TUSCALOOSA, Ala.| Nick Saban rarely gives compliments, so when he does, players and media personnel tend to get taken back. The Alabama football coach referred last week’s 48-0 win over Kent State as a “complete game,” and was pleased with his team’s effort. Saban and his staff announced nine players of the week on Monday, with offense, defense and special teams each landing three names. O.J. Howard, Joshua Jacobs and Jonah Williams were named on offense. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison and Keith Holcombe were announced on defense. Adam Griffith, JK Scott and Xavian Marks all received honors on special teams.
Howard, a senior, led the team in receiving with 60 yards and a score on three catches. He brought in a 34-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, while helping Williams set the edge for 285 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries. Jacobs, a true freshman, had a breakout game. He filled in admirably for Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough, accounting for 97 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 11 carries (8.8 average).
Fitzpatrick, a sophomore, was in Kent State’s backfield a lot. He registered 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, to go along with three total tackles. He aided the Crimson Tide’s secondary in limiting the Golden Flashes passing game to 81 yards on six of 15 completions (40 percent). Harrison, a sophomore, collected three solo tackles and a forced fumble. He joined Fitzpatrick holding Kent State’s offense to 166 total yards and one third down conversion (12 attempts). Holcombe, a sophomore, finished second on the team in tackles with six. He earned honors this week on defense, after being recognized as a stalwart on special teams in the first three weeks.
Griffith, a senior, nailed both of his field goals (28 yards, 48 yards) in the second quarter.
He continues to excel on kickoffs, posting 382 yards on six attempts. Griffith averaged 63.7 yards per kick, with three of his six boots resulting in touchbacks. Scott, a junior, averaged 49.0 yards on two punts (98 yards).
His longest boot traveled 53 yards.
Marks, a sophomore, collected 90 punt return yards on four tries. His 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter gave Alabama a 41-0 lead at halftime. After improving to 4-0, Alabama now prepares for its homecoming game on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (CT) against Kentucky inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
