Alabama’s Premier College Football Magazine
November 21, 2009
Barron
Picking for the Tide TOUCHDOWNALABAMA.NET
Before the SEC By: Lauren Moranor
Volume 2, Issue 12 $3.00
Heisman Watch: Mark Ingram
V&W Supply Company | vwsupply.com 3320 2nd Ave., South Birmingham l 205-324-9521 221 Industrial Park Dr., Pelham l 205-663-1336 711 21st Ave., Tuscaloosa l 205-758-8621
Our
tide is a winner, too.
What do you celebrate after another Bama victory? Celebrate the spectacular sunrise and sunsets on Panama City Beach, Florida. And for the best views this side of Bryant-Denny Stadium, check out the winning properties, and rates, from Oaseas Resorts. We even have special rates just for Alabama football fans. So after the Tide Rolls, reflect and relax with the area’s #1 Vacation Team, Oaseas Resorts.
5908 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL . 877-808-4323 . OaseasResor ts.com/rolltide
Cabana Cay . Emerald Isle . Grandview . Ocean Ritz . Shores of Panama . Village of South Walton Beach . Watercrest
Yes! Send me Touchdown Alabama Magazine at the special subscription price of $21.00!
(Includes all home games and o-season issues by mail and access to Digital On-Line issues for all games.)
Visit us at touchdownalabama.net
Please Enclose your check for $21.00 with this card.
Name:___________________________________
Address:_________________________________
Zip: ________________
City:_____________________________________
State:______________
(Email required for Online Access)
E-Mail: __________________________________
Touchdown Alabama Magazine P.O. Box 3251 Tuscaloosa, Al 35403
November 21, 2009 | Volume 2, Issue 12
In This Issue 8
President/Publisher
Pregame Preview
10
Rosters
12
Mark Ingram
14
Before the SEC
18
Mark Barron
22
Bama Pays Mocs
23
Larry’s Lowdown
26
SEC News
28
Traditions
31
Bama Fans
Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Mike Lacy
Managing Editor
Jessica Temple
Photography Creative Director Graphic Design Chief Information Officer Website Designer
BDL Tim Bailey Bryant Museum Matt Gaston Mark Lent UA Media Relations Jenifer McCormick Cassandra Johnson Tramayne Wright Jessie Landon Brian LaShomb Carey Landon
Reporters
Angel Hufham Victoria Sheehan
Public Relations
Eric Hudson Katelyn Clark Drew Franklin Christopher Wilson
Advertising Director Advertising Sales Contributing Writers
Bennie Bice
Herb Neu Ron Bush Leslie Housley Alex Schroyer
Larry Burton Amanda Kelly Katie Koenig Brad Lake Lauren Moranor Mike Parker Dr. Donald F. Staffo
M U L T I M E D I A Next Issue • Eryk Anders • Big Thanksgiving Rivalries • Player Matchups
Web Content • Post-Game Interviews • Game Footage • Press Conferences from Nick Saban • More From Larry Burton
Weekly Radio Show
• Coming Soon!
All content is the property of Touchdown Alabama Magazine. Touchdown Alabama Magazine, LLC 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.
Letter from the Editor Dear readers, Welcome back to T-town for the last home game of this amazing season! We are glad to have been along for the ride, but it’s not over yet! Subscribers, look for us online for the Auburn game and the SEC Championship. We will be back in print for a special limited edition bowl game issue. We hope to be able to capture the importance of this season, which is shaping up to be a remarkable one, and we feel it is important to have the final edition of the year be tangible for our readers. If you have picked us up outside of Bryant-Denny and you’ve enjoyed flipping through the colorful pages of Touchdown Alabama this season, we invite you to subscribe. That way, you’ll be up-to-date on the latest in Crimson Tide football even when you can’t make it to campus for the game. And more importantly, please let us know! We love to hear from our readers and we’re always open to your comments and sugges-
tions. Thanks so much for allowing us to share with you our passion and excitement for Alabama football! Our staff will be traveling for all post-season play, so check us out online for photos and information as those games come about. If you are following the team to Auburn, Atlanta or wherever the BCS takes us, look for our photographers before the game, and you could end up in our next “Showing Pride in the Tide” section!
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
ON THE COVER
#4 Mark Barron Sophomore Defensive Back
Barron leads the SEC in interceptions with six, including two during last week’s blowout of Mississippi State. For more on Barron, turn to our Player Spotlight on page 18. Phtography by Matt Gaston.
6
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA
November 21, 2009
MISSION STATEMENT
“Touchdown Alabama Magazine was created to bring Alabama football fans the coverage of their team that they crave and expect, as well as to bring them closer to the action on the field. The University of Alabama has a long college football history, rich with tradition. Each season has added more dynamic players and colorful stories to the Alabama family. It is only fitting that a program with 12 National Championships should have a weekly magazine dedicated to conveying the excitement of the game to its devoted fans. Touchdown Alabama Magazine strives to be the most up-to-date, relevant and exciting magazine covering University of Alabama football. Furthermore, we guarantee in-depth articles, exclusive interviews and quality content surrounding the Crimson Tide. We will never forget who we generate this magazine for... you, the fan. God bless.”
INDEX Barring a catastrophic meltdown, I expect Alabama to dominate in all facets of the game. The second string should see some significant game action in the second half if all goes well.
The Crimson Tide put on a show against Mississippi State last week with a convincing win in Starkville. Alabama showed up big on both sides of the ball.This week’s game against University of Tennessee-Chattanooga should be a tune up game before the Iron Bowl in Auburn on Nov 27. I would like to see the Tide put them away early and rest the starters in the 3rd and 4th quarters. We should have an easy time against the run with some more interceptions. They passed 60 times in their last game. Our secondary will be tested, however.
Come on now. Is this really something you should be reading? Do you really have any doubts about this game? Of course not. So this week I’m going to pick an aspect of the game instead. I say we’ll score a TD on EVERY red zone opportunity this week because that will be the thing that Saban focuses on the most this week in practice.
