14 Evan Lewis WR SO 5-10 8 D’ Anton Lynn CB JR 6-1 88 J.D. Mason TE SO 6-4 59 Pete Massaro DE SO 6-4 63 Alex Mateas FR 6-3 42 Michael Mauti LB SO 6-2 16 Shelton McCullough CB SR 6-0 11 Matthew McGloin QB SO 6-1 16 Shane McGregor QB SO 6-1 12 Stephon Morris CB SO 5-8 8 Brandon Moseby-Felder WR FR 6-2 6 Derek Moye WR JR 6-5 12 Kevin Newsome QB SO 6-2 29 Russell Nye PK SO 6-0 23 Stephen Obeng-Agyapong SS FR 5-10 85 Ollie Ogbu DT SR 6-1 52 Chimaeze Okoli T JR 6-4 86 C.J. Olaniyan DE FR 6-3 50 DeOn’tae Pannell G JR 6-5 46 Ken Pollock LB SO 6-0 2 Chaz Powell WR JR 6-1 25 Silas Redd TB FR 41 J.R. Refice DL FR 6-0 55 Tom Ricketts OL FR 6-5 53 Jon Rohrbaugh KS JR 6-0 32 Dakota Royer LB FR 6-1 22 Evan Royster TB SR 6-1 81 Ryan Scherer WR SO 5-8 75 Eric Shrive G FR 6-6 20 Devon Smith WR SO 5-7 28 David Soldner K SO 6-1 54 Matt Stankiewitch C SO 6-3 90 Sean Stanley DE SO 6-1 87 Jonathan Stewart TE JR 6-2 71 Devon Still DT JR 6-5 34 Nathan Stupar LB JR 6-1 37 Joe Suhey RB JR 6-1 1 Nick Sukay SS JR 6-1 80 Andrew Szczerba TE JR 6-6 93 James Terry DT SO 6-3 5 Derrick Thomas CB FR 6-0 27 Tariq Tongue WR FR 5-8 70 Anthony Tortorelli G JR 6-0 74 Johnnie Troutman G JR 6-4 64 John Urschel G FR 6-3 54 James Van Fleet LB SO 6-0 19 Garrett Venuto QB FR 6-0 36 Collin Wagner K SR 5-9 14 Mike Wallace CB FR 5-9 99 Brandon Ware DT SO 6-3 13 Mark Wedderburn TE SO 6-6 10 Malcolm Willis SS FR 5-1.5 61 Stefen Wisniewski G/C SR 6-3 33 Michael Yancich LB SO 6-2 35 Pat Zerbe FB FR 6-1 9 Michael Zordich LB SO 6-1 5 Graham Zug WR SR 6-2 41 Zach Zwinak FB FR 6-1
WT 280 182 200 208 255 310 231 193 209 205 185 176 202 225 170 196 285 293 229 317 194 196 200 265 268 212 210 228 167 299 157 227 293 232 246 311 231 227 209 254 312 178 164 261 323 286 224 215 183 184 337 226 217 306 236 236 236 185 227
HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Middletown, Del. Middletown Gettysburg, Pa. Gettysburg Celina, Texas Celina Philipsburg, Pa. Philipsburg-Osceola Newtown Square, Pa. Marple Newtown Ottawa, Canada Ottawa Sooners Mandeville, La. Mandeville Randallstown, Md. Randallstown Scranton, Pa. West Scranton Ebensburg, Pa. Central Cambria Greenbelt, Md. Eleanor Roosevelt Fort Washington, Md. Oxon Hill Rochester, Pa. Rochester Portsmouth, Va. Hargrave Military Academy State College, Pa. State College Area Bronx, N.Y. John F. Kennedy Staten Island, N.Y. Milford Academy Virginia Beach, Va. Salem Warren, Mich. Warren Mott Southfield, Mich. Groves Dallas, Pa. Lake Lehman New Freedom, Pa. Susquehannock Norwalk, Conn. King Low Heywood Thomas Jessup, Pa. Valley View Wexford, Pa. North Allegheny Ellicott City, Md. Howard Lancaster, Pa. Manheim Central Fairfax, Va. Westfield Avon Lake, Ohio Avon Lake Scranton, Pa. West Scranton White Plains, Md. Westlake Lititz, Pa. Manheim Township Orwigsburg, Pa. Blue Mountain Rockville, Md. Gaithersburg North Huntingdon, Pa Norwin Wilmington, Del. Howard State College, Pa. State College Area Deerfield, Ill. Loyola Academy Mt. Pleasant, Pa. Greensburg Central Catholic Wilmington, Del. Salesianum New Castle, Del. Brandywine Greenbelt, Md. Eleanor Roosevelt Flushing, N.Y. Holy Cross State College, Pa. Haverford Brown Mills, N.J. Pemberton Township Williamsville, N.Y. Canisius Williamsport, Pa. Loyalsock Ithaca, N.Y. Ithaca State College, Pa. State College Area Silver Springs, Md. Good Counsel Harrisburg, Pa. Harrisburg Upper Darby Cardinal O’Hara Marbury, Md. Lackey Bridgeville, Pa. Pittsburgh Central Catholic Washington, Pa. Trinity West Lawn, Pa. Wilson Canfield, Ohio Cardinal Mooney Manheim, Pa. Manheim Central Frederick, Md. Linganore
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Pro Connections
Home Field Advantage
Ozzie Newsome’s Career
from Tuscaloosa to Cleveland to Baltimore
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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BRYANT MUSEUM
Interview
W
Thomas Watts
alking through the Ravens’ team facilities in Maryland might allow a fan to see such great players as Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. The walk would also bring one past the office of Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens’ general manager. Originally from Muscle Shoals, Ala., he played tight end for the Crimson Tide under Bear Bryant from 1974-1977. Newsome was an All-American selection after the 1977 season. He left the Capstone with 102 receptions for 2,070 receiving yards. His 20.3-yard average per catch was a Southeastern Conference record until the late 90s. Newsome also was enshrined in the College Hall of Fame in 1994. Newsome’s prolific college career caught the eye of the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him in the first round of the 1978 draft. He made an immediate impact with the Browns, being named their Offensive Player of the Year as a rookie. He made it to the Pro Bowl in 1981, 1984 and 1985. The only pro team he ever suited up for was the Browns, and Newsome finished his career in 1990 with franchise records in receptions and yards. