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In This Issue

ON THE COVER: Head Coach Nick Saban

Tide Talk

At a Glance

Catching Up With 12

Pro Conections

Coach Saban came to the Capstone in 2007 and started living the Tide life. While many compared him to “Bear” Bryant, he has made his own name in the “SabaNation.” He will return to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 5 to face Les Miles and the Tigers for the third time in his five years with the Tide. While most know Saban has a history with the LSU Tigers, that is in the past and Coach Saban is dedicated to his Crimson Tide family. He looks to defeat LSU and roll into Atlanta for the SEC Championship. NCAA fans, SEC fans particularly, have been tuned into this matchup for weeks, but Saban has kept his cool and took the season week-byweek. The week is finally here and fans are itching for feedback from Coach Saban about the Tigers. He hasn’t give much feedback thus far though. He has always been known for not looking ahead and keeping a cool head. Coach Miles and Coach Saban’s teams are ready to duke it out. Coach Saban will grace the sideline with his calm and collective nature on Nov. 5 to lead the Tide to a win over the Tigers.

2011 ISSUE RELEASE DATES

August 24th

Tigers ROSTER

Kent State

September 8

Rosters

Penn State/North Texas

September 22

Arkansas/Florida

October 6th

Vanderbilt

Ole Miss/Tennessee

October 15

Showdown in T-Town

LSU

October 27

The Process

Happy Birthday Nick Saban

November 10th

Miss St./Georgia Southern

November 17th

Iron Bowl

Dear Subscribers:

Touchdown Alabama Magazine strives to give you excellent service. Our periodical has been shipped from the distributors promptly, but unfortunately some readers have not seen timely results. If this is the case and you have received your issue late or haven't received your issues at all, please contact your local Postal Service. Again, we strive to give you the best service and accurate Alabama football news. Thank you for your interest and concerns for the magazine.

Sincerely, Touchdown Alabama Magazine staff, Jason Gross (334) 263-3982

M U L T I M E D I A Next Issue • Alabama Alumni Chapter • Fantasy Football • News Around the SEC

Web Content • Game Highlights • More from Larry Burton • Post-game review • Stephen’s Report

Weekly Radio Show • In the Trenches with DJ and The Legend

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.

October 27 , 2011

Fall 2011 | Volume 4, Issue 6

Like Us On Facebook at Touchdown Alabama Magazine

Staff PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Bennie Bice

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mike Lacy

MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Gorham

COPY EDITOR Micah Phillips

PHOTOGRAPHY

BDL, Cedric Mason, Collegepressbox.com, Matt Gaston, Tim Bailey, Jamie Martin, Ezra Shaw Getty Images, Christian Peterson Getty Images, Alabama Athletic Media Department, Rivals.com, The Bryant Museum

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robert D’Alessandro

GRAPHIC DESIGN

John Shamblin, Tramayne Wright

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER Brian LaShomb

WEBSITE DESIGNER Carey Landon

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Herb Neu

WRITERS

Larry Burton, DJ K Dub, Daniel Evans, Jennifer Gorham, Kassidy Hill, Johnnie Jackson, Mike Lacy, Mike Parker, Coe Robbins, Stephen E. Smith, Stephen M. Smith, Donald Staffo, Thomas Watts

REPORTERS

Nancy Bates, Victoria Sheehan

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES 205-344-3312, 205-765-8007

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 and triumph. 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 for whom we generate this magazine: You the fan. God Bless.”

Letter from the Editor: Dear Touchdown Alabama Readers, We at Touchdown Alabama Magazine look forward to the No. 1 LSU Tigers and the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide battling in Bryant-Denny this weekend. This rivalry could be the biggest matchup of the season for the SEC, with the No. 1 and No. 2 teams competing for the SEC West in this showdown.

This issue covers all the information you need to know for the matchup of the season. As Les Miles and the Tigers come to Tuscaloosa, look for Touchdown Alabama to give you the inside scoop on www.touchdownalabama.net” Follow TDAL’s Twitter and Facebook accounts to get minute-by-minute updates of the game. Also join the Tide and TDAL as we track the BCS standings and watch the Heisman race unfold. The magazine’s season has been very successful, as has the Tide’s, and we want to thank you for joining us each week to cheer on our Tide together.

We hope each of you keep tuning in to TouchdownAlabama. net and Touchdown Alabama Magazine for Crimson Tide news, photos, updates and videos. Also, continue submitting your concerns and poems to better our magazine!

Enjoy this issue and Roll Tide Roll! Touchdown Alabama Magazine staff Send letters to: P.O. Box 3251 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-3251 205-701-1211 | publish@tdalabama.com | Advertising: ads@tdalabama.com

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Send Resume and cover letter to BDL Media Group, Inc. at jobs@tdalabama.com or call Toll Free 888-580-0852

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Ask DJ

BCS Rankings 1. LSU 2. Alabama 3. Oklahoma State 4. Boise State 5. Clemson 6. Stanford 7. Oregon 8. Kansas State 9. Oklahoma 10. Arkansas

ASK DJ

DJ K Dub is a member of the Sons of Saban. He is an avid Alabama football fan and is co-host of “In the Trenches” with Legend, his Sons of Saban brother. The show airs each Friday at noon on TouchdownAlabama.net. Be sure to stay updated with DJ as he answers questions from readers and fans like you. If you would like a question answered by DJ send it to: managingeditor@tdalabama.com.

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

11. Michigan State 12. Virginia Tech 13. South Carolina 14. Nebraska 15. Wisconsin 16. Texas A&M 17. Houston 18. Michigan 19. Penn State 20. Texas Tech

Question:

"What made you become a supporter of Alabama?"

LSU:

I truly believe that I was born to be an Alabama fan. Ever since I can recall, I have been an Alabama fan. Most fans like to pin point a time frame when they became a fan. Not me, I fell in love with the tradition at The University of Alabama and the passion the fans bring to the table. There is nothing that compares to being inside Bryant-Denny Stadium watching the tide play. It gives me the chills each and every time. If Alabama does not win another game for the rest of my life, I would still be a fan. To me, that's the true test of a person’s loyalty to their team. It is easy to be a fan when everything is going right and your team is winning championship after championship. I'm an Alabama supporter because at some colleges they play football, but at Alabama we live it.

Alabama's biggest challenge against LSU will be opening running lanes for Trent Richardson and protecting A.J McCarron. The defense will play their best game to this point and that's scary. Seeing what they have done to offenses to this point is intimidating. I don't believe that LSU will be able to move the ball much on this Bama’s defense. Also, the defense will score in this game.

What is the Tide’s biggest challenge against LSU?

The key to the LSU game will be special teams. They have a real good punter that can pin teams deep. I think Bama will win this game on special teams. The score prediction is

31-17. Roll Tide Roll! Roll Tide!

D.J K-Dub

Tide Talk Chance Warmack

Nick Saban

“Barrett’s a really good person. Not just player, he’s a really good person. He always answers any questions I have to ask him. Barrett’s a good dude, an all-around good guy.”

Nick Saban

“I don’t think anybody was thinking about it [Heisman Trophy]. I don’t think anybody cares about it. I don’t think Trent [Richardson] cares about it. I think if you ask our players, and I don’t think about it either, it’s about ‘what do we have to do to help the team be successful? What do I need to do? What can I do?’ Our thoughts are completely different than your thoughts. Completely.”

“No, I don’t have any nicknames for them [the defense]. I just want them to play better, not give up a 65-yard and a 59-yard pass in the beginning of the game, get off the field on third down. Eliminate the big plays, and continue to play the way we’re capable of playing and stay focused on what we need to do to improve as a team.”

Heisman Watch Nico Johnson

Dont’a Hightower

“You can definitely tell that he [AJ McCarron] learned a couple things from Greg [McElroy]. He is a great quarterback and he is definitely growing up on us. He has shown a lot of maturity taking hold of the huddle. I feel like he is actually one of the leaders that has had to step it up on offense because they were kind of lacking on leadership on offense.

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Trent Richardson(2011 Projection) 13

245

1693 27

Mark Ingram (2009)

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1542 15

Reggie Bush (2005)

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1658 15

Ron Dayne (1999)

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Ricky Williams (1998)

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Photo by Getty Images

Player

“It’s like a slap in the face [giving up big plays] because we work so hard to keep our opponents under 13 and try to get that goose egg. To give up a touchdown on a mental error - I could see if they earned the touchdown then yeah we could live with it but giving it up on a mental error is discouraging. It happened and it happened before earlier in the season but we have to roll with it, settle down and get after it.”