>>Winner: Alabama Bennie Bice - Publisher
>>Winner: Alabama Mike Lacy - Editor-in-Chief
>>Winner: Alabama Larry Burton
Ad Name: Bud LightGolden Wheat Closing Date: 10.5.9 QC: RR Item #: PGW20099668 Pub: Touchdown Alabama Job/Order #: 609292-209429
Trim: 7.5 x 5
| Bleed: none touchdownalabama.net Live: 7.25 x 4.75
7
Pre-Game Preview
Alabama vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga
Katie Koenig
A
labama is playing like a team with title hopes. After a slew of games in which the offense wasn’t convincing many in the national media that they deserved to be at the top, the team spent the last two weeks showing everyone they could play a complete game. Last week the Tide defeated an excited Mississippi State team 31-3 in Starkville and pulled out several big plays involving the improved quarterback play and receiver Julio Jones that fans had been asking for. They now face Tennessee-Chattanooga in their last home game of the season. Alabama looks to use this week against the Southern Conference opponent as a late-season tune-up to continue working out kinks on the offense. QB Greg McElroy has really stepped up in the last few weeks and has been able to spread the ball around. He completed 13 of his 18 pass attempts at
8
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA
November 21, 2009
Starkville and ended the game with 192 yards and two touchdowns. With three long passes of over 40 yards, the Tide faithful can breathe a little easier as they head down the home stretch of the season towards a Dec. 5 date against top-ranked Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama scored only 4 offensive touchdowns in the four games leading up to its matchup against MSU, but were able to get that same amount in the game against State. Alabama is still having some struggles on kick-off coverage. All season long teams have been burning the Tide with big returns that lead to great field position. Mississippi State had two separate opportunities to make big plays off of kick-off returns, and Alabama will need to see some improvement against this Tennessee-Chattanooga team. Chattanooga is coming off an emotional victory last week PHOTOGRAPHY BY BDL
against the Citadel in the last home game of their 11-game season. Down 21-3 at halftime, it seemed improbably that the team would come back and get their 6th win, but they managed to pull out a 31-28 victory. The win last weekend assured the Mocs of a winning season, which is quite impressive for a team that won only one game last year. First-year coach Russ Huesman has led the team to their first winning season since 2005. They look to finish the season strong and get a chance to play spoiler to Alabama’s championship hopes. Much like Alabama, Chattanooga has proved to be a secondhalf team. Coach Huesman said their team has to come out playing better from the start after they had to dig themselves out of a large deficit at the half last week. Part of the reason they were able to pull out the win against the Citadel was thanks to quarterback B.J. Coleman and wideout Blue Cooper. Coleman completed a phenomenal 39 of his 61 pass attempts in last week’s game for a total of 356 yards. Only 17 of Chattanooga’s 373 yards of offense last week came from plays on the ground. Cooper has now had four games with 100 yards or more. It will be interesting to see how their offense will match up against Alabama’s stout top-ranked defense. The UTC offensive line has only allowed nine sacks this season, which is tied for tenth fewest in the nation. The last time Alabama and Chattanooga squared off was Sept. 3, 1994 when the Tide won 42-13.
NO NAME
82 Earl Alexander
POS CL
HT
WR Jr.
6-4 212
Phenix City, AL
72 Tyler Love
alabama Roster
HOMETOWN
NO NAME
POS CL
HT
WT
OL R-Fr. 6-6 303
32 Eryk Anders
LB
Sr.
6-2 235
San Antonio, TX
33 Mike Marrow
28 Javier Arenas
DB Sr.
5-9 195
Tampa, FL
4 Marquis Maze
WR So. 5-10 179
6-2 220
Atlanta, GA
10 A.J. McCarron
QB Fr.
49 Jonathan Atchison LB
Fr.
RB-HB Fr.
6-2 240 6-4 190
HOMETOWN
Mountain Brook, AL Holland, OH Birmingham, AL Mobile, AL
4 Mark Barron
DB So.
6-2 214
Mobile, AL
25 Rolando McClain LB
7 Kenny Bell
WR Fr.
6- 1 160
Rayville, LA
80 Mike McCoy
44 Alex Benson
LB
Sr.
6- 1 225
Trussville, AL
52 Alfred McCullough OL So.
6-2 305
Athens, AL
86 Undra Billingsley TE
Fr.
6-2 276
Birmingham, AL
12 Greg McElroy
6-3 220
Southlake, TX
93 Chris Bonds
DL
Jr.
6-4 255
Decatur, AL
WR Sr.
6-3 215
Rankin, MS
QB Jr.
Fr.
6-4 280
Columbia, SC
56 William Ming
DL
Fr.
6-3 260
Athens, AL
67 John Michael Boswell OL So.
6-5 306
Northport, AL
59 Brandon Moore
DL
Fr.
6-5 310
Montgomery, AL
88 Michael Bowman WR Fr.
Autaugaville, AL
87 Drew Bullard
6-4 210
Rossville, GA
66 Brian Motley
OL
Jr.
6-3 291
LB
Jr
6-3 238
Florence, AL
64 Kerry Murphy
DL
Fr.
6-4 323
Hoover, AL
77 James Carpenter OL
Jr.
6-5 300
Augusta, GA
46 Wesley Neighbors DB So.
6-1 210
Huntsville, AL
99 Josh Chapman
DL So.
6-1 313
Hoover, AL
83 Kevin Norwood
WR Fr.
6-2 180
D’lberville, MS
62 Terrence Cody
DL Sr.
6-5 354
Ft. Myers, FL
18 Morgan Ogilvie
QB So.
6-0 195
Mountain Brook, AL
57 Marcell Dareus
DL So.
6-4 296
Huffman, AL
2 Tana Patrick
LB
6-3 235
Bridgeport, AL
16 Thomas Darrah
QB So.
6-5 227
Newnan, GA
79 Drew Davis
OL Sr.
6-7 306
Evergreen, AL
84 Colin Peek
TE Sr.
96 Luther Davis
DL
Jr.
6-3 275
West Monroe, LA
95 Brandon Deaderick DL Sr.
6-4 306
Elizabethtown, KY
51 Michael DeJohn
LB
Jr.
6- 1 241
Hoover, AL
85 Preston Dial
TE
Jr.
6-3 233
Mobile, AL
40 DeMarcus DuBose LB So.
6-1 232
Montgomery, AL
13 Rob Ezell
5-10 170
Athens, AL
WR Jr.
7 P.J. Fitzgerald
P
Sr.
5-11 204
Coral Springs, FL
76 D.J. Fluker
OL
Fr.
6-6 340
Foley, AL
58 Nick Gentry
DL So.
6-1 264
Prattville, AL
11 Brandon Gibson WR So.
6-2 192
Mobile, AL
6 Demetrius Goode RB So.
5-9 191
LaGrange, GA
29 Terry Grant
RB
Jr.
5-10 190
Lumberton, MS
33 Hampton Gray
DB Sr.
6- 2 196
Northport, AL
23 Robby Green
DB So.
6-0 181
New Orleans, LA
34 Jeramie Griffin
RB So.
6-2 224
Batesville, MS
15 Darius Hanks
WR So.
6-0 184
Norcross, GA
54 Glenn Harbin
DL
Fr.
6-5 257
Mobile, AL
5 Jerrell Harris
LB So.
6-3 227
Gadsden, AL
30 Dont’a Hightower LB So.
6-4 255
40 Baron Huber 22 Mark Ingram
RB/TE Sr.
2 Star Jackson
6-4 263
RB So. 5-10 212
3 Kareem Jackson DB
6-6 255 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
39 Kyle Pennington DB
Jr.
5-11 188
Chatom, AL
68 Taylor Pharr
OL
Jr.
6-6 290
Irondale, AL
54 Russell Rains
OL Fr.
6-2 260
Satsuma, AL
13 Cory Reamer
LB
Sr.
6-4 234
Hoover, AL
3 Trent Richardson RB Fr.
5-11 220
Pensacola, FL
8 Chris Rogers
DB Sr.
6-0 190
Lakeland, FL
74 David Ross
OL
6-3 299
Homewood, AL
1 B.J. Scott
DB So. 5-11 196
Jr.
Prichard, AL
46 Chris Scott
WR Sr.
5-11 170
Birmingham, AL
50 Brian Selman
SNP Sr.
6-0 210
Vestavia Hills, AL
Fr.
6-3 280
Norco, LA
DB Sr.
5-9 200
Stevenson, AL
94 Jeremy Shelley
PK Fr.
5-10 170
Raleigh, N.C.
48 Travis Sikes
WR Jr.
6-3 198
Nashville, TN
71 Allen Skelton
OL So.