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. Ozzie Newsome’s playing days ended in 1990, but he did not stay away from the game long. The Browns hired him as an executive in 1991, and he worked throughout the organization until 1996 when the team moved from Cleveland to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens named him their general manager in November of 2002. The move made Newsome the first African-American general manager in the NFL. With Newsome at the helm, the team has been a perennial playoff contender with Super Bowl aspirations. The 2010 season is no exception. The Ravens added offensive talent with a trade for Anquan Boldin from the Cardinals and reinforced their powerful defensive line by drafting Terrence Cody in the third round of the draft. ESPN the Magazine recently picked the Ravens to win their division and go to the playoffs. The magazine also believes the Ravens will win the Super Bowl this year. Newsome has always praised the University of Alabama. There has been rampant speculation that Newsome is interested in returning to Alabama as athletics director after Mal Moore retires. During a speech at a luncheon for the Boy Scouts of America, Newsome said, “I am coming back at some point. I have a lot of work to do in Baltimore, but I am coming back.” When he was pressed about what job he might be interested in, he reiterated, “I am just coming back home.” Ozzie Newsome’s life has been defined by his work on and around the gridiron. Whether it is with the Ravens, or back home with the Tide, his excellence will be shown through the teams he helps put on the field. touchdownalabama.net |
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Collectible Photography Signed Untitled Photo by Michael E. Palmer
I
n his days some thought of him as a giant walking the earth. Some thought of him as God incarnate, according to light-hearted jokes of his time. But no doubt many revered “The Bear” as a great coach and motivator full of truth and wisdom. This is what comes to mind when viewing the original photograph called “Striking from Above” by the photographer Michael E. Palmer. At dusk on a dark and stormy day Palmer captured a bolt of lightning piercing the clouds above Bryant-Denny Stadium. “As the clouds and wind swirled and the lightning flashed, it’s as if I could hear the old Bear growl ‘I ain’t ever been nothing but a winner,’” Palmer said.
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Touchdown Alabama Magazine P.O. Box 3251 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
The Lowdown
Larry’s
LOWDOWN
Larry Burton
Something That Should Scare the Rest of College Football for This Year and Next...
T
here is one undeniable fact that should send shivers of fear throughout the college football spine this upcoming year. It's not that Alabama is a great team, everybody has accepted that. It's not that the team landed yet another top recruiting class or has opened up the passing game either. The one cold, brutal and undeniable fact is that this team will continue to mow down national powerhouses left and right with only one senior starter of any significance on it, and it will only be better the following year. It's hard to play catch up when the team you're chasing has a stat like that. The freshmen and sophomores who will play this year, and will continue to win, should almost all be back for 2011. Except next year, they'll be bigger, stronger and smarter. If you can't beat them this year, what hope do you have next year? It will be hard for many to comprehend the fact that Alabama, despite being the reigning National Champions, is still far from achieving the top of its potential. This team that goes out every week and mauls other schools is still a work in progress, a team that has yet to reach the limits of its capabilities. For those wise enough to understand that, it's just downright scary, unless you're a Crimson Tide fan. As thrilled as coaches are with Greg McElroy, they are even more excited to see what the other two great backup quarterbacks can do after another year of schooling. So for anyone thinking that Alabama will be doomed
to have a "rookie" starting quarterback, all they have to do is remember that McElroy himself went 12-0 as a "rookie" starting QB, and the coaches all feel the next could do the same. Despite returning almost the entire offense and a large portion of the defense from last year, Alabama is one of the youngest teams in the South Eastern Conference and may be losing the fewest number of seniors. If they beat you with their "babies," then can you imagine the beating they'll dish out once they've peaked? Yes, Alabama may lose some juniors to the NFL draft. That happens when you have the top talent on your team, but there are youngsters there with just as great a talent factor just waiting for the chance to show it off. These are heady days to be a Crimson Tide fan right now, and as you watch this team proceed through the season this year, get used to them. You'll see them again next year.
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Opponents
Jennifer Gorham
Views From the Other Side Jack Crawford Demands Attention
Jack Crawford, #81, DE
A
mong the first to test the strength of Alabama's returning offensive line will be the experienced front seven of the Penn State Nittany Lions. With the play of defensive end Jack Crawford, Alabama running backs could be in for a world of hurt coming off the edge. Crawford was just behind senior Ollie Ogbu with 5.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss in 2009. The junior from Longport, N.J., has played in every game for the Lions since he arrived as a freshman. Ranked as the #15 defensive end by Scouts.com, Crawford was expected to play tight end due simply to his outstanding athleticism and versatility. After packing on another fifteen pounds to his 6' 5” frame, the 256-pound junior looks to display his offseason progression. With Alabama returning nine starters on offense, Penn State will try their mettle against the reigning national champions. Both Ogbu and Crawford are capable pass-rushers in their own right, but should either draw double-teams from the Tide's offensive line, quarterback Greg McElroy could be in for a long day. Crawford seems to possess the extra quickness, and if he's not given the kind of attention a player of his level deserves he could be playing most of the game in Alabama's own backfield.