LSU Exclusive

SEC Powers Collide:

LSU at ALABAMA Neck Neck with the Tide and

By Thomas Watts

he Alabama Crimson Tide meet up with the LSU Tigers in the “Game of the Year” for the 2011 football season on November 5. The game itself will be a slobberknocker. Both teams play the same brand of physical football, but they also have very similar recent histories.

The history between the two programs starts at the head coaching position. Nick Saban took over at LSU in November of 1999 and led the Tigers to the 2003 National Championship. He compiled a record of 46-16 while working for the Tigers. After the 2004 football season, Saban left Cajun country to coach the Miami Dolphins and earned the ire of the Tiger Nation in the process. After a brief stop in Miami, Saban came to Alabama in 2007. There have since been memories aplenty for Tide faithful, including the 2009 National Championship. Since Saban’s return to the SEC, the LSU-Alabama rivalry has intensified.

When Coach Saban took his Tide team to Baton Rouge in 2008, LSU fans burned him in effigy. The team responded by beating LSU 27-21 in a wild overtime game. The following year, Patrick Peterson’s interception was overturned via replay and Alabama won 24-15. The Tigers snapped Alabama’s two game winning streak last year in Baton Rouge 24-21. Each game, whether in Tuscaloosa or Baton Rouge, is on a different level because of the strength of the teams and the coaches involved. 10

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

Photo by Tim Bailey

This year’s game will be much the same. Alabama and LSU enter the game very highly ranked and both teams have their sights set on the BCS Championship Game in New Orleans. The parallels between the teams are striking. Both teams have a strong, experienced defense highlighted by superstars. LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu is a popular pick to win the Heisman trophy. If he did, he would be the first defender to win it since Charles Woodson won it in 1997. Alabama counters with its own set of superstars in Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw. While neither of Alabama’s players is in the Heisman discussion, their names have been bandied about for the Butkus and Nagurski awards for outstanding defensive play. Alabama’s offense does have someone competing with Mathieu for the Heisman in running back Trent Richardson. Richardson has been the primary conduit of the Alabama offense throughout the season. He leads the team in rushing yards and

touchdowns. LSU doesn’t have a running back with Richardson’s skill set and instead prefers a running back-by-committee approach. Where LSU does have Alabama beaten is in the wide receiver corps. Juniors Reuben Randle and Russell Shepard lead a talented wide receiver group that helps give the LSU offense much-needed balance. While it’s stunning to look at how similar the two teams are, the historical parallels between LSU and Alabama will count for nothing in Tuscaloosa. It will come down to execution, and the winner of the game will have the inside track to the national championship game. TDA

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2009 - NATIONAL CHAMPIONS |

Catching up with

The Odds of College Football By Donald F. Staffo

Danny Sheridan

makes his living making predictions, and he made quite a few to the Tuscaloosa Quarterback Club a couple weeks ago. The Quarterback Club meets in The Zone on the fifth floor of Bryant-Denny Stadium. He said, that day, that the best teams in the country, in no particular order, are LSU, Alabama, Boise State and Oklahoma.

Sheridan stressed that the betting lines are just the public’s perception to even up the betting. He said that $8 billion is illegally wagered every week in this country on college and professional football. “Boise State will be a 17 to 45 point favorite in every game they play. They will go undefeated and will have a good chance of playing in the BCS title game. Their best chance is if Georgia keeps winning.” Sheridan said the team with the next best chance to reach the BCS championship game is Oklahoma. “That’s because they have a two-game schedule. Also because Oklahoma does not have to play Nebraska.”

Danny Sheridan on the left

Sheridan said that winning a national championship in football is worth between $50 to $100 million to the university that can accomplish that feat. “It’s closer to $100 million a year if Alabama or Auburn wins the national championship.” Sheridan stated that the SEC is the best conference. “It’s just a brutal, incredibly tough conference,” he said. “The SEC has won the last five national championships and seven of the last 13 BCS championships. There have only been 13 BCS championships, and the SEC has won more than half of them, which is amazing.” He pointed out that the state of Alabama has produced the last two national championship teams [UA in 2009 and AU in 2010] and the last two Heisman Trophy winners [the Tide’s Mark Ingram two years ago and the Tigers’ Cam Newton last year]. “Now how many states have done that?” he asked, before answering his own question. “None. It’s the first time it’s ever been done.”

“As of today I think Alabama will lose to LSU if Jordan Jefferson, who is suspended, is in the line-up by Nov. 5.” According to Sheridan Wisconsin has the third best chance to reach the BCS championship game, the fourth the winner of the Alabama-LSU game, and the fifth best chance is Oregon. “Wisconsin will also have a good chance because they don’t play anyone, and if some of those teams slip Oregon will slide into the national picture.” He acknowledges that it’s good to have a good team, “but the most important thing is to have a good schedule to play in the BCS Title game.” Sheridan also predicted over the next five years that Oklahoma and Texas would have a good chance of being in the BCS championship game. “So you can get used to that,” he said.

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

He said that the SEC West is particularly tough. “Last year five teams finished in the Top 15 in the country, and this year five teams were in the Top 20 to start the season. Right now three teams are in the Top 10, with LSU No. 1, Alabama No. 2 and Arkansas No. 10. “Right now I’d say LSU is No. 1, and Alabama 1A. I think LSU is the best team in the conference. They’re just a little bit better than Alabama. Defensively LSU is a little better. Offensively I might give Alabama an edge except for the quarterback. Jarrett Lee is a fifth year senior and Jordan Jefferson is a senior. That combination won 11 games last year. AJ McCarron may be great (some day), but right now he’s young.” Regardless, from a betting perspective Sheridan said that Alabama will be favored in every game they play, including LSU. “If they played

Photo by Danny Sheridan.com

“They’re the four best teams this week, barring injury,” he said. “I can’t separate them.” If Boise State played Alabama or LSU this weekend at a neutral site, it would be a ‘pick ‘em game,” said Sheridan, who for many years has handicapped college football games for USA Today. “The only game that wouldn’t be a pick-‘em game would be if Boise played Oklahoma. In that case Boise would be a two-point underdog to Oklahoma.”

this weekend Alabama would be favored by three points. Most people across the country think Alabama is the better team, but I don’t,” said Sheridan, an Alabama graduate. “As of today I think Alabama will lose to LSU if Jordan Jefferson, who is suspended, is in the line-up by Nov. 5.” Sheridan said that if the Iron Bowl was played this weekend that Alabama would be an 11 to 13 point favorite over Auburn.”

Some wounds you can’t see.

In the Heisman Trophy race Sheridan says Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is clearly the favorite at this point. “It’s one-to-one,” he said, using betting parlance. It’s three to one against the three quarterbacks who are being mentioned- Boise State’s Kellen Moore, Michigan’s Desmond Robinson and Oklahoma’s Landry Jones.” He made Bama’s Trent Richardson and South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore, a couple of running backs, four-to-one odds against winning the coveted trophy. He said Richardson is “a professional athlete waiting to happen. He’s got a lot of attributes that [former UA Heisman winner] Mark Ingram didn’t have. Trent is much faster and stronger, and he’s more powerful. He’s the strongest running back in the country in terms of weight lifting. “Mark would run right at you, and Mark might be a better pass catcher, but Trent is the more allusive runner. But you can’t go wrong with either one.” TDA

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Pro Connections

The Tide's Determined Walk-On Now A Cardinal

Rashad Johnson

“I had an excellent time at

Alabama.

coach Saban and Coach Smart

really helped me to grow and develop as a safety.” 24 | TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA September 22, 2011

PHOTOS BY EZRA SHAW/GETTY IMAGES AND CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES

Pro

Conections ulian “Rashad” Johnson was a key player for the Crimson Tide and now looks to be a star player for the Arizona Cardinals.He entered the UA roster in 2004 as a walk-on. He attended Sulligent High School in Sulligent, Ala., and had no Division 1-A offers. He chose to attend Alabama as a walk-on, was later awarded a scholarship and became the team leader in the secondary. As a defensive back for the Tide, Johnson possessed three outstanding qualities: he was a good hitter, he had excellent closing speed and outstanding ball judgment skills. Throughout his career at the University of Alabama, Johnson prided himself on being the best defensive back that he could be. "I had an excellent time at Alabama and Coach Saban and Coach Smart really helped me to grow and develop as a safety," Johnson confessed. "I was fortunate enough to be brought in and hired by the Arizona Cardinals in 2009 and I credit them and their coaching with helping me get there. It's nice to see that the hard work I did at Alabama has paid off and allowed me these opportunities." In his career at the Capstone, Johnson received many awards and a lot of recognition. He was named 2007 team captain and earned UA’s Co-Defensive player of the Year honors. He received a 2007 Coaches First-Team All-SEC selection.

