Capital One Bowl - 2011 by Carey Landon

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January 1, 2011 | Bowl Issue

In This Issue

President/Publisher

Pregame Preview Exclusive: Bowl History

Exclusive: Coaching Connections

Rosters

Opposing Team

Player Spotlight: William Vlachos

Larry's Lowdown

Tide Trivia

Staff

Editor-in-Chief

Bennie Bice Mike Lacy

General Manager

Wallace Kinsaul

Managing Editor Copyeditor

Jessica Temple Micah Phillips

Photography

BDL Tim Bailey Matt Gaston

Creative Director Graphic Design Marketing & Promotions

Jenifer McCormick Cassandra Johnson Antonio Rogers John Shamblin

Chief Information Officer Website Designer

Brian LaShomb Carey Landon

ProConnections: DeMeco Ryans

Customer Relations

Catching Up With Wesley Britt

Game Day Photos

Recruiting

SEC News

Tailgater of the Week

Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic

Showing Pride in the Tide

My First Game

Sales Managers

Rebecca Ashley

Herb Neu

Mike Long Tim Smith Sheila Kent

Advertising Inquiries

205-765-8007 or 205-901-3166

Writers

Jessica Brown Larry Burton Troy Farsoun Jennifer Gorham Mike Parker Coe Robbins Stephen Smith Donald Staffo Jen Underwood Thomas Watts

Reporters

Johnathan McMath T.J. Paysinger

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Letter from the Editors: Dear Tide Fans, As we wrap up 2010, many Tide fans may be disappointed in the way things went this season. Alabama started out at No. 1, but was unable to defend their title this year. However, the team was able to pull of some big wins over tough opponents and is traveling to a New Year's Day bowl game. And, thanks to Saban's excellent recruiting efforts, next year could be even better. At Touchdown Alabama, we have had a great year covering the Tide. This year brought us more subscribers than ever before, we are now available in dozens of new retail locations, and we expanded to 48 pages with new articles and more game day photos. We appreciate the support from all of our readers and advertisers! We, like the Crimson Tide,

Happy holidays and Roll Tide! Touchdown Alabama staff Send Letters to: PO Box 3251 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-3251 205-701-1211 publish@tdalabama.com Advertising: ads@tdalabama.com

MISSION STATEMENT

ON THE COVER

SABAN and DANTONIO

Nick Saban pictured with Mark Dantonio, head coach at Michigan State. Nick Saban was the head coach at Michigan State from 1995 to 1999 with Mark Dantonio as the defensive backs coach during Saban’s stay. Dantonio continued to coach at MSU after Saban left for LSU in 2000.

Twitter:

look forward to even bigger and better things in 2011. We wish all our readers a great holiday season, and we'll see you when we kick off the 2011 season with Signing Day news in just a few short weeks!

“Touchdown Alabama Magazine was founded because Alabama was devoid of a magazine covering strictly Crimson Tide football. God blessed us with an opportunity to share Alabama Football with everyone who picks up a copy, and we are thankful for every reader and advertiser we have. As a magazine, we strive to bring you the best in Alabama football in every issue. God Bless.”

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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

Pregame Preview

Capital One Bowl Game 2011 An end & a beginning

Jen Underwood

n the first day of the new year, Alabama will play in their designated bowl game. This year, many fans are disappointed that they are not making their way to Glendale or donning “National Championship Bound” attire. Instead, Alabama’s in-state rival will be taking those privileges as the Auburn Tigers face the Oregon Ducks in this year’s BCS championship game on January 10th. Despite this season and the three losses suffered by the Tide, this bowl game will represent a new start. Hopefully, the Tide will end this season by beginning a new year with strong goals for the upcoming season. On New Year’s Day, in Orlando, Fla., there will be a match-up between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan State Spartans in the 2011 Capital One Bowl Game. Both teams carry an outstanding history and a remarkable season. The Michigan State Spartans have only suffered one loss this season to Iowa. Their many victories include wins over Penn State, Michigan and Notre Dame. The Spartans reached victories in the double digits for the first time since Nick Saban was their coach. Saban’s history with Michigan State will add to the already interesting appearance that will be made at this bowl game. This will be the first time that the Tide and the Spartans will meet after both teams had higher hopes for their successful seasons. The Spartans finished with a seventh-place ranking,

while Alabama fell in the polls to No. 15. Since Saban left the Spartans to coach at LSU, they have made five bowl appearances, and have lost the last four of those. On the contrary, Alabama holds the record for not only the most bowl appearances, but also for the most victories in those games. Despite their many bowl games, the Tide has never played in the Capital One game since the name was changed from the Citrus Bowl. The Spartans will bring their exceptional offense to this game. This season, they have averaged 31.3 points per game and 406.7 yards. They credit much of their success to their sophomore running back, Edwin Baker. He has had 1,187 yards this season. These odds will face an Alabama defense which is also highly touted. Ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense, Alabama has averaged 14.1 points allowed per game. They also rank sixth in total defense, with a yardage of 296. The Tide can also credit their success to their offense, which averaged 34.6 points and 435.6 yards per game. Many of these are through the

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

teamwork of such players as Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. Despite missing the first two games, Ingram rushed for 816 yards and carried 11 touchdowns this season. Richardson echoes this achievement with 676 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Spartans and the Tide have both had successful, yet disappointing seasons. The teams also have a history in which they share the privilege of having been led by Nick Saban. Neither team has ever played in the Capital One game by that name, nor have they faced each other in the past. All of these facts bring excitement to the upcoming bowl game. Although most Bama fans are disappointed with the outcome of this season, it is important to realize that this game will bring about a new year, a fresh start, and further goals. Old players will move on and new ones will appear. Saban and his staff will lead the 2011 team to another season with renewed hopes of a national championship ring. Until then, Tide fans should enjoy this last game of the 2010 season, an end and a beginning. PHOTO BY TIM BAILEY

Quotes

Quotable Football "At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. That costs money and we don't have any." – Erk Russell / Georgia Southern. "Football is only a game. Spiritual things are eternal. Nevertheless, Beat Texas." – Seen on a church sign in Arkansas prior to the 1969 game.

"I could have been a Rhodes Scholar, except for my grades." – Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State "Always remember ..... Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David." – Shug Jordan / Auburn

"After you retire, there's only one big event left....and I ain't ready for that." – Bobby Bowden / Florida State "The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it." – Lou Holtz / Arkansas

"Show me a good and gracious loser, and I'll show you a failure." – Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

"When you win, nothing hurts." – Joe Namath / Alabama "Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated." – Lou Holtz / Arkansas

"I asked Darrell Royal, the coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he didn't recruit me and he said: "Well, Walt, we took a look at you and you weren't any good." – Walt Garrison / Oklahoma State

"If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the password, "Roll, Tide, Roll!" – Bear Bryant / Alabama

"Son, you've got a good engine, but your hands aren't on the steering wheel." – Bobby Bowden / Florida State

"A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall." – Frank Leahy / Notre Dame "I don't expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation." – Bob Devaney / Nebraska "In Alabama, an atheist is someone who doesn't believe in Bear Bryant." – Wally Butts / Georgia "You can learn more character on the two-yard line than anywhere else in life." – Paul Dietzel / LSU "I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I want him to quit in practice, not in a game." – Bear Bryant / Alabama "There's one sure way to stop us from scoring-give us the ball near the goal line." – Matty Bell / SMU "Lads, you're not to miss practice unless your parents died or you died." – Frank Leahy / Notre Dame "I never graduated from Iowa, but I was only there for two terms - Truman's and Eisenhower's." – Alex Karras / Iowa

"They whipped us like a tied up goat." – Spike Dykes / Texas Tech

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College Football Postseason: I

Thomas Watts

Let’s go Bowlin!

