6:07 p.m.
Sept. 4, 2010
San Jose State TV: PPV
AMEDAY G REBUILDING OR RELOADING? MARK BARRON>>> is the only returning player on Alabama’s defense who started every game last season. Can the pieces around him get the job done?
2010 ALABAMA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Nov. 6 Nov. 13 Nov. 18 Nov. 26
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1 GAMEDAY Septmeber 3
INSIDE The proof is in the defense
GameDay
Having lost nine starters from last year, Alabama’s defense looks to prove itself in the first game of 2010. Page 4
3 | XBOX 360 SIMULATION
8 | RELIVING THE TRADITION
The Tide takes the field for its first 2010 game in the newly renovated BryantDenny Stadium, defeating San Jose State 56-0. Alabama’s offense built up more than 500 yards on a big passing day from Greg McElroy.
Former Tide quarterback Steadman Shealy talks about his days playing football under legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. By Jordan Eichenblatt
By Colin Cavoto
CW | Jerrod Seaton
GAME INFORMATION: SATURDAY, SEPT. 4
Alabama Crimson Tide (0-0)
vs
San Jose State Spartans (0-0)
• Field: Bryant-Denny Stadium • Place: Tuscaloosa • Time: 6:07 p.m. • TV: PPV • Radio: 1420 AM (Eli Gold, play-by-play; Phil Savage, color analyst; Barry Krauss, sideline reporter)
GAMEDAY STAFF • Jason Galloway, GameDay editor • Laura Owens, assistant GameDay editor • Victor Luckerson, editor-in-chief • Jonathan Reed, managing editor • Brandee Easter, print-production editor • Emily Johnson, design editor • Chris Jackson, art director • Adam Greene, chief copy editor • Jerrod Seaton, photo editor • Katie Bennett, photographer
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AP POLL
COACHESʼ POLL
2
1. Alabama (54)
1. Alabama (55)
2. Ohio State (3)
2. Ohio State (4)
3. Boise State (1)
3. Florida
4. Florida
4. Texas
5. Texas (1)
5. Boise State
studentSECTION
6. TCU
6. Virginia Tech
GAMEDAY September 3
7. Oklahoma (1)
7. TCU
8. Nebraska
8. Oklahoma
9. Iowa
9. Nebraska
10. Virginia Tech
10. Iowa
11. Oregon
11. Oregon
12. Wisconsin
12. Wisconsin
13. Miami (FL)
13. Miami (FL)
14. USC
14. Penn State
15. Pittsburgh
15. Pittsburgh
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16. LSU
17. Arkansas
17. Georgia Tech
18. North Carolina
18. North Carolina
19. Penn State
19. Arkansas
20. Florida State
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21. LSU
21. Georgia
22. Auburn
22. Oregon State
23. Georgia
23. Auburn
24. Oregon State
24. Utah
25. West Virginia
25. West Virginia
what you’re saying...
Who will have the biggest game Saturday? “Dont’a Hightower because we have a lot of question marks on defense this year, and he is not one of them.” Spencer Jones
Senior philosopy
“Greg McElroy because he is a great leader, and he is going to lead Bama to another perfect season.” Brittany Ammons
Senior elementary education
“Trent Richardson because Alabama will domiate, so Ingram will play very little, and Bama will run right over SJSU with Trent.” Brandon Pledger
Junior advertising CW | Luke Willingham
3 GAMEDAY September 3
ALABAMA 56 SAN JOSE STATE O CRIMSON TIDE Statistics
XBOX 360
SIMULATION
Total Yards: 524 Passing: 300 yds Rushing: 224 yds Turnovers: 0 Passing: Greg McElroy, 16-of-21, 211 yds, 4 TDs Rushing: Trent Richardson, 22 rushes, 105 yds, 1 TD Receiving: Marquis Maze, 6 catches, 79 yds, 1 TD
SPARTAN Statistics
Total Yards: 56 Passing: 46 yds Rushing: 10 yds Turnovers: 3 Passing: Jordan La Secla, 4-of-21, 45 yds, 3 INTs Rushing: Wade O’Neill, 12 rushes, 6 yds Receiving: Brandon Rutley, 2 catches, 8 yds Compiled by Colin Cavoto
Xbox 360 screenshot Greg McElroy throws a pass in Alabama’s 56-0 simulated victory over San Jose State.
