Cooper and McCarron lead Tide over pesky Rebels

The game started late, and the game wasn’t pretty, but the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the resilient Ole Miss Rebels by the score of 33-14.

With the victory, Alabama improves to 5-0 overall, and 2-0 in the SEC.

While the Crimson Tide looked lackadaisical at times, especially during the third quarter of play, Alabama was able to stifle the Rebels just enough to earn a comfortable triumph on the scoreboard.

The Tide defense used the “bend but don’t break” approach, and it proved successful in the long run. Courtesy of three forced turnovers, in the form of interceptions, the ‘Bama offense was able to take advantage.

Quarterback AJ McCarron had a steady outing for the Crimson Tide, as he completed 22-of-30 passes for 180 yards, including two touchdown strikes to freshman wide receiver Amari Cooper. While Cooper had been essentially “lurking in the shadows” during Alabama’s prior games, Cooper used the contest against Ole Miss as a personal showcase. To go along with the aforementioned touchdown receptions, Cooper caught a total of eight passes for 84 yards.

In respect to the special teams unit, the Tide had a wonderful performance. Jeremy Shelley went four-for-four in the field goal department, and following an Ole Miss second quarter touchdown, in which the Rebels took a 7-6 lead, Christion Jones returned the ensuing kickoff 99-yards for a Crimson Tide touchdown.

Although the contest appeared to be a “labor of mediocrity” at times, the Tide negated the Rebels more often than not, and essentially “drained” the game away.

Alabama will now take advantage of a much needed “open week” before returning to action Oct. 13 for an SEC road contest at Missouri.

>>>Complete stats and scoring summary<<<

McCarron breaks record

Courtesy of yet another “interception free” outing, Tide quarterback AJ McCarron has now thrown 206 consecutive passes without an interception. During the contest with Ole Miss, McCarron broke the school record of 190 passes, which was held by former ‘Bama quarterback Brodie Croyle.

Injury report

While Alabama looked “less that stellar” during various portions of the game against Ole Miss, the biggest issue, for everyone involved with the program, came in the form of injuries.

During Alabama’s initial possession of the game, wide receiver DeAndrew White suffered a right knee injury, and by all visual accounts, it appeared to be quite serious. White was carted to the locker room, and later returned to the sidelines on crutches. Per head coach Nick Saban, White will be reevaluated today.

Defensive back Deion Belue sustained a shoulder injury during the initial half against Ole Miss, and failed to return for the second half of action. Although Nick Saban deemed the injury as minor during his postgame presser, he did suggest that Belue could be out for a week or two.

In respect to the “cringe-worthy” moment of the night, that unfortunate honor went to Tide running back Dee Hart. The talented redshirt freshman, who missed the 2011 season due to a torn ACL in his right knee, appeared to sustain an injury to the same knee during the latter stages of the contest against Ole Miss.

As Hart fielded a punt, his right knee appeared to buckle, and he collapsed to the ground. While initially in obvious pain, Hart was ultimately able to leave the field under his own power, and was subsequently taken to the locker room. Like DeAndrew White, Dee Hart will be reevaluated today, per Nick Saban.

In the final minute of the contest, defensive end Ed Stinson appeared to suffer a leg injury, and was assisted to the locker room. While trainers did attend to Stinson on the field, Nick Saban failed to mention Stinson during his postgame presser.

One can only assume that Stinson was merely “shaken up” and did not sustain a legitimate injury that would create a minor or prolonged issue.

Derrick Henry gives verbal to Alabama

Yulee High School (Yulee, FL) running back Derrick Henry has given his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama for 2013.

Henry, who stands 6-foot-3 and tops the scale at 243-pounds, selected the Crimson Tide over the likes of Georgia and Tennessee.

The highly-touted running back has been a fixture in major media outlets thus far in 2012, not only for his recruitment, but for his on-field accolades during the month of September.

In his most recent outing, Henry carved his name into the Florida high school record book by breaking two records…in his quest for one. As he led his team to victory, Henry passed the legendary Emmitt Smith to claim second-place on the all-time Florida high school rushing list. In the same contest, Henry set a new Florida high school single-game rushing record with 502 yards. Henry’s performance broke the old record of 501, which had stood since 1985.

Although Henry has been given the “athlete” label by many recruiting outlets due to his size, make no mistake, Henry will play running back for the University of Alabama. In a recruiting world where “experts” look for the so-called “natural fit” over “substantiated” performance, Henry has been molded for the linebacker position by some recruiting outlets, simply based on physical appearance. However, the “common sense meter” declares that one of the most decorated running backs in Florida high school history…will not play defense in college.