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In April of 2009, Johnson was picked 95th overall in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. In his first season with the Cardinals, he recorded five tackles and, as of right now, his career number of tackles with the Cardinals is at 71. Johnson also has one interception. At The Capstone, Johnson showed that even a walk-on can work his way to the top. Now that he is with the Arizona Cardinals, Johnson still hasn’t forgotten where he came from. This summer he had the chance to visit his roots and give back to his hometown. He hosted a free football summer camp to grades 1-12 at Sulligent High School. He brought in former Bama players and current NFL players to help instruct the camp for his Blue Devils fans and future players.

It was a great feeling to be able to do something special for my hometown. "Hosting this camp was something I really wanted to do in my hometown," Johnson admitted. "I visited other camps last year and tried to take in all that they did so when I started my own camp, it would be successful. It was a great feeling to be able to do something special for my hometown." Although Johnson went from walk-on status to NFL starpower, he hasn’t lost touch to his UA and Blue Devils family. TDA

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ua player spotlight

A Star By Kassidy Hill

ON OFF the Field and

At a recent game’s halftime,

For starters, Jones makes an impressive showing on the Offesnive line. The 6-foot-5, 311-pound red-shirt junior is one of the most versatile players the Tide has this year. There are some games where Jones will remain in one position the entire time, but there are games, like Kent State, where he is playing ring-around-the-offensive-line. His first two seasons with the Tide, Jones played right guard. At the beginning of this season he was seen at left tackle. In an effort to help Cyrus Kouandjio develop at that position, Barrett will sometimes move over to left guard. Then, just in case anything happens to center William Vlachos, Bama fans need not need fear, Jones has played there as well. All of this has earned him honors as Alabama Player of the Week and SEC Player of the Week. This would seem to be impossible for many players but Jones says it is just a part of learning the offense.

a local reporter recently found out that Jones plays the violin. He is also already an academic All-American. Any athlete who can compete at the top of their sport and in the classroom deserves a round of applause. This is also a young man who has quickly earned the respect from nearly everyone around him. At the recent homecoming pep rally, there was a group of players present to introduce themselves to the fans. It generally went along the lines of “Hi”, followed by their name, hometown and a Roll Tide to close. When Jones stepped up to the microphone, he stopped and took a moment to thank all of the students and fans for coming out.

“I’d like to say how thankful we are for all your support and how proud we are to have the best fans in the country.”

“It’s something that’s kind of difficult from a preparation aspect, but I think once you learn the offense it’s not as hard as you think.” he said. “It’s been good to get experience at different places in different games in case situations arise and I need to play other positions.” Because of his versatility and sheer talent at those positions it could be argued that nearly every Trent Richardson touchdown and AJ McCarron avoided sack is thanks to Jones. There seems to be this unspoken acknowledgment that when speaking to him, we all know we are talking to a future first-rounder. But there is more to it than that. You can read his stats anywhere. What makes Jones interesting is the person he is. Example one: through some digging that we still marvel at,

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

“I’d like to say how thankful we are for all your support and how proud we are to have the best fans in the country; Roll Tide,” he confessed to the fans. This is the same agenda followed at press conferences. Jones will always be the one willing to stay around as long as needed and cracks jokes along the way. There are many incredible young men on this 2011 Alabama team and the list could go on about how each of them is making a great campaign on the field and how much the media enjoy talking to them off the field. But Barrett Jones has quickly endeared himself to many, and, rest assured, this will be one Alabama player we will happily cheer on for many years to come. TDA

Photo by Cedric Mason

there were several several sports reporters sitting around a table. Like it does often times around a group of sports reporters, the conversation turned to the game at hand. But that was quickly parlayed into the players on the field. And this, of course, brought up the following question. Who is your favorite player to interview? Now, no disrespect to any of the players, they are all enjoyable, but it did not take long for there to be a general consensus around the table. When Barrett Jones walks into the room, everyone gets excited.

G A L L E R Y

lots of autographed memorabilia!

N O NAME 1 Demetrius Hart 2 Tana Patrick 2 DeAndrew White 3 Trent Richardson 4 Mark Barron 4 Marquis Maze 5 Jerrell Harris 6 Hasean Clinton-Dix 6 Blake Sime 7 Kenny Bell 8 Duron Carter 8 Jeoffrey Pagan 9 Phelon Jones 10 John Fulton 10 A.J. McCarron 11 Brandon Gibson 12 Phillip Ely 13 Danny Woodson, Jr. 14 Phillip Sims 15 Darius Hanks 16 Bradley Sylve 17 Brad Smelley 18 Morgan Ogilvie 18 Levi Cook 19 Jonathan Atchison 20 Nate Carlson 20 Jarrick Williams 21 Brent Calloway 21 Ben Howell 21 Dre Kirkpatrick 22 Christion Jones 24 Nathan McAlister 24 DeQuan Menzie 25 Caleb Castille 26 Jabriel Washington 26 Nick Tinker 27 Nick Perry 28 DeMarcus Milliner 29 Cody Mandell 29 Will Lowery 30 Dont’a Hightower 31 John Baites 32 C.J. Mosley 33 Trey DePriest 34 Hunter Bush 35 Nico Johnson 36 Chris Jordan 37 Robert Lester 40 DeMarcus DuBose 41 Courtney Upshaw 42 Adrian Hubbard 42 Eddie Lacy 43 Cade Foster 43 Taylor Conant 44 Jay Williams 44 LaMichael Fanning 45 Jalston Fowler 47 Xzavier Dickson 48 Rowdy Harrell

P RB LB WR RB S WR LB DB QB WR WR DE CB CB QB WR QB WR QB WR WR WR QB DB LB TE DB RB RB CB DB WR CB DB DB RB DB CB P DB LB TE LB LB DB LB LB S LB LB LB RB K WR P DE FB LB LB

CLS HT FR 5-9 SO 6-3 FR 6-0 JR 5-11 SR 6-2 SR 5-10 SR 6-3 FR 6-1 FR 6-0 SO 6-1 JR 6-4 FR 6-4 SR 5-11 SO 6-0 SO 6-4 SR 6-2 FR 6-1 FR 6-1 FR 6-2 JR 6-0 FR 5-11 SR 6-3 SO 6-0 JR 5-10 SO 6-3 JR 6-4 SO 6-1 FR 6-1 JR 5-9 JR 6-3 FR 5-11 SO 5-11 SR 6-0 FR 5-11 FR 5-11 SO 5-10 SO 6-1 SO 6-1 SO 6-4 JR 5-10 JR 6-4 SR 6-1 SO 6-2 FR 6-2 JR 5-11 JR 6-3 SR 6-3 JR 6-2 JR 6-1 SR 6-2 FR 6-6 SO 6-0 SO 6-1 JR 6-0 FR 6-3 FR 6-7 SO 6-1 FR 6-3 SR 6-0

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HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Orlando, Fla. Dr. Phillips Bridgeport, Ala. North Jackson Houston, Texas North Shore Pensacola, Fla. Escambia Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s Birmingham, Ala. Tarrant Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City Orlando, Fla. Dr. Phillips Gainesville, Ga. Gainesville Rayville, La. Rayville Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Aquinas Asheville, NC Asheville Moblie, Ala. LSU Manning, S.C. Manning Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s Episcopal School Mobile, Ala. UMS-Wright Tampa, Fla. Plant Mobile, Ala. LeFlore Chesapeake, Va. Oscar Smith Norcross, Ga. Norcross Port Sulphur, La. S. Plaquemines Tuscaloosa, Ala. American Christian Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook Decatur, Ala. Decatur Atlanta, Ga. Douglass Birmingham, Ala. Air Force Mobile, Ala. Blount Russellville, Ala. Russellville Gordo, Ala. Gordo Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City Adamsville, Ala. Minor Russellville, Ala. Russellville Columbus, Ga. Copiah-Lincoln CC Birmingham, Ala. Briarwood Christian Jackson, Tn. Trinity Christian Ac. Ralph, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Prattville, Ala. Prattville Millbrook, Ala. Stanhope Elmore Lafayette, La. Acadiana Hoover, Ala. Hoover Lewisburg, Tenn. Marshall County Hendersonville, Tenn. Beech Theodore, Ala. Theodore Springfield, Oh. Springfield Wetumpka, Ala. Wetumpka Andalusia, Ala. Andalusia Brentwood, Tenn. Brentwood Academy Foley, Ala. Foley Montgomery, Ala. Jefferson Davis Eufaula, Ala. Eufaula Lawrenceville, Ga. Norcross Geismar, La. Dutchtown Southlake, Texas Southlake Carroll Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tuscaloosa Academy Thomasville, Ala. Thomasville Hamilton, Ga. Harris County Mobile, Ala. Vigor Griffin, Ga. Griffin Moundville, Ala. Hale County

