McClain SEC Defensive Honoree

Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain has been named Southeastern Conference defensive player of the week for his performance in Alabama’s 26-21 win over Auburn in Auburn Friday. That victory completed an undefeated regular season for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama will play in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game at 4 p.m. EST (3 p.m. central time) Saturday at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta against Florida. Both Florida, which is ranked number one in the nation this week, and Alabama, ranked number two, are 12-0 and were 8-0 in SEC games.

Rolando McClain, a 6-4, 258-pound middle linebacker from Decatur, registered a team high 12 tackles with a sack, another half tackle for loss, and a pass deflection.

His sack came on a third down play with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Alabama trailing by 21-20. The 10-yard loss helped prevent Auburn from punting Bama into a deep hole. Alabama took over at its 21 after the punt and went on a 15-play drive to the winning touchdown.

McClain, a junior, combined with Tide safety Justin Woodall to knock down Auburn’s Hail Mary pass as the game ended.

McClain leads the Crimson Tide defense this year with 96 total stops, 12 for losses, including four sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, and two interceptions.

Also receiving honorable mention was cornerback/kick return specialist Javier Arenas. The senior accounted for 113 return yards, including 67 yards in punt return yardage that made him career SEC record-holder.

On defense, he had seven tackles and a sack against Auburn.