Joining an Alabama class that includes exceptional running backs such as Tyren Jones and Altee Tenpenny, Derrick Henry becomes the 20^th verbal commitment for the Crimson Tide in respect to the 2013 signing class.

Derrick Henry prepared to select college of choice

In a recruiting world where “verbal commitments” are to be taken with a grain of salt, one of the most highly-touted players in the nation is set to give his verbal…for the second time.

Derrick Henry, the pride of Yulee, Florida, has scheduled a Friday afternoon press conference to announce his college decision for 2013. The “beast” of a running back, who stands 6-foot-3, and tops the scale at 243-pounds, has narrowed his college choices to Alabama and Tennessee.

In his most recent outing, Henry surpassed the legendary Emmitt Smith for second-place on the all-time Florida high school rushing list, and did so in grand fashion. Not only did Henry break Smith’s career rushing record, the Yulee High School sensation also broke the Florida state record for most rushing yards in a single game. Eclipsing a total that had stood since 1985, Henry rushed for a mind-blowing 502 yards, as he led Yulee to victory.

What did Henry do for an encore? He visited the University of Alabama the very next day…

While Henry has been viewed as an “Alabama lean” for many months, his recruiting journey seemingly began with a verbal commitment to the University of Georgia.

Prior to his junior season, Henry gave his verbal to UGA in July of 2011, yet decommitted from the Bulldogs in June of this year, a move which essentially cleared the way for the Crimson Tide. Not long after breaking his verbal with UGA, Henry declared Alabama as his “leader” in respect to potential schools.

Although Henry’s scheduled press conference will feature nothing more than his “new” verbal pledge, the school that emerges victorious after Friday’s festivities will certainly have the ultimate inside track.

Ole Miss/Alabama: High-octane Rebels seek upset

The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will return to conference action Saturday night, when the Ole Miss Rebels invade Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Led by new head coach Hugh Freeze, the Rebels currently sit at 3-1 on the young season, and enter their SEC opener against Alabama on the heels of a 39-0 victory over Tulane.

While Ole Miss’ lone loss of the season was a 66-31 thumping at the hands of Texas, Hugh Freeze has breathed new life into the OM program and implemented a new offensive system to boot.

The Rebels feature a high-tempo, no-huddle, chaotic spread offense, which Freeze brought to Ole Miss from Arkansas State. Freeze was the head coach at ASU for one-season, and under his frenetic offense, the Red Wolves went 10-2 in 2011, and captured the Sun Belt Conference title.

Hugh Freeze

At his Monday press conference, Alabama head coach Nick Saban complimented Freeze and the Ole Miss program, while comparing the current OM offensive pace to that of Auburn during the Gus Malzahn era.

In respect to the critical cogs of the offense, quarterback Bo Wallace is the operator of the Ole Miss spread, and has completed 55-of-86 passes thus far in 2012, for a total of 717 yards. Wallace has also thrown seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

At the wide receiver position, the Rebels are led by Donte Moncrief and Korvic Neat.

Moncrief has 19 receptions for 343 yards and four touchdowns, while Neat has 14 receptions on the season for 151 yards.

The duo of Moncrief and Neat have combined for 33 of Ole Miss’ 72 receptions in 2012.

Bo Wallace

When it comes to the running back position, the Rebels are very successful, but the core group is one of the most eclectic in the nation.

The top-four leading rushers include running back Jeff Scott, starting quarterback Bo Wallace, former quarterback turned running back Randall Mackey, and current backup quarterback Barry Brunetti.

Ole Miss’ motley crew of ground gainers have combined for 772 total yards, including eight touchdowns.

It is worth noting that running back Randall Mackey, the aforementioned former quarterback, was in fact the starting quarterback for the Rebels in the 2011 contest against the Crimson Tide.

The final verdict

Alabama is currently a 31-point favorite over Ole Miss, and rightfully so. For as much progress as the Rebels have made in the early portion of the season, in comparison to seasons gone by, the Rebs are still no match for the top-ranked Crimson Tide.

The Ole Miss defense has been “satisfactory” against lesser competition, but as mentioned above, the Rebels were "toasted" by Texas and allowed 66 points to the Longhorns. Only a demonstration of good sportsmanship in the waning stages kept the contest from reaching the 70-plus plateau.

While it is doubtful that Alabama will put 66 points on the board against Ole Miss, the Crimson Tide should have no trouble hitting the 40-point mark, and conversely throwing a "monkey wrench" into the Ole Miss offense. “Smoke and mirrors” can only work for so long, until defensive punishment and speed, seize the upper hand.

 

In actuality, the 8:15 p.m. kickoff, and a possible lack of focus, are essentially the only two factors that can prevent this contest from being yet another “beatdown” in favor of Alabama.

Sweet dreams, Ole Miss…

Alabama 44
Ole Miss 13