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Maintaining Dominance BY MARQUAVIUS BURNETT Sports Reporter
DEFENSE has always been a staple for the Alabama football team. That reputation can make it tough to believe how words like “liability” and “weakness” have been used to describe a unit that has ranked third and second in total defense the last two seasons, respectively. It’s a matter of inexperience. After losing nine starters from last year, including leaders Rolando McClain, Terrence Cody and Javier Arenas, it’s natural to doubt. Although their replacements have talent, they don’t have the playing time to validate it. Head coach Nick Saban will be the first to say freshmen don’t have talent until they prove it on the field. Although he said the Crimson Tide is comfortable heading into the season with its current defensive roster, he remains concerned about the consistency within the unit, particularly in the secondary because of injuries suffered in fall camp that kept players out of practice. “I feel comfortable with the players we have,” Saban said. “The thing that has been most difficult
during this camp is that when you have a new group of guys that haven’t played, you’d like to get continuity, but we have had guys out, and we haven’t been able to do that.” Even a few of the defensive players who have already made names for themselves have question marks surrounding them heading into 2010. Sophomore linebacker Dont’a Hightower had a stellar freshman season, but he is coming off of reconstructive knee surgery and will have to prove his durability. Defensive lineman Marcell Dareus stepped in last year and played well in the national championship game, but his eligibility is in question while the NCAA investigates a party thrown by an agent that Dareus may have attended.
As one of the most experienced players on Alabama’s defense, sophomore linebacker Dont’a Hightower will be called upon to make the defensive calls for the entire unit this season. CW | Jerrod Seaton
CW | Jerrod Seaton
Junior defensive back Mark Barron, the only returning defensive player to start every game last season, will be one of the players asked to play a huge role for the Tide’s secondary this year. He will make more calls and adjustments for the entire defense. Last year, Barron led the Southeastern Conference in interceptions. “We had a talk at dinner [on August 25] – me and [William] Vlachos, actually – about how good
Mark [Barron] really is,” senior quarterback Greg McElroy said. “I think a lot of people think of him as a playmaker, a guy that’s just so great in coverage, but one thing he does is just read eyes. He’s got such great instincts. “I can think of a play [August 25] where I threw the ball with good timing to [Darius] Hanks on an option route, and Mark was not necessarily in the greatest position, but he made a great recovery, and he picked the
ball off. I think it’s a credit to those guys being opportunistic.” Despite the new faces, the Tide remains optimistic about its chances to have a great year and uphold the identity of a typical Alabama defense. Just ask some of the offensive players about their experiences facing that defense every day during fall camp. “I’m tired of going against them every day,” junior tight end Brad Smelley said. “The defense has improved a lot. Those guys, they’ve been working hard, and you notice it going against them every day. The defensive backfield is coming together. Our linebackers have improved – those are some big guys, good guys that can play, play the run, play the pass. They can do it all. And d-line, there’s some hosses in there for sure.” Said McElroy: “I think you’ve got to give credit to the defense because when the plays have been there to be made, they’ve made the plays.” The young players have been stepping in and trying to prove that they are ready to be on the big stage. A freshman class that’s eager to learn has impressed some of the team’s veterans during fall camp. “It shows out there on the field,” Hightower said. “Guys, whenever
they mess up, they’re always asking questions. They go straight to the coach on the sideline. You don’t have to tell the young guys to break on the ball or try harder. “It surprised me a lot. Whenever you have young guys come in, you’re always going to have older guys be like, ‘Let’s go watch film.’ But with these guys, they want to play. They’re asking the older guys to come in and watch film. There’s something that impresses me a lot about the freshmen.” Saturday’s game against San Jose State will hardly answer whether Alabama can sustain the same kind of dominance on defense as the past couple seasons, as San Jose State ranked 115th out of 120 FBS teams in total defense last year. The Tide secondary doesn’t have long before a true test comes, however. Alabama’s third and fourth opponents of the season (Duke and Arkansas) both have offenses that ranked in the top 10 in the nation through the air last season. But Alabama’s defensive goals stretch beyond the top 10. “Our goals are just to be the best,” linebacker Chris Jordan said. “Everybody’s working hard to be the best. I feel really good about the defense.”