6-1 265
Coker, AL
17 Brad Smelley
TE So.
6-3 233
Tuscaloosa, AL
92 Damion Square
DL
Fr.
6-3 272
Houston, TX
61 Anthony Steen OL-DL Fr.
6-3 305
Lambert, MS
Lewisburg, TN
47 Ed Stinson
6-4 240
Homestead, FL
Knoxville, TN
90 Milton Talbert
DL
Jr.
6-4 275
Hattiesburg, MS
99 Leigh Tiffin
PK Sr.
6-2 212
Muscle Shoals, AL
51 Carson Tinker
ST So.
6-1 220
Murfreesboro, TN
87 Chris Underwood TE So.
6-4 231
Birmingham, AL
5 Roy Upchurch
RB Sr.
6-0 205
Tallahassee, FL
41 Courtney Upshaw LB So.
6-2 249
Eufaula, AL
Flint, MI
6-0 193
Macon, GA
QB Fr.
6-3 206
Lake Worth, FL
5-11 191
Fr.
26 Ali Sharrief
Jr.
24 Marquis Johnson DB Sr.
10
WT
Sarasota, FL
94 Darrington Sentimore DL
LB-DL Fr.
78 Mike Johnson
OL Sr.
6-5 303
Pensacola, FL
35 Nico Johnson
LB
6-3 225
Andalusia, AL
73 William Vlachos
Jr.
6-1 294
Birmingham, AL
Memphis, TN
65 Chance Warmack OL Fr.
6-3 301
Atlanta, GA
Fr.
OL
75 Barrett Jones
OL R-Fr. 6-4 289
8 Julio Jones
WR So.
6-4 211
Foley, AL
97 Lorenzo Washington DL Sr.
6-5 290
Logansville, GA
26 Phelon Jones
DB So. 5-11 195
Mobile, AL
91 Alex Watkins
LB So.
6-3 225
Brownsville, TN
55 Chavis Williams
LB
Jr.
6-4 223
Dora, AL
60 David Williams
OL Fr.
6-3 272
Duncanville, AL
6-6 266
Reform, AL
36 Chris Jordan
LB So.
6-3 230
Brentwood, TN
81 Kendall Kelly
WR Fr.
6-3 216
Gadsden, AL
20 Tyrone King
DB Sr.
5-11 203
Birmingham, AL
21 Dre Kirkpatrick
DB Fr.
6-3 185
Gadsden, AL
9 Nick Williams
WR Fr. 5-10 165
42 Eddie Lacy
RB Fr.
6-0 210
Geismar, LA
27 Justin Woodall
DB Sr.
37 Robert Lester
DB Fr.
6-2 207
Foley, AL
18 Rod Woodson
DB Fr. 5-11 200
89 Michael Williams TE
Fr.
6-2 221
Fort Lauderdale, FL Oxford, MS Olive Branch, MS
NO NAME
2 Wynn, Erroll
POS
HT
WT
RB 5-11 209
CL
HOMETOWN
Sr.
Jonesboro, Ga.
3 Buckhalter, Justin WR 6-3
202
Sr.
Collins, Miss.
4 Bradford, Joel
NO NAME
POS
HT
WT
CL
HOMETOWN
46 Beard, Josh
DE
6-1
250
Sr.
Lincolnton, Ga.
47 Shields, Corey
DB
6-3
190
Fr.
Conyers, Ga.
48 Heatherly, Shane
LB
6-3
210
Fr.
Waynesville, N.C.
6-0
165
So.
Chattanooga, Tenn
5 Thornton, Joseph LB
6-2
215
Sr.
Stone Mountain, Ga.
49 Tillman, David
DB
5-9
190
Fr.
Memphis, Tenn.
6 Lewis-Harris, Chris DB 5-11 175
So.
Smyrna, Ga.
50 Green, Thomas
LB
6-0
220
So.
Hixson, Tenn.
7 Hughes, Garrett
WR 6-4
215
Jr.
Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
51 McGowan, Ryan
DB
6-1
205
So.
Whitwell, Tenn.
8 Pitchford, Chris
WR 6-0
180
Jr.
Knoxville, Tenn.
52 Faatiliga, Doug
LB
6-3
258
Sr.
San Francisco, Calif.
9 Awuah, Chris
RB
5-9
190
Fr.
Marietta, Ga.
53 Miller, Adam
OL
6-4
260
Fr.
Cohutta, Ga.
10 Allison, Sloan
WR 6-3
210
So.
Ooltewah, Tenn.
54 Wilson, Austin
OL
6-3
280
Fr.
Dacula, Ga.
11 Woods, Clint
WR 6-2
215
Sr.
Birmingham, Ala.
55 White, Jacob
FB 5-10 200
Fr.
Madisonville, Tenn.
12 Gault, Jare
QB
6-3
220
Sr.
Boiling Springs, Miss.
56 Craig, Nick
DL
6-2
295
So.
Carrollton, Ga.
13 Pastore, Tony
QB
6-4
214
Sr.
Woodstock, Ga.
57 Cathey, Tucker
OL
6-2
315
Fr.
Franklin, Tenn.
14 Romans, Cody
QB
6-2
175
Jr.
Signal Mountain, Tenn.
58 Francis, Jake
OL
6-2
270
Fr.
Marietta, Ga.
15 Nichols, Graham
QB
6-3
190
Fr.
Franklin, Tenn.
59 Dothard, Wes
LB
6-1
210
Fr.
Carrollton, Ga.
16 Norfleet, Jaron
OLB 6-3
250
Jr.
Nashville, Tenn.
60 Gipson, Nick
OL
6-2
290
So.
Marietta, Ga.
17 Kermah, Shaun
RB
6-1
235
Sr.
Los Angeles, Calif.
62 Clemons, David
OL
6-2
270
Fr.
Calhoun, Ga.
18 Cooper, Blue
WR 6-4
200
Sr.
Rome, Ga.
63 Hernandez, Irvin
OL 5-10 275
Fr.
Greeneville, Tenn.
19 Coleman, B.J.
QB
210
So.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
64 Nease, Steven
OL
6-0
250
Fr.
Greeneville, Tenn.
20 Swafford, Tony
LB 5-11 186
Sr.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
65 Hewitt, Will
OL
6-4
290
Fr.
Sevierville, Tenn.
21 Skrine, Buster
DB 5-10 180
Jr.
Woodstock, Ga.
70 Harr, Chris
OL
6-6
260
Jr.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
22 Tippit, Jordan
DB
6-0
185
So.
Huntsville, Ala.
71 Harris, Omre
OL
6-2
280
So.
Atlanta, Ga.
23 Dothard, J.D.
DB
6-0
190
So.
Carrollton, Ga.
72 Garcia, Bryce
OL
6-4
320
Sr.
Las Vegas, Nev.
24 Marshall, Christopher WR 6-1
185
Sr.
Pasadena, Calif.
73 Galyon, Justin
OL
6-4
270
Jr.
Powell, Tenn.
25 Hammons, Mike
PK 5-10 175
So.
Benton, Tenn.
74 Hurless, T.J.
OL
6-4
310
Jr.
Suwanee, Ga.
26 Jackson, J.J.
RB
195
Fr.
Marietta, Ga.
75 Dockery, Hunter
OL
6-4
300
Fr.
