Two Tide Players Earn SEC Honors

Alabama had an outstanding football opener last Saturday night at the GeorgiaDome in Atlanta. It was expected that one or more Crimson Tide players would be selected for various weekly honors after the Crimson Tide rolled over previously ninth-ranked Clemson, 34-10.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban has attempted to temper expectations based on the Crimson Tide’s first game performance. He did note, though, that Bama had controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage in blasting Clemson.

The Southeastern Conference took note of Alabama’s play on the offensive and defensive lines when the league announced conference players of the week in various categories Tuesday morning.

The SEC named Mike Johnson conference Offensive Lineman of the Week and Terrence Cody league Defensive Lineman of the Week.

Johnson, a 6-6, 299-pound junior from Pensacola, played both left guard (where he started) and left tackle (where he replaced All-America Andre Smith after Smith went out with a sprained knee). The SEC noted that Alabama’s line did not allow a sack in the game and that Johnson did not allow any pressure on quarterback John Parker Wilson.

The Tide offense had 419 total yards and 25 first downs while going 11-for-17 on third downs against the Tigers. Alabama led in time of possession 41:13 to 18:47.

Cody, a 6-5, 365-pound junior from Fort Myers, Fla., transferred to Bama from Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College. The nose tackle was playing his first game for the Crimson Tide against Clemson.

Cody had four tackles (two solos) and one tackle for a loss in the Tide victory. Cody was part of a Crimson Tide defense that held the Tigers to no rushing yards and 188 total offensive yards. The Tigers had just 48 total snaps and Clemson was 1-of-9 on third downs. Clemson was held to four plays or less in five of nine offensive drives.

The only other Alabama player mentioned in the announcement of Players of the Week was Crimson Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson, who was an honorable mention for Player of the Week. Wilson completed 22-of-30 passes for 180 yards with 2 TDs and 0 INTs and also had a rushing score against Clemson.

Alabama tight end Nick Walker had a career game. Although Walker didn’t receive mention from the SEC, his old high school quarterback, Chris Nickson, did. Nickson, a 6-1, 210-pound senior quarterback from Pike County High School in Brundidge, is Vanderbilt’s qiuarterback and led the Commodores to a win over Miami of Ohio. He is SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

The SEC Defensive Player of the Week is tackle Myuron Pryor of Kentucky, Special Teams honoree is return specialist Brandon James of Florida, and SEC Freshman of the Week is Ole Miss running back Brandon Bolden.