Two Tiders Earn SEC Recognition

Alabama’s victory over Tennessee last Saturday was due in great part to extraordinary performances by players in kicking situations. It was no surprise that at least one Bama player might be selected Southeastern Conference Player of the Week in the special teams category. But how would the SEC manage to honor both stars?

No problem.

Leigh Tiffin was selected by the conference as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for kicking on all four of his field goal attempts, including a 49-yard effort that proved to be the game-winner in Alabama’s 12-10 victory over Tennessee in Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday.

And the league selected senior Bama nose tackle Terrence Cody as the defensive lineman of the week, primarily because Cody blocked two field goal attempts, including the Vols’ potential game-winner as time expired.

Tiffin, a 6-2, 212-pound senior from Muscle Shoals, scored the only points of the game for Alabama, which has become somewhat anemic on offense in recent weeks.

Tiffin’s field goals were from 38 yards, 50 yards, 22 yards, and 49 yards. The last field goal game with 6:31 remaining in the game and put Alabama up by 12-3--two scores, which the Tide would need to preserve victory.

This season, Tiffin has connected on 3-of-4 field goals over 40 yards and leads the SEC in overall field goal percentage (87 per cent on 20 of 23).

In his career, Tiffin has 337 career points, which is seventh in SEC history, and 72 field goals made, which is fourth in league history.

Cody, a 6-5, 354-pound senior from Fort Myers, Florida, by way of Gulf Coast Community College in Mississippi, blocked two field goals in the fourth quarter as Alabama hung on for the victory.

While Cody had two tackles in the game, his honor was unquestionably because of his two field goal blocks. His first game on a 43-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. The second came as time expired and the Vols’ kicking for what would have been the game-winning points.

For the season, Cody has 17 tackles, including five behind the line of scrimmage, and is a key for Alabama’s rush defense. Bama is allowing just 64.9 yards per game rushing through eight games.

The conference also issues “honorable mention” to outstanding players each week. Crimson Tide cornerback Javier Arenas was cited in this category as he had a game-high 13 tackles with three and a half of them for loses of 21 yards, including a sack. He also had a quarterback pressure.

Alabama is second in the nation this week in all major polls (tumbling out of the top spot in the Associated Press poll, where Bama was number one last week) and in the BCS standings to determine the national champion.

The Crimson Tide of Coach Nick Saban is idle this week. Bama returns to the practice field for workouts Tuesday-Thursday. Alabama’s next game will be Saturday, November 7, when the Tide hosts LSU in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Alabama is 8-0 overall and 5-0 in SEC games. LSU is 6-1 overall and ranked ninth in the nation and is 4-1 in SEC games. LSU plays Tulane this week.