t's a college football record 57 bowl appearances. It's 32 bowl victories." These words echo throughout Bryant-Denny Stadium before every home game as part of pregame festivities to get the stadium rocking. Alabama has already extended its college football record 57 appearances by accepting an invitation to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando on January 1st against Michigan State. If Alabama wins the game, the Tide will take over the record from the University of Southern California for most bowl wins. USC will not be in a bowl this year, or the next, due to NCAA sanctions stemming from the Reggie Bush scandal. Alabama’s postseason prowess has been documented throughout the past 100 years. It was Wallace Wade’s 1925 Crimson Tide team that went out to Pasadena and beat Washington in the Rose Bowl in a game that many sports fan believe put southern college football on the map. It was Bear Bryant’s 1978 Alabama team that turned Penn State away in the Sugar Bowl in the iconic Goal Line Stand. It was Nick Saban’s 2009 Tide team that went back to the Rose Bowl to beat the Texas Longhorns for the Tide’s first BCS National Championship. In the interim, Alabama has appeared in every bowl from the Blockbuster Bowl to the Orange Bowl. Many fans remember the 1992 Sugar Bowl where Alabama dismantled the

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA November 26, 2010

BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

HIP 2010

WL 2009 SUGAR BO

PHOTOS BY BDL

mighty Miami Hurricanes 34-13 to win the school’s 12th national title. One of the legendary voices of college football, Keith Jackson, called the game. Jackson would later return to the Rose Bowl in 2009 as Grand Marshal. It saw George Teague strip the ball from Lamar Thomas, college football’s self-styled “fastest player” on a play that didn’t even count due to a penalty. The defense was able to stymie Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta throughout the game. The evening ended with head coach Gene Stallings being carried off the field by exuberant players. There have been a few heartbreakers during Alabama’s history. Alabama’s first BCS game, the 2000 Orange Bowl, was just such a game. Alabama played the Michigan Wolverines, gave up a fourteen point lead and eventually lost on a missed extra point. Even though Alabama did lose in the end, it was the first overtime BCS game ever. Alabama’s bowl dominance has been mirrored throughout the SEC, particularly in the biggest bowls. The SEC has appeared in 19 different BCS games and has the highest winning percentage at .722. The SEC is also 6-0 in BCS Title Games, with a chance to make 7-0 in Glendale, Ariz., when the Auburn Tigers face the Quack Attack of the Oregon Ducks. The SEC will also be vying for their fifth straight national title on January 10th in Arizona. Alabama’s game against Michigan State will be the first time the two schools have faced each other on the gridiron. Alabama has only appeared in the Capital One Bowl, formerly known as the Citrus Bowl, one other time. Alabama beat Ohio State 24-17 in the 1995 iteration of a bowl that has been played every year since 1947. The 2011 Citrus Bowl will be Michigan State’s third time in the bowl. The Spartans beat Florida 37-34 in 2000 and lost to Georgia last year 24-12. The Capital One Bowl pays out 4.5 million dollars to the winning school's conference, which is more then any other non-BCS Bowl. Besides the multi-million dollar purse, it is important that Alabama play well in the game in order to gain some momentum going into spring practice and the 2011 season.

"We've been off a little longer this year than last year so I think it's important to develop timing, tackling, blocking, protection, and timing in the passing game between quarterbacks and receivers. It goes quickly, but it comes back quickly when you haven't been off that long."

- Nick Saban

"The motivation for this team is to come in and finally get that 60-minute game, from start to finish. We want to bounce back from the Auburn game and go out on a good note with a 10-win season."

- Courtney Upshaw

"It is going to be exciting for us to go to Orlando and play in a New Year's Day bowl game. I grew up a Michigan State fan, so it will be very exciting for me and my family just to go out, play in the game and for them to watch it. But they (Michigan State) are the other team now."

- Michigan native Mark Ingram

"Michigan State has a really good team. Any time you get 11 wins I think you have a good team. They have tremendous resiliency, they've come back in a lot of games and found ways to win."

- Nick Saban

"I always tell our team it's about balance. We want you to have a good time and it's a reward for having a positive season and it's a lot of positive gratification for the fans and families. But at the same time I have never been to a bowl game that anybody is really happy about unless you have success on the field. Everyone has to take ownership for creating a balance of preparation as well as separating to be able to enjoy yourself."

- Nick Saban

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Exclusive

Coaching Connections Crimson Tide resurgence began at Michigan State

Stephen Smith

have tremendous respect for Nick (Saban) as a coach, organizer," said Mark Dantonio, head coach at Michigan State. "I wouldn’t be standing here at this podium as the head football coach at Michigan State had I not been hired by Nick. I feel very, very good about our relationship, look for him for guidance throughout my career.” The Capital One Bowl on New Year’s Day will be the first time the Spartans and the Crimson Tide have met, but the coaching staffs are more than familiar with each other. In the rest of his interview with Fox Sports Detroit, Dantonio continued to illustrate the importance of Saban to his success. Many Alabama fans may know that Nick Saban was the head coach at Michigan State from 1995 to 1999. What some may not know is that Mark Dantonio was the defensive backs coach during Saban’s stay. He continued to coach at MSU after Saban left for LSU in 2000. This longevity proved to pay off for

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

The Capital One Bowl on New Year’s Day will be the first time the Spartans and the Crimson Tide have met, but the coaching staffs are more than familiar with each other.

Dantonio, as he became the 24th head coach at Michigan State in November of 2006. While he had been a defensive coordinator at Ohio State and a head coach at Cincinnati, this was his big shot in the spotlight. His Saban-like defensive mind has his Spartans entering the Capital One Bowl with an 11-1 record. Alabama’s special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, Bobby Williams, was also a part of the Spartan program. Serving as running backs coach for Saban, Williams became the head coach of the Spartans after Saban left for LSU in 2000. Bobby continued to coach through the 2002 season. He then joined Saban’s staff at LSU, and has been a stayed with him ever since. The benefits of Saban and Dantonio's relationship were not one-sided by any means. Before getting the Michigan State job, Saban had gone between the professional and collegiate ranks for some time. Coach Saban served as head coach at Toledo, as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland browns, and as an assistant at many schools. Michigan State was coming off of 5 straight losing seasons when Nick Saban was hired as

head coach in 1995. Coaching under NCAA sanctions from the previous coach, Saban fought with mediocrity for a few years. As he usually does, Saban soon turned things around. In 1999, he led the Spartans to a 9-2 record. With Bobby William’s bowl victory, this was

Michigan State’s highest ranking since 1966. This success led Saban to LSU, and eventually to the Crimson Tide. In many ways, Spartan fans and Crimson Tide fans have each other to thank for their teams' successes on the field. The two schools' ties don’t end there,

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHIGAN STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

however. UA offensive coordinator Jim McElwain was an assistant coach at Michigan State under John L. Smith from 2003 to 2005. The athletic director for football operations at Alabama, Mike Vollmar, was Michigan State’s director of football operations from 1996 to 2007. The Michigan State influence also spills onto the field. Mark Ingram, a native of Flint, Mich., grew up a Michigan State fan. His father, Mark Ingram Sr. played at Michigan State when Saban was an assistant coach, which is why the younger Ingram's parents encouraged him to play under Coach Saban. With a National Championship and a Heisman Trophy under his belt, following their advice seems to have been the right choice. Although this is the first meeting between the two teams, it will not be a solitary occurrence. In early 2009, Michigan State and Alabama signed a contract for a home-and-home series. The games will be played on September 3, 2016, in Tuscaloosa, and September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Mich. This bowl game gives the two programs a chance to get acquainted before meeting in the regular season. touchdownalabama.net |

CRIMSON TIDE

Alabama Football Roster N O NAME 1 B.J. Scott 2 Tana Patrick 2 DeAndrew White 3 Trent Richardson 4 Mark Barron 4 Marquis Maze 5 Jerrell Harris 6 Demetrius Goode 7 Kenny Bell 7 Keiwone Malone 8 Julio Jones 9 Phelon Jones 9 Nick Williams 10 John Fulton 10 J.B. Kern 10 A.J. McCarron 12 Greg McElroy 13 Rob Ezell 14 Phillip Sims 15 Darius Hanks 15 Mark Holt 17 Brad Smelley 18 Morgan Ogilvie 18 Blake Sims 19 Jonathan Atchison 20 Nate Carlson 20 Jarrick Williams 21 Ben Howell 21 Dre Kirkpatrick 22 Mark Ingram 23 Robby Green 24 Nathan McAlister 24 DeQuan Menzie 25 Corey Grant 26 Kendall Kelly 26 Nick Tinker 27 Nick Perry 28 DeMarcus Milliner 29 Will Lowery 30 Dont’a Hightower 31 John Baites 32 Cody Mandell 32 C.J. Mosley 33 Caleb Castille 33 Mike Marrow 34 Hunter Bush 35 Nico Johnson 36 Chris Jordan 37 Hardie Buck 37 Robert Lester 38 Petey Smith 39 Kyle Pennington 40 DeMarcus DuBose 40 Harrison Jones 41 Courtney Upshaw 42 Adrian Hubbard

