Tag: Crimson Tide

Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) runs for a touchdown against South Florida Bulls defensive lineman Rico Watson III (34) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

No. 4 Alabama prepares for road challenge at uneven Wisconsin

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The degree of difficulty jumps exponentially for undefeated Wisconsin when fourth-ranked Alabama rolls into Camp Randall Stadium for a marquee nonconference matchup Saturday in Madison, Wis.

Wisconsin (2-0) has been unimpressive in two victories. In its opener, the Badgers rallied from a 14-13 fourth-quarter deficit for a 28-14 win over Western Michigan, which in turn was pounded 56-0 by No. 3 Ohio State last week.

Wisconsin then held off FCS opponent South Dakota 27-13 last Saturday after letting the Coyotes close within 17-13 midway through the third quarter.

“Not that the first two games weren’t the start of the season, but we knew this was going to be the opportunity and point in time when we really, really got to see where we are and who we are,” Badgers coach Luke Fickell said Monday.

Alabama (2-0) opened the Kalen DeBoer era with a 63-0 rout at home over Western Kentucky before pulling away with 28 fourth-quarter points for a 42-16 home victory over South Florida.

The Crimson Tide, one of six Southeastern Conference teams ranked in the top seven this week, are averaging 496.5 yards per game while allowing 227.0. Alabama has seven touchdowns in nine red-zone opportunities, while opponents have just one TD in six trips inside the red zone.

Jamarion Miller has averaged 9.7 yards per carry with 194 yards on 20 attempts and two touchdowns for the Crimson Tide. Justice Haynes has rushed for 143 yards and two scores, averaging 8.9 per carry.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has completed 24 of 36 passes for 399 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also has run for 81 yards and four touchdowns.

The Crimson Tide will travel to Madison for the first time in 96 years, and DeBoer said his team is embracing the opportunity to play in front of a raucous opposing crowd.

“You know, that hostile environment and taking it on, and knowing that it’s kind of you vs. everyone there,” the first-year Alabama coach said Monday. “I think our guys are looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to improving on this last week.”

Each team will be down a linebacker during the first half on Saturday. The Crimson Tide’s Justin Jefferson and the Badgers’ Jake Chaney each were ejected for targeting in their respective previous games.

Redshirt senior Tyler Van Dyke, a transfer from Miami, completed 17 of 27 passes for 214 yards with one touchdown for Wisconsin last Saturday. Through two games, Van Dyke has completed 38 of 63 passes (60.3 percent) for 406 yards with one score and no interceptions.

With Tawee Walker out injured, reserve running back Cade Yacamelli had a team-high 73 yards on eight carries for the Badgers against South Dakota. Sixth-year senior Chez Mellusi leads Wisconsin with 134 yards at 3.8 per carry and three touchdowns.

The Badgers have scored on 8 of 10 red-zone possessions, including five touchdowns. Opponents are 4-for-4 in the red zone with two touchdowns.

Alabama and Wisconsin have not played since 2015, when the Crimson Tide won 35-17 at Arlington, Texas. Alabama’s only trip to Madison was in 1928, when the Badgers won 15-0.

Fickell was the head coach at Cincinnati when his fourth-ranked Bearcats lost to the top-ranked Crimson Tide 27-6 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) blocks Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) during the first half in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Report: Alabama LT Kadyn Proctor (shoulder) doubtful

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor is doubtful for Saturday’s game against South Florida, ESPN reported.

The 6-foot-7, 369-pound sophomore injured his left shoulder during pregame warmups last weekend and did not play in the No. 4 Crimson Tide’s 63-0 defeat of Western Kentucky.

Earlier this week, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said Proctor’s injury was more “day-to-day” than “week-to-week.”

Proctor was a five-star prospect in the Class of 2023, ranked as the No. 1 tackle and No. 5 player overall in the nation by 247Sports.

He started every game for Alabama last season and earned All-Freshman honors in the Southeastern Conference.

Proctor transferred to Iowa after the 2023 season but transferred back to Alabama after only a few months with the Hawkeyes’ program.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) scrambles behind blocking by offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett (57) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

No. 4 Alabama on guard vs. South Florida after last year’s close call

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South Florida gave Alabama a major scare in last season’s battle in Tampa, Fla.

The Bulls (1-0) will look to give the No. 4 Crimson Tide (1-0) another tough contest when the teams play on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Last year’s contest was closer than the 17-3 final margin as Alabama scored a touchdown with 33 seconds remaining to seal it.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe didn’t see any action after being benched by then-coach Nick Saban following the previous week’s loss to Texas. He was restored as the starter after the team’s shaky offensive performance against South Florida.