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

NO NAME 49 Ed Stinson 49 Ranzell Watkins 51 Wilson Love 51 Carson Tinker 52 Alfred McCullough 53 Anthony Orr 54 Russell Raines 54 Jesse Williams 56 William Ming 57 DJ Pettway 57 Aaron Joiner 58 Nick Gentry 59 Arie Kouandjio 61 Anthony Steen 62 Brandon Ivory 63 Kellen Williams 65 Chance Warmack 67 John Michael Boswell 68 Austin Gray 68 Issac Luatua 70 Ryan Kelly 71 Cyrus Kouandjio 72 Tyler Love 73 William Vlachos 75 Barrett Jones 76 D.J. Fluker 78 Chad Lindsay 79 Austin Shepherd 80 Marvin Shinn 81 William Strickland 81 Hardie Buck 82 Harrison Jones 83 Kevin Norwood 84 Brian Vogler 85 Malcom Faciane 86 Undra Billingsley 87 Chris Underwood 88 Michael Bowman 89 Michael Williams 90 Jeremy Shelley 90 Quinton Dial 91 Alex Watkins 92 Damion Square 93 Chris Bonds 95 Brandon Lewis 99 Josh Chapman

P HT LB/DL FR DB SO DE FR LS JR T SR DL FR OL SO NT JR DL SO DE FR OL JR DL SR OL FR G SO NT FR OL SO G JR OL SR OL SO OL FR OL FR OL FR T JR C SR G JR OL SO OL FR OT FR WR FR WR SR WR JR TE FR WR SO TE FR TE FR DE JR TE SR WR SO TE JR K JR DL JR LB SR DE JR DE SO DL JR NT SR

WT 6-4 5-9 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-1 6-5 6-6 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-0 5-9 6-4 6-2 6-7 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-6 5-10 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-1

CLS 252 170 276 220 311 258 281 319 283 272 275 284 309 303 308 305 320 300 309 299 281 322 307 294 311 335 287 321 193 191 190 248 193 252 259 288 243 225 269 165 294 234 285 269 288 310

HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Homestead, Fla. South Dade Charlotte, N.C. Independence Mountainbrook, Ala. Mountainbrook Murfreesboro, Tenn. Riverdale Athens, Ala. Athens Madison, Ala. Sparkman Satsuma, Ala. Satsuma Brisbane, Australia Cavendish Road Athens, Ala. Athens Pensacola, Fla. Catholic Florence, Ala. Florence Prattville, Ala. Prattville Beltsville, Md. DeMatha Catholic Lambert, Miss. Lee Academy Memphis, Tenn. East Lawrenceville, Ga. Brookwood Atlanta, Ga. Westlake Northport, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Woodstock, Ga. Pope La Marida, Ca. La Marida West Chester, Oh. Lakota West Woodstock, Ga. Pope Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook Birmingham, Ala. Mountain Brook Memphis, Tenn. Evangelical Christian Foley, Ala. Foley The Woodlands, Texas The Woodlands Buford, Ga. North Gwinnett Prichard, Ala. Vigor ********* ******* Birmingham, Ala. Vestavia Hills Memphis, Tn. Evangelical Christian D’Iberville, Miss. D’Iberville Columbus, Ga. Brookstone Picayune, Ms. Memorial Birmingham, Ala. Woodlawn Vestavia Hills, Ala. Vestavia Hills Rossville, Ga. Ridgeland Reform, Ala. Pickens County Raleigh, N.C. Broughton Pinson, Ala. East Mississippi CC Brownsville, Tenn. Haywood Houston, Texas Yates Columbia, S.C. Richland Northeast Pleasant Grove, Ala. Pleasant Grove Hoover, Ala. Hoover

Title

NO NAME 1 Eric Reid 2 Rueben Randle 3 Jakhari Gore 4 Alfred Blue 5 Jarrett Fobbs 6 Craig Loston 7 Tyrann Mathieu 8 Zach Mettenberger 9 Ego Ferguson 9 Jordan Jefferson 10 Nick Rice 10 Russell Shepard 11 Spencer Ware 12 Jarrett Lee 13 Ron Brooks 13 Jared Foster 14 Terrence Magee 15 Jerrard Randall 16 Trent Hebert 16 Stephen Rivers 17 Morris Claiborne 18 Brandon Taylor 19 David Detz 19 Deangelo Peterson 21 Tayler Debusk 21 Paul Turner 22 Ryan Baker 23 Stefoin Francois 24 Tharold Simon 25 David Jenkins 26 Ronald Martin 27 Kenny Hilliard 28 Ronnie Vinson 29 Sam Gibson 30 Drew Alleman 31 D.J. Welter 32 Jalen Collins 33 Odell Beckham Jr. 34 Micah Eugene 35 James Stampley 36 Derrick Bryant 37 Karnell Hatcher 38 James Hairston 38 DJ Howard 38 Brad Wing 39 Josh Johns 40 Rockey Duplessis 40 Tabari Williams 41 Travis Dickson 42 Michael Ford 43 Connor Neighbors 44 J.C. Copeland 46 Hunter Kinchen 46 Kevin Minter 47 Tyler Edwards 48 Seth Fruge 49 Austin Kinchen 49 Barkevious Mingo 50 Joey Crappell

P CLS HT S 6-2 WR 6-4 WR 5-9 RB 6-2 WR 5-11 S 6-2 CB 5-9 QB 6-5 DT 6-3 QB 6-5 DB 6-1 WR 6-1 RB 5-11 QB 6-2 CB 6-0 QB 6-0 RB 5-9 QB 6-1 DB 5-9 QB 6-7 CB 6-0 S 6-0 LB 6-0 TE 6-4 DB 5-11 WR 5-11 LB 6-0 LB 6-1 DB 6-3 DB 6-1 DB 6-1 RB 5-11 DB 5-11 S 6-1 PK/P 5-11 LB 6-0 DB 6-1 WR 5-11 DB 5-11 FB 5-10 S 5-11 LB 6-2 PK/P 6-0 P 6-2 P 6-3 LB 6-2 S 6-1 RB 5-7 TE 6-3 RB 5-10 FB 5-10 FB 6-1 WR 5-11 LB 6-2 TE 6-4 LB 5-11 SNP 6-2 DE 6-5 SNP 6-2 1925

WT HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL 208 So. Geismar, La. (Dutchtown HS) 208 Jr. Bastrop, La. (Bastrop HS) 166 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Christopher Columbus) 215 So. Boutte, La. (Hahnville HS) 195 Fr. Shreveport, La. (Huntington HS) 208 So. Houston, Texas (Eisenhower HS) 175 So. New Orleans, La. (St. Augustine HS) 222 So. Watkinsville, Ga. (Oconee County HS/Butler CC) 283 Fr. Frederick, Md. (Hargrave Military Academy) 223 Sr. St. Rose, La. (Destrehan HS) 229 So. Coppell, Texas (Coppell HS) 185 Jr. Houston, Texas (Cypress Ridge HS) 223 So. Cincinnati, Ohio (Princeton HS) 206 Sr Brenham, Texas (Brenham HS) 177 Sr. Irving, Texas (MacArthur HS) 184 Fr. Lake Charles, La. (Barbe HS) 212 Fr. Franklinton, La. (Franklinton HS) 180 Fr. Hollywood, Fla. (Mirimar HS) 192 Sr. Cecilia, La. (Cecilia HS) 212 Fr. Athens, Ala. (Athens HS) 185 Jr. Shreveport, La. (Fair Park HS) 194 Sr. Franklinton, La. (Franklinton HS) 208 Jr. Leesville, La. (Leesville HS) 235 Sr. New Orleans, La. (Desire Street) 199 Jr. Tupelo, Miss. (Tupelo HS) 186 Fr. West Monroe, La. (West Monroe HS) 236 Sr. Grand Ridge, Fla. (Blountstown HS) 223 Sr. Reserve, La. (East St. John HS) 187 So. Eunice, La. (Eunice HS) 193 Fr. Jena, La. (Hebron) 199 Fr. White Castle, La. (White Castle HS) 240 Fr. Patterson, La. (Patterson HS) 185 Fr. New Orleans, La. (Newman HS) 203 Fr. Prattville, Ala. (Prattville HS) 183 Jr. Lafayette, La. (Acadiana HS) 226 Fr. Crowley, La. (Notre Dame HS) 184 Fr. Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch HS) 183 Fr. New Orleans, La. (Isidore Newman) 194 Fr. Lafayette, La. (Acadiana HS) 239 Sr. Baker, La. (Baker HS) 195 Sr Lawrenceville, Ga. (Peachtree Ridge) 223 Sr. Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic Community) 200 Fr. Dallas, Texas (Jesuit College Prep) 191 Sr. Baton Rouge, La. (West Feliciana HS) 184 Fr Melbourne, Australia (Parkview Baptist) 206 So. Baton Rouge, La. (Central HS) 209 So. Belle Chasse, La. (Belle Chasse HS) 167 So. Hiram, Ga. (The Culver Academies) 230 Fr. Ocean Springs, Miss. (Ocean Springs HS) 215 So. Leesville, La. (Leesville HS) 233 So. Huntsville, Ala. (Huntsville HS) 280 So. LaGrange, Ga. (Troup County HS) 172 Fr. Baton Rouge, La. (Dunham) 242 So. Suwanee, Ga. (Peachtree Ridge HS) 235 Jr. Monroe, La. (Ouachita Parish HS) 200 So. Welsh, La. (Notre Dame HS) 209 Jr. Baton Rouge, La. (Parkview Baptist) 240 So. West Monroe, La. (West Monroe HS) 245 Sr. Patterson, La. (Patterson HS)