Newport, Tenn.
27 Wise, Kadeem
DB 5-10 170
Fr.
Lawrenceville, Ga.
76 Tate, Dustin
OL
6-5
280
Fr.
Rocky Face, Ga.
28 Fitzgerald, Bryan
RB 5-10 220
Sr.
Memphis, Tenn.
78 Brewer, Darien
OL
6-5
255
Fr.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
29 Harrison, Robert
DB
5-9
160
Fr.
Marietta, Ga.
80 Veres, Jeff
WR 5-11 190
Fr.
Thompson’s Station, Tenn.
30 Clemmons, Arsenio LB
6-1
205
Fr.
Atlanta, Ga.
81 Anthony, Marlon
WR 6-5
185
Fr.
Acworth, Ga.
31 Henry, Briant
DB
6-0
180
Fr.
Stone Mountain, Ga.
82 Blake, Josh
WR 6-0
170
Fr.
Chattnooga, Tenn.
32 Dyer, Bo
RB
6-1
205
Fr.
Gatlinburg, Tenn.
83 Bass, Austin
PK
170
Fr.
Franklin, Tenn.
33 Brooks, Will
FB
6-1
225
Fr.
White Pine, Tenn.
84 Toney, Randall
RB 5-10 210
So.
Hendersonville, Tenn.
34 Ellzey, Courtland
FB
6-0
227
Jr.
Jacksonville, Fla.
85 McDermott, Trace RB 5-10 195
Jr.
Athens, Tenn.
35 Key, D.J.
DB
6-0
180
Fr.
Centerville, Tenn.
86 Carter, Michael
DL
6-2
220
Fr.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
36 Miller, Gunner
LB
6-1
210
Fr.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
87 Harper, Derek
TE
6-0
200
Fr.
Knoxville, Tenn.
37 Smigelsky, Steven LB
6-2
224
Sr.
Gainesville, Ga.
88 Davis, Terrance
WR 5-11 185
Fr.
Conyers, Ga.
38 Wren, Darius
RB 5-10 198
Fr.
Meridian, Miss.
89 Coddington, Blake OL
6-3
230
Fr.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
39 Cope, Don
DB 5-10 180
Fr.
Maryville, Tenn.
90 Taylor, B.J.
DL
6-3
298
Sr.
Cherokee, Ala.
40 Gibson, Louis
DE
260
Fr.
Huntsville, Ala.
91 Slowey, Michael
DL
6-5
335
Fr.
Brentwood, Tenn.
41 Rosenbaum, Connor DB 5-10 180
Fr.
Dublin, Ohio
94 Evans, Pete
DL
6-3
240
So.
Maryville, Tenn.
42 Oliver, Brock
OL
200
So.
Ooltewah, Tenn.
95 Williams, Joshua
DE
6-3
210
Fr.
Griffin, Ga.
43 Camay, Craig
PK 5-11 190
Sr.
Marietta, Ga.
96 Carr, La’Nard
DL
6-3
250
So.
Alpharetta, Ga.
44 Geist, Ryan
TE
6-3
215
So.
Knoxville, Tenn.
98 Lee, De’Markus
DL
6-4
240
So.
Alexandria, Va.
45 Consiglio, Ryan
LB
6-1
210
So.
Franklin, Tenn.
99 Hill, Durlandis
DE
6-3
220
Fr.
Newnan, Ga.
6-5
5-9
6-4
6-1
6-2
UT Chattanooga ROSTER
DB
11
Achievements
Heisman Watch
Mark Ingram Mark Ingram leads the Crimson Tide with 1,148 rushing yards and has caught 24 passes for 216 yard. The sophomore out of Flint, Mich., has 11 total touchdowns - eight rushing and three receiving. He are a few of his achievements to date: • Sixth nationally and first in the SEC in rushing yards per game (127.56) • Sixth in the SEC in overall scoring (including kickers) • Leads the nation in rushes of 10 yards or more with 38, and of 20 yards or more with 16 • Second in the SEC with 151.56 all-purpose yards per game • Has had five 100-yard rushing games this season • Has lost just one fumble in 349 career touches • Currently averaging 178 yards per game against top-25 teams • Named a Midseason All-American by CBSsportsline and Sporting News • SEC Player of the Week following the Virginia Tech and South Carolina games • Candidate for the Doak Walker Award • Candidate for First-Team All-America honors • Semifinalist for the Maxwell Award • Candidate for the Heisman Trophy
12
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA
November 21, 2009
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT GASTON
James Hudson’s The Dream
J
ames Hudson is the lead photographer at Echoes Marketing. James grew up in northern Tuscaloosa County, working on the family farm from the time he was old enough to get in the field until he left home for college. He still enjoys going back to work there when he has the chance or when his family needs him. James is twenty-seven years old and married to Sandra Hunt Hudson of Tuscaloosa. They have an eight month old son, Parker. Hudson is self-taught and believes that is a huge advantage in photography. He has developed a style of his own, called High Dynamic Range (HDR). His skill development has given him a unique style and perspective. HDR photography is James’ specialty and he loves applying it to his passion, the University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa landscapes. He builds art pieces with a unique style that provokes emotion and gives the viewer a surreal feeling. He is breaking HDR into our local market to show the full beauty of the scenes that it depicts. This type of photography is breaking the mold and provides its viewers with unique pieces of art from a photographer with a distinct eye for the scene. The price for this signed, 16X20-inch print is $300, including shipping. Stop by www.Echoesphoto.com to meet the team and check out their portfolio.
Request your piece of history TODAY! Please send me James Hudson’s The Dream for the low price of $300.00
Name: ________________________________ Address: ______________________________ City: _________________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: __________ Phone: ( ____ ) ______ - _________ Email: ___________________@___________ Please make checks payable to:
James Hudson
Mail checks to: Touchdown Alabama Magazine P.O. Box 3251 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 touchdownalabama.net |
13
Exclusive
Alabama:
before the SEC Lauren Moranor
I
t is hard to believe, but when Alabama and Tennessee-Chattanooga step on the field, the two teams actually have something in common. At one point, both teams were actually in the same conference. Before the Southeastern Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference came about with the current teams in the conferences, there was just one conference for all of the teams: the Southern Conference. Imagine teams like Georgia Tech, Alabama and Furman all playing under the same name. It happened. The Southern Conference began in 1921 and included 24 schools, many of which are now part of either the SEC or the ACC. The Southern Conference is the fifth oldest major conference
14
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA
November 21, 2009
behind the Big Ten, Missouri Valley, Pacific 10 and Southwestern Atlantic. The conference is now in its 89th season of collegiate play. In the beginning of the conference’s history they were involved in developing some of college sport’s key rules, including the rule that students do not have to be in college for a year before they can compete in a sport. They also developed the first conference basketball tournament and became the first conference to install the three-point line for basketball. The Southern Conference spawned the Southeastern Conference in 1932. On December 9 of that year, Dr. S. V. Sanford, the conference’s chairman at the time, held a meeting announcing the decision that 13 schools would break off and form their own conference. The Southern PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYANT MUSEUM
vv
1925 Conference included current SEC teams such as Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, Mississippi and Vanderbilt. The decision at the time was controversial. It was made by geographical lines, looking at schools that were south and west of the Appalachians. The conference was growing too big too fast and the resignation of the schools was necessary. In 1933, the SEC officially began intercollegiate play. The second break off from the Southern Conference occurred in 1952, when 7 schools created the ACC and began competition the following year. While in the Southern Conference, Alabama was just as dominant as it has been in the SEC. The Crimson Tide captured three national titles while in the Southern Conference, and recorded four undefeated seasons as well. Wallace Wade coached Alabama during its time in the Southern Conference. In 1924, Wade led Alabama to their first Southern Conference title with an 8-1 record. A year later he took the team to their first undefeated season, going 10-0 with a win over Washington State in the Rose Bowl, resulting in the Tide’s first National Championship as part of the conference. The following year, Alabama beat Stanford and again brought home the National Championship with a 9-0 record. In 1930,
Alabama won its third National Championship under the Southern Conference. This is the same year that Alabama became associated with the elephant and adopted it as the mascot of the team. In 1931, Frank Thomas took over as head coach in place of Wallace Wade. The next year, Alabama departed from the Southern Conference and became a member of the SEC. Alabama had a great record in the Southern Conference and developed a lot of history within the conference. Today, the Southern Conference consists of 12 schools spanning across five states, including Georgia Southern, the Citadel, Appalachian State, Furman and Samford. They are part of the Football Championship Subdivision. They are a Division I collegiate athletic association and sponsor 19 varsity sports. The conference got national coverage when Appalachian State defeated 5th ranked Michigan 34-32 in 2007. They became the first FCS team to defeat a nationally ranked Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team. Alabama has a rich history in the Southern Conference. They used that conference to develop their winning tradition which they continue inside the SEC. On Saturday, the Tide will face a team from their former conference and TennesseeChattanooga will get a taste of the SEC.