Saban retired in the offseason and was replaced by Kalen DeBoer, who said he isn’t paying much attention to last season’s affair.

“I think there’s a piece they probably remember, but I didn’t experience that with them,” DeBoer said. “So it’s not like I’m really drawing on that, reminding them that it was a closer game. And that falls in line with what one of our pieces of our program is, is to respect all and fear none.

“So that respect factor was there this last week. It’s gonna be there again this week. And I’m sure that there’s certain guys that went through that, as you’re suggesting, that have a different type of determination on top of what we’re trying to do with this 2024 team.”

South Florida hasn’t forgotten the close call and it’s not about to be intimidated in the rematch.

“It will be a really, really awesome challenge,” Bulls coach Alex Golesh said. “That’s one of the better teams in the entire country. I think if we play to our potential and we get our process right … we’ll have a chance to go win the football game. I know our guys, by the time it’s Friday and we get on that plane to Birmingham, they’ll be ready to roll. It’ll be fun.”

South Florida has beaten a Top 5 team just once — a 21-13 victory over No. 5 West Virginia in 2007.

Alabama was sharp in DeBoer’s debut and pummeled Western Kentucky 63-0 last weekend.

Milroe, a Heisman Trophy candidate, passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two. He completed 7 of 9 passes for 200 yards and rushed for 79 yards on 10 attempts.

Freshman Ryan Williams caught touchdown passes of 84 and 55 yards in his college debut.

“People forget he’s 17 years old, and then he’s a guy that came in in the summer time,” Milroe said of Williams. “But I’m super excited for him because he’s a guy that put his head down to work, constantly trying to improve as much as possible as a player.

“He did a really good job for us, but there’s always room for growth and room for our whole offense to keep climbing the ladder.”

South Florida opened with a 48-3 trouncing of FCS program Bethune-Cookman.

Kelley Joiner rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries for the Bulls. The 25-year-old is in his sixth season with South Florida.

“It always feels good to go out and get a win,” Joiner said. “It’s a great way to start my last season. I’ll always remember this game. We work all spring and all training camp for these moments and I’m very excited about what’s ahead for us.”

Alabama is 2-0 against the Bulls, also prevailing 40-17 in 2003.

–Field Level Media

Quitman running back Akylin Dear, photographed in Ridgeland, Miss., Aug. 10, 2024, is a member of the 2024 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen.

Five-star RB commits to Alabama, completing flip from Ole Miss

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama got a commitment Tuesday from five-star recruit Akylin Dear, the No. 2 running back in the Class of 2025.

Dear, from Quitman, Miss., had verbally committed to Ole Miss on March 30, only to decommit and open up his recruitment on June 28. He pledged for the Crimson Tide over the Rebels and Mississippi State.

The 247Sports composite rankings put him No. 31 in the country, No. 2 at his position and No. 3 in the state of Mississippi in his senior class.

“I’m excited to be a part of an elite organization that is going to compete every year and strive to win a national championship,” Dear told ESPN. “I’m going to be able to say I play for Alabama Crimson Tide, which is probably one of the greatest programs ever in the history of college football. Being able to follow in the footsteps of so many greats and accepting the challenge to be elite above all other things has always been my overall goal.”

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Dear rushed for 800 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore, and 2,016 yards and 27 TDs in 2023.

“It felt like home,” Dear said of Alabama, which he officially visited on the June 14 weekend. “The coaching staff, the environment, the pursuit of greatness as an organization, the vibe of all the players, the number of running backs that they have produced and put in the NFL. Most of all, (running backs coach Robert Gillespie) has been absolutely great to me, and genuinely believes in me and my ability to contribute to his room.”

Alabama earlier got a commitment from four-star running back Anthony Rogers, a senior at Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala. Rogers, listed at 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, is No. 116 nationally, No. 6 at running back and No. 8 in his home state in the 247Sports composite rankings.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies tight ends coach Nick Sheridan against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama names Nick Sheridan as OC, JaMarcus Shephard as co-OC

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Alabama football made two personnel moves to replace one coach who didn’t stay for long.

Alabama named Nick Sheridan its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on Tuesday while announcing JaMarcus Shephard as the Crimson Tide’s new assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach.

The hires come after Ryan Grubb, who originally signed on as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, accepted the same position with the Seattle Seahawks instead. Grubb worked for DeBoer as Washington’s offensive coordinator and chose to remain in Seattle.

“Nick and JaMarcus are both fantastic coaches, and we are excited to have them join us at Alabama,” DeBoer said in a statement. “They have experience in our offense, and they know what we are trying to accomplish on that side of the football. They both bring passion and enthusiasm to their work and have proven to be excellent teachers and recruiters at every stop of their careers.”