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WT 193 231 180 220 210 182 231 191 172 165 220 199 179 179 232 190 225 172 214 184 172 227 198 195 228 230 203 193 190 215 181 165 195 186 214 215 193 182 188 260 235 201 225 163 235 181 238 232 184 206 250 188 240 235 263 227

HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Prichard, Ala. Vigor Bridgeport, Ala. North Jackson Houston, Texas North Shore Pensacola, Fla. Escambia Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s Birmingham, Ala. Tarrant Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City LaGrange, Ga. Hargrave Academy Rayville, La. Rayville Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell Foley, Ala. Foley Moblie, Ala. LSU Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas Manning, S.C. Manning Dove Canyon, Calif. Mission Viejo St. Paul’s Episcopal School Mobile, Ala. Southlake, Texas Southlake Carroll Athens, Ala. Athens Chesapeake, Va. Oscar Smith Norcross, Ga. Norcross Muscle Shoals, Ala. Muscle Shoals Tuscaloosa, Ala. American Christian Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook Gainesville, Ga. Gainesville Atlanta, Ga. Douglass Birmingham, Ala. Air Force Mobile, Ala. Blount Gordo, Ala. Gordo Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City Southwestern Academy Flint, Mich. New Orleans, La. John Curtis Christian Russellville, Ala. Russellville Columbus, Ga. Copiah-Lincoln CC Opelika, Ala. Opelika Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City Ralph, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Prattville, Ala. Prattville Millbrook, Ala. Stanhope Elmore Hoover, Ala. Hoover Lewisburg, Tenn. Marshall County Hendersonville, Tenn. Beech Lafayette, La. Acadiana Theodore, Ala. Theodore Birmingham, Ala. Briarwood Christian Holland, Ohio Central Ca Wetumpka, Ala. Wetumpka Andalusia, Ala. Andalusia Brentwood, Tenn. Brentwood Academy Birmingham, Ala. Vestavia Hills Foley, Ala. Foley Tampa, Fla. Armwood Chatom, Ala. Washington County Montgomery, Ala. Jefferson Davis Germantown, Tenn. Evangelical Christian Eufaula, Ala. Eufaula Lawrenceville, Ga. Norcross

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

N O NAME 42 Eddie Lacy 43 Cade Foster 43 Sam Kearns 44 Jay Williams 45 Jalston Fowler 46 Wesley Neighbors 46 William Strickland 47 Ed Stinson 47 Logan Thomas 48 Rowdy Harrell 49 Ranzell Watkins 51 Michael DeJohn 51 Carson Tinker 52 Alfred McCullough 53 Anthony Orr 54 Glenn Harbin 55 Chavis Williams 56 William Ming 57 Marcell Dareus 57 Aaron Joiner 58 Nick Gentry 59 Arie Kouandjio 60 David Williams 61 Anthony Steen 62 Brandon Ivory 63 Kellen Williams 64 Kerry Murphy 65 Chance Warmack 66 Brian Motley 67 John Michael Boswell 69 David Blalock 71 Allen Skelton 72 Tyler Love 73 William Vlachos 74 David Ross 75 Barrett Jones 76 D.J. Fluker 77 James Carpenter 78 Chad Lindsay 79 Austin Shepherd 82 Earl Alexander 83 Kevin Norwood 84 Brian Vogler 85 Preston Dial 86 Undra Billingsley 87 Drew Bullard 87 Chris Underwood 88 Michael Bowman 89 Michael Williams 90 Jeremy Shelley 91 Alex Watkins 92 Damion Square 93 Chris Bonds 94 Darrington Sentimore 95 Colin Gallagher 95 Brandon Lewis 96 Luther Davis 97 Brandon Moore 99 Josh Chapman

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WT 212 221 156 208 236 205 188 252 206 213 168 237 220 309 268 260 223 263 306 258 282 335 267 292 335 307 319 300 289 291 255 261 304 289 302 301 340 300 277 307 207 187 242 237 269 232 238 225 270 165 232 284 263 261 194 274 279 305 310

HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Geismar, La. Dutchtown Southlake, Texas Southlake Carroll Mobile, Ala. McGill-Toolen Thomasville, Ala. Thomasville HS Mobile, Ala. Vigor Huntsville, Ala. Huntsville Tuscaloosa, Ala. Northridge Homestead, Fla. South Dade Houston, Texas Cyrpress Creek Moundville, Ala. Hale County Charlotte, N.C. Independence Hoover, Ala. Hoover Murfreesboro, Tenn. Riverdale Athens, Ala. Athens Madison, Ala. Sparkman SQ Mobile, Ala. McGill-Toolen Dora, Ala. Dora Athens, Ala. Athens Huffman, Ala. Huffman Florence, Ala. Florence Prattville, Ala. Prattville Beltsville, Md. DeMatha Catholic Duncanville, Ala. Hillcrest Lambert, Miss. Lee Academy Memphis, Tenn. East Lawrenceville, Ga. Brookwood Hoover, Ala. Hargrave/Hoover Atlanta, Ga. Westlake Autaugaville, Ala. Autaugaville Northport, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Charlotte, N.C. Providence Coker, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook Birmingham, Ala. Mountain Brook Homewood, Ala. Homewood Memphis, Tenn. Evangelical Christian Foley, Ala. Foley Augusta, Ga. Coffeyville CC The Woodlands, Texas The Woodlands Buford, Ga. North Gwinnett Phenix City, Ala. Central D’Iberville, Miss. D’Iberville Columbus, Ga. Brookstone Mobile, Ala. UMS-Wright Birmingham, Ala. Woodlawn Florence, Ala. Florence Vestavia Hills, Ala. Vestavia Hills Rossville, Ga. Ridgeland Reform, Ala. Pickens County Raleigh, N.C. Broughton Brownsville, Tenn. Haywood Houston, Texas Yates Columbia, S.C. Richland Northeast Norco, La. Destrehan Atlanta, Ga. Marist Pleasant Grove, Ala. East Mississippi CC West Monroe, La. West Monroe Montgomery, Ala. Carver Hoover, Ala. Hoover

SPARTANS

Michigan St. Football Roster

N O NAME 2 Mark Dell 2 William Gholston 2 Mylan Hicks 3 B.J. Cunningham 3 Mike Sadler 4 Edwin Baker 4 Dan Conroy 5 Johnny Adams 6 Joe Boisture 7 Keith Nichol 8 Kirk Cousins 9 Isaiah Lewis 10 Andrew Maxwell 10 Chris Norman 11 Marcus Hyde 12 Peter Badovinac 12 Dana Dixon 13 Bennie Fowler 14 Tony Lippett 14 Chase Parker 15 Donald Spencer 16 Chris D. Rucker 17 Kevin Muma 17 Kyle Nichol 18 Jordan Benton 18 Aaron Bates 19 Danny Folino 20 Nick Hill 20 Kyle Selden 21 Josh Perryman 22 Josh Bodell 22 Larry Caper 23 Jairus Jones 24 Le'Veon Bell 25 Keith Mumphery 26 Jesse Johnson 26 David Spears 27 Kurtis Drummond 28 Denicos Allen 29 Chris L. Rucker 31 Darqueze Dennard 32 Mitchell White 33 Jeremy Langford 34 Andre Buford 36 Jon Misch 37 Chris Hessell 38 Niko Palazeti 39 Trenton Robinson 40 Max Bullough 41 Kyler Elsworth 42 Nick Bendzuck 42 Ty Hamilton 43 Eric Gordon 44 Josh Rouse 45 Jeff Bobek 45 Marcus Rush