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NO NAME 51 Logan Boudreaux 51 Trevon Randle 52 Luke Muncie 53 T-Bob Hebert 54 Justin Maclin 55 Jarrett Hardnett 56 Anthony Johnson 57 Lamin Barrow 58 Tahj Jones 59 Jermauria Rasco 60 Will Blackwell 61 Ben Domingue 63 Branch Kampe 63 Trai Turner 64 P.J. Lonergan 65 Elliott Porter 67 Corey White 68 Josh Dworaczyk 69 Alex Bonnette 70 Evan Washington 71 Jonah Austin 72 Alex Hurst 73 Chris Davenport 74 Josh Williford 75 Greg Shaw 76 Chris Faulk 77 Josh Downs 78 La'el Collins 79 Matt Branch 80 Jarvis Landry 81 Armand Williams 82 James Wright 83 Mitch Joseph 84 Nic Jacobs 85 Alex Russian 86 Kadron Boone 87 Chancey Aghayere 88 Chase Clement 89 Lavar Edwards 90 Michael Brockers 93 Bennie Logan 94 Kendrick Adams 95 Quentin Thomas 96 Mickey Johnson 97 Dennis Johnson 98 Jordan Allen 99 Sam Montgomery

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WT HOMETOWN 210 Fr. St. Amant, La. 210 Fr. League City, Texas 220 So. Klein, Texas 304 Sr. Norcross, Ga. 241 So. Memphis, Tenn. 235 So. Baton Rouge, La. 310 Fr. New Orleans, La. 229 So. Marrero, La. 205 So. Sulphur, La. 255 Fr. Shreveport, La. 290 Sr. West Monroe, La. 272 So. Lafayette, La. 225 Fr. Rochester, Mich. 332 Fr. New Orleans, La. 305 Jr. New Orleans, La. 278 Fr. Waggaman, La. 328 Fr. Baton Rouge, La. 301 Sr. New Iberia, La. 284 So. LaPlace, La. 326 Fr. DeSoto, Texas 322 Fr. New Orleans, La. 340 Jr. Bartlett, Tenn. 320 So. Mansfield, La. 324 So. Dothan, Ala. 281 Sr. Hialeah, Fla. 325 So. Slidell, La. 287 Jr. Bastrop, La. 320 Fr. Baton Rouge, La. 287 Jr. Monroe, La. 190 Fr. Lutcher, La. 200 Fr. Slidell, La. 201 So. Belle Chasse, La. 268 Sr. New Iberia, La. 253 Fr. Many, La. 235 Sr. Round Rock, Texas 195 So. Ocala, Fla. 279 Jr. Garland, Texas 251 Jr. Thibodaux, La. 264 Jr. Gretna, La. 306 So. Houston, Texas 287 So. Coushatta, La. 255 Sr. Enterprise, Ala. 279 Fr. Breaux Bridge, La. 312 Fr. Covington, La. 285 Sr. Amory, Miss. 252 Fr West Monroe, La. 245 So. Greenwood, S.C.

LAST SCHOOL (St. Amant HS) (Clear Springs HS) (Oak HS) (Greater Atlanta Christian) (Ridgeway HS) (Woodlawn HS) (O.P. Walker HS) (John Ehret HS) (Sulphur HS) (Evangel Christian Academy)

(West Monroe HS) (St. Thomas More) (Shrine Catholic HS) (St. Augustine HS) (Rummel HS) (Shaw HS) (Capitol HS) (Catholic-New Iberia) (Riverside Academy) (DeSoto HS) (St. Augustine HS) (Arlington HS) (Mansfield HS) (Houston Academy) (Edward Pace HS) (Northshore HS) (Bastrop HS) (Redemptorist HS) (Sterlington HS) (Lutcher HS) (Slidell HS) (Belle Chasse HS) (Catholic-New Iberia) (Many HS) (Round Rock HS) (Trinity Catholic HS) (Garland HS) (E.D. White HS) (Desire Street)

(Chavez HS) (Red River HS) (Enterprise HS) (Breaux Bridge HS) (St. Paul's HS) (Amory HS/Itawamba CC)

(West Monroe HS) (Greenwood HS)

Wherever you go.....

Shouldn’t your money follow?

Mobile Transactions is here. Now you can check your balance, find the nearest ATM, and transfer money between accounts, all from your mobile device. It’s convenient and easy. www.tuscaloosacu.org Downtown Tuscaloosa

205-345-6043

Skyland (next to State Hwy. Dept.)

205-469-0083

Northport (next to Bojangles)

205-469-0530

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2009 - NATIONAL CHAMPIONS |

Photos by collegepressbox.com

Section Title

When Jordan Jefferson was suspended during the

offseason, LSU was forced to start backup quarterback Jarrett Lee. Lee, who was known as a mistake-prone quarterback coming into the season,, has become a leader of the Tigers’ offense. Lee has answered his critics by tossing 10touchdowns compared to only a single interception this season. He’s led LSU to victories over nationally-ranked Oregon, Mississippi State, West Virginia and Florida. What makes those wins incredible is that, out of those impressive wins, only the Tigers’ game against Florida was at home. LSU played the Ducks in Dallas Stadium before traveling to play Mississippi State and West Virginia in back-to-back weeks. He is infamous for throwing six interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in 2008. Since then, Lee has only tossed three interceptions on 261 attempts. That means he has thrown an interception on only 1 percent of his passes since his freshman season. The quarterback credits his success now to what he learned during his freshman year. The LSU quarterback isn’t going to light up the scoreboard, but he plays smart football. Lee has not thrown for over 213 yards passing this season and he’s only broken the 200 yard passing barrier five times in his career. Three times this year he hasn’t completed double digit passes, but he continues to help the Tigers win games. When Jefferson rejoined the team in early October, many expected him to take over the starting quarterback job from Lee. So far, that has not happened. Jefferson has played sparingly in a running role since his return, while Lee continues to run the majority of the LSU offense. His results against Alabama have been mixed. In 2008, he threw four interceptions in the Tigers’ loss to Alabama. Last season, Lee’s 47 yard pass to wide receiver Rueben Randle sealed a 24-21 LSU victory. 20

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

By Daniel Evans

Lsu’s biggest defensive challenge

this offeseason was to find a way to replace star cornerback Patrick Peterson. Morris Claiborne was expected to jump into the role as the Tigers’ newest defensive star and, to his credit, he has played very well this year. But teammate Tyrann Mathieu has played even better. Through seven games this season, Matthieu has done it all for the Tigers. He’s scored twice, with one of them coming on an incredible play against Kentucky where he forced a fumble and then picked the ball up and ran it in for a score. There are even whispers that Matthieu could be a darkhorse Heisman Trophy contender, although defensive players aren’t usually seriously considered. Usually, a defensive player has to make a big play or two on special teams to have a chance to win college football’s premiere individual award. Thus far this season, the sophomore has been unable to break one of his 18 punt returns for a score, but he has filled up the stat sheet defensively. Matthieu has 1.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions this season. He’s recorded 60 tackles, including 11 in the Tigers season-opening victory over Oregon and 10 against Mississippi State. He also has broken up five passes and deflected seven. The argument could be that Matthieu is the best player on the nation’s No. 1 ranked team. Last season against the Crimson Tide, Mattieu broke up a pass and recorded four total tackles in limited action.