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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
Freshman QB Robert Bolden: A Double Threat
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Robert Bolden, #1, QB
he quarterback controversy at Penn State is over. True freshman Robert Bolden will start under center for Nittany Lions, becoming the first freshman QB to do so since Wally Richardson in 1992. Beating out Matt McGloin, Kevin Newsome, and Paul Jones, he will now be faced with the task of replacing the wayward Daryll Clark, who remains the all-time leader in touchdowns for the Lions. After naming his starting quarterback, head coach Joe Paterno elaborated on his decision: "Based on what we have seen to this point, Bolden has a slight edge right now, but we are confident all three quarterbacks are ready to go and hope to give them an opportunity to play until we settle on the one that gives us the best chance to win.” A former four-star recruit out of Michigan, Bolden's play is consistent with the emerging dual-threat style, which should fit in perfectly with Paterno's spread offense. At 6' 3”, 221 pounds, Rivals.com tagged him as the second best dual-threat recruit in the nation, totaling over 1,000 yards rushing and over 2,000 yards passing in his high school career. Though the Tide is familiar with stopping rushing quarterbacks, the young defense will have to learn quickly to deal with a player who is just as deadly with his legs as he is with his arm.
PHOTO (LEFT) FROM THE PATRIOT-NEWS, 2009 PHOTO (RIGHT) FROM WWW.NITTANYWHITEOUT.COM
Player Spotlight
Coe Robbins
Lester Looks to Make an Impact
H
ead Coach Nick Saban had been preaching all throughout the offseason about the secondary and one thing they all have in common: inexperience. In Robert Lester’s mind, it will be a learning process. He knows he will make some mistakes and Saban says that is the best way to grow. That growth needs to be fast, though, and Lester says it is very important when tougher opponents come along the way. “That’s what we lack right now in the secondary is experience,” Lester said. “Once we start getting in, feeling more comfortable, I think it’ll all come together.” With the young backfield only having one person coming back from last year’s starting squad, namely Mark Barron, redshirt sophomore Lester’s opportunity to contribute heavily this year became all that much greater. The defensive back from Foley High School, who graduated and signed along with teammate Julio Jones, sat out his first year in 2008 and became a heavy special team contributor in 2009. Now the 6’2” safety is replacing a veteran in Justin Woodall and he knows his time is now. In his debut Saturday against San Jose State, Lester recorded one tackle that ended up being a sack and an interception for 15 yards. Lester understands the mental toughness of being prepared to play in a Saban-oriented defense and he thinks they all are doing a good job. “I really think it’s at where it needs to be,” Lester said of the defensive. “Everybody out there is making their calls and their checks so I feel comfortable with everything going
on out there in the game plan so I think our mental toughness is pretty high right now.” When it was time to put on that Alabama uniform for the first time as a starter, Lester admitted there were some uncertainties going into the game. “At first, I didn't really know what to expect,” Lester said. “Coach Saban had his game plan, and I was comfortable in what I needed to do. I went out there and knew that anything they were going to do, I already knew my assignment.” In his senior year at Foley, Lester was a return guy alongside Jones on kickoff returns and averaged 53.3 yards a return on four possessions. He blocked two punts, recorded 86 yards on six punt returns and led the team in interceptions with six for 82 return yards. He was a four-star recruit on Rivals.com and was listed as the No. 33 safety prospect in the country. Of the progression from starting in the spring, going through offseason workouts and summer drills, to game week preparation and the first game of the season in the bag, Lester said that the defense is starting to learn about each other as a group. “I think we are all starting to understand each other and understand communicating with each other,” Lester said. “I think we can be a great unit. Now we have to get ready for a good Penn State team.”
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News
Auburn at Mississippi State
Thurs, Sept. 9 - 6:30 pm - ESPN Week 2 kicks off with a great SEC matchup on Thursday night. The Auburn Tigers travel to Starkville to take on Mississippi State. Both teams are coming off a win and are looking to make the first move towards an SEC West title. MSU’s backup quarterback Tyler Russell tied a school record with four touchdown passes in his debut game and led the Bulldogs to a 49-7 win over Memphis on Saturday night. It was the most points they've scored since 2002. With the legal return of cowbells to Davis Wade Stadium, the ‘Dawgs are looking to make some noise this year. Auburn defeated Arkansas State 52-26 in last week’s opener. Junior transfer QB Cameron Newton had five touchdowns and 357 yards of total offense and set a school record with 171 rushing yards in his first game with the Tigers.
LSU at Vanderbilt
6:00 pm - ESPNU LSU had a close call for the Chic-Fil-A College Kickoff in the Georgia Dome, but managed to hold on to the win, coming out 30-24 over North Carolina. LSU started strong, with an 87-yard touchdown as part of 23-point run in less than six minutes, and victory looked likely for the Tigers, with a 30-10 lead at the half. Neither team scored in the third quarter, but, in the final 11 minutes of the game, LSU’s luck began to run out. The Tar Heels scored back-to-back touchdowns, but could not manage a third to tie up the game in the final seconds. Vanderbilt lost to Northwestern 23-21 last week in a heart breaking debut for Head Coach Robbie Caldwell. The Commodores led in total offense 432-365, and managed two sacks and a blocked field goal in the loss. Once Caldwell has settled in, they may prove to be a team to contend with.
