Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 9/15
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Florida Gators say 3OT win good prep for Alabama Crimson Tide
"Once they had a few moments to take it all in, the Florida Gators came to this conclusion about the 36-30 triple-overtime win over Kentucky on Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium: It was exactly the kind of game they needed as they prepare to face No. 3 Alabama this weekend.“It’s definitely good for us,” said junior running back Matt Jones, who had four consecutive carries in the third overtime, including the winning 1-yard touchdown run. “We needed this game. We needed some adversity to get through to go to Alabama because we know they’re a tough team.”"
Here is a link from the other side of the fence, coming from the Gators. I always like to see what other teams are having to say about an upcoming game that we are going to have with them. For the most part and probably 90-percent of the time, most SEC coaches speak of their opponents with class and don’t shy from giving them praise. I overheard a funny conversation at my house after the West Virginia game and my buddy said “We all know what Saban will say. These team was better than we expected, they gave us a great game, etc. I said “Well, they did. How about in the small non-conference games we just get Saban to step to the microphone and say, “How are y’all doing? Thank you all for coming. ‘X’ team really sucked out there and didn’t deserve to play us”. I have to put up with this daily.
Jeff Driskel Needs To Improve, Or Harris Should Play
"After narrowly beating head coach Mark Stoops and a Kentucky team that has not won a conference game since 2011 – the Florida coaching staff must face a disturbing fact.Jeff Driskel should not be the unquestioned starter at quarterback for the Gators.The redshirt junior looked more like a true freshman for most of the night against a clearly improved Kentucky defense – but this is still Kentucky and Saturday is a game the Gators should have won handily.Driskel was out of rhythm, uncomfortable, and inaccurate for most of the night. In the second overtime Driskel was late on a throw to a wide-open Demarcus Robinson in the end zone, a play that could have cost Florida the game."
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Seems like Driskel is having a few of the problems that Sims has had this season. Granted I haven’t watch Driskel play much this year but if looks as this writer describes for the whole game. Treon Harris would get the nod and that may be a bad thing to have happen walking in to Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Former Crimson Tide standout Thomas claims win in Web.com Tour tournament
"Former University of Alabama standout Justin Thomas sank a short birdie putt on the first playoff hole Sunday to win the Web.com Tour’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. The tournament is the third leg of the four-tournament Web.com playoffs.Thomas, who has already earned his 2014-15 PGA Tour card thanks to his play during the regular season, now advances to next week’s Web.com Tour Championship which begins Thursday at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Fla."
Good stuff from a former Tide golfer. Congratulations to Justin on the win. I need to get some lessons from these guys. I used to love to golf but every time I would go, I would take a fishing rod or hunting rifle because that is where I would spend most of my time.
Tide has secondary issues heading into Florida week
"Dominoes are starting to fall in Alabama’s secondary.The third-ranked Crimson Tide’s safeties lack depth due to injury and suspension.That’s not a good situation with the SEC opener on Saturday against Florida, a team that averages 345.5 passing yards a game.Veteran quarterback in Jeff Driskel leads the offense that ranks eighth in the conference in passing.Alabama (3-0) will be without starting safety and Prattville native Nick Perry for the first half after he was ejected from Saturday’s game against Southern Miss in the third quarter for a targeting foul."
We covered this here but it is from a different perspective. I bet if Perry could have that back, he would take it back in a heartbeat. In after the game interviews, Cyrus Jones seems like the rest of the secondary is ready to step up and fill the void left by the half-game suspension.
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South Bound & Down
Women’s Tennis Earns Seven Wins to Wrap Up First Weekend of Fall Season
"The Alabama women’s tennis team collected seven wins on the final day of play in the first tournament of the fall season. The squad split time between the Duke Fab 4 Invite and the Baylor Under Armour Kick-Off Event.In Waco at the Baylor Under Armour Kick-Off, freshman Aryn Greene paired with senior Emily Zabor to take down junior Stefania Hristov and freshman Eva Paalma of Texas A&M, 8-4. In singles, sophomore Carmen Blanco defeated sophomore Aggie sophomore Rutuja Bhosale, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4, while Greene defeated A&M sophomore Mason Strickland, 6-3, 6-3."
Men’s Golf Finishes in Ninth at OFCC/Illini Invitational
"The Alabama men’s golf team closed play at the Olympia Fields Country Club/Fighting Illini Invitational on Sunday, finishing in ninth overall with a team total of 897 (300-296-301).Sophomore Robby Shelton led the Tide with a sixth-place showing, closing the tournament with a 6-over par 216 (73-71-72) on the famed par 70, 7,142-yard Olympia Field Country Club North Course. Shelton, who won medalist honors at the event last season, collected his 10th career top-10 finish in 14 tournaments played at Alabama."
Crimson Tide Adds Singles Win on Final Day at Harvard Chowdah Fest
"The men’s tennis team finished off its weekend at the Harvard Chowdah Fest by adding another win in singles, bringing the squad’s three-day total to 11 wins. Freshman Danny Kerznerman claimed the first victory of his Crimson Tide career, defeating Kenny Tao of Harvard in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.“This was a great tournament for our guys to get their feet wet with competition,” said Alabama head coach George Husack. “It also served as a barometer as to where we stand physically and mentally. This is mile one of our marathon season. We leave the Northeast with progress and areas to improve.”"
Those last few links will get you caught up in the world of Alabama athletics. Enjoy your Monday and Roll Tide. Keep it right here on Bama Hammer and The Houndztooth Powered By Bama Hammer for all of your Alabama Crimson Tide news and discussions.
Check back later today for more breakdowns from the Southern Miss game, coverage from Saban’s Monday press conference and possibly the weekly “Bama In The NFL” update after Monday Night Football.