For a second straight week, Alabama’s coaching staff awards at least 10 guys for player of the week. The Crimson Tide scored in all three phases against Georgia last week, enroute to a 38-10 victory at Sanford Stadium. It now eyes Arkansas as its homecoming match-up, but for now, let us view the 10 honorees for player of the week. Four of them are on offense.
Alabama offensive players of the week
- QB Jacob Coker
- RB Derrick Henry
- WR Calvin Ridley
- OL Ryan Kelly
Summary: Senior quarterback Jacob Coker protected the ball against Georgia.He worked through his progressions and put receivers in position to be successful. Coker completed 11 of 16 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown. He totaled 28 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Running back Derrick Henry outgained Georgia’s Nick Chubb, despite a fumble in the first quarter. The junior accounted for 148 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley became Alabama’s third true freshman to record at least five receptions, 90 yards and a touchdown against Georgia since Julio Jones (2008) and Amari Cooper (2012). Rildey shredded the Bulldogs’ secondary for 120 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches. He averaged 24.0 yards per reception.
Offensive center Ryan Kelly blocked for 379 total yards, with 189 coming on the ground. He guided Alabama’s backs to an average of four yards per carry and didn’t allow of sack.
Alabama defensive players of the week
- LB Reggie Ragland
- DL A’Shawn Robinson
- DB Eddie Jackson
Summary: Senior inside linebacker Reggie Ragland covered the whole field Saturday against Georgia, leading the team with eight tackles and a pass breakup.
Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson finished five tackles, tying him with sophomore linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton for fourth on the team. He along with Ragland held Georgia’s Nick Chubb to 63 rushing yards, prior to his 83-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Safety Eddie Jackson recorded four tackles, but made two crucial plays against the Bulldogs. His 50-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter opened the floodgates on Georgia. He motioned for redshirt freshman cornerback Marlon Humphrey to face the ball in the fourth quarter. Humphrey took heed an came down with his first interception of his collegiate tenure at Alabama. Jackson has forced two interceptions this season.
Alabama special teams players of the week
- CB Minkah Fitzpatrick
- PK Adam Griffith
- CB Cyrus Jones
Summary: True freshman cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick joined teammate Ronnie Harrison as the two individuals with at least one blocked punt. Fitzpatrick’s play came in the second quarter, when he came in unblocked and took the ball off the foot of Georgia’s punter Collin Barber. He would then return it for a one-yard touchdown, lengthening Alabama’s lead to 17-3.
Junior placekicker Adam Griffith has gotten stronger with each attempt.
His 29-yard field goal last week gave him four straight made tries. He delivered Alabama a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on the attempt. Griffith recorded three touchbacks on seven kickoffs.
Cornerback Cyrus Jones totaled 53 return yards on five punts, with a long of 23 yards.
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 @ESPN_Future.