P HT WT CLS HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL WR 6-2 199 SR Farmington Hills, Mich. Harrison LB 6-7 250 FR Detroit, Mich. Southeastern CB 5-11 175 FR Detroit, Mich. Renaissance WR 6-2 220 JR Westerville, Ohio Westerville South P 6-1 185 FR Grand Rapids, Mich. Forest Hills Northern RB 5-9 208 SO Highland Park, Mich. Oak Park Wheaton Warrenville S K 5-10 185 SO Wheaton, Ill. CB 5-11 170 SO Akron, Ohio Buchtel QB 6-5 212 FR Goodrich, Mich. Saline WR 6-2 222 JR Lowell, Mich. Oklahoma QB 6-3 202 JR Holland, Mich. Holland Christian S 5-11 191 FR Indianapolis, Ind. Ben Davis QB 6-3 200 RS FR Midland, Mich. Midland LB 6-1 220 SO Detroit, Mich. Renaissance S 200 SR Fostoria, Ohio Fostoria QB 6-2 215 SO Inverness, Ill. Drake CB 6-2 173 RS FR Detroit, Mich. Renaissance WR 6-1 206 RS FR Bloomfield, Mich. Detroit Country Day CB 6-3 185 FR Detroit, Mich. Crockett CB 5-9 176 JR Mason, Mich. Mason WR 6-2 200 RS FR Ypsilanti, Mich. Ypsilanti CB 5-10 175 JR Detroit, Mich. Detroit Country Day K 6-0 186 RS FR Troy, Mich. Troy WR 5-9 185 RS FR Lowell, Mich. Lowell WR 6-0 182 RS FR Los Angeles, Calif. Loyola P 6-0 198 SR New Concord, Ohio John Glenn S 5-9 190 RS FR Okemos, Mich. East Lansing RB 5-6 182 FR Chelsea, Mich. Chelsea P 6-5 200 JR Waterford, Mich. Our Lady of the Lakes WR 6-3 175 FR Evanston, Ill. Evanston Township CB 6-1 192 SR Frankfort, Mich. Frankfort RB 5-11 220 SO Battle Creek, Mich. Battle Creek Central S 6-1 208 RS FR Tampa, Fla. Wharton RB 6-2 230 FR Reynoldsburg, Ohio Groveport Madison WR 6-1 200 FR Vienna, Ga. Dooly County S 5-10 186 SR Durand, Mich. Durand Area RB 5-10 200 SO Muskegon, Mich. Muskegon S 6-2 198 FR Masury, Ohio Hubbard LB 5-10 212 RS FR Hamilton, Ohio Hamilton CB 6-2 200 SR Warren, Ohio Warren G. Harding CB 5-11 175 FR Dry Branch, Ga. Twiggs County CB 6-1 170 SO Livonia, Mich. Stevenson RB/WR 6-0 185 FR Wayne, Mich. John Glenn RB 5-8 184 SO Waterford, Mich. Detroit Country Day LB 6-3 207 SR Waterford, Mich. Orchard Lake St. Mary's FB 6-1 227 SO New Haven, Mich. New Haven FB 6-2 250 FR Northville, Mich. Detroit Catholic Cent. S 5-10 195 JR Bay City, Mich. Bay City Central LB 6-3 235 FR Traverse City, Mich. St. Francis LB 6-1 207 RS FR Goodrich, Mich. Goodrich FB 6-2 240 SR Strongsville, Ohio Mercyhurst College LB 6-0 223 FR Fenton, Mich. Fenton LB 6-0 232 SR Traverse City, Mich. Traverse City West FB 6-3 240 SR Newtown, Conn. Valley Forge Mil. Acad. FB 6-0 230 FR Palatine, Ill. William Fremd LB 6-3 240 FR Cincinnati, Ohio Archbishop Moeller

N O NAME P 47 Jeremy Gainer LB 47 Adam Setterbo FB 48 Drew Stevens FB 49 TyQuan Hammock LB 50 Steve Gardiner LB 51 Steve Moore SN 52 Denzel Drone DE 53 Greg Jones LB 54 Connor Kruse OL 54 Chad Setterbo LB 55 Corey Freeman DE 56 Alex Shackleton SN 57 Johnathan Strayhorn DE 58 Jordan Sanders DL 58 Hugh Stangeland OG 59 D.J. Young OT 60 Micajah Reynolds OL 61 Antonio Jeremiah OG 62 Chris McDonald OG 63 Travis Jackson OL 65 Doug Curtis DT 65 Michael Dennis OL 66 John Stipek C 67 Joel Foreman OG 68 Ethan Ruhland OG 69 Shawn Kamm OL 69 Blake Pacheco DL 70 Skyler Schofner OL 71 John Deyo OT 72 Nate Klatt C 73 Henry Conway OT 74 Zach Hueter OT 75 Jared McGaha OG 77 J'Michael Deane OT 79 David Barrent OT 81 Brad Sonntag WR 82 Keshawn Martin WR 83 Charlie Gantt TE 83 R.J. Kelly DE 84 Derek Hoebing TE 85 Garrett Celek TE 86 Fred Smith FB 87 Todd Anderson DE 87 Milton Colbert WR 88 Brian Linthicum TE 89 Cam Martin WR 89 Colin Neely DE 91 Tyler Hoover DE 92 Andrew Gleichert TE 94 Taylor Calero DE 93 Blake Treadwell NT 96 Kevin Pickelman NT 97 Dan France DT 98 Anthony Rashad White DT 99 Jerel Worthy DT

HT WT 6-1 225 6-3 232 6-4 230 6-0 255 6-1 222 6-2 221 6-2 250 6-1 240 6-4 300 6-1 203 6-2 240 6-2 240 6-0 275 6-2 275 6-6 280 6-5 298 6-5 295 6-5 360 6-5 295 6-4 265 6-2 257 6-7 295 6-5 285 6-4 310 6-5 288 6-7 293 6-1 272 6-7 315 6-6 294 6-4 292 6-6 304 6-6 315 6-6 300 6-5 312 6-8 308 5-8 175 5-11 185 6-5 260 6-4 235 6-7 258 6-5 245 6-2 240 6-2 242 6-4 203 6-5 238 6-4 188 6-1 258 6-7 260 6-5 235 6-3 230 6-3 277 6-4 285 6-6 296 6-2 320 6-3 305

CLS HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL RS FR Detroit, Mich. Clarenceville JR Spring Lake, Mich. Spring Lake Senior SO Delaware, Ohio Olentangy RS FR Fort Wayne, Ind. Bishop Luers SO Dublin, Ohio Coffman SO Pinconning, Mich. Pinconning Area RS FR Plant City, Fla. Plant City SR Cincinnati, Ohio Archbishop Moeller FR Lowell, Mich. Lowell SO Spring Lake, Mich. Spring Lake Senior SO Cleveland Heights, Ohio Cleveland Heights SR Breckenridge, Colo. Summit JR Detroit, Mich. Oak Park FR Rochester, Mich. Adams RS FR Ridgefield, Conn. Milford Academy SR Lansing, Mich. Bowling Green RS FR Lansing, Mich. Sexton JR Hilliard, Ohio Hilliard Darby SO Sterling Heights, Mich. Henry Ford II FR New Albany, Ohio St. Francis DeSales SO Weston, Conn. Weston FR Carey, Ohio Carey SR Macomb Township, Mich. Dakota JR Highland, Mich. Milford SO Lake Orion, Mich. Lake Orion Nouvel Catholic Cent. FR Saginaw, Mich. JR Salinas, Calif. Monterey (CA) Peninsula Coll. FR Sunbury, Ohio Big Walnut SO Battle Creek, Mich. Gull Lake RS FR Clinton, Ohio Northwest RS FR Shaker Heights, Ohio Shaker Heights SO Columbiaville, Mich. North Branch JR Powell, Tenn. Powell SR Toronto, Ontario Newtonbrook RS FR Clive, Iowa Valley Nouvel Catholic Cent. JR Saginaw, Mich. JR Inkster, Mich. John Glenn SR Farmington Hills, Mich. Brother Rice SO East Lansing, Mich. Haslett RS FR Vermilion, Ohio Vermilion JR Cincinnati, Ohio LaSalle RS SO Detroit, Mich. Southeastern JR Jackson, Mich. Napoleon SO Villa Park, Ill. Willowbrook JR Charlottesville, Va. Clemson JR Tampa, Fla. H.B. Plant SR Bethlehem, Pa. Freedom SO Novi, Mich. Novi FR Ann Arbor, Mich. Huron FR Beverly Hills, Mich. Southfield Christian SO East Lansing, Mich. East Lansing JR Marshall, Mich. Marshall RS FR North Royalton, Ohio North Royalton SO Battle Creek, Mich. Fort Scott CC SO Huber Heights, Ohio Wayne

