Allen, Hurts, Foster Tabbed as Award Semifinalists

Oct 24, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) , linebacker Denzel Devall (30) and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (54) wrap up Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) , linebacker Denzel Devall (30) and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (54) wrap up Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama football players Jonathan Allen and Jalen Hurts have been tabbed as semifinalists for the Maxwell Award, while Allen and fellow senior Reuben Foster have been chosen as semifinalists for the Bednarik Award.

Alabama football players Jonathan Allen and Jalen Hurts have been tabbed as semifinalists for the Maxwell Award, while Allen and fellow senior Reuben Foster have been chosen as semifinalists for the Bednarik Award.

Allen is joined by Hurts as part of a group of 18 semifinalists up for the Maxwell Trophy which is presented each season to college football’s player of the year. A feared pass rusher and proven run stopper for the Tide, Allen has a team-high 10 quarterback hurries to go with his 35 tackles, 6.5 of which are sacks (-53 yards) to rank him second on the team. He has also returned a team-leading two fumble recoveries for 105 combined yards and two touchdowns.

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Hurts has excelled at quarterback since taking over the full-time starter duties in week two. The freshman signal-caller has thrown for 1,578 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air while adding 521 yards rushing and nine scores on the ground. He has completed 63.1 percent of his passes and boasts a 147.72 quarterback rating to rank fourth in the SEC. Hurts’ 262.4 yards per game of total offense leads all freshmen in the SEC and also sets him at fourth among all conference players.

The Crimson Tide has had two players in its history win the Maxwell Trophy with Derrick Henry most recently earning the honor last season. Prior to Henry, AJ McCarron was selected as the Trophy’s winner in 2013.

Allen and Foster were selected as one of 18 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, given annually to college football’s defensive player of the year. The team leader in tackles with 53, Foster is the Tide’s main signal caller on the defense. He has collected 4.5 tackles for loss (-22 yards) and has 1.5 sacks (-15 yards). The senior from Auburn, Ala., has added four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups from his middle linebacker spot.

Finalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik will be announced on Nov. 21, with the winners being announced on Dec. 8 on ESPN at The Home Depot College Football Awards.

Alabama football returns to action Saturday night at LSU. The game is set for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on CBS. The Crimson Tide and Tigers will meet for the 81st time in series history of the two schools, with UA holding a 50-25-5 advantage, including a 27-9-2 mark in Baton Rouge. Head Coach Nick Saban is 7-3 against LSU, including a 3-1 record at Tiger Stadium.  Alabama football holds a five-game winning streak after a 2-3 start against Saban’s previous college team.

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Alabama’s Nov. 12 game vs. Mississippi State is set for an 11 am CT kickoff, and will be televised by ESPN. The Crimson Tide owns a 78-18-3 advantage against the Bulldogs, which includes wins in the last eight games in the series for Alabama.