touchdown alabama - 2011 vanderbilt - promotional issue

SeniorSpotlight 12

Homecoming 14

TeamRosters 16/17

CatchingUpWith26

CrimsonExtras 28

BryantMuseum 34

TheLowdown 36

ProConnections 40

GirlsofTDA 44

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Kent State

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October 13th

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October 27th

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November 10th Miss St. / Georgia Southern

November 17th Iron Bowl

2011 Issue Release Dates

ON THE COVER: Jalston Fowler #45

A hot name in football right now, especially around the Tide Nation, is Jalston Fowler. Fowler is a sophomore running back for the Crimson Tide. He weighs in at 246 pounds and stands 6-foot-1-inch. He played in 11 games on special teams and at running back last season. Fowler carried the ball 14 times for 111 yards with a 36-yard touchdown and has had people interested ever since. He averaged 7.9 yards that season and looks for better stats going into this season. Watch for Fowler to make big plays and exceed expectations as midseason approaches.

Photography By: Cedric Mason

Fall2011|Volume4,Issue4

October8,2011

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MISSIONSTATEMENT“Touchdown Alabama Magazine was created to bring Alabama football fans the coverage of their team that they crave and expect, as well as to bring them closer to the action on the field. The University of Alabama has a long college football history, rich with tradition and triumph. Each season has added more dynamic players and colorful stories to the Alabama family. It is only fitting that a program with 13 National Championships should have a weekly magazine dedicated to conveying the excitement of the game to its devoted fans. Touchdown Alabama Magazine strives to be the most up-to-date, relevant and exciting maga-zine covering University of Alabama football. Furthermore, we guarantee in-depth articles, exclusive inter-views and quality content surrounding the Crimson Tide. We will never forget for whom we generate this magazine: You the fan. God Bless.”

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Letter from the Editor:Dear Readers: The Crimson Tide is successfully into week six of the football season! This week the Crimson Tide will partake in a battle against Vanderbilt. Since this is the Tide’s homecoming game, this is Touchdown Alabama Magazine’s special homecoming issue! Information regarding the home-coming festivities’ schedule can be found inside this issue. As always, we need your feedback! If you haven’t noticed by now, there are new additions to this season’s issues that allow you to submit feedback and see your work in the magazine. We have added two sections called Marr’s Pond Poets and Ask DJ. These new sections allow you to write in and become a part of the magazine! Send your football-themed poems and football questions to [email protected] to see your feedback in an issue! We enjoy your feedback and look forward to your additions in the magazine. Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the magazine at locations such as Barnes & Noble, convenience stores, the Supe Store and The Bryant Museum. Tell your family, friends and fellow fans to look for Alabama’s premier college football magazine to get the inside scoop on the Tide. Don’t forget that TDAL is more interactive and user friendly. We would love to have each of you as a friend and follower. Check out our Facebook and Twitter accounts for the latest information on your favorite team and continue to make the Tide the best in the nation. We hope each of you keep tuning in to Touchdown Alabama Magazine and TouchdownAlabama.net for Crimson Tide news, photos, updates and more.

Enjoy this issue and Roll Tide!Touchdown Alabama Magazine staff

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TitleAsk DJ

8 | TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011

How do you think the addition of teams to the SEC would affect smaller teams, like Vanderbilt? First off, I would like to say that I am very much against the idea of adding teams to the SEC. There is a saying that goes, “ if it is not broken then don’t fix it.” The SEC is already the most powerful conference in college football. It is almost a mini NFL conference. Therefore, the SEC really does not need a makeover. Teams in the lower half of the conference like Vanderbilt could find it much harder to get wins if the confer-ence was to expand. Teams in the upper half of the conference like Alabama and LSU should not have any concerns. It is just one or two more teams they will get to beat up on.

This weekend is Homecoming. How many homecomings have you attended

and what is your favorite homecoming festivity? Homecoming is always a fun time. There are a lot of alumni and former players that return to campus for the homecoming festivities. Of all my homecomings, I have always enjoyed the parade and the bonfire the most. Hopefully one of these days I could be the grand marshal of the parade, but until then I will just have to enjoy the parade from the sidelines. Alabama should win this home-coming game easily. I don’t think it will be much of a game, but you never know in the SEC. You have to come prepared every week because you can be beaten any given Saturday. When it is all said and done though, and the band is cranking up the Rammer Jammer, look at the scoreboard because it could read 41-7.

Roll Tide Roll!!! D.J K-Dub

DJ K Dub is a member of the Sons of Saban. He is an avid Alabama football fan and is co-host of “In the Trenches” with Legend, his Sons of Saban brother. The show airs each Friday at noon on Touch-

downAlabama.net. Be sure to stay updated with DJ as he answers questions from readers and fans like you. If you would

like a question answered by DJ send it to: [email protected].

ASK DJ

Title

1925 1926 1930 1934 1941 1961 1964 1965 1973 1978 1979 1992 2009 - NATIONAL CHAMPIONS | 9

Tide Talk


DoNT'A HigHToWer“There is not much cele-brating [when a shutout happens]. We have high expectations for ourselves. That is some-thing that we try to work on a lot. Having those defensive goals helps us a lot. In the prepara-tion, as long as we have a good week of practice, we are capable of things like that.”

