Staff Picks Eight For Weekly Honors

Beat the snot out of a major rival and reward a number of players. That’s the way it looks this week after Alabama’s convincing 29-9 win over Tennessee in Knoxville Saturday. The Crimson Tide coaching staff named three players on offense, three on defense and two on special teams as Players of the Week.

One thing surprising about the Alabama staff naming eight players for weekly honors following the win over Tennessee is that there were not more Bama players selected. On the other hand, even though Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban made reference to the game being a traditional rivalry, one has the feeling he doesn’t treat it any different than he does any other contest.

The win improved second ranked Alabama to 8-0 on the year and 5-0 in Southeastern Conference games. Bama gets a break from SEC play this week as the Crimson Tide celebrates homecoming. Alabama hosts Arkansas State at 2 p.m. CDT Saturday. The only television coverage will be on a Pay-Per-View basis.

The coaching staff’s players of the week are:

Offense—quarterback John Parker Wilson, wide receiver Julio Jones, and tailback Roy Upchurch.

Defense—Middle linebacker Rolando McClain, strong safety Rashad Johnson, and end Bobby Greenwood.

Special Teams – Placekicker Leigh Tiffin, coverage specialist Chris Rogers.

Wilson completed 17 of 24 passes (including his final 11 attempts) for 188 yards with six of those catches by Jones for 103 yards. Upchurch, who is Alabama’s third string tailback, had a game-high 86 rushing yards on 14 carries and scored Bama’s final touchdown.

Jones, whose marks were career highs, was also the SEC Freshman of the Week. It is the second time Jones has been SEC Freshman of the Week. He also took the honor after Bama’s win over Western Kentucky.

Johnson had six tackles with a sack (loss of seven yards and forcing Tennessee to a field goal after the Vols had first and goal at the Alabama five early in the game). McClain had four tackles and broke up two passes. Greenwood had two tackles and had good pressure on Tennessee’s quarterback.

Tiffin hit on his three field goal attempts from 39 yards, 43 yards and 30 yards and made both is his extra point tries for 11 points. Rogers was in on two tackles in coverage.