1926 1930 1934 1941 1961 1964 1965 1973 1978 1979 1992
touchdownalabama.net |
15
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BDL
Player Spotlight
Former special teams standout now a defensive star
Anthony Johnson
M
ark Barron was so good, even Nick Saban didn’t know what to do with him. The former St. Paul’s four-star-rated phenomenon somehow went overlooked in the midst of the gems of the ’08 signing class that included the likes of Julio Jones, Burton Scott and Mark Ingram. Barron was simply listed as an athlete in high school, and rightfully so. Barron lined up at receiver, running back, safety and linebacker. Barron’s high school coach, Mike Bates, called him “the best football player I’ve ever seen.” That’s quite a compliment from a man who has coached high school football for 30 years. Barron’s name is no longer a mystery among Tide fans. He has become a household name and one of the integral pieces of one of the nation’s premier defenses. Standing 6-foot-2, 215-pounds, Barron is a physical specimen that has garnered the respect and attention of his teammates for his hard-hitting approach to the game. “He wants to hit, he will hit,” linebacker Rolando McClain said. “That’s what I like about him.” With the departure of all-American safety Rashaad Johnson gone to the National Football League, Barron seized his opportunity to make an impact this season on the defense by edging out A-Day game starter Robby Green in the spring for the starting job at free safety. Saban was quick to admit after the A-Day game that Barron never truly had an opportunity to find an identity on the team, because he was constantly asked to learn different roles,
18
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA November 21, 2009
Mark Barron
therefore, never able to master one position. Barron made a living on special teams last season, playing in all 14 games, but was never able to relinquish a role as a regular starter on defense. “In our efforts to get Mark Barron on the field, we put him in more situations than maybe he was ready to handle and that was my mistake, our mistake,” Saban said. “Since he has settled into a position and now gets reps at that position, he has been a very productive player.” So productive of a player that he leads the Tide and the SEC with six interceptions on the season. Against Mississippi State, Barron played the best game of his young career, hauling in two interceptions to lead the defense. Against South Carolina, Barron had an interception return for a touchdown during the opening Gamecock drive that set the tone early for the Tide defense. Barron said the biggest factor for him earning significant playing time in the Tide’s secondary this season was his mental approach to the game. “The biggest thing for me probably was not mixing up all the different positions that I played and being able to separate that,” Barron said. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, then you’re not as quick to react to it. Once you figure it out and you’re sure about it, then it’s just a reaction.” Barron, only a sophomore, has emphatically answered one of the many lingering preseason questions that haunted the Tide: Who will replace Rashaad Johnson? We now know the answer. PHOTOGRAPHY BY BDL
IN W O IRT! T ER T-SH T EN EE R AF
TIDE TRIVIA 1 4 5 2 3 Alabama played in the first three SEC Championship Games, from 1992 to 1994, against what team? a. Arkansas c. Tennessee b. Florida d. LSU
The Tide won a national championship with a record of 9-2 in which year? a. 1930 c. 1941 b. 1934 d. 1961
Warren St. John’s best selling 2004 book, Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer, was about________. a. Bear Bryant’s legacy b. Die-hard fans c. Alabama’s recruiting class d. The offensive line
Joe Namath completed his degree and graduated from Alabama___________. a. During his junior year season b. While he was playing for the New York Jets c. After his NFL career ended in 1978 d. In 2007
Alabama’s first national championship was in 1925, what team did they beat? a. Washington State b. Washington c. Michigan d. Oklahoma
Contest Rules
Email your entry to: publish@tdalabama.com or mail entry to: Touchdown Alabama Magazine P.O. Box 3251 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
First 50 correct entries receive a free t-shirt Jennifer N Allen Allen Insurance Agency Inc Nationwide Insurance ®
On Your Side
3920 McFarland Blvd P O Box 688 Northport AL 35476 Tel 205-333-7133 Fax 205-333-7144 Tel 888-318-7870 allenj13@nationwide.com
A-1 Nursery
Jennifer N Allen
9331 Hwy 69 N Northport, AL 210-3580
Trees • Shrubs • Flowers • Contractors Welcome
22
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA
November 21, 2009
Since 1889, Carhartt has been the leader in durable, premium quality workwear. Whether you are looking for a garment in our signature brown duck fabric or one of our innovative, technically advanced fabrics like Waterproof Breathable, we have the most complete line of workwear available. S H O W
S H O W
A D
A D
NORTHPORT 2003 32nd Street (205) 339-0387
TUSCALOOSA
1625 Skyland Blvd. E.
(205) 764-0719
THREE LOCATIONS
391-6700
FIRST FEDERAL BANK
9th Street - McFarland - 69 South MEMBER
FDIC
www.1stfed.com
Exclusive
Bama Pays Big Bucks to the Mocs
W
Brad Lake their program greatly. According to The Tuscaloosa News, Hart said that the game could be looked at, and not all of the things that are going to be said will be positive, but his team will receive significant exposure which should help get the Mocs’ name out there. “It creates some excitement for our players and our fans,” Hart said. “It’s something you can look forward to and get excited about. It’s something everybody doesn’t get to experience, to play on television in front of 90,000 fans. We’re looking forward to coming to Tuscaloosa.” “One reason that we’re doing one-game stands with BCS teams, where we’re dividing the ticket sales and share in the profits of the game, it’s tougher now to schedule the (home) games,” Moore said. “Some conferences that are not in the (Bowl Championship Series) kind of band together a little bit — their commissioners are encouraging this — because of the expenses they are facing, so it makes it a little more difficult.” Next season, Alabama will begin a two-year home-and-home with Penn 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments Include: State. The Crimson Tide will be • Golf Privileges for Residents hosting the first contest, while Penn • Free Tanning State hosts the second. Each team will • Fitness Center get to collect the revenue from its • Business Center home game. • Swimming Pool According to a quote collected by • Game Room with Billiards The Tuscaloosa News, Moore said, • Full-Size Washer & Dryer “You can do a home-and-home, but • All Major Appliances you also need to have, every year, • Furnished Apts. Available seven home games because we base • On-Site Management our budget on seven home games,” • Beautiful Golf Course Views Available Moore said. “With some of these • Free Lindsey Rx Discount Drug Card [non-BCS] schools, they offer, ‘we’ll come to your place twice but you’ve got to come to ours one time.’ This is Text “linktusc” or “greentusc” for what you have to be real careful on, more information! because we have to be sure we have (Standard Rates Apply) seven home games.”