Sheridan, 35, recently was hired as the tight ends coach at Alabama after filling the same role for DeBoer at Washington in 2022-23. A former quarterback at Michigan, Sheridan’s only offensive coordinator experience came at Indiana in 2020-21.

Shephard, 40, is known for working with star wide receivers Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk at Washington, where he spent two years on DeBoer’s offensive coaching staff.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) blocks Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) during the first half in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor transfer home to Iowa

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Former Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor announced Saturday that he is transferring to his home-state Iowa Hawkeyes.

The 6-foot-7, 360-pound Proctor started all 14 games at left tackle for the Crimson Tide as a true freshman in 2023. He was selected to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman first team by the league’s coaches.

Proctor, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, starred at Southeast Polk High, where he was a five-star recruit and the No. 9 player in the country.

He was top-ranked in Iowa and No. 1 at his position, per the 247Sports Composite. He initially committed to Iowa before flipping just before the early signing period in December to Alabama, where he enrolled early in January 2023.

Following the retirement of Alabama’s Nick Saban and hiring of new head coach Kalen DeBoer, Proctor entered the transfer portal Jan. 17 and was ranked by 247Sports as the top offensive tackle and No. 2 player available in the portal.

His exit follows former Tide freshman safety Caleb Downs, who led the team with 107 tackles last season in earning All-SEC and national freshman of the year honors. Downs decided to join Ohio State.

Another safety, Jake Pope, transferred back to his home state of Georgia after playing 11 games on special teams at Alabama in 2023.

Linebacker Shawn Murphy became the fifth Crimson Tide transfer to commit to Florida State on Monday. Cornerback Earl Little Jr. and running back Roydell Williams also joined the Seminoles from Alabama.

–Field Level Media

South Alabama Jaguars head coach Kane Wommack celebrates after a score against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Alabama hires S. Alabama head coach to run defense

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South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack resigned Tuesday morning and is expected to be hired as the new defensive coordinator at Alabama, according to multiple reports.

Wommack, 36, would rejoin new Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer, who worked with Wommack on the coaching staff at Indiana in 2019.

Wommack guided the Jaguars to bowl games in two of his three seasons at South Alabama. In 2020 at Indiana, Wommack was a finalist for the Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in college football.

“I deeply appreciate Kane’s service to our program, university and city,” South Alabama director of athletics Joel Erdmann said Tuesday morning in a statement. “His efforts propelled us forward and we wish him and (wife) Melissa (Wommack) the very best.”

South Alabama was 15th in the nation in total defense in 2023, giving up 313.2 yards per game, and ranked in the top 27 in points allowed each of the past two seasons (21.3 points per game in 2022; 21.0 points per game in ‘23).

Travaris Robinson interviewed with DeBoer last week but was elevated to co-defensive coordinator at Georgia and opted to stay with the Bulldogs.

A handful of former Nick Saban assistant coaches are expected to stay.

DeBoer is widely expected to bring his offensive coordinator at Washington, Ryan Grubb, to Tuscaloosa in the same role.

Wommack’s father, Dave, was defensive coordinator in the SEC at Mississippi from 2012-16, when Kane Wommack worked as a graduate assistant and then defensive backs coach.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban walks the sideline during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Saban healthy, mental grind became unsustainable with age

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Health issues were not a factor in Nick Saban retiring as head coach at Alabama.

“In hiring coaches and recruiting players, my age started to become an issue. People wanted assurances I’d be here … three years, five years, and it became harder to be honest about it,” Saban said Thursday in an ESPN interview. “And to be honest, this last season was grueling. It was a real grind for us to come from where we stared to where we got to. It took a little more out of me than usual. When people mentioned the health issue, it was really just the grind of, ‘can you do this the way you want to do it?’ Can you do this the way you’ve always done it and be able to do it, and sustain it for the entire season.

“If I couldn’t make a commitment to do that in the future the way I have to do it, I thought maybe this was the right time based on those two sets of circumstances.”

Saban reiterated “There’s no illness. Miss Terry is fine, I’m fine. When I was young, I could work until 2 in the morning and be back at 6. When you get a little older, that gets tougher. I’m sure people can relate to that.”

Saban, 72, won six of his seven national titles in his 17 seasons at Alabama, tying the school mark set by Bear Bryant. He finishes with a career mark of 297-71-1, 206 of those wins coming at Alabama (with 29 losses).

“I don’t think there’s any good time, especially when you’re a coach. When you’re a coach, you think you’re going to coach forever,” Saban told ESPN.

He led the Crimson Tide to nine Southeastern Conference championships.

Saban’s Alabama teams missed the College Football Playoff just twice in 10 years of its existence while winning three national championships.

