clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2014 Alabama Spring Football Report: Scrimmage #2

One week until A-Day ~Around the SEC ~ Around the Nation

By CB969
Roll Tide.
Roll Tide.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The twelfth practice was also the second scrimmage of spring, taking place in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Yet another gorgeous day ordered up by Nick Saban, partly sunny and nearing 80 degrees. Hopefully, we will have this kind of weather next Saturday for A-Day.

As reported Friday, over 1,100 high school coaches who attended this week's coaching clinic were on hand to watch and learn. There were also plenty of recruits.

SABAN PRESSER

Saban seemed to be in decent spirits during Saturday's press conference (considering that he didn't bite anyone's head off).

He spoke of some areas having "dramatic improvements" from the last scrimmage but "overall there is still a lot of things we need to work on." He went on to say the team has to "develop the mental toughness, the psychological disposition to sustain better, finish things better, play harder, be a more relentless competitor." He likes the attitude but some people need to improve on finishing.

It was another good passing day but the running game was not up to snuff. Saban noted that it was "not as effective as I'd like." There is also a need for more "explosive plays".

INJURY UPDATES

Cornerback Maurice Smith had a "a little bit of a concussion" this past week and was held out of the scrimmage as a precaution but he did participate in drills. He should return for A-Day.

Nobody was hurt on Saturday but a few people are "dinged up". It is nothing that will hold them out of the next practice.

STATS

(NOTE: Stats include 11-on-11, situational drills, red zone, goal line, and 2-minute. This is a partial list released by Alabama media relations. No media was on hand.)

PASSING

  • Blake Sims: 24-39, 288 yards, 2 TDs
  • Cooper Bateman: 16-31, 160 yards, TD
  • Alec Morris: 4-7, 90 yards, TD

RECEIVING

  • Amari Cooper: 9 rec., 97 yards, TD
  • Chris Black: 6 rec., 89 yards
  • Robert Foster: 4 rec., 34 yards, TD
  • Christion Jones: 3 rec., 18 yards, TD
  • ArDarius Stewart: 1 rec., 66 yards, TD
  • Kenyan Drake: 2 rec., 55 yards, TD
  • O.J. Howard: 3 rec., 38 yards

RUSHING

  • Altee Tenpenny: 15 carries, 39 yards, TD
  • Tyren Jones: 10 carries, 34 yards
  • Kenyan Drake: 4 carries, 19 yards

    DEFENSE

    • Trey DePriest: 6 tackles, TFL, forced fumble
    • Jarran Reed: 5 tackles, TFL, pass breakup
    • Jarrick Williams: 4 tackles, TFL
    • A'Shawn Robinson: 4 tackles, 1 TFL
    • Xzavier Dickson: 3 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack
    • Cyrus Jones: 35 yard fumble return

    AROUND THE SEC

    Six SEC schools had their spring game today:

    • Georgia - Senior Hutson Mason finally gets his turn at quarterback. He completed 18 of 27 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown against the No. 1 UGA defense. Todd Gurley had six rushes for 32 yards and three catches for 38. Darren Rovell of ESPN noted that the official attendance number was 46,073 but the whole upper deck was empty.
    • Mississippi State - The clanga-clang's combined for 729 yards passing and only 73 yards of rushing. Attendance was announced at 21,710.
    • Florida - From Alligator Army: Offense beats defense in 23-23 tie
    • South Carolina - Late in the second quarter, Gamecocks women's basketball Dawn Staley was inserted into the game and caught a touchdown pass from Dylan Thompson. The players lifted her up and carried her off the field. SCar fans must be thrilled to see Steve Spurrier is taking things so seriously.
    • Tennessee - True freshman WR Josh Malone caught six passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns of 49, 6 and 79 yards. The announced attendance of 68,548 for their second best in the history of their spring game.
    • Vanderbilt - The 'Dores allegedly had a game today but it is unsubstantiated at the moment.

    AROUND THE NATION

    Some other non-SEC schools had their spring game today as well. Some weird goings-on were afoot:

    • West Virginia - Dana Holgerson on the passing game: "I was a little disappointed with that. Once we get settled on a quarterback, that will help." Mario Alford ran the opening kickoff back for a 99-yard touchdown.
    • Nebraska - To begin the game, Bo Pelini carried his big fat fluffy pet cat over his head as the team charged out of the tunnel. See South Carolina entry above.
    • Florida State - Jameis Winston threw 27 of 55 passes (??!!) for 396 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. 55 passes in a spring game? The FSU baseball coach cannot be happy with that. Only 36,500 fans for a free event and a nice day.
    • Ohio State - Who is the fastest guy in Columbus? If you guessed Malcolm Branson, a senior criminal justice major from Massillon, you'd be right. In a classic Urban Meyer stunt, students were allowed to race the team. Branson - not a football player mind you - beat out running back Dontre Wilson and tying defensive back Doran Grant in the 40.
    • Toledo - remember former Bama QB Phillip Ely? He is now a Rocket and went 17 for 30 for 220 yds with 2 TDs.

    NEXT PRACTICE

    There will be only two more practices on Tuesday and Thursday next week before Saturday's A-Day Game.

    ROLL TIDE!

    Follow me on that there Twitter thing @CB969onRBR

    Like RBR on Facebook

    More From Roll 'Bama Roll