Georgia at South Carolina
11:00 am - ESPN2/ESPN Classic Saturday play kicks off with the Bulldogs and the Gamecocks. Like most other SEC teams, these two are coming off of big wins. This game will be the first conference matchup for these two programs and will be the first step on the path to representing the SEC West at the conference championship. Georgia QB Aaron Murray passed for three touchdowns and ran for another in the 55-7 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette last week. The team managed the win without top receiver A. J. Green. Murray was16 for 24 in the air in his first college game. South Carolina won their opener 41-13 over Southern Miss. QB Stephen Garcia and freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore ran for two touchdowns each in the win. Sophomore Alshon Jeffery had 106 receiving yards and freshman Ace Sanders had a 53-yard rush - the longest in four years for USC. The team played week one without standout tight end Weslye Saunders, who was out on team suspension, and two starters, left tackle Jarriel King and cornerback Chris Culliver, who were kept out of the game without an explanation from the athletics department.
Other SEC Games: Game
Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas South Florida at Florida Western Kentucky at Kentucky Oregon at Tennessee Ole Miss at Tulane
Time
6:00 pm 11:21 am 6:30 pm 6:00 pm 8:00 pm
Station
FSN SEC network CSS ESPN2 ESPN2/ESPN Classic
Arkansas senior FB Van Stumon is questionable for the Louisiana-Monroe game after his suspension following drunken driving and other offenses in June. Stumon was expected to man the bulk of the FB duties this season. He also missed the season opener against Tennessee Tech.
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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
CURRENT POLLS AP TOP 25
USA Today
1. Alabama 2. Ohio State 3. Boise State 4. Florida 5. Texas 6. TCU 7. Oklahoma 8. Nebraska 9. Iowa 10. Virginia Tech 11. Oregon 12. Wisconsin 13. Miami (FL) 14. USC 15. Pittsburgh 16. Georgia Tech 17. Arkansas 18. North Carolina 19. Penn State 20. Florida State 21. LSU 22. Auburn 23. Georgia 24. Oregon State 25. West Virginia
1. Alabama 2. Ohio State 3. Florida 4. Texas 5. Boise State 6. Virginia Tech 7. TCU 8. Oklahoma 9. Nebraska 10. Iowa 11. Oregon 12. Wisconsin 13. Miami (FL) 14. Penn State 15. Pittsburgh 16. LSU 17. Georgia Tech 18. North Carolina 19. Arkansas 20. Florida State 21. Georgia 22. Oregon State 23. Auburn 24. Utah 24. West Virginia
UA SCHEDULE
09/04/10 09/11/10 09/18/10 09/25/10 10/02/10 10/09/10 10/16/10 10/23/10 11/06/10 11/13/10 11/18/10 11/26/10
vs. San Jose State W 48-3 vs. Penn State at Duke at Arkansas vs. Florida at South Carolina vs. Mississippi (HC) at Tennessee at LSU vs. Mississippi State vs. Georgia State vs. Auburn
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1 2
Who was the first African-American player to play in a game for Alabama? a. John Mitchell b. Ozzie Newsome c. Wilbur Jackson d. Nat Northington Which player returned a punt for an 86-yard touchdown during the 2006 Independence Bowl? a. Kenneth Darby c. D.J. Hall b. Keith Brown d. Javier Arenas
THREE LOCATIONS Saturday Banking
3 4 5
Alabama has played in more bowl games than___________________. a. any other program in the SEC b. any other program in the country c. the rest of the schools in the SEC combined d. every Div. I program but USC When Thomas stopped coaching in 1946, he remained Alabama's_____________. a. president b. athletic director c. offensive coordinator d. band director Who was NOT an early Alabama head coach? a. D.V. Graves c. J.W.H. Pollard b. Xen C. Scott d. J.B. Whitmore
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Recruit of the Week
Family, Football and Tradition Sway Sunseri Verbally committed inside linebacker has football in his blood and will join the Crimson Tide next season Jennifer Gorham
T
he love of the game runs in the family for Vinnie Sunseri. His father, Sal Sunseri, is a former University of Pittsburgh All-American linebacker and is currently the assistanthead coach of the linebackers for the Crimson Tide. His brother, Tito Sunseri, continued the tradition and is a quarterback for the University of Pittsburgh. Having his father on the coaching staff will be good thing for both of them, as Sunseri revealed to BamaOnline.com. "It has always been his dream to coach me,” Sunseri said. “He can be hard on me and won't treat me any differently than anyone else, but at the end of the day he is still my dad and it is going to be awesome to have him as my coach.” Sunseri had an offer from the University of Pittsburgh but decided the University of Alabama was his best bet. He is a fan of SEC football and lets it be known. “I went with Alabama over Pitt because, in the end, Alabama has one of the top defenses in the country and they play in the best conference in the country,” he told BamaOnline.com. “It was too good of a situation to pass up." Sunseri is a linebacker for Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa and verbally committed to Bama on June 14 by Joe Pendry. Rivals.com has ranked him as 32nd in the state, giving him a 5.6 rating PHOTO FROM RIVALS.COM
