Vlachos Gets SEC Lineman Honor

There were many people who saw Alabama dismantle previously undefeated and 12th-ranked Florida in Gainesville Saturday night – a shocking 38-10 win for the Crimson Tide – who expected Bama to have both the offensive and defensive players of the week in the Southeastern Conference. It didn’t happen. In fact, the Tide didn’t get either one.

Alabama did have a player honoree as senior center William Vlachos of Mountain Brook was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. The 6-1, 294-pound Vlachos received the highest grade on an Alabama offensive line that put 366 yards of offense – 266 rushing and 140 passing -- up on the Gators.

Vlachos, who is on the watch list for the Rimington Award given to the nation's best center, did not allow a sack or a pressure and made the line calls for blocking and protection.

Alabama leads the SEC and is ranked 13th nationally in rushing offense (229.8 yards per game) and is second in the SEC and 18th in the nation in scoring offense (38.4 points per game).

In the category of “Other Outstanding Performances,” the SEC cited Alabama tailback Trent Richardson, who had 29 carries for a career-best 181 yards rushing and two touchdowns and also caught two passes for 27 yards. Florida was the only team in the nation which had not given up a rushing touchdown this season until Richardson got the first of his two in the second quarter.

The league also noted the play of Crimson Tide jack linebacker Courtney Upshaw. Upshaw recorded four tackles, three for losses, including a sack that ended the night for Florida star quarterback John Brantley. Additionally, Upshaw had perhaps the play of the game when he intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown that gave Bama the lead for good against the Gators.

The SEC selected Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson and Razorbacks wide receiver Jarius Wright as co-offensive players of the week. South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram, who was part of the Gamecocks home loss to Auburn, was defensive player of the week. Special teams player of the week was Auburn punter Steve Clark, defensive lineman of the week was Sam Montgomery of LSU, and freshman of the week was Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell.

This week Alabama has homecoming, hosting Vanderbilt at 6 p.m. CDT Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Bama is 5-0 and ranked second in the nation in one poll, third in the other. Vandy is 3-1. ESPNU will trelevise the game.