touchdownalabama.net |

Opposing Team

Spartans Ready to spar Cousins and Martin lead MSU offense

#8 M

Kirk Cousins

ichigan State University’s wide receiver slot is filled by Keshawn Martin. He is a junior weighing in at 185 pounds and standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall. He is known for his starting position at Z receiver, where the player lines up off the line of scrimmage. Martin can be classified as unique. He has scored for the Spartans in more than one way; he has put points on the board passing, rushing, receiving and on a punt return. With this remarkable feat, he is one of only three active players in the football bowl subdivision able to make this claim. He also leads his team with 45 plays of 20 or more yards and 13 plays of 40 or more yards. Last season, Martin was named as ESPN.com’s Big Ten All-Bowl Team. He made appearances in every game of that

ichigan State University’s Kirk Cousins is ready for the Tide. The 6-foot-3-inch, 202 pound junior and is the Spartan’s quarterback and second-year captain. He is down in the record books for more than one reason. He ranks first in MSU history for completing 65 percent of passes and ranks fourth in total offense at MSU with 5,663 yards. Cousins has 41 touchdown passes, which lands him the number six spot at the school. He threw two touchdown passes for 152 yards to give them the win against the Penn State Nittany Lions and seal a share of the Big Ten title. Cousins is as tough as nails when it comes to the gridiron. During his game against Purdue, he sprained his shoulder and ankle, yet still finished the comeback win by scoring the 3-yard running dash into the end zone. Last season, Cousins was the second sophomore in MSU history to earn the title of captain. The same season he received the Biggie Munn Award for being the most

season as a sophomore and made 10 appearances the season before as a true freshman. He averages 11.2 yards per rush and 12.2 per catch. He has a kick return average of 17.8 yards and punt returning average of 14.2 yards. His total offensive average per play is 17 yards. Not only is he known for scoring in different fashions, but he was named one of the Big Ten’s “special-teams demons” according to Lindy’s Preseason Honor Roll. While Martin is sure to shock at the bowl game, the Tide is ready to rumble. The Tide is ranked No. 15 and the Spartans come into the game ranked 7th. The game will be televised on ESPN and will close out the 2010 season for the Tide and Spartans.

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

Jennifer Gorham

inspirational player on offense. In the 2008 he was recognized as one of the Academic All-Big Ten selections after being redshirted the 2007 season. He elaborates on what it feels like to be the Big Ten champions and about his bowl hopes: “By winning the Big Ten Championship, we definitely feel like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders," Cousins said in a press conference. "We finished part of the job we set out to do at the beginning of the season, but our next goal is to win the bowl game." While Cousins is preparing to take on the Tide at the Capital One Bowl, Head Coach Nick Saban is preparing for him. "I think Michigan State has a very good all-around team,” Saban said during a press conference. “They have great balance on offense with a great quarterback and can throw the ball efficiently in the passing game. [They are] one of the better running teams we've played with the running backs they have and the job they do in scheming people and creating balance.”

#82

Keshawn Martin

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHIGAN STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Player Spotlight

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:

William Vlachos

#73

a LINEMAN and a LEADER

Stephen Smith

lachos looks forward to his senior year

There is no position in football more underrated than offensive line: more specifically the Center. Junior offensive lineman William Vlachos is the epitome of what every coach looks for in a center and a leader. Vlachos, pronounced “Va-LAY-os,” played his high school ball at Mountain Brook in Birmingham, Ala., under Coach Joey Jones, who is now the head coach at the University of South Alabama. He was an Alabama 6A All-State, Super All-State, and All-Metro selection. Coming out of high school, Vlachos was rated as the No. 9 center by Rivals.com. During the 2008 year, Vlachos played in a number of games as a reserve lineman. He played in a total of seven games including Tulane, Western Kentucky, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Mississippi State, Kentucky and the Sugar Bowl against Utah. Once All-American Antoine Caldwell graduated, Vlachos stepped in with ease. Vlachos says it was an honor to get to learn from Caldwell, but he does not feel any added pressure having to replace him. Vlachos still keeps in touch with Caldwell, saying he is very supportive. “I have taken a lot of stuff from him. I do try to follow his roll and play like he did. Hopefully I can become as good of a leader as he was,” Vlachos said of his former teammate. PHOTOS BY TIM BAILEY

As a junior, Vlachos came into his own. As one of three new starters to the offense, Vlachos helped lead Mark Ingram to a Heisman Trophy and the Tide to a National Championship title. He quickly became the leader of the front line, and good friends with quarterback Greg McElroy. Vlachos was nominated for the Rimington Trophy Watch List at the beginning of the season and was a finalist in the category. He has recently been named SEC second team all-conference. In the two years of significant playing time for Vlachos, the Crimson Tide has a record of 26-2 with two SEC West titles, one SEC Championship, and a National Championship. With a young front five this year, Vlachos was a vocal leader when the team needed one. One of the biggest questions of the offensive line was the addition of Chance Warmack. As an example of the leadership Vlachos provides, he had nothing but good things to say when asked about the inexperience of Warmack. “He is very talented, especially for a young guy,” Vlachos said. “He has done a great job this year. He has had some growing pains just like everybody would have being a young player. He has stepped in and worked extremely hard. I really enjoy playing next to him.” He was and continues to be the anchor of not only the offensive line, but the team as a whole and looks to lead the team through the bowl game and into the 2011 season. touchdownalabama.net |

Section The Lowdown Title

Larryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

LOWDOWN Larry Burton

Beyond the Bowl Game What's next for the Tide?

in or lose this bowl, this has not been the season that Alabama fans had hoped for, but it was still a good season that came oh-so-close to being a stellar season. Six plays could have totally changed Alabama's season, but that was this year What's in store for next year? First of all, the bowl preparation helps next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team almost as much as a second spring practice. Extra practices really help a team come back in the spring and the long time between the final game and the actual bowl means the coaches have lots of time to give younger players a better look and see who might just be the playmakers next year. And who might those players be? It is said that Mark Ingram is flirting with the idea of coming back after a relatively disappointing junior year. That would be great news for the Tide, but Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacey seem ready to take up the slack. With promising newcomers in the pipeline, too, the running game looks good to go for a few years. As for who will be handing them ball, while A.J. McCarron looks to be the heir apparent, Phillip Sims seems ready not only to put up a fight for the starting job but to continue the fight throughout the season for playing time. For those who fret that Alabama will be playing with a first year quarterback, just remember that Greg McElroy was a first year starter last year when the Tide won it all. As for receivers, even if Julio Jones moves on to the NFL as expected, Alabama will have several great pass-

snaggers to throw to. It's time for Kevin Norwood to step up and for Brandon Gibson to show the talent he has on a consistent basis. Darius Hanks will be back as a surehanded leader of that corps and Marquis Maze should join him in that role. Maze is flirting with the NFL, but a year of stellar punt and kick-off returns along with some highlight deep grabs could enhance his draft status. Many think he'll be talked into another year. The offensive line should be improved. William Vlachos will return for his senior year to anchor the line, with perhaps D.J. Fluker moving over to left tackle if it's not claimed by one of the Kouandijo brothers first. Guards should be the very experienced Chance Warmack and Barrett Jones. Throw in experienced tight ends like Michael Williams, Chris Underwood and Brad Smelley, and Alabama has one very experienced and aggressive offensive line to push the defense. This is an offensive group that can handle the championship mantle. Defense? That's another matter. The Tide will without doubt lose Marcell Darius to the NFL on one end and Luther Davis on the other. There are lots of questions to be answered there, but one really bright answer could be the pick up of the nation's top defensive lineman from the junior college ranks, Australian Jessie Williams, a 6-foot-4-inch, 330 pound quarterback crusher. Who will fill the other slot? Undra Billingsly and Damion Square have both

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

shown signs of greatness and Darrington Sentimore and Brandon Moore may step up to provide some solid backups. Bama should be more than blessed at nose tackle and the linebacking corps should be both more experienced and more athletic next year. The question will once again be the defensive backfield. Dre Kirkpatrick should be a good one, and if Dequan Menzie can stay healthy, he should be another good one. Who steps up beyond that is still anyone's guess, but there is talent there. At safety, should Mark Barron leave to test the NFL waters, that will leave the very talented and pick-happy Robert Lester as a sure starter. This year, we saw that young talent can be both a good and a bad thing. This year's crop did well in man-to-man to coverage but was often confused when it came to learning the assignments and coverage in the complex zone coverages. Too many games were lost because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and opposing receivers were left uncovered and went for easy scores. Saban's assignment here is not getting the talent to do the job, but get them to a higher mental plateau to avoid the disastrous miscues which plagued the team this year. If he can accomplish this one feat next year, it won't matter which coach left, who went to the NFL or who is on the schedule. This will be a team that can contend. That is what Tide fans have to look forward to after this bowl game. The future is bright indeed.