Vinnie Sunseri and three stars. part in my decision because I've always According to ESPN.com, he weighs in dreamed about playing with my dad," at 202 pounds and is 5-foot-11. Sunseri Sunseri said. "With Coach [Nick] Saban can get 40 in 4.6 seconds, his shuttle is though, he's always looking for that 6-4, 4.16 and his vertical is 29 inches as big body so I don't know if I fit that profiled on Rivals.com. criteria. I would just love to go In 2009 Sunseri told AthleteVault. anywhere." com that he wanted to find a team with Fortunately for Sunseri, he ended up tradition before his senior season. Little with an offer from Saban despite his size did Sunseri know that he would find a and took him up on it. school with not only rich tradition, but a He spent the 2009 season in North football obsession. Carolina, and now that the decision is “Before my senior football season, I behind him, he plans to enjoy his last would like to make a decision,” Sunseri high school season, being in Tuscaloosa said to AthleteVault.com. “That way I and his senior year. would know where I want to go and I “I just want to have fun this year,” would be able to relax during my last Sunseri admitted to BamaOnline.com. “I season of high school football. I'm mean I want to play good, I want to play looking for good coaches, a good hard, but I just want to have fun and get academic program and just great ready for the next year.” tradition." Even though he seems to be describing the Crimson Tide, at the time he didn’t expect offers from UA. But, since his Phone: 343-1770 father is a coach for the Tide he wanted a chance to live his dream at the John Wayne George, Owner Capstone. 608 41st Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 Licensed & Insured "It plays a big
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Traditions
Days
Old
TIDE TRADITION • TIDE TRADITION • TIDE TRADITION • TIDE TRADITION • TIDE TRADITION • TIDE TRADITION • TIDE TRADITION • TIDE TRADITION
Troy Farsoun
F
of
rom the sizzling of barbeques to the rumble of excited chatter and the banter between opposing teams, tailgaters have a multitude of ways in which they celebrate Saturdays at the University of Alabama. Many have televisions set up, with satellites carefully balanced as they observe the other games of the day, keeping a close watch on rivals and any that might oppose Bama’s rise to another national championship. But for some, a high-tech satellite dish is replaced with a
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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
dusty VCR, their media guides thrown away in favor of faded cassette tapes. Some tailgaters claim the right to be the purest of fans, and they pay special tribute to the past by reliving the Crimson Tide’s proudest moments. “The Quad is hallowed ground,” says UA junior Philip Cantrell. “These people represent a different generation of tradition and prove that the University of Alabama legacy will never be forgotten.” Pocketed throughout the maze of tents and canopies,
PHOTO ABOVE BY BDL
the sound of a Paul “Bear” Bryant halftime speech or post-game press conference captivates a curious passerby. The bone-crushing collisions of an era with minimal protective padding can be observed through a grainy screen, and iconic quarterback Joe Namath’s signature passes and scrambles are revisited as if they had happened just moments ago. While these fans choose to revel in history before departing for a stadium filled with people, they are just as anxious to see what new traditions the future can hold.
PHOTOs ABOVE BY JENIFER MCCORMICK
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Quick Glance
Alabama/Duke Matchup
A
Jessica Temple
lthough a meeting on the field between the Crimson Tide and the Blue Devils is rare, the teams do share a history, and a fondness for the same former coach. "The first thing that comes to my mind about the Alabama game is the Coach Wade connection," Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe said. "The history of the two programs - I like that." The same Wallace Wade who has a statue alongside Bear Bryant and Gene Stallings outside Bryant-Denny also has a bronze bust and a stadium that bares his name in Durham. In eight years as coach of the Crimson Tide, Wade won three national championships and turned the Tide from an unknown team into the program to beat. In 1931, Wade made the shocking decision to leave the team he had just built for another unknown team – the Duke Blue Devils. "Duke football was basically a joke and then Wallace Wade took hold of it and changed it for decades," Cutcliffe said. This season’s game will bring a first to the stadium named after the former UA coach. Mark Ingram will be the first reigning Heisman winner to play in Wallace Wade. Also, should Alabama retain the top ranking, it will be just the
third time the No. 1 team has played in Durham. The schools share another strong connection – Cutcliffe is a UA alum and grew up watching Bama play. "Alabama football was always important to me," he said. "I like the history and tradition of football and I think it's great that Duke and Alabama get together in Wallace Wade Stadium." Cutcliffe also admires the current Alabama program and what Nick Saban has done with it. The two have a longstanding relationship. "I have had great rival relationship with Nick Saban, a great respect for what he's done," he said. "He was at LSU when I was the head coach at Ole Miss. Boy, we had tremendous games." Cutcliffe coached at both Ole Miss and Tennessee before taking the Duke position. He knows the level of play expected by SEC schools, but he also values the importance of in-conference games. "Obviously, the Although it’s not a conference matchup, week before we've Cutcliffe has indicated that Wallace Wade got a conference game," Cutcliffe should reach its capacity of 33,941 fans for said. "The the Alabama game. Although many Bama conference games are a whole lot fans are expected to make the trip, Cutcliffe more important to plans to use the game to demonstrate the us than any non-conference progress that Duke is making. game we'll ever play. I think there
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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