Showdown in

By Stephen E. Smith

In the four seasons since Nick Saban’s arrival at Alabama, no team has won by more than nine points, and each team has won twice. Touchdown Alabama Magazine readers remember Julio Jones’ 73-yard touchdown in the championship season to propel the Tide over LSU 24-15. Last season Alabama fell victim to the Mad Hatter’s (LSU head coach Les Miles) crazy play calling. On fourth-and-1, the Tigers ran a 23 yard reverse to set up the go ahead touchdown in the 24-21 LSU win. Here is what to watch for come November 5.

Defense LSU

It is no secret these defenses are among the top defenses in college football. For the past few years, LSU and Alabama have set the defensive standard in the SEC and around the country. Giving up 12.8 points per game, through five games, the Tigers’ defense is No. 9 in the country. The Tigers’ defense is led by cornerback No. 7 Tyrann Mathieu, linebacker No. 22 Ryan Baker and cornerback No. 17 Morris Claiborne. Defensive coordinator John Chavis has made a point to take risks on the defense, and that risk taking has paid off so far.

Alabama

Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is bound to be a head coach someday, but for now he is coaching the best defense in the country. Through five games, Alabama’s defense has given up an average of 8.4 points per game making them the No. 1 defense in the land. Linebacker No. 30 Don’t’a Hightower might be the signal caller, but the entire line backing corps is the strength of the defense. In a 3-4 defensive scheme, it is important to have linebackers who can rush the passer and drop back in coverage. No. 41 Courtney Upshaw, No. 35 Nico Johnson, and No. 5 Jerrell Harris compliment Dont’a Hightower very well. 1925

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Key to the Game LSU

Quarterback play is the biggest question mark for both teams, and it will determine the outcome of this epic matchup. No. 12 Jarret Lee has proven to be consistent for the Tigers this year, but not exceptional. His job is to effectively manage the game, and so far he has done just that. Through five games, Lee has thrown seven touchdowns to only one interception. Playing in Tuscaloosa, Lee is going to have to take more chances to get around his toughest defense yet.

Alabama

No. 10 A.J. McCarron has the same objective. With so much talent around him, and arguably the best running back in the country behind him, McCarron’s job is to distribute the ball and not make crucial mistakes. He has completed over 62 percent of his passes for four touchdowns. Whichever quarterback can play the most fundamentally sound game will probably be victorious. The atmosphere in Tuscaloosa will be electric. This game is overflowing with national championship implications. Hopefully the Tuscaloosa Police Department will be out and ready no matter who wins. 1973

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Photo by Tim Bailey

labama fans and LSU fans are not friends. They do not tailgate together, or play words with friends over their smart phones. LSU-Alabama is the most anticipated matchup of the 2011 season, and with good reason.

T-Town

Larry's Lowdown

Today’s Question:

Photo by Tim Bailey

Is the Tide Ready for LSU?

By Larry Burton

ou never look ahead in the SEC, that’s how you get beaten. But with Alabama’s punting of the Pigs in Arkansas and the romp in the Swamp, another in the series of absolute-butt kickings the Tide has inflicted on nationally ranked teams, it is time to ask if the Tide is ready for LSU? But the real question may be: is LSU ready for this edition of the Crimson Tide? Yes, LSU has beaten some impressive teams but has not beaten everyone impressively. The Tide, meanwhile, has simply steamrolled every team they’ve met and made them look like a Division II opponent.

Nick Saban and Jim McElwain have played their offensive cards close to the vest this season. Except for one fake field goal against Arkansas that went for a touchdown, they have some cards, they haven’t been willing to show a lot of trick plays up until now. That has

Can LSU stop Alabama’s rushing game the way they have every other team? been because the Alabama defense was simply able to stifle opposing offenses to the point that it didn’t really matter how many points the Tide team put up. 22

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

So far, Saban seems content to let this team ride the defense to wins and just have the offense pound it out, kill the clock and let the offense demoralize the team much in the same way the defense does. Can Alabama stifle the LSU offense as they have everyone else? Even though Saban is known for not trying to run the score up on opponents, they are averaging about 38 points per game. LSU is likewise in the top 20 in scoring offenses with a 38 per game average also. Where the difference in offense is between the two teams is simple. Alabama lines up, punches you in the face and runs the ball down your throat, averaging over six yards a carry and about 230 yards of rushing per game. LSU, on the other hand, averages less than 3.96 yards per carry and just 172 yards a game rushing. That puts them 36 places behind Alabama in the rushing offense stats. And what may even surprise some Alabama fans is that they do a much better job than LSU in the passing department as well. Alabama has thrown for 208.8 yards a game compared to LSU’s 177 yards per game and has a higher completion ratio as well, coming in 20 spots above LSU’s passing offense. But what makes each team a dread to play is not the offense, but the defense. Right now, Alabama is the No. 1 rushing defense in the country, allowing just 1.49 yards per carry

News around the

on average for a game total average of just 39.6 yards per game. LSU is No. 3, allowing just over two yards a carry and a total average of just 60.4 yards per game or over 35 percent more yards per game than Alabama does.

By Jeremy Salter

Auburn Tigers:

The Tigers have had close calls all season. In four of their five wins this season, the Tigers have been able to pull off very close victories. After being torched by Arkansas, the Tigers were able to take care of business at home against Florida. This young team must continue to play hard if they are going to be able to finish strong this season with a brutal schedule. They still have tough conference games ahead of them including games against Alabama and LSU. The Tigers can only hope to keep pulling off close victories. Look for Auburn to keep having close-call games throughout the rest of the season.

The question in this game between two titans is simple. Can LSU stop Alabama’s rushing game the way they have every other team?

So far the two teams have not played a common opponent and, in fact, Alabama has done LSU a big favor in knocking out Florida’s starting quarterback from last week’s contest against the Tigers in the first game of common opponents.

LSU Tigers:

Alabama is flexing its muscle and apparently getting better each week, as you would expect a great team to do. A few weeks ago, that defense held Demps and Rainey, two of the SEC’s hottest rushing running backs to an absolutely laughable four yards each in total rushing for the entire game. But that same team ran for over a hundred yards against LSU and you have to remember that Florida didn’t have their first- or second-team quarterback due to injuries sustained against Alabama.

The Tigers are still looking to be the Tide’s biggest competition this season. The Tigers are still No.1 and having an impressive season. With a very strong defense and a nasty secondary, the Tigers are undefeated and might remain that way unless Alabama can beat them. They have been dominant in all their games, crushing their opponents. Les Miles has this team believing they can go all the way to Atlanta and to the BCS National Title game. The Tide might be the only team able to stop them. Be prepared to watch a showdown for the West between LSU and Alabama.

Ole Miss Rebels:

So even with no quarterback to speak of and LSU playing run the entire day, Florida still gained over 10 times the yardage against LSU rushing that they had against Alabama.

The Rebels have had a rough start, going into the season not being able to win any of their conference games. They have only won two non-conference games to start the season. They are looking to turn things around if they are to make it to postseason. After suffering a very tough loss against Alabama, which was the worst for Ole Miss since 1981, the Rebels must get ready for their next games. At the midway point of the season, the Rebels look to rebound and gain some much needed wins.

This common opponent theme works well for an argument in Alabama’s favor as to who is most likely to win, but all coaches will acknowledge that, when push comes to shove, common opponents actually mean little when the actual game is played.

