TUSCALOOSA— Alabama’s coaching staff recognized 12 players of the week, including several fresh faces that made an impact in the Crimson Tide’s 31-3 win over UT-Chattanooga at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The quartet of Gehrig Dieter, Damien Harris, O.J. Howard and Cam Sims made it on offense. Jonathan Allen, Tony Brown, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison and Dalvin Tomlinson were announced on defense.
Trevon Diggs, Keith Holcombe and JK Scott rounded out the list of honorees on special teams for this week.
Dieter had a season-high three receptions, including two for touchdowns. Howard caught one pass for seven yards, while aiding Harris to 91 yards rushing on 13 carries. The sophomore running back averaged seven yards per attempt, including a 25-yard touchdown run. Sims, who earned the start in place of ArDarius Stewart, tied a career-high in receptions (four). He recorded 34 receiving yards, with a long catch of 13 yards.
The combination of Allen and Tomlinson held the Mocs to 70 yards rushing on 30 carries.
Tomlinson led all defensive linemen with eight total tackles, while Allen chimed in with six tackles (two for loss). Harrison led the sqaud in tackles (11), and helped limit Chattanooga to three points and two third down conversions. Brown and Fitzpatrick each had their fair share of hard hits, with Brown securing six tackles.
Scott had Chattanooga working from its 20-yard line throughout the game.
He averaged 48.8 yards a punt on six boots, including four attempts dropping inside the 20. Diggs returned three punts for 20 yards, while Holcombe allowed 28 return yards from Mocs’ return specialist C.J. Board.
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.