hen the University of Alabama played the UT Chattanooga Mocs in 1991, the UTC athletic department got a check for $150,000. The second time the Mocs came down to play the Tide three years later, the payout was up to $250,000. This year, when the Mocs visit Bryant-Denny again, they will be receiving $400,000 for their trip. According to a report by The Tuscaloosa News, UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore said, “The expenses for these teams are soaring just like for our programs. It is difficult sometimes to find the games. You’ve just got to buy a game if it comes down to it.” According to Rick Hart, UTC’s athletics director, this game is the biggest revenue grossing item on their external budget. This game will also give UTC television exposure multiple mentions all over the country because of Alabama’s prestige in college football. If the Mocs can pull the upset, it would benefit
The Two BEST Places To Live In Tuscaloosa!
(205) 247-9978
(205) 342-3339 www.LindseyManagement.com 1800 Links Blvd.
Professionally Managed by Lindsey Mgmt. Co., Inc.
22
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA
Look!
November 21, 2009
The Lowdown
Larry’s
LOWDOWN
Larry Burton
Greg McElroy Climbs Out of His Slump With Help From His Friends
G
reg McElroy thought he was prepared for the starting job as quarterback at the University of Alabama. He thought he knew what to expect, but recent criticism got under his skin. Though he is a junior, this is his first year at the helm of the program, and the first year he’s had to endure being circled by the press in the media room and picked over like road kill by a flock of vultures. It has been evident in watching McElroy in press meetings that his mood went from excitement and pride at the beginning of the season to annoyance. At least in the media room, most are both professional and kind to McElroy, but the press that comes later has burned him a little. He thought he was prepared for such things. McElroy said that he watched how John Parker Wilson handled himself and the criticism that he endured for his last two years, especially during Saban’s first season. But the talk that came from some corners hit nerves he didn’t count on. He spilt it all out to ESPN Saturday night. “So many times, guys do read press clippings, and I think a lot of my teammates might have lost faith in me because of some of the things that were written,” he said. That must have shocked his teammates, who said their confidence in him had never wavered. Mark Ingram told me about McElroy and his “slump” recently. “As long as we’re winning and trying to improve there is no blame to pass around,” he said. “We all make mistakes, (he had earlier referenced his fumble in the Tennessee game that almost cost them the game), but we learn from them.” “Greg and I are both in our first full year of starting and we have a lot to learn, but we all have faith in one another, and no one on this team would rather have another person leading this offense right now. We have faith his ability to do whatever it takes to put a win on the board, no doubts, no question about it,” he finished. In fact, McElroy worrying about what his team mates think may have been the first crack I’ve seen in the cohesiveness in this team. His teammates were probably shocked to hear that the QB had doubts about they felt about him. Results speak louder than words and those results not only silenced the press, but also put to rest any doubts about the team’s faith in McElroy. A 28 point win over a good opponent will do that. Going 13 for 18 for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns that included yet another beautifully thrown bomb to Julio Jones made
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BDL
everyone in the Bama nation breathe a sigh of relief as McElroy’s spot-on passing kept the running game open for Mark Ingram. McElroy has played through several of the toughest defenses in the nation so far this year and come up a winner each time. Five of Alabama’s 11 opponents so far this year have defenses that are in the top 25 in the nation. He has seen some best defensive coordinators throw some of the top defensive people at him and he’s still undefeated. To be fair, he hasn’t played a defense ranked as high as Florida’s, but he practices against one almost every day. And those he practices against have high words of praise for McElroy as well. Marquis Johnson said he’s not had to face a quarterback with better long ball ability than McElroy. “You can blanket your man and cover tight and McElroy can still put it over his shoulder and into his hands,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t want to face him as an opponent.” Defensive leader and linebacker Rolando McClain also had praise for McElroy. “He has great vision and instincts back there and he has a talent of finding just what is there and take what they will give him. We (the defense) know that if we do our job, he’ll do his and we can win. We have that faith in one another.” So with McElroy’s team mates so solidly behind him, maybe the press will fall in line too. If not, then maybe McElroy will take his head coach Nick Saban’s advice to heart and “believe in yourself and ignore the negative.”
touchdownalabama.net |
23
Former Tide Players
Catching Up With
Tim Davis
Tim Davis, the first of the Davis kicking clan, recalls playing for the Crimson Tide Donald F. Staffo
T
im Davis was the first kicker that Bear Bryant ever recruited, and he thinks maybe the first kicker ever recruited in the Southeastern Conference. Tim was one of five brothers who attended the University of Alabama, four of whom were kickers for Bryant. But the Davis-Crimson Tide connection goes back much further than that. “My father (Woodrow Alvin “Pig” Davis) played for Alabama in 1937 and 1938 and was the first player Coach Bryant ever recruited, back when Coach Bryant was an assistant coach. Because of that, and because my father and Coach Bryant were both from Arkansas and came from similar backgrounds, my father and Coach Bryant always remained very close.” Besides Tim, who played for the Crimson Tide from 1961 through 1963, the rest of the Davis kickers included Steve (1965-67), Bill (1971-1973), and Mike (1975). “I’ve been told by the University that that group, along with my father, scored over 500 points for Alabama,” stated Tim Davis. “The points were scored mostly by kicking, but my father was a fullback, so he scored points by touchdowns. “As a family, we played in one Rose Bowl, three Orange Bowls, five Sugar Bowls, two Cotton Bowls and two national championships. I think that is pretty unusual.” Beyond that, the four Davis brothers, plus Robert who followed Tim to the Capstone but didn’t play football due to his size, all became medical doctors except Bill, who became a dentist. “My father coached football for over forty years, but he never forced any of us to play football. He pushed academics,” said Davis. “The College of Arts and Sciences gives the ‘Woodrow Alvin Davis Award’ to the athlete with the highest grade point average.” Davis discussed his kicking career for the Crimson Tide, and told stories about his father and his football-playing brothers. He said that back in the early 1960s colleges didn’t recruit kickers, and relatively few field goals were kicked during that era. He said that he thought he kicked 23 field goals for the Tide, with the highlight of his career being his four field goals in the 1964 Sugar Bowl, a 12-7 victory over Mississippi. “The longest field goal I kicked, 48 yards, was in that Sugar Bowl.” His second longest, 46 yards, was in the same game. He said another high point was kicking a 42-yard field goal in a 32-6 win over Georgia in 1961. “That was the first game of the season, and the first (college) game I ever played in, and it was my first field goal.” And of course he remembers the 10-3 win over a Lance Alworth-led Arkansas team in the Sugar Bowl