is a perspective the players will have." Although it’s not a conference matchup, Cutcliffe has indicated that Wallace Wade should reach its capacity of 33,941 fans for the Alabama game. Although many Bama fans are expected to make the trip, Cutcliffe plans to use the game to demonstrate the progress that Duke is making. "We need a big game in here - a really big game," he said. "We've had some good crowds and some exciting atmospheres since we've been here. This gives us a chance to play on ABC national television. That's pretty cool." He is excited about the coverage his team is receiving, but he is concerned that his young players don’t have enough experience to handle the atmosphere of such a high-profile game. "I don't think we'll have time to think about Alabama until the game week," he said. "I think probably a little bit more of the challenge is afterwards - regardless of the result. Getting our focus back and realizing that's our third game and we've got nine regular season contests left. As a coach, that's how you think about it." The matchup between Crimson and Blue should be an easy win for the Tide, but the Devils are sure to benefit as well, once again uniting two teams that both owe their histories, in part, to the same legendary coach. PHOTO FROM WWW.SPORTSILLUSTRATED.COM
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Q&A
Kerry Goode
Q ’s & Q’s A’s
K
erry Goode was the star running back on Hazelwood’s 1982 high school state championship team. Goode was picked by Ray Perkins first recruiting class and by midseason broke through as a starting running back for the Crimson Tide as a freshman. In 1984 Goode was a Heisman candidate. During the game against Boston College, he amassed three catches for 32 yards and a TD reception for 18 yards in the first half. He also had a secondhalf kickoff return for 99 yards. His total for kickoff returns for the game was 199 yards. The Crimson Tide was leading 31-14 when Goode went down with a torn ACL. It was a season-ending injury. Goode’s best playing days were behind him. Goode did get a shot at the NFL with Tampa Bay, but another knee injury ended his career as a football player. I got a chance to reflect with Kerry Goode about his playing days as a student-athlete at the Capstone. TAM: Touted as a high recruit in high school, why did you choose University of Alabama? I chose Alabama, because of the tradition, the history of winning, and I could remain at home… the best of all situations. TAM: How has playing for Alabama made who you are today? Playing football teaches you so much about life. You win some you lose some. It’s the same in life. One day you’re winning the next day you’re getting you but handed to you. Playing at Bama takes it a step further… you’re expected to win and everyone’s gunning for you. Therefore you’ve got to have the little bit extra in the tank. It taught me how to fight hard when times get tough. TAM: Are you still close to your teammates? When you go thru some of the things we did, you can’t help but be close. Even when you don’t see them in years, you can pick up like it was yesterday. Playing at Bama gives you a special bond with guys that never played with you. Maybe before or after but you still share the closeness. TAM: In five words, what was your experience at University of Alabama? Fabulous, Exciting, Tough, Educational, Unforgettable!
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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
TAM: As a running back from your formidable years through your young adult years, can you shed some insight into why Glenn Coffee retired from the NFL just after one season? When I was in training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I came to the point where I said to myself, “If I don’t make the squad, I’m okay with it.” Meaning, I’d given 110% of me and football had taken a lot from me, I could look in the mirror and be okay with the decision. Football is a game, if you don’t absolutely love it, you will not survive it. At the professional level it’s more than a game. It’s your job and most of the fun doing it is on game day. The other six days can be brutal. You have to love it to stay in it. People see Sunday’s and think it’s the best thing in the world, but I’m here to tell you there are six other days that are not as glamorous. TAM: In all of your days of playing football, what coach taught you more about life than football? Al Miller was and is my favorite. He taught me how to work and stay focus on the task. He preached all the things that Coach Bryant taught. Always tying football to life and giving examples. TAM: Name one fear that you have overcame since your
college days, how and why? I overcame not being able to play football… I either played or coached for 35 seasons of my life. Moving on without football was tough because of the bonds you make and share in the game. That’s what most guys miss when you’re no longer in the locker room. TAM: Before and after, can you reflect what your emotions were when you played Boston College. That was a dream and a nightmare all in one game. It’s made me the person I am today. It taught me to enjoy the moment because you never know what’s coming up next. TAM: What college pranks were you involved in that still makes you and your friends laugh today? The good stuff I can tell…I never pulled pranks…wink wink… Shooting bottle rockets under doors, pennying people in their rooms, leaning water filled trash cans against team mates door. TAM: As a family, how was it to have a pipeline of siblings play at Alabama? We played football from the age of six all the way through High school together. Moving on to Alabama seemed at the time, like a natural thing. At that time, it didn’t seem like a big deal, because we didn’t know any other way. As we’ve gotten older, it’s become very special to us. TAM: Looking back, what has been the biggest change in College Football, from your playing days? Size and speed seem to continue to improve each year. We were bigger than the guys that played before us and players after my time, seems to be much bigger. TAM: What do you think Alabama’s chances are to repeat as the BCS National Champions? When you have the talent level that Alabama has…the chance to repeat become a little more favorable. TAM: Last book you read? The Missing Ring by Keith Dunnavant, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey. TAM: Bucket list? To visit every state in the U.S. and attend every major College Football Stadium. Next up, is Texas stadium… Jerry’s world.
