TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– After earning its third straight conference championship and a successful awards banquet, Alabama football’s coaching staff named 11 players of the week on Monday morning.
Four players apiece were recognized on defense and special teams, while three individuals got the nod on offense, following the Crimson Tide’s 54-16 victory over the Florida Gators.
Offensive linemen Bradley Bozeman and Jonah Williams cleared the way for 35 of the team’s 54 points and 372 total yards. The duo set the edge in the run game, blocking for 234 yards and four touchdowns on 38 carries (6.2 average). Despite giving up two sacks, it aided Jalen Hurts to 138 passing yards and 22nd touchdown pass of the season: a six-yard connection to wide receiver Gehrig Dieter.
The last two games have been eye openers for fans, where running back Bo Scarbrough is concerned.
Following his game against Auburn (17 carries, 90 yards), he led Alabama in rushing during its meeting with Florida. The sophomore totaled 91 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, averaging 8.3 yards per attempt.
Defensive backs Anthony Averett and Minkah Fitzpatrick gave Gators’ quarterback Austin Appleby a hard time. Though he completed 66.7 percent of his throws (26 of 39 passing), Appleby was intercepted three times. Fitzpatrick was credited with one of the picks, returning it for a 44-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Both Fitzpatrick and Averett collected four tackles each.
Defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson and linebacker Reuben Foster stifled Florida’s run game and rattled Appleby in the pocket. According to the final stat sheet, the Gators had zero rushing yards on 30 carries.
Foster led the way with 11 tackles and two sacks, earning the most valuable player award. Tomlinson posted five tackles and two quarterback pressures. The quartet of Trevon Diggs, Derrick Gore, Josh Jacobs and Keith Holcombe were sound on special teams. Diggs registered two tackles, including a big hit in the third quarter that forced a fumble. He also chimed in with 90 punt return yards, with his longest return covering 47 yards.
Gore and Jacobs collaborated on a special teams touchdown in the first quarter.
While Gore blocked a punt off the foot of Johnny Townsend, Jacobs returned the ball for a 27-yard touchdown. Both backs ultimately were rewarded with rushing scores on offense.
Holcombe put in two tackles and limited the Gators to zero punt return yards.
Alabama is scheduled to face Washington in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. The Tide is now two games away from having its second perfect season under Nick Saban since 2009.
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.