PHOTO BY MATT GASTON BOT County Platt Book Ad.indd 1

8/10/10 11:58 AM

Alabama’s first five bowl games were all played in the________. a. Cotton Bowl b. Rose Bowl c. Orange Bowl d. Sugar Bowl Lee Roy Jordan set an NCAA bowl record with _____ tackles in the Alabama’s 17-0 bowl victory over Oklahoma in the 1963 Orange Bowl a. 18 c. 31 b. 24 d. 42

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

4 5

Joe Namath was the MVP of the Orange Bowl against Texas on New Year’s Day in 1965 despite____. a. Alabama losing the game b. playing only two quarters c. scoring zero touchdowns d. throwing four interceptions Alabama lost the 2000 Orange Bowl to Michigan, 35-34, in overtime on a missed extra point by_____. a. Ryan Pflugner b. Philip Doyle c. Van Tiffin d. Michael Proctor Answers to the 5 questions above: 1. C 2. B 3. C 4. A 5. A

1 2 3

Through 2007, how many different bowl games has Alabama played in? a. 8 c. 16 b.12 d. 20

ProConnections

Leaving a Crimson Mark on the NFL One Bama Player at a Time

DeMeco Ryans Houston Texans

ost Alabama fans remember the crimson jersey worn by DeMeco Ryans during his college career. The outside linebacker left the University of Alabama in 2006 when he was selected in the second round of the NFL draft. Since then, Ryans has worn the number 59 jersey for the Houston Texans. The Bessemer, Ala., native has made himself a remarkable career in Texas, just as he did in Tuscaloosa. Ryans mentioned how, during his time at the Capstone, the Alabama traditions affected his career. "I wanted to come, because it's always been a big thing here in Alabama," Ryans said. "Getting invited, you just represent Alabama. Being younger, watching the game, you're always looking for the guys with the Alabama helmet on. It's special." Ryans has played for Houston since he was drafted in 2006. Although he was an

Jen Underwood

tackles for the first half of the season in 2006, his rookie year. This all led to Ryans being named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in January of 2007. That same year, he was selected to play in the Pro Bowl. Since his beginning season in 2006, Ryans has had a career total of 572 tackles, 435 of which were performed solo. He has 137 assisted tackles, 8.5 sacks and two interceptions. He is on track to be remembered as one of the best. "I would like to be mentioned with all the top guys, all the elite guys," he said. "Everyone wants to be one of the best, and one of the elite, so of course I want to be up in there with those guys." Unfortunately, despite his impeccable record, Ryans is out for the rest of the 2010 season due to an injury. Ryans tore his left Achilles tendon early on in week six and has been replaced for the remainder of the year. Although the

"I would like to be mentioned with all the top guys, all the elite guys. Everyone wants to be one of the best, and one of the elite, so of course I want to be up in there with those guys." - DeMeco Ryans outside linebacker in college, he was moved to middle linebacker due to his performances before his first professional season began. Ryans has followed in the footsteps of many former Alabama players who have made names for themselves in the NFL world. In his first game alone, he made an astounding 12 solo tackles. This allowed him to lead his team in total number of

Texans defeated the Chiefs 35-31, Ryans was out in the second quarter after he planted and attempted to jump and make a play after Dwayne Bowe’s touchdown catch of 17 yards. “It sucks," Ryans said of his injury. "It’s the first time I’ve had to deal with something like this, a real serious injury. It was heartbreaking to hear the news that you’re done for the season. Some things you just

PHOTOS BY (UPPER) LISA BLUMENFIELD; (LOWER) NATIONALCHAMPS.NET

can’t control. You just have to roll with the surgery and the rehab process and make the best of it.” According to the Houston Texans website, “The loss of Ryans, 26, is as big as it gets. A four-time captain and twotime Pro Bowler, he entered this week’s game with the most solo tackles (433) in the NFL since entering the league in 2006. His 565 total tackles since 2006 ranked second to Redskins linebacker London Fletcher. ‘Hands down, you really can’t replace DeMeco,’ Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson said. ‘His nickname is ‘Captain.’ Everyone calls him ‘Cap.’ That goes to show you what he means to this football team. For us to lose him, it makes you feel like we can’t catch a break because we’re having so many guys get injured, but we just have to have some guys step up.’” The absence of Ryans on the Texans’ team has highlighted the impact that yet another Alabama player has had in the professional realm. DeMeco Ryans is just another example of a Tide player rolling on to victory at the next level.. touchdownalabama.net |

Catching Up With

Catching Up with

Wesley Britt

Donald F. Staffo

Turbulent time with the Tide taught life lessons

rom 2001 through 2004 Wesley Britt started 46 games in the offensive line for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. As a senior he was named third team All-American by the Associated Press and second team All-American by Rivals.com. After being drafted in the fifth round by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL draft, Britt was traded to the New England Patriots where he played off and on for almost five years. He was a member of the Patriots’ team that went 18-1, losing in the 2007 Super Bowl to the New York Giants. At Alabama Britt may be best remembered pumping his arm to inspire the Crimson Tide crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium when he was being carted off the field after suffering a broken leg in Alabama’s 51-43 five-overtime loss to Tennessee in 2003. “The support I received from the fans helped take the pain away,” he said. Coming out of Cullman High School, Britt was recruited by several schools including Florida, but Britt speculated that then-Florida coach Steve Spurrier might be going to the NFL. “I eliminated Florida because I wanted to play for only one football coach, so I came to Alabama and ended up playing for four coaches,” laughed the 6-foot-8-inch, 320-pound Britt, who off the field is a very personable gentle giant. “When I called Spurrier to tell him of my decision to go to Alabama, Spurrier said, ‘Wesley, I thought you were

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

classier than that.” As for the coaches he played for at UA Britt said, “Coach (Mike) Dubose taught a lot of good life lessons. He was big on teamwork and all 11 players working together. That whole staff was big on character building and developing you as a person. “We learned a lot from Coach (Dennis) Franchione. We had our hardest practices under Franchione. His practices were very efficient and fast-paced. It was full-speed, running from drill to drill the entire practice. That’s why I felt something was up the week leading up to the Auburn game. That week we had basically walkthrough practices and we didn’t make adjustments, which was totally different from what we were used to. We basically used the same game plan that we used the week before. It seemed like he was totally preoccupied with something on his mind (he was considering the Texas A&M job which he ended up taking). “Coach Fran talked about holding the rope, and then he cut his off a little faster than the rest of us did. The way his leaving was handled at the end (without him telling the team in person) went against everything that he preached and who he was. It seemed like he felt that if we lost to Auburn, that he thought the fans would want him to leave. We did lose to Auburn (28-23), but we were a much better team. We were poorly prepared to play that week,” explained Britt, who did point out that in 2001 Alabama PHOTOS FROM BRYANT MUSEUM

dominated Auburn 31-7, “but that was Coach Fran’s mentality.” Although Mike Price’s stint was brief and he never got to coach a game, Britt said, “With Coach Price we worked hard and had a lot of fun. His practices were very efficient. He was a great coach. I supported Coach Price, but looking back, President (Robert) Witt had to make a difficult decision (in dismissing Price), but it was the right decision. I just didn’t understand (the decision) at the time.” Speaking about Mike Shula, Britt said that “We had some good players, some good teams and we won some big games. No matter what people say about Coach Shula, he loved the University of Alabama, and still does as much as any of us. He put the University of Alabama in a better place than when he found it.” Britt said 2003 was a difficult year for him. “I learned a lot about tough times. I was playing at a high level when I broke my leg, and the team was to. I had surgery on Sunday and was back in school on Wednesday. I graduated (in three and a half years) the following December, and I walked across the stage on crutches to receive my degree. All the doctors told me that I wouldn’t play football again but, because of my faith, I didn’t question