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35
My First Game
Northern Transplant Embraces Traditions
D
Jessica Brown
edicated fans, explosive plays, and a winning tradition make it hard not to fall in love with Alabama football. The University of Alabama’s students eat, breathe, and live Crimson Tide football. Many students grew up coming to the Capstone for games while others have had to wait and experience their first game after arriving to the university. Ileana Tapanes, a sophomore from Chicago, never got the opportunity to attend a football game until the first home game against Florida International in 2009. She did not know what to expect or how to react to the passion on campus during game days. “It was a game that I will never forget,” said Tapanes. “There were so many people. It amazed me that a
36
crowd that large was there to see a college football team play. I was actually torn between two universities my senior year of high school and those two schools were Florida International University and the University of Alabama. After attending the first game, I realized that I made the right decision in becoming a part of the Crimson Tide.” Tapanes came to the university on academic scholarship, not knowing what she was getting into on Saturdays during the fall. Tailgating on the Quad, wearing dresses to the game, and southern hospitality were things to which she had to adjust. “Being from the North, I had no idea that girls at Alabama dressed up for the games,” stated Tapanes. “I thought I could wear some shorts with a UA
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
football shirt and I would be set to go, but that was not the case. I also couldn’t believe how much food there was on the Quad on game days! All the people were always very welcoming to their tailgating tents. “ With the many traditions Alabama has on game days, one stood out the most to Tapanes. “Singing ‘Rammer Jammer’ after each win is something that is really cool and to hear the whole stadium unify and sing that together is awesome,” Tapanes said. Many students, like Tapanes, come to Alabama clueless about the simple things such as a clothing pattern worn by a much-respected national championship coach. “I had no knowledge of Alabama football,” Tapanes said. “I remember
“Yea, Alabama”
n ‘em Tide! Yea, Alabama! Drow behind you, Every ‘Bama man’s Hit your stride. s to behave, Go teach the Bulldog ets to a watery grave. Send the Yellow Jack weaken, And if a man starts to That’s a shame! d grit have ma For Ba ’s pluck an imson flame. Writ her name in Cr ht on men! Fight on, fight on, fig n. Bowl, we’ll win the Remember the Rose y, So roll on to victor Hit your stride, all pride, You’re Dixie’s footb Tide, Roll Tide!! Crimson Tide, Roll
the first week of school I had to ask someone why there was so much houndstooth around. I got weird looks and was quickly educated on Coach Bear Bryant and all his glory years.” Tapanes immediately found out in her first game that it is not about the NFL in the state of Alabama. College football is the heart of Tuscaloosa and the center of Bama fans’ lives. 101,000 supporters inside Bryant-Denny all share a common interest and that is the great love they share for the team. “I love Alabama football,” said Tapanes. “I have grown to dislike Auburn and I have embraced every tradition here at Alabama. No one back home understands how serious people are down here about football. It’s something you have to experience for yourself to understand.” touchdownalabama.net |
37
Tailgater of the Week
Tailgating is Half the Fun
T
Jennifer Gorham
The Sons of Saban
ailgating on the quad is almost as big a tradition as watching the Tide play. There is a myriad of crimson when Friday night winds down and Saturday morning shines its rays of light on the Capstone. Whether it’s UA students hanging out under a tree or some of the most prominent figures in Alabama lingering under elaborate canopies, tailgating is a blast. The Sons of Saban is an “Ultimate Tailgating Club.” The club creators, DJ-KDuv and Legend, created the group to
38
celebrate Bama football to the max. They have made an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show and tailgate each weekend on the corner of 8th Street and University. The S.O.S’s mission is to: “Create a diverse social and family environment while enjoying our beloved Alabama Crimson Tide perform on the field. We will lead by example while displaying character, class and respect for ourselves, our Crimson Tide football team as well as others while supporting local charities and communities,” as stated on the group’s website.
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
The S.O.S will kick off October with a Breast Cancer Awareness Drive during the Alabama vs. Florida game on Oct. 2. All kids eat for free. The Sons of Saban will be tailgating at every home game, along with the LSU game at Baton Rouge, La. Additionaly, the group will attend any championship game that Bama may play in Atlanta. The group creates a family-friendly atmosphere and fans are encouraged to stop by to meet and greet. To become a member and to get more information on The Sons of Saban you can contact the group at sonsofsaban@gmail.com.
PHOTO FROM TIM BAILEY
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39
Catching Up
Catching Up With
BILLY NEIGHBORS
Billy Neighbors reminisces about growing up in Taylorsville, playing for Alabama and in the NFL
B
illy Neighbors was a two-way tackle and co-captain on Paul “Bear” Bryant’s first national championship team in 1961. An all-conference performer who was named the top lineman in the SEC and the Most Valuable Player in the Senior Bowl, Neighbors was a consensus All-American who would later be named to Alabama’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s, the Crimson Tide’s All-Century Team, and in 2003 capped an outstanding collegiate career by being elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Neighbors reflects on his days growing up a country boy hitchhiking everywhere he went, to his days playing for Bryant, and his eight year career in the NFL with the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins. “I had scholarship (offers) from Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Texas, from everybody, but the only place I wanted to go was Alabama,” stated Neighbors, who was recruited by Crimson Tide coach Red Drew and
40
arrived at the Capstone in 1959, a year before Bryant returned to his alma mater. “I’d never heard of Paul Bryant (before he became coach), but it didn’t take me long to figure out who he was,” stated Neighbors. “The first thing he said to me was, ‘you’ve got to lose weight.’ Then he sent me a letter that said that I had to come back at 220 pounds and be able to run a six-minute mile. I came back at 217 pounds and ran a 5:55 mile. “Coach Bryant used all kinds of ways to motivate us, and one of them was fear,” related Neighbors. “There were 118 freshmen (football players) when I came here. Two and a half years later there were only eight of us left. Coach Bryant worked us to death. It was Junction (the brutal pre-season training camp that Bryant made famous when he was at Texas A&M), but it was Junction here,” stated Neighbors, who said that he played every play on offense, on defense and on special teams.
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 9, 2010
Dr. Donald F. Staffo
“I didn’t have to many conversations with (Coach Bryant) all the while I was there, to tell you the truth. Whenever I saw him coming, I went the other way.” Neighbors not only survived Bryant’s grueling training methods, he thrived on them, going on to make the AFL All-Star Team in 1962 and become a three-time All-Pro while playing in the NFL from 1962 to 1969. “Playing here changed my life,” stated Neighbors, who pointed out that when he played, Alabama shut-out Auburn three straight times (10-0, 3-0, and 34-0). “Auburn never scored a point on us,” he stated proudly. “The turning point to us winning the national championship was when we beat Auburn 34-0. Then we beat Arkansas 10-3 in the Sugar Bowl. The best thing that ever happened to me was when we won the national championship. I’ve got the University of Alabama to thank for that,” Neighbors said.