24
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA November 21, 2009
that gave Alabama the national championship. In 1962 Davis cited the Tennessee game, a 27-7 Tide win, “because I think that was Coach Bryant’s first win in Knoxville. I think that also began the tradition of breaking out cigars when Alabama beat Tennessee.” Davis also mentioned the 36-3 win over Miami, a team with heralded George Mira at quarterback, after Bama only had a 3-0 lead at the half. He also recalled the Georgia Tech game in Atlanta when the Tide lost 7-6. “Losing that game was the worst thing that happened while playing football at Alabama. We were No. 1 in the nation and had won something like 25 or 26 straight games. At the end of the game we were down on their 14-yard line and we threw a pass that got intercepted,” he recalled. “That was very frustrating for me because I never got a chance to kick a field goal that would have won the game. I remember that the intensity of that game was unbelievable. That was the most hostile environment I ever played in. We were bombarded by whiskey bottles. Two years later when we went back to Georgia Tech, Coach Bryant wore a helmet on the field. That was his response to that game.” Davis, who kicked throughout his career with a severely injured knee that to this day requires him to wear a knee brace, also noted the 1962 17-0 Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma, coached by legendary Bud Wilkinson, with President John F. Kennedy in attendance. In 1963, following a 10-6 loss to Florida, “instead of our usual noon hour meeting, Coach Bryant called a 6 a.m meeting,” informed Davis. “He started demonstrating blocking and tackling on a graduate assistant coach and twice knocked him into the second row. Afterward we asked the graduate assistant what that was all about and he said, ‘that was because I missed the 5:30 (coaches) meeting.” Davis recalled Joe Namath being kicked off the team, with two games left in the season. “Without Namath, we beat Miami 17-12 and Ole Miss 12-7 in the Sugar Bowl.” continued on page 29 PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYANT MUSEUM
News
SEC News Anthony Johnson Mississippi State at Arkansas (11:21 SEC Network) The Bulldogs head to Fayetteville Saturday to take on a hot Razorback team coming off an explosive offensive performance against Troy. The Razorback offense put up 56 points en route to a 36-point blowout win over the Trojans. Mississippi State will be looking to rebound after an embarrassing loss against the Crimson Tide in which explosive running back Anthony Dixon was limited to 82 yards rushing on the night and no touchdowns. The Bulldogs need to win their final two SEC games in order to go bowling this season. Arkansas currently sits with a 6-4 record and will look to tack on another victory and impress the bowl selection committee. LSU at Ole Miss (2:30 CBS) Easily the most intriguing SEC game of the day, LSU will travel to Oxford to take on the surging Ole Miss Rebels. Led by senior alleverything athlete Dexter McCluster, the Rebels trampled the Tennessee Volunteers 42-17 last Saturday for their seventh victory of the season. McCluster rushed for a career-high 282 yards and four touchdowns to lead Ole Miss to an easy victory over the Volunteers. On the other sideline will be an LSU team that got all they could handle from a far-inferior opponent in Louisiana Tech one week ago. The Tigers actually trailed the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech 13-10 at halftime, but came charging back in the second half to secure an eightpoint victory, 24-16, and remain in the top-ten of the BCS and in the hunt for an upper-tier bowl in January.
Kentucky at Georgia (6:45 ESPN2) Head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs Mark Richt has been the hot topic of internet message boards this season with some Bulldog fans questioning the job security of their head coach. After last weekend’s comeback-win over the Auburn Tigers, and fourth-straight win over Auburn, Richt may have bought himself another year. Georgia capped off a 14-point, come-from-behind victory in Athens with a 31-24 victory to get to six wins on the season and become bowl-eligible. The Kentucky Wildcats need one more win to surpass their win total for the ’08 season. Twenty (20) SEC football players are either semi-finalists or finalists for 11 post-season individual awards. Alabama’s Leigh Tiffin leads the nation in field goals made per game (2.40). He has hit 24-of-27 field goals this season (88.9 percent). Florida became the eighth team since SEC expansion (1992) to go through the regular season undefeated in the conference (Alabama, at 7-0 this season, has one conference game remaining). The list includes Alabama (1992, 1994, 2008), Florida (1995, 1996), Tennessee (1998) and Auburn (2004).
Mississippi State at Arkansas (11:21 SEC Network) The Bulldogs head to Fayetteville Saturday to take on a hot Razorback team coming off an explosive offensive performance against Troy. The Razorback offense put up 56 points en route to a 36-point blowout win over the Trojans. Mississippi State will be looking to rebound after an embarrassing loss against the Crimson Tide in which explosive running back Anthony Dixon was limited to 82 yards rushing on the night and no touchdowns. The Bulldogs need to win their final two SEC games in order to go bowling this season. Arkansas currently sits with a 6-4 record and will look to tack on another victory and impress the bowl selection committee. Vanderbilt at Tennessee (6:00 ESPNU) The Vanderbilt Commodores are still searching for their first SEC victory of the season, and will be hard pressed to find one when they travel to Knoxville to take on a Tennessee Volunteer program that has spent the last week in the news for all the wrong reasons. Three Tennessee freshmen were arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery of a Knoxville convenient store, and two of the players involved were the most highly sought after recruits in head coach Lane Kiffin’s first signing class, Nu’Keese Richardson and Janzen Jackson. Both players had seen significant playing time in their true freshmen campaigns this season. The Volunteers will try to rebound from their loss to Ole Miss and get to seven wins on the season, keeping their post-season hopes alive.
26
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA
November 21, 2009
Simplify your move. Customized moving services to fit your needs. Across the hall, across town or across the country.
• Home and business moves • Long-distance moving
"Highest in Customer
• Apartment moves
• Boxes and packing supplies
Satisfaction with Full Service Moving Companies" J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Full-Service Moving SM
Company Satisfaction Study
For J.D. Power and Associates award information, visit jdpower.com.
205-247-5050 www.twomen.com
610 Skyland Blvd. E. Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 Each franchise is independently owned and operated.
CURRENT POLLS AP TOP 25
1. Florida 2. Alabama 3. Texas 4. TCU 5. Cincinnati 6. Boise State 7. Georgia Tech 8. Pittsburgh 9. Ohio State 10. LSU 11. Oregon 12. Oklahoma State 13. Penn State 14. Stanford 15. Iowa 16. Virginia Tech 17. Wisconsin 18. Clemson 19. Brigham Young 20. Oregon State 21. Miami (FL) 22. USC 23. Utah 24. Houston 25. Rutgers
BCS Standings 1. Florida 2. Alabama 3. Texas 4. TCU 5. Cincinnati 6. Boise State 7. Georgia Tech 8. LSU 9. Pittsburgh 10. Ohio State 11. Oregon 12. Oklahoma State 13. Iowa 14. Penn State 15. Virginia Tech 16. Wisconsin 17. Stanford 18. USC 19. Oregon State 20. Miami (FL) 21. Utah 22. Brigham Young 23. Clemson 24. Houston 25. California
AUTO BARGAIN CENTER inc.
IDE
ROLL T
Giving People The Best Used Cars and Trucks
For More Than 50 Years!