any of that. I just rehabbed and did a lot of hard work, and in the fall I came back to play my senior year.” Britt mentioned the tradition of the Crimson Tide players touching the pipe that says ‘Win’ on it as they come out of the locker room and head to the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. “That doesn’t mean that you are going to win the game, but it reminds you of all the great players that played here, Joe Namath and all the others. It reminds you of the hard work, the preparation, and the blood, sweat and tears that you put in. It (reinforces) that winning mentality.” Although he played during a period of turbulence at Alabama, Britt, whose two younger brothers Taylor and Justin also played on the offensive line for the Tide, said he wouldn’t change

anything about the University of Alabama. “Alabama football is special,” he stated. “I’ve lived in California and I’ve lived in New England, and I’ve been to France and other parts of the world, and people would ask me what it was like playing at Alabama. When I was in the NFL, players from schools like Michigan, USC, LSU and all the big schools would come up to me and ask what it was like playing at Alabama. We’re something bigger. We’re unrivaled.” As far as the Crimson Tide losing to Auburn in the Iron Bowl, Britt quoted his former assistant coach Neil Calloway and said, “Even a blind hog can find an acorn now and then.”

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Game Day P hotos

PHOTOS BY TIM BAILEY

Recruiting

Mike Parker

Sneak Peak

The future already looks bright for 2012

he Tide is already off to a quick start for 2012 with four commitments: Dakota Ball (defensive tackle from Georgia), Caleb Gulledge (defensive end from Prattville, Ala.), Justin Thomas (labeled a quarterback, but who will probably end up being an athlete from Prattville, Ala.), and the crown jewel, Eddie Williams.

goes, he will make an immediate impact. Alabama has made it very clear that they will take two quarterbacks for this next class. They have offered a total of seven quarterbacks, one being Justin Thomas, who, as previously stated, will probably end up being a very dynamic athlete, and who has run multiple 4.2 40-yard dashes at camps.

Williams was the first to commit, seems very firm and was a huge pick-up for the Tide. He should be the number one player coming out of Florida when the rankings come Eddie Williams out for 2012. He should also be one of the Tide’s most valuable recruiters, as Williams has made it his mission make the Tide's 2012 recruiting class No. 1 for the year. Even as early as it is, the Tide may not receive a commitment from a better player in the country than Eddie Williams. At 6-feet-4-inches and 205 pounds with lots of room to grow, Williams, a freakish athlete, could play anywhere from safety to receiver to linebacker and possibly even tight end, but, wherever he

One of the top two quarterback candidates who has emerged is Jameis Winston (6’4’’, 195), who, though an underrated passer, can make every throw on the Jameis Winston field as well as being a great leader. Winston is not the Tide’s typical quarterback; he’s like a Terrell Pryor minus fifteen pounds and can make as many plays on the ground as he does throwing the ball. This is important, since the Tide needs some versatility from the quarterback position, especially since it is not known who the offensive coordinator will be when Pryor arrives at the Capstone or if the new offensive coordinator will run the dual threat offense.

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

The No. 2 quarterback the Tide seems to be pursuing is Greyson Lambert. At 6-feet-5-inches and 185 pounds, he’s your typical dropback passer who can very accurately throw Greyson Lambert the ball all over the field. Lambert’s recruitment will probably come down to a Georgia and Alabama battle, but it is still very early in the process. The Tide would also like to take two running backs in this class. So far, they have offered a total of five. It is too early to get a grip on where the Tide stands with most of the 2012 Barry Sanders running backs, but one who stands out is a name with which we are all quite familiar: Barry Sanders from Oklahoma City. At 5-feet-11-inches and 190 pounds and the son of the legendary NFL football player by the same name, Sanders, who has blazing speed, visited the Tide in the fall and

came away extremely impressed. He said that if you want to be a running back, Alabama is the place to go because they have all the facilities and coaches an offensive running back desires. Sanders was accompanied by his father, NFL great Barry Sanders, Sr., who seemed to be just as impressed with Alabama as his son was. As far as running style goes, father and son are identical, displaying great lower body strength, play-making ability, break-away speed, vision, and, most of all, balance; Sanders, Jr., just like his father, always seems to stay on his feet. However, right now it is too early for the Tide to have a No.1 target for running back. The instate crop seems to be much stronger than in previous years. The Tide has already offered eleven prospects from within the state. Some of the top targets are Jameis Winston, Kwon Alexander, Reggie Ragland, Trae Elston, Chris Casher, and Justin Shanks. Look for the Tide to put a full-court press on players like Kwon Alexander, the 6-foot-2-inch, 215 pound outside linebacker from Oxford, Ala., who could end up being Kwon Alexander the No. 1 outside linebacker in the country. The Tide is already in outstanding shape with Alexander, as well as with Reggie Ragland, the 6-foot-4-inch, 225 pound linebacker from Huntsville, Ala., who plays a lot like Dontâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a Hightower. Look for many more names to emerge quickly, as the Tide will probably wrap up this class faster than it has any other. The state of Alabama looks extremely strong for the Crimson Tide for 2012, possibly as strong as the 2008 class; the Tide will try to dominate in-state recruitment, as it usually does. PHOTOS FROM RIVALS.COM

News

by Troy Farsoun

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Connecticut Jan. 1 - 7:30 pm

Oklahoma was expected to experience a rebuilding year after losing Heisman-winning quarterback Sam Bradford to the NFL, but head coach Bob Stoops has again willed his Sooners into a national power and an 11-2 record. UConn enters the Fiesta Bowl a severe underdog with an 8-4 record and controversy as to whether the Huskies even deserve to represent the Big East in a BCS bowl. However, the Fiesta Bowl has proven to be a significant challenge for the Sooners, as Oklahoma, despite being heavy favorites, suffered a monumental upset to Boise State in 2007 and then lost to West Virginia in 2008.

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. TCU Jan. 1 - 4:00 pm

TCU took advantage of Boise State's loss to Nevada as the Horned Frogs happily took their spot as this year's BCS buster. Though TCU waited all year for an upset of Auburn or Oregon to earn a chance at the national title, head coach Gary

Patterson is thrilled to have the opportunity to show the country that his squad belongs with the best. They'll have their work cut out for them, however, as Wisconsin enters Pasadena with the 17th-ranked rushing offense and the most efficient quarterback in the country in Scott Tolzien, who has completed 74.3 percent of his passes. The Badgers have scored over 70 points in games three times this season.

BCS National Championship: Auburn vs. Oregon Jan. 10 - 7:30 pm

The Tigers have come a long way in a short period of time, and much of their success has to do with controversial quarterback Cam Newton, who took home the Heisman trophy this season. Oregon has blown out opponents throughout the year with Chip Kelley's wild spread-option offense that has left defenses gasping just trying to keep up. Both Auburn and Oregon rank in the top-10 in nearly every offensive category, leading to speculation that this could be the highest-scoring national championship game in history. The Tigers will be representing the SEC, which has won the BCS crown four years in a row.

Other 2011 Bowl Matchups:

Game Alabama vs. Michigan State Florida vs. Penn State Mississippi State vs. Michigan

Bowl Capital One Bowl Outback Bowl Gator Bowl

Date Jan. 1 Jan. 1 Jan. 1

Time 12 pm 12 pm 12:30 pm

Arkansas vs. Ohio State LSU vs. Texas A&M

Sugar Bowl Cotton Bowl

Jan. 4 Jan. 7

7:30 pm 7 pm

* All games will be shown on ESPN stations.