Neighbors recalled the journey he took from growing up in Taylorsville, graduating from Tuscaloosa County High School, and going on to play professional football. “I went from Taylorsville to New York City, where I was on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Bob Hope Show,” he said. “Being from Taylorsville I had never been on an airplane before, I’d never seen an escalator before, I’d never seen doors that opened by themselves before,” he said. “I was just a country boy playing in New York City, in Boston, in San Francisco, and in those other big cities. But those were just Sunday afternoons. Except for that, I’d rather been right here [in Tuscaloosa],” he said. Neighbors is one of several in his family who have played for the Crimson Tide. His older brother Sid played in the 1950s. His son Wes played center for Ray Perkins, and son Keith was a linebacker on Gene Stallings’ national championship team in 1992. The latest Neighbors to play for the Tide is grandson Wesley, who is currently a sophomore defensive back.
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JoPa and The Tide continued from page 45 which finished the season with a 5-6 record.
Oct. 12th, 1985 – Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.
Both teams regrouped the following year and entered the game in the top ten - Penn State number eight and Alabama number ten. A win could help either team get into a title game. In typical Alabama – Penn State fashion, the game was nip and tuck until the end, with Penn State winning a close one 19-17 over Ray Perkins and the Tide. The win did propel Penn State into the title game, which they lost to Oklahoma. Alabama lost the next week to Tennessee and finished the season ranked thirteenth.
Oct. 25th, 1986 – Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.
Again this year, just like many of the games between the two, the winner would have an inside shot at a national championship matchup, with Penn State rated number six and Alabama coming in at number two. Not only did Penn State win the game, but the 23-3 was the worst home loss for the Tide in ten years. The Tide would wind up losing two more and finish the year ranked ninth. Penn State won them all, including a National Championship over top-rated Miami.
Sept. 12th, 1987 – Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa. This game marked a change of coaches, with this game pitting Joe Pa against newcomer Bill Curry for Alabama. As it had done in the past, the loser of this game spiraled downward. After losing this game 24-13, Penn State dropped three more spots and out of contention. But winning this game did little to help Alabama’s miserable 7-5 season.
October 22th, 1988 – Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala. This was just not Penn State’s year. They lost the low-scoring game 8-3 and
finished the year unranked with a dismal 5-6 season. Alabama used the game to help them to a 9-3 season and a seventeenth ranking in the final poll.
Oct. 28th, 1989 – Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.
In what would be Bill Curry’s swan song season with the Tide, Alabama squeaked out a 17-16 win and went on play in the National Championship game, which they would lose to Miami. Bama entered the game at number six and Penn State was fourteenth at the time. Like so many games before between these two teams, with eleven seconds on the clock Penn State was lined up to kick what was essentially an extra-pointlength field goal for the win. Alabama called the “Desperation Block”, a play that covered no one and sent everyone after the ball. Had Penn State faked it, anyone would have been open for a catch. But six-foot-seven Thomas Rayam of Alabama got his big mitt on the ball and saved the day for the Tide. After the game one Penn State player lamented that when you play Alabama, you just expect these kinds of games.
The last meeting – October 27th,
1990 – Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.
Enter Gene Stallings. This game was yet another low-scoring defensive struggle and this time Alabama lost. Some say the loss was mostly due to a newspaper article out of Birmingham that called this particular Penn State team one of the worst that Joe Paterno had ever coached. Alabama came in averaging over 200 yards of rushing offense a game. In this game, however, the Lions dug in to show the world that they were not a bad team. When the final whistle blew, Alabama had only six yards total rushing. Bama would finish the year 7-5 and unranked, while Penn State would finish 9-3 and in the top ten in the coaches poll. Overall, that left Joe Paterno 4-8 against Alabama, with all four wins coming over Bryant’s successors. This week’s game and next year’s at Penn State, could very well be the final two games in which Alabama faces the aging Paterno. No coach, other that ones who have worn the crimson and white themselves, have ever been so revered among Bama fans. Alabama should be proud to finally host Joe Paterno at Bryant-Denny Stadium for his first, and perhaps only, visit.
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Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation. Over 11 million Americans fell victim to the crime in 2009, at a cost of over $54 billion. (Source: Javelin Strategy & Research. “2010 Identity Fraud Survey Report.” February 2010.) As thieves employ more sophisticated and high-tech methods, the number of identities exposed in a single theft increases dramatically, as does a consumer’s level of risk. Every week, retail companies, financial institutions, and national organizations are breached, and the personal and financial information of hard working Americans is stolen. LifeLock, the leader in proactive identity theft protection, helps protect your identity – even if your personal information falls into the wrong hands. As a LifeLock member, if you become a victim of identity theft because of a failure in our service, we’ll help you fix it at our expense, up to $1,000,000. (Restrictions apply. Due to New York State law restrictions, the LifeLock$1 Million Total Service Guarantee cannot be offered to the residentsof New York.)
- Matthew Daubert, LifeLock Member
Take Action Now. ENROLL TODAY AND GET A:
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Document Shredder* CALL NOW:
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1-866-387-9618
*Only one shredder per household. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Offer is for new LifeLock members only. Call for details.
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