2500 Stillman Blvd. • 752-0614 or 758-8954
Making Home Ownership Possible! • Very low rates • $8,000 tax credit • Get approved today Office: 205-523-0299 • Cell: 205-292-3436
Eric Gaines
Mortgage Banker
UA SCHEDULE
Sep. 5 Sep. 12 Sep. 19 Sep. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 Nov. 27
Virginia Tech FL International N. Texas Arkansas Kentucky Mississippi South Carolina Tennessee LSU Mississippi St. Tenn-Chattanooga Auburn
W 34-24 W 40-14 W 53-7 W 35-7 W 38-20 W 22-3 W 20-6 W 12-10 W 24-15 W 31-3 Home Away
Forget Me Not Undeniably Unique Gif ts and Home Decor BAMA LOVERS MERCHANDISE
Jewelry • Houndstooth Purses • Bama Pictures • Tervis Tumblers
JUST ONE VISIT IS ALL IT TAKES TO BECOME A REGULAR We Wish You a Bama Christmas and a Crimson New Year! 3380 McFarland Blvd. W. Northport • 339-6222
Tide Traditions
2 Chances to Beat
Auburn This Week
T
Amanda Kelly
he Iron Bowl has been called one of the greatest rivalries in college football. As far as many people are concerned, the state of Alabama has two sides: Alabama and Auburn. Work places, families and neighborhoods are divided down team lines all year, and the competition extends to all aspects of life. Fans start preparing for the upcoming Alabama-Auburn football game as soon the last one ends. But hate and rivalry are not all this game is about. For about a month before the game, students on both campuses support a number of initiatives to help their community, with the ultimate goal being to donate more time, services and items than the other school. The biggest campaign in Tuscaloosa is the “Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger Food Fight,” a food drive benefiting the West Alabama Food Bank. Since the first “food fight” in 1994, UA students, faculty and surrounding community members have formed groups that collect canned goods and money, competing with each other to collect the most food in Tuscaloosa. Participating groups are divided into categories based affiliation, with each category having a winner that receives a plaque in recognition of their efforts. The total amount received is then compared against what the East Alabama Food Bank receives from the Auburn community, and the school that donates the most is declared the winner. Alabama has won the past two competitions, ending a seven year Auburn winning streak. This year, the campaign started with a kickoff event at the Ferguson Center Plaza with Big Al, music, and a LifeSouth Bloodmobile where attendees could donate blood as a part of the “Beat Auburn” blood drive. Alligator Chili was also served for a suggested $1 donation as a fundraiser for the food drive. In addition to the “food fight,” students are also able to donate blood through LifeSouth as a part of the Iron Bowl Challenge Blood Drive. Donations are being taken in buses and buildings around campus. Anyone who donates receives an Alabama T-shirt, a sticker and a chance to win a football autographed by Nick Saban. LifeSouth supports its “Bleed for your Team”
28
| TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA November 21, 2009
initiative on other campuses as well, including Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech. Aubrie Collins, a UA athlete who was handing out flyers by a LifeSouth bus, said she was out there earning service hours with her rugby teammates. Collins and her team have helped out with LifeSouth blood drives before. “A few people have come by today,” she said early in the week. “We had more last time [when we volunteered in October].” Although they felt participation was down, the girls expected it to pick up as the week continued. Meg Dowdy, Promotional Director for Citadel Broadcasting said the company’s group of radio stations had been running ads for both the blood and food drive. And even though one of their stations is the home of Auburn sports, Dowdy is hoping they can motivate everyone to help. “There are Auburn fans in Tuscaloosa,” she commented. The competitions both ended Nov. 19, but volunteers will be needed to help the food bank sort the donations. The Community Service Center on campus will be coordinating the effort to help the food bank. As of press time, winners had not been announced, but no matter which school claims the victory, those in need this holiday season will be the true winners. Additional information can be found at: http://volunteer.ua.edu, www.WestAlabamaFoodBank.org, and www.LifeSouth.org. PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA KELLY
continued from page 24
Reminiscing about his iconic coach, Davis said that Bryant could be “real intimidating in practice, a real fireball. He could look at you and melt you to the floor. He pushed hard in practice, to the point that you would feel like quitting. But after he would come over to you and put his arm around you and tell you that ‘I’m doing that to make you a better player’. “At halftime, he was a teacher. He thought screaming and hollering was a waste of time.” Davis concluded by stating, “It was just a privilege to be a part of such an exciting time at Alabama, with Coach Bryant on the rise.”
Earnestine Parrish is an Accredited Buyer Representative. She works for you to find the home you desire. It’s time that you met.
Phone: 343-1770
205.331.9958 epa@bellsouth.net
John Wayne Plumbing & Drain Services, Inc.
Patty Snell & Associates
John Wayne George, Owner 608 41st Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Licensed & Insured
Holcomb’s Carpet Cleaning
Melina’s
“Quality Work—From Start to Finish” MENTION THIS AD
A Creole Dining Experience Melina McClure • Chef/Owner •
Ronnie Holcomb
430 Main Avenue Northport • 758-0450
Owner
Lunch 11 - 2 • Dinner 5 - 9 Tuesday - Saturday Reservations Suggested
holloway custom painting
$99 ALL OPEN AREAS
Residential & Commercial Licensed & Insured Free Estimates
inc.
Licensed Bonded
“Painting is the Profession”
All Work Guaranteed
792-1862 or 554-7803
205.344 .1571
HolcombCarpet@aol.com
Rodney L. Goins
– 20 Years Experience – Interior • Exterior • Dry Wall Repair From your typical garden home to your largest custom built home
HOUSE SPECIAL
dMd
ROLL TIDE ROLL
1434 2nd Court East Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 205.752.5400 touchdownalabama.net |
29
NITRIC OXIDE — THE MISSING LINK TO CIRCULATION!
® NuChoice Cardio-Flex WITH L-ARGININE & L-CITRULINE
Dr. Louis J. Ignarro was awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery that Nitric Oxide (NO), a signaling molecule produced organically, is a vasodilator that helps control blood flow to every part of our body. He focuses on how Nitric Oxide affects the entire vascular system: By relaxing and enlarging blood vessel, NO regulates blood pressure, prevents blood Mention Ad clots that trigger strokes and heart attacks, and protects For $10 Discount 1 Mo. Supply against the accumulation of vascular plaque. Cardio-FlexTM is a revolutionary liquid supplement containing a blend of L-Arginine and L-Citruline with other ingredients that trigger the production of Nitric Oxide.
®
2801 Lurleen Wallace Blvd. Northport • 205.339.3993 www.naturalrx.net
Authentic Mexican Restaurant
(corner of 13th Street) (205) 343-0300
Visit us online at TouchdownAlabama.net
All things BAMA & SEC for Babies, Moms and Moms-to-be In Northport at 933 McFarland Blvd. (Next to CiCi’s Pizza) BRING AD GET 10% OFF
On the Web at www.alabamababyclothes.com Home Games Booth in Front of Tutwiler Dorm on Paul Bryant Drive
Sizes Preemie to 4T & Girls to Size 14 Open Mon. - Fri. 9am til 5:30pm Saturday 10am til 4pm (205) 333-1594 or 866-998-2229
BRING AD GET 10% OFF
Showing
In The Art by Bama Fan, Sean, age 8, Meridian MS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BDL
touchdownalabama.net |
31
“Class in Session�
Limited edition portraits signed by Coach Saban To order: www.portraitsbyTimbailey.com