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

CURRENT POLLS AP TOP 25 1. Auburn 2. Oregon 3. TCU 4. Wisconsin 5. Stanford 6. Ohio St. 7. Michigan St. 8. Arkansas 9. Oklahoma 10. Boise St. 11. LSU 12. Virginia Tech 13. Nevada 14. Missouri 15. Alabama 16. Oklahoma St. 17. Nebraska 18. Texas A&M 19. South Carolina 20. Utah 21. Mississippi St. 22. West Virginia 23. Florida St. 24. Hawaii 25. Connecticut

USA Today

BCS

1. Oregon 2. Auburn 3. TCU 4. Wisconsin 5.Stanford 6. Ohio St. 7. Michigan St. 8. Oklahoma 9. Arkansas 10. Boise St. 11. Virginia Tech 12. LSU 13. Oklahoma St. 14. Missouri 15. Nevada 16. Nebraska 17. Texas A&M 18. Alabama 19. Utah 20. South Carolina 21. West Virginia 22. Mississippi St. 23. Florida St. 24. UCF 25. Hawaii

1. Auburn 2. Oregon 3. TCU 4. Stanford 5. Wisconsin 6. Ohio St. 7. Oklahoma 8. Arkansas 9. Michigan St. 10. Boise St. 11. LSU 12. Missouri 13. Virginia Tech 14. Oklahoma St. 15. Nevada 16. Alabama 17. Texas A&M 18. Nebraska 19. Utah 20. South Carolina 21. Mississippi St. 22. West Virginia 23. Florida St. 24. Hawaii 25. UCF

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Tailgater of the Week

And

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owl

and

Holloway and friend

Traveling Tailgaters Bulldogs visiting the Quad

lthough the Tide defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs with a final score of 30-10, it did not stop State fans from supporting their team on the Quad. Traveling tailgaters of all sorts are welcome on the Quad to celebrate football and the Bulldog fans were no exception. Daryl Norris is familiar with the Crimson Tide because he grew up in Alabama. However, his allegiance lies with MSU since he is a pitcher for the Bulldogs’ baseball team. Although his team came up short of his game day prediction of 17-14, he still had a great time with his friends. One of those friends is Garrett Pitts. Pitts plays catcher for the Bulldogs’ baseball team and, like his teammate, is from Alabama. His favorite parts of tailgating in Tuscaloosa are the atmosphere and the ribs. “It is a lot bigger (than Starkville, Miss.) and there are more people,” Pitts said of the tailgating experience. On the other side of the Quad,

Norris

om (2nd fr

Amanda Holloway also enjoyed her time in Tuscaloosa. Tailgating near the base of Denny Chimes, she chatted about cowbells and age differences within the tailgating demographics. “There are a lot more people,” Holloway said. “There are a lot more younger people here. We have a lot of alumni (that tailgate for Mississippi State home games).” Holloway is a freshman majoring in chemistry with a concentration in pharmacy and mentioned the cowbell tradition. “I have two cowbells, but I left them back home in Starkville,” Holloway admitted. The school has a one-season trail run this year to see if the noisemakers, a longtime MSU tradition, should be allowed at their home field in Starkville, but there are still banned at Bryant-Denny. She is a native of Alabama, but said her family is full of Auburn fans, so she never looked into Bama when deciding on what college to attend. This was her

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

itts (fa

left), P

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Jennifer Gorham

first tailgate and she looked forward to “a lot more yelling” that would take place during the game in Bryant- Denny. Celebrating on the other side of Denny Chimes were Jackson Rowland and Jordan Andrews. Both are avid Bulldogs fans and made the trip to Tuscaloosa for their team. This was Andrews’ first trip to the Capstone, but for Rowland the experience was more familiar. This was his second trip to the Tide’s turf. Like any fans, these two friends had faith in their team. When asked what the score prediction was, Andrews chanted loudly with confidence in his team. “Well, first and foremost, State’s going to win,” Andrews said. It doesn’t matter where tailgaters are from or what team they are rooting for, fans are fans and that is all that matters on the Quad. Although these fans left disappointed in the outcome of the game, Tuscaloosa provided an eventful tailgating spot for the day, and no one was disappointed in the game day fun. PHOTOS BY MATT GASTON

Recruits

All-Star Classic

Alabama Wins in a Thriller Yellowhammer State beats Mississippi in double OT

Coe Robbins

labama needed a two-point conversion to keep alive their hopes of beating Mississippi for a third straight year, so Alabama coach Fred Yancey looked to draw a play to the best play-maker in the game at the annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic on December 11. The game-tying play went to Mobile native and University of Alabama commitment Danny Woodson Jr. It was a success, sending the game into overtime and later sealing the victory for Alabama over Mississippi 24-17 in double overtime at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile. “I wanted the ball, and I told Stephen (Rivers) if he sees me wide open just throw it up and I'm going to go get it,” Woodson told Tuscaloosa News reporter Aaron Suttles. “It was a good throw, I made the catch and we came out with the win.” It was also a good day for Woodson, who finished the game with seven grabs

for 72 yards including the two-point conversion. His future teammate, Marvin Shinn had four catches for 22 yards. Shinn said it doesn’t matter who gets the ball, as long as the job is done. “Danny Woodson came down with the two-point conversion” Shinn said. “Both of us were wide open so it didn't matter who he threw it to. Everybody had fun. That was the most important thing.” Yancey said that the credit should go to Alabama assistant coach Chris Fancher for drawing up the play. “He put that in this week, and we ran it to perfection,” Yancey said. “But (Mississippi) had scouted us during the week, and they knew we were going to have a crosser if we ran that particular play. They tried to nail Danny and derail him as he was coming across. Boy he did a great job of getting through the traffic and busting wide open. When he did Rivers made a terrific [throw]. Give Woodson credit. His ability to get over

PHOTOS FROM (UPPER) ASSOCIATED PRESS; (LOWER) MOBILE PRESS-REGISTER

there and make the catch was the hard part.” On the defensive side of the ball, UA commit Brent Calloway led the team with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a 0.5 sack. “I feel good,” Calloway said. “I had a great game, we won and that's all that matters.” The defense held Mississippi to just 97 yards of total offense. A fumble return for a touchdown is what kept Mississippi alive going into the first overtime. In the first overtime, both teams made field goals to send the game into a second overtime. Alabama got the ball first in the second overtime and on the first play, running back Ameer Abdullah took the direct snap to go 10 yards for the score. Alabama then held Mississippi through four downs to win the game. Another UA commit, Daryl Collins, participated in the game but didn’t record any stats. Alabama leads the all-time series 17-7. touchdownalabama.net |

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| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

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My First Game

From the Big 12

to the SEC

labama fans are very dedicated to the football program that Coach Nick Saban is running at the University. Students get hyped up for every game, but many students experienced their first Bama game long before attending the school. That is often not the case, however, for out-of-state students. For Lindsey White, a junior from Houston, Texas, she didn’t get the chance to see what all the excitement was about in Tuscaloosa until she attended her first game in the 2008 season. “The game day atmosphere is insane,” stated White. “I’ve never seen anything like it. People are out on the Quad tailgating at 8 in the morning for a primetime game.” White admits that growing up she wasn’t an Alabama fan. “Growing up in Texas, I was definitely a Texas fan,” said White. “I grew up liking them and watching them every Saturday.” Many people all over the country

argue which conference is the best, but with White growing up in the Big 12 and then making her way to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference, she has a pretty good view on the two conferences. “Even though my friends back home would argue with me that the Big 12 is the better conference, I truly believe that the SEC is the strongest,” White stated. “Our guys tend to be a lot bigger and we are known for our strong defense and speed. But Big 12 players are a lot leaner in size and use more of a passing game when we play a hard hitting defense.” Many traditions haven’t faded in Tuscaloosa and White has noticed the little ones that really unite the stadium. “The fact that Alabama still honors the past teams and their glory during the pregame warm up is awesome,” stated White. “Without the past Alabama teams and their success, we wouldn’t be such a famous team across the country. Most people know about Alabama, whether it is from when the Bear

| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA January 1, 2011

Jessica Brown

coached or now when Alabama won their 13th national championship.” The Crimson Tide has set a standard for college football and has done it with pride and sportsmanship. “Our whole program is very classy and I think that’s what we are known for,” White stated. “Bear Bryant instilled that type of integrity that has been passed on from coach to coach.” For fans with such high expectations for the Alabama football team, it’s hard to see them lose. This season White experienced her first season, in three years, in which Alabama lost a regular season game. Despite the tough season White endured, she has no doubt that Alabama will be back on top next year and will be back in the National Championship race. White is looking forward to the bowl game and remembering the fun times she had this season. She ensures people back home in Texas that Tuscaloosa is the best place to witness good football and promises that you won’t get the Alabama game day experience anywhere else. PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDSEY WHITE

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