“Simply put, Nick Saban is one of the greatest coaches of all time, in any sport, and the University of Alabama is fortunate to have had him leading our football program for the past 17 seasons,” Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said. ” He is the consummate coach, mentor and leader, and his impact is felt far beyond the football field.

Players learned directly from Saban of his decision on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Saban said it was important to him for every player to hear the news from him, and not wonder how much they meant to him because others reported the massive news before a team meeting.

NCAA rules permit players 30 days to enter the transfer portal following the change at head coach.

Byrne told players he hopes to have a good idea of Saban’s replacement with 72 hours.

–Field Level Media

Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele speaks to members of the media Sunday, August 6, 2023.

Report: Alabama DC Kevin Steele to retire

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Kevin Steele, a former head coach at Baylor who had three different stints on Alabama’s defensive staff during a 40-year coaching career, is planning to retire, ESPN reported Monday night.

Steele spent the 2023 season as Alabama’s defensive coordinator, leaving a high-profile opening for Nick Saban to fill on his staff.

Steele will turn 66 in March and has nearly spent his entire adult life coaching football, almost exclusively at the Division I college level apart from joining the expansion Carolina Panthers as their linebackers coach for four years.

After his stay with the Panthers, Steele was hired by Baylor in 1999. The Bears went 9-36 and just 1-31 in the Big 12 during his four seasons.

Steele played linebacker at Tennessee and began his coaching career there as a student and graduate assistant. He went on to work for three other Southeastern Conference programs — Alabama, Auburn and LSU.

Steele was Alabama’s defensive coordinator in 2007 and defensive head coach/inside linebackers coach in 2008. He was director of player personnel for the Crimson Tide in 2013 and linebackers coach in 2014.

After serving as defensive coordinator for LSU (2015), Auburn (2016-20) and Miami (2022), Alabama hired him away from the Hurricanes for the 2023 season.

Alabama reached the College Football Playoff as the No. 4 seed and lost to No. 1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl semifinal last week.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) scores a touchdown past Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (32) and defensive back Caleb Downs (2) in the 2nd quarter of the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 Michigan rallies to beat No. 4 Alabama in OT Rose Bowl thriller

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Blake Corum ran for the winning touchdown in overtime and top-seeded Michigan advanced to the College Football Playoff national championship game with a 27-20 overtime victory over fourth-seeded Alabama on Monday in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

Corum rushed for 83 yards and also caught a touchdown pass as Michigan (14-0) won a CFP contest for the first time. J.J. McCarthy completed 17 of 27 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns for the Wolverines.

Michigan will face either second-seeded Washington or third-seeded Texas in the national championship game on Jan. 8 in Houston. The Huskies and Longhorns meet later Monday night in the Sugar Bowl.

The Crimson Tide (12-2) had an opportunity to force a second overtime but Jalen Milroe was stopped for a gain of 1 on a fourth-down keeper from the 3-yard line, prompting Michigan to go wild celebrating its victory.

Jase McClellan rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns for Alabama. Milroe was 16-of-23 passing for 116 yards and added 63 yards on the ground.

Corum handled the ball on both of Michigan’s overtime plays. He ran for 8 yards on the first carry before bursting through on the go-ahead 17-yard scoring run.

Tyler Morris and Roman Wilson also caught touchdown passes for Michigan. Braiden McGregor had two sacks for the Wolverines, who outgained the Crimson Tide 351-288.

Alabama took a 17-13 lead on the second play of the fourth quarter when McClellan scored from the 3.

The Crimson Tide later worked the clock for 5:49 and took a 20-13 lead when Will Reichard kicked a 52-yard field goal with 4:41 left in regulation.

The Wolverines converted on fourth-and-2 from their own 33 on the tying eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. McCarthy capped it with a 4-yard scoring pass to Wilson with 1:34 remaining to set up the third overtime game of the CFP era.

Michigan outgained Alabama 197-96 in the first half en route to a 13-10 lead at the break.

The Crimson Tide struck first after their touchdown was set up on a fumbled punt return by the Wolverines’ Semaj Morgan. Quandarrius Robinson recovered at the Michigan 44-yard line. Four plays later, McClellan broke loose for a 34-yard scoring run with 9:41 left in the first quarter.

Michigan tied the score five-plus minutes later when McCarthy tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Corum.

The Wolverines took a 13-7 lead when McCarthy hit Morris on a 38-yard scoring play. However, William Wagner’s errant snap got past holder Tommy Doman to leave Michigan up by six with 3:49 left in the half.

Reichard booted a 50-yard field goal with seven seconds left in the half to bring Alabama within three.

–Field Level Media