TUSCALOOSA—Alabama coach Nick Saban and his staff recognized 10 players of the week Monday morning, following the Crimson Tide’s 49-10 statement victory over Tennessee. Bradley Bozeman, Jonah Williams and ArDarius Stewart were awarded on offense. Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster and Ronnie Harrison were named on defense. Adam Griffith, JK Scott and Eddie Jackson all got the nod on special teams.
The combination of Bozeman and Williams paved the way for 594 yards on offense, including 438 yards rushing (most of the Saban era). Bozeman and Williams blocked for two 100-yard rushers in Jalen Hurts and Bo Scarbrough, while guiding Damien Harris to 94 yards. Stewart led all receivers with eight catches and totaled 83 all-purpose yards. He put Alabama on the scoreboard first, taking a 29-yard run for a score.
The trio of Allen, Anderson and Foster held Tennessee to 11 first downs, 163 total yards and three third down conversions on 16 attempts. It forced a turnover and 3.5 tackles for loss, while Allen and Foster combined for eight stops, 2.5 TFLs and two sacks. Harrison led the defense in tackles (seven), and totaled two pass breakups.
He recorded his second interception of the year and returned for a 58-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Griffith chimed in with 506 yards on eight kickoffs. He had four attempts downed in the end zone for touchbacks, and averaged 63.2 yards a kick. Scott amassed 200 yards punting on four boots.
He averaged 50 yards per attempts, with his longest one traveling 62 yards. Jackson returned four punts for 108 yards (27 yards, average), including a 79-yard return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
He also managed to record three tackles on defense, with one for loss.
Health issues for a Tennessee played a major role in the Tide’s blowout win. Texas A&M will pose more a challenge this week, as the 6th-ranked Aggies enter Bryant-Denny Stadium for a showdown.
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.