Mississippi State Bulldogs:

The Bulldogs seem to be struggling this season. They have still not been able to get a conference win this season. Their only wins have been against non-conference teams. They had high expectations that haven’t turned out the way Mississippi State fans would like. It also doesn’t help things that there is a quarterback controversy going on. They have lost more games than they have won but can still turn it around. They have very tough competition down the stretch, including a very tough Alabama team. Watch for the Bulldogs to keep trying to play hard if they are going to make it to a bowl game. TDA

Comparing the stats and tendencies right now, the question is not if Alabama is ready to play the No. 1 team in the country, it should be, is the No. 1 team in the country ready to play Alabama? Few of us in the media can hardly wait to see and it’s soon to be played out for all to see. TDA

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Alabama

Crimson Tide

Jim Fiscus for ESPN The Magazine

We surf the Itnernet. We swim in magazines. The internet is exhilarating. Magazines are enveloping. The Internet grabs you. Magazines embrace you.The Internet is impulsive. Magazines are immersive. And both media are growing. Barely noticed amidst the thunderous Internet clamor is the simpl fact that magazine readership has risen over the past five years. Even in the age of the Internet, even among the groups one would assume are most singularity hooked on digital media, the appeal of magazines is growing. Think of it this way: during the 12-year life of Google, magazine readership actually increased 11 Percent. What it proves, once again, is that a new medium doesn't neccessarily displace an existing one. Just as movies didn't killradio. Just as TV didn't kill movies. An established mediumcan continue to flourish so long as it continues to offer a unique experience. And, as reader loyalty and growth demonstrate, magazines do. Which is why people aren't giving up swimming, just because they also enjoy surfing.

Gridiron grub

Gridiron Grub Shrimp Creole

News around the By Jeremy Salter

West

Photo by wellsphere.com

Vanderbilt Commodores:

The Commodores are coming off a very tough loss to the Georgia Bulldogs. It was a game that they almost won. They had started their season strong but have lost their last three games to conference teams. Good thing for the Commodores they have two home games coming up before a game at Florida. Coming off losing three conference games in a row, the Commodores must hope to finish strong and pull off some upsets. They have four more conference games coming up this season and need some wins.

Prep time: 12 minutes Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons oil 3 tablespoons Cajun Creole Seasoning 2 cups Canned Tomatoes Chopped 1 pound Fresh Shrimp

Directions:

In a saucepan, heat butter and oil. Add Cajun seasoning and sautĂŠÂ quickly, stirring constantly. Add Tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for four minutes or until delicately cooked. Served over rice or Polenta.

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

South Carolina Gamecocks:

South Carolina still controls the East at first place and must continue to win. They also need to watch out for the Bulldogs, who are right behind them. They have only one loss coming from the Auburn Tigers. They have a new quarterback and still have been winning the rest of the games. One thing South Carolina fans should be worried about is the loss of Marcus Lattimore. In their last game against Mississippi State, Lattimore went down in the fourth quarter. He was last seen on crutches with coaches calling it a bad knee sprain.

Showing Pride

Recruit of the week

The Next Mark Ingram?

Justin Taylor brings physicality to the Capstone By Coe Robbins

My recruiting coach hit me up on Facebook and told me to give him a call. When I did, he handed the phone to Coach Saban and that’s when he told me and I jumped right on it.” “Alabama was my number one school, so I felt like, why wait? That’s the school I want to be at. When I found out they were as interested in me as I was in them I didn’t hesitate. I knew that’s where I wanted to go.” In Taylor’s junior year, he amassed 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games. He also caught 15 passes for 150 yards. When the 2011 season started, everything was looking good in his first game when he ran for 120 yards in the season opener. But it all came to a screeching halt when Taylor tore his ACL during practice and had season-ending surgery. t seems that Mark Ingram has set the standard of what Nick Saban is looking for in his running backs: big, physical and a knack for fighting for those extra yards. He seems to have found his guy in Atlanta-native Justin Taylor. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back might not have 4.4 speed, but his vision, the ability to break arm tackles and the threat of catching the ball out of the backfield as he rumbles down the field is something the UA coaching staff has been looking for. “I think he’ll fit in their system really well,” Washington High coach Stanley Pritchett said. “He’s kind of an all-in-one back with power, speed and balance. They compare him to Mark Ingram with some of the things he can do.” Taylor had other offers from Arkansas and Georgia Tech with Georgia also showing some interest. Taylor says he has been a fan of Alabama ever since his freshman year in high school and had never been on campus. That all changed when he attended a junior camp in Tuscaloosa and was offered a scholarship after the visit.

My recruiting coach hit me up on Facebook and told me to give him a call. “When I was there, Coach Saban was talking to me and telling me everything that I needed to know,” Taylor told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I decided then that I was going to go ahead and commit because that’s the school I wanted to be at.

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

“Justin took it hard at first,” Pritchett said. “Then I talked to him and he’s staying positive. He knows it’s not the end of the world. He just has to move on and get his knee stronger, making sure this never happens again … and continue to work on his grades.” “We’ll be talking with Coach Saban and some of the Alabama doctors to kind of see how they want to go about the surgery. We want to stay in close contact with them, and follow their lead as for their input and feedback on Justin’s rehabilitation and recovery.” Both Rival’s and Scout list him as a three-star running back. Scout says Taylor has good balance, power and tackle-breaking ability but is limited in acceleration, break-away speed and elusiveness. While running back Kenyan Drake is committed to the Tide as well, Taylor says it doesn’t matter one way or the other. “I love the idea of being teammates with him” Taylor admitted. “I know Kenyan. We’ve talked a bunch of times. I can sit there and talk to him like family. If we have to compete with each other, no problem.” TDA

TIDE TRIVIA 1back-to-back Undefeated Alabama lost bowl games to__________ at theend of the 1973 and 1974 seasons. a. Texas b. Nebraska c. Note Dame D. Miam

2 Alabama lost the 2000 Orange Bowl to Michigan, 35-34, in overtime on a missed extra point by__________. a. Ryan Pflugner b. Phillip Doyle c. Van Tiffin D. Michael Proctor

3 Which Alabama player set an NCAA bowl record for most all-purpose yardsgained in a game (359) during the Crimson Tide’s 1995 Citrus Bowl win over Ohio State? a. Jay Barker b. Sherman Williams c. Toderick Malone D. Curtis Brown

4 Alabama set an unusual college football record in the 29-21 victory over Texas A&M during the 1942 Cotton Bowl by______________. a. taking no kickoffs b. not punting once c. netting negative offensive yardage d. gaining only one first down

5 Which opposing quarterback set an all-time bowl record by passing for 233yards in a single quarter against the Tide in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl? a. Louisville’s Browning Nagle b. Ohio State’s Kirk Herbstreit c. Texas A&M’s Bucky Richardson d. USC’s Rob Johnson

ANSWERS: 1. D | 2. A | 3. B | 4. D | 5. A 1925

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Marr's Pond Poets

Marr’s Pond Poets

Houndstooth

to Tiger’s Tooth By Tammy Gorham

Well Bama fans, it is that time of year again the tradition lives on the Tiger starts to roam. As he makes his way from the bayou he turns to Jarrett Lee and says Time to face AJ McCarron and Big Al too. So Nick and Les will say – Let’s go fight tooth to tooth guys; it is nothing new– Houndstooth to Tiger tooth. As we look around the field and into the stands an over bearing shadow covers all– Oh it is just the Bear’s Houndstooth design Intimidating the Tiger’s behind. So as we all settle in players, fans and band you can softly hear the Bear’s echos Let’s play the whole 60 to win. Houndstooth to Tiger tooth We welcome Les, his players, fans and band. Nick says– Let’s all play in good faith. Let’s both teams play to win– Tiger tooth starts to dig in but as we all know with Houndstooth in the stands and Nick’s team on the field Bear’s spirit in the air It’s so easy to see– Houndstooth has the winning pair. So sorry Tiger tooth you won’t be digging in for long when our Houndstooth shakes you loose then you’ll be long gone. 34

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

Houndstooth to Tiger tooth from Nick, Bear, players and fans ‘till this time next year– We will bring our Houndstooth Million Dollar Band down to the Bayou as Nick and Les shake hands We will do it all again. So all of us Houndstooth fans will say we’re here to win From Houndstooth to Tiger tooth. If you would like to see your football-themed poem in Touchdown Alabama Magazine feel free to send in your submission. Chosen submissions will receive a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. Send submissions to the following addresses:managingeditor@tdalabama.com or Touchdown Alabama Magazine, P.O. Box 3251, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-3251.

News around the By Jeremy Salter

West

Alabama Crimson Tide:

The Crimson Tide is still ranked in the top 10. They have been rolling in all their games and are still undefeated. Trent Richardson has had six consecutive 100-yard games. Their defense seems to also not let up. They still have the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense. The Tide hopes to dominate the West and it seems like their only challenger is the LSU Tigers. Look for a big battle between Alabama and LSU to determine the winner of the West this season.

Arkansas Razorbacks:

The Arkansas Razorbacks have one loss this season and that loss happens to be to the Crimson Tide. Even with that one SEC conference loss, they are still in the thick of things. They have two come-from-behind wins from against Texas A&M and Auburn. It is easy to see that Bobby Petrino has this team believing they can win a championship. Quarterback Tyler Wilson has also been on fire with the passing game. It seems they want to win the West. The Razorbacks must continue to win their conference games, including a against a very strong LSU team.