6 GAMEDAY September 3
Head coach Nick Saban talks with Dre Kirkpatrick (middle) and DeQuan Menzie (right) at practice Monday. Both will start at cornerback this season with limited experience.
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Q&A Steadman Shealy
By Jordan Eichenblatt Contributing Writer
Steadman Shealy, quarterback of Alabamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1979 National Championship team, was part of the team that held the Crimson Tideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest winning streak of 28 games from 1978-1980. Before the Tideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2010 season started, Shealy sat down with a GameDay staff member to discuss some of his favorite memories that came from his years with the Alabama football team.
GameDay : You were part of the Alabama teams that currently hold the record for the longest winning streak. With an undefeated season this year, the Tide would be one win away from breaking it. Steadman Shealy : I hope [they break it] (laughs). When it comes to Alabama, I am so hopeful for the team. If they break the record, it means the program is getting better, and the coaches and players have done a great job. Coach Bryant instilled in us to be a winner and nothing else, and that has stuck with the program today.
GD : You said Coach Bryant instilled that into you. What is one thing from Coach Bryant that you apply to every day life?
SS: Always show and have class no matter the circumstance. You have to be a respectable person in a situation you may not be enjoying. He also taught us to do whatever it is that someone else isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t doing. I am a lawyer now, and I outwork and outthink within reason to be the best lawyer you can be and also to be the best person, husband and father, too. That is something Coach taught me that I never forgot.
GD: What about your favorite GD: Other than winning the memory with him? national championship, what was your greatest memory? SS: Well, some you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t repeat to the public (laughs). Probably SS: Throwing the winning [the best] though is after my knee touchdown pass versus Auburn surgery, I missed the first week of to finish our perfect season. It practice. He stood up for me to get was such a relief. We were loson the field and be a part of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;78 ing in the second half, about to national championship team. He lose our perfect season, and to Auburn! We marched down 82 believed in me. yards in the fourth quarter and GD: How did Bryant recruit you? did what Coach Bryant taught us to do: win and throw touchSS: Well, it is a funny story. Coach downs. I celebrated for the first Bafield of Auburn was in my living time that entire season. Heck, room and Coach Dooley of Georgia we all celebrated after that. We was outside waiting his turn. The were trained not to celebrate phone rang and my mother picked winning or scoring because it it up and grabbed me. It was Coach was our job to score; [Bryant] Bryant. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Son what jersey would have looked down on us you wanna wear?â&#x20AC;? I told him crim- for that. son and he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your problem?â&#x20AC;? He told me if I signed Interview from SportsCampus with him right there he would on 1230am radio. You can listen come to Dothan and sign me him- to SportsCampus every Sunday self, which is what happened. from 6-8 p.m.
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GAMEDAY September 3
Reliving the tradition with
8
roll pride roll.
We are open on Game Day: Ferguson Center Tutwiler Hall Bryant Museum Tent on the Quad Tent at Soccer Lot
KEY PLAYERS
ALABAMA
Dont’a Hightower, LB
Duke Ihenacho, S
Even someone who many believe is the best player on this year’s defense has question marks surrounding him. Coming off a serious knee injury, Hightower needs to use this game to show the injury hasn’t made him lose a step. And with a change in position (now in Rolando McClain’s old position of “Mike” linebacker), the sophomore will handle all the defensive calls this season. His ability off the injury and his leadership qualities are questions that could play major factors into Alabama’s defense this season.
