Upshaw, Warmack Get SEC Honors

Alabama Coach Nick Saban has said on more than one occasion that when the team does well, there are individual accolades. The team did well on Saturday, and on Monday the Southeastern Conference announced some individual honorees.

Alabama cemented its hold on first place in the national polls when the Crimson Tide rolled over Florida, 31-6, in Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday night. The Gators had been undefeated and ranked seventh in the nation before the loss to Bama.

On Monday, the conference announced that Alabama jack linebacker Courtney Upshaw is the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and that Bama guard Chance Warmack is the league Offensive Lineman of the Week.

Upshaw, a 6-2, 263 pound junior from Eufaula, had seven tackles (five solo) with four for losses, a fumble recovery, and two pass deflections in the Tide’s win. All four tackles for loss came in the second and third quarters with three coming at key moments. One preceded an interception by the Tide, one led to a three-and-out, and the third came at the Alabama five-yard line and forced the Gators to settle for a field goal.

His fumble recovery came on a second-and-goal play to end a third quarter Florida scoring threat.

The Tide defense held the Gators to 281 total yards, including 79 on the ground. In the first half, Florida had just 96 total yards and was 1-of-7 on third down.

Warmack, a 6-3, 310-pound sophomore from Atlanta, had the top grade on the offensive line. He allowed no sacks, no pressures, and had no missed assignments or penalties against the Gators.

Warmack had key blocks on both Mark Ingram touchdown runs against Florida.

The Tide offense did not have a turnover and was 4-for-4 in the redzone with three touchdowns and a field goal.

Other honorees were LSU running back Stevan Ridley as Offensive Player of the Week, Ole Miss return man Jesse Grandy as Special Teams Player of the Week, Auburn tackle Nick Fairley as Defensive Lineman of the Week, and Mississippi State running back LaDarius Perkins as Freshman of the Week.