Practice for Performance

PEAKING AT THE

RIGHT

By Johnny Jackson

ow that the preseason is over and the season of fall sports is in full swing, this is the time to keep what you have worked so hard for in the off-season.

Some teams will peak early, some late, but it takes a really good strength coach to have his players peaking at the right time of year. You can see it every year on the high school, college and professional levels. This summer, if your kid plays a sport in high school or college, more than likely they lifted weights, ran and trained for the upcoming season. You as parents and coaches notice that the athletes got bigger, faster and stronger. However, as the season progresses you probably also noticed that your kid or athletes got smaller, weaker and slower. That’s the problem with most high school and college programs: big emphasis is placed on the off-season and little on the in-season. It is believed that some programs start off great then they crash in the middle and by the end of the season because of a poor in-season program. To combat the problem it is very simple, all a coach has to do is put the same emphasis on each phase. Those phases are pre-season, mid-season and post-season. In Phase One, focus on mid repetitions and medium weights, the phase lasts three weeks with a deload week on the last week. An example would look like this: Week One 60 percent, Week Two 65 percent, Week Three 70 percent and Week Four 55 percent. For Phase Two, focus on mid repetitions, five-six reps on strength lifts and three-five reps on explosive lifts. Phase Two sample: Week Five 65 percent, Week Six 70 percent, Week Seven 75 percent and Week Eight 60 percent.

Phase 3 will focus more on power: Week Nine 67 percent, Week 10 73 percent, Week 11 77 percent, Week 12 57 percent. Always remember that your eye is your best gauge; if it looks too easy then it probably is and if it looks too hard, don’t be afraid to go down or up in weight. 1925

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This is just a sample that any high school or college could use to make sure athletes are peaking at the right time when it counts. This method also ensures that you will be able to make more gains in the spring due to the fact that you now have a yearround program that athletes make gains in phaseafter-phase. No athlete will ever be as good as they can be if emphasis is only put on the summer workouts. Never use the word ‘maintain’ simply because if you maintain what you have then there is always a competitor getting better and waiting to give his opponent a knockout blow when the timing is right.

So train hard and train smart and don’t get caught sitting in the stands because you want to maintain what your athlete did this summer. Get better and get results in the weight room and on the field. TDA

About the Author Johnny Jackson graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelors degree in exercise science and he is no stranger to the Tide. He interned with The University of Alabama football team that won the SEC and BCS National Championship title. Jackson also interned with the baseball and track and field teams while at the Capstone from 2007 until 2010. As far as strength and conditioning goes, Jackson knows his strengths. He bench presses over 550 pounds and currently caters to serious high school, college and professional athletes that are driven to reach their full athletic potential. “I’m dedicated to getting athletes brutally strong, lightning fast and mentally tough,” he said. Jackson has a Strength and Conditioning article featured in each issue of Touchdown Alabama Magazine. To contact Jackson send your questions and concerns to: trainwithjjsc@yahoo.com. 1973

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The Process

Kenyan Drake Experiencing Break-Out Season By Mike Parker

ollowing his senior year, Kenyan Drake, who is currently listed as an athlete, should be considered a running back. Putting up mind-blowing numbers, most coming out of Drake’s play in the back field and some as a receiver, this outstanding player has proven he can be the type of back who carries the load through four quarters. Drake is exactly the type of back Nick Saban covets and uses. Having received offers from the likes of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Tennessee and others, Drake decided to commit early to the Tide through the recruiting efforts of Bama’s defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart. Drake, an excellent all-round back who is well-used in the slot on third down screen passes, has form that emulates that of Roy Upchurch; for example, Upchurch’s screen pass that beat Auburn for Bama’s 2009 championship team. An outstanding kick and punt returner, Drake is a decent blocker who needs to work on his blocking skills; however, he has not been asked to use those skills very much. With a frame of 6-foot-1”, 195 pounds, he has a lot of Tide fans wondering what position he will actually play for the Crimson Tide. He will definitely start out in the back field. Much more physical than thought by most, Drake is also very shifty and explosive. However, just because he can be shifty does not mean that Drake is not a good northsouth runner. Drake, who possesses a great stiff arm that he 36

| TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

manages well with his long arms, also has excellent top-end speed.

In an interview, he commented that Mark Ingram was only 197 pounds coming out of Flint, Mich. However, after Mark arrived at Alabama and Scottie Cochran got his hands on him, Mark gained 15 pounds between his senior year and the Tide’s first game. When he took his first snap against Virginia Tech, Ingram had increased his weight to approximately 210 pounds. “With me, I’m always trying to be a little taller than the average running back, but I’m about 195 pounds, and that was the same weight that Mark Ingram was when he was coming into college,” Drake said. “He was about 5-foot-10, 190. Perception wise, he might have been a little bigger than me because he’s shorter, but you come into the program, you know your own expectations, and you know what they expect from you.” Drake went on to say, “To be an every-

down back, you have to put on some mass. I feel like to exploit that opportunity, I know what I need to do is get in the weight room, take the supplements that I need to take, the vitamins, the shakes, work out hard in the weight room, and that will all come with time.”

News around the By Jeremy Salter

East

Florida Gators:

At the beginning of the season, the East looked like the Gators had a good chance of dominating it. They were undefeated until they lost to Alabama at the Swamp. During the Alabama game, the Gators ended up losing their quarterback John Brantley. Since Brantley went down, the Gators have been struggling on offense. They have lost their last three games, including a very close game to the Auburn Tigers. Will Muschamp must get the Gators together for the rest of the season. They have to find their identity with a struggling offense if they hope to win the rest of their games.

Drake’s head coach, Phil Ironside, said about Drake, “The thing he provides us is that he is a constant. We’ve scored 40 every game, so he’s not played a whole game yet. I don’t think you have really seen what he did against Camden, what he did against Stephenson. He kind of took the games over last year in the playoffs. That’s when he got on the radar map. He hasn’t had to do that yet this year.”

Kentucky Wildcats:

Tide fans should be very excited about the way Drake is playing his senior year. Still, we can look for the Tide to continue to recruit running backs who are still available, such as Barry Sanders, Jr., though there are not too many left in the mix. TDA

The Wildcats have been struggling all season. The Wildcats havev been struggling on offense all season. Joker Phillips must find a way to turn the season around for the Wildcats. The good news for the Wildcats is that their next game is out of conference before going back into SEC play. Watch for the Wildcats to try to win more games if they are going to make it to a bowl. TDA

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Closer

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Defense

The nations top ranked defense held Ole Miss to 28 yards rushing on 31 carries, and collected 5 sacks for 34 yards. Alabama defeated Ole Miss

52 -7. Photography by

Tim Bailey 38

Closer

Look

Mr. Heisman? Trent Richardson scored two touchdowns against Tennessee. Helping propel Alabama to a

37-6

win.

Photography by

Cedric Mason

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Closer

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Front Man

Nick Saban leads his troops into Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide would go on to defeat Tennessee

37-6. Photography by

Cedric Mason

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News around the By Jeremy Salter

East

Georgia Bulldogs:

Remember how the Bulldogs were pronounced dead after losing their opener to Boise State and their second game to South Carolina? Well, with the Gators and Gamecocks struggling in the East, things have really opened up for Georgia. The Bulldogs are now sitting 3-1 in SEC play, with wins over Tennessee, Mississippi and Mississippi State. A date with Florida still remains on the schedule, as do winnable games against Kentucky, Auburn and Vanderbilt. How has Georgia turned things around? In its SEC wins, the Bulldogs have allowed 10, 12 and 13 points defensively. Watch out for Georgia in the SEC East. In an odd change of events, Mark Richt now looks like he’s more likely to be coaching for a SEC Championship in December than looking for a new job.

Tennessee Volunteers:

lots of autographed memorabilia!

The Volunteers are 0-2 in SEC play after losses to Florida and Georgia, but there seems to be a renewed hope in Knoxville. Tennessee’s three out of conference victories aren’t exactly eye opening, but they did set the tone for what could be a decent year for the Volunteers. Quarterback Tyler Bray has become one of the SEC’s best quarterbacks, throwing for 14 touchdowns through five games this season. The problem for Tennessee is that the schedule is unforgiving. The Volunteers travel to Baton Rouge to take on No. 1 LSU, host No. 2 Alabama and then get ranked, SEC East rival South Carolina in Knoxville over the next three weeks. Plus, Arkansas still remains on the schedule. TDA

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