Ihenacho enters the season as the Spartans’ top returning tackler. The safety recorded 89 last year and has a bigger load on his shoulders after San Jose State’s leading tackler, safety Tanner Burns, transferred to Kansas State in the offseason. Ihenacho is one of two seniors on the Spartans defense, and poise is one of the main factors when trying to hang with the No. 1 team in the country.
Mark Barron, S
Jordan La Secla, QB
Barron is the only returning defensive player who started every game for the Tide last season. A year ago, he was in the same position as just about every player on this year’s defense - a new starter with unproven talent. His leadership will be vital to the defensive unit this season, and his performance in Saturday’s game will be key while everyone else is adjusting to their new roles.
La Secla had to beat out junior college transfer Matt Faulkner for the starting job at quarterback despite being the Spartans man under center last season. He threw 11 interceptions to only 10 touchdowns. For San Jose State to have any chance of hanging around later in the game, La Secla would need to have the game of his life. Whenever a small school pulls this kind of upset, the quarterback manages the game and doesn’t make mistakes.
D.J. Fluker, RT
Lamon Muldrow, RB
Fluker came to Alabama last year as one of the highest recruited players in the nation. After playing defense the majority of his high school career, he came to The Capstone undeveloped as an offensive tackle. After a year of improvement, Fluker is listed as this year’s starting right tackle. With nine returning starters on offense, Fluker comes in as the only question mark on that side of the ball. Saturday will be a good opportunity to validate his high recruiting ranking.
Although he only rushed for 592 yards and three touchdowns last season, Muldrow was San Jose State’s leading rusher. For the Spartans to move the ball effectively, they cannot be one-dimensional. Muldrow will need to get his yards to keep the Alabama defense honest and not allow the Crimson Tide to play nickle and dime packages all game.
OFFENSIVE STARTERS
LT LG C RG RT TE HB QB RB WR WR
77 65 73 75 76 89 85 12 3 8 4
James Carpenter (Sr.) Chance Warmack (So.) William Vlachos (Jr.) Barrett Jones (So.) D.J. Fluker (So.) Michael Williams (R-Fr.) Preston Dial (Sr.) Greg McElroy (Sr.) Trent Richardson (So.) Julio Jones (Jr..) Marquis Maze (Jr.)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS
DE DT DE JACK WILL MIKE SAM CB FS SS CB
57 99 96 41 5 30 55 21 37 4 24
Marcell Dareus (Jr.) Josh Chapman (Jr.) Luther Davis (Sr.) Courtney Upshaw (Jr.) Jerrell Harris (Jr.) Dontʼa Hightower (So.) Chavis Williams (Sr.) Dre Kirkpatrick (So.) Robert Lester (So.) Mark Barron (Jr.) DeQuan Menzie (Jr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS K P PR KR
43 44 8 3 8
SAN JOSE STATE
Cade Foster (Fr.) Jay Williams (Fr.) Julio Jones (Jr.) Trent Richardson (So.) Julio Jones (Jr.)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS
LT LG C RG RT TE QB RB WR WR WR
76 72 70 73 78 82 12 44 88 89 23
David Quessenberry (Sr.) Isaac Leatiota (So.) Robbie Reed (Sr.) Ailao Eliapo (Sr.) Andres Vargas (Jr.) Ryan Otten (So.) Jordan La Secla (Sr.) Wade OʼNeill (So.) Jalal Beauchman (Sr.) Chandler Jones (Fr.) Noel Grigsby (Fr.)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS
DE DT DT DE LB LB LB CB CB S S
26 92 97 43 40 36 13 8 19 2 5
Mohamed Marah (Sr.) Pablo Garcia (Jr.) Anthony Larceval (Fr.) Travis Johnson (So.) Tiuke Tuipulotu (Jr.) Vince Buhagiar (Fr.) Kyler OʼNeal (So.) Brandon Driver (Jr.) Peyton Thompson (Jr.) Duke Ihenacho (Sr.) Alex Germany (Jr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS K P PR KR
10 10 9 9 33
Harrison Waid (Fr.) Harrison Waid (Fr.) Brandon Rutley (Jr.) Brandon Rutley (Jr.) Dominique Hunsucker (Sr.)