TreNT riCHArDsoN“It [having Barrett Jones on the line] benefits me a lot because Barrett Jones knows where he is supposed to be at all times. He’s a smart guy. He’s got a 4.0. He’s a big nerd, and he knows what to do. It helps a lot that he’s smart in the game and ahead of everybody.”

MiCHAel WilliAMs“We knew we had a chal-lenge this week [against Arkansas], with an SEC team. If you’re going to win in the SEC, you’ve got to run the ball. Coach [Saban] has chal-lenged us all week to run the ball. We got here today and that’s what we did.”

NiCk sABAN“I can’t thank our fans enough for the job that they did in affecting the entire game [against Arkansas], it was great.”

“TIDE TALK”

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Texas A&M to the SEC. Pittsburgh and Syracuse to the ACC. The dominoes are falling in college

football again, and fans get to watch as new conferences and rivalries are created as teams shift around. One of the main questions is: how will the new confer-ence schedules play out? The short answer is there is no way to know for sure, but speculating on the possibilities is exciting.

Alabama’s 2011 schedule is an excellent starting point to understand the current SEC scheduling model, as well as changes that could be made. The SEC forces its members to play every team in its division every year as well as three teams from the opposite division. In order to give teams in the East and West divisions an opportunity to play each other, teams rotate out on a biannual basis.

In Alabama’s case, the West division games are Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. In the East division, Alabama plays Florida in the Swamp this year, finishing the home-and-home series begun last year when Florida was flattened 31-6 in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Also, Vanderbilt, another East division team, comes to Bryant Denny to start their home-and-home with the Crimson Tide on October 8.

The final interdivision game is locked. The history behind the move is tied to deep-seated rivalries throughout the Southeast, particularly the rivalries between Auburn-Georgia and Alabama-Tennessee. When the SEC expanded to 12 teams in 1992, the conference wanted to keep these games going, so they assigned each team an opponent to play every year. It also helped to create new

rivalries. Thanks to the SEC scheduling move, not only is the Third Saturday in October rivalry preserved, but new rivalries have evolved between LSU and Florida, as well as between South Carolina and Arkansas.

Alabama rounds out the schedule with four out-of-conference opponents to total 12 regular season games. The four out-of-conference games for 2011 are Kent State, North Texas, Georgia Southern and the marquee trip to finish a home-and-home series to Penn State. There are no rules surrounding out-of-conference match-ups except that a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team cannot count more than one win against a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team toward being bowl eligible. Otherwise, teams may schedule whom-ever they choose.

How will expansion change this

Scheduling: A Wrinkle in Conference

Expansion


model? In order to explain it, the SEC needs a 14th team. Since there isn’t an official 14th team yet, Missouri would theoretically join the SEC to help make sense of the potential scheduling minefield. While it makes little geographical sense, Missouri would join the East division while Texas A&M would be in the West. The reason behind putting Missouri in the East centers on the Iron Bowl.

Geographically, the most logical alignment for the new, expanded SEC is to put Auburn in the East. The problem with that is it would change the Iron Bowl from a yearly contest to one that would only happen every few years. While Auburn could take Tennessee’s place as Alabama’s permanent East foe, that would lose the Third Saturday in October for the two fan bases.

The most likely change in the Tide’s schedule in an expanded SEC would be to drop an out-of-conference game to make room for the 6th West division game. While few fans would be saddened to lose a match up against a Georgia Southern or North Texas, it is more likely that a game against a tougher foe like Penn State or Virginia Tech would be dropped from the schedule to make room for a presumably

tough SEC opponent.The new SEC West would include three

teams in the current Top 10--Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU, as well as No. 14 Arkansas. Auburn and Mississippi State have also hung around the bottom of the AP Top 25 throughout the first quarter of the season. It is difficult to justify a marquee out-of-conference game on top of that slate of games.

Luckily, the remainder of the SEC scheduling system could be easily solved. Texas A&M and Missouri could become permanent inter-division foes, and the only loss for all teams in the SEC would be that fans would not see teams from the opposite division as often as they do now due to longer rotations.

Expansion is a fun, hot button topic for college football fans to discuss around the water cooler at work along with how their team did the previous weekend. A deeper look provides a portal into a very complex, convoluted world where tough decisions will have to be made by presidents and conference commissioners across the college football landscape. Old rivalries may be lost among all of the realignments, a true tragedy for the college football we know and love.

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Alabama Crimson Tide: The Crimson Tide still ranks within the top 10 in the polls. Along with the LSU Tigers, the Tide hopes to dominate the SEC West this season. While they recently opened SEC play, they are heading into the long haul against SEC teams. With one non-SEC game left this season, look for the Tide to battle the LSU Tigers to snag the SEC West later this season.

Arkansas Razorbacks: After falling down in the polls after a defeat against the Crimson Tide, the Razorbacks looks to revamp and recover the rest of their season. The Razorbacks still have a bulk of their SEC schedule play to go. October is full of SEC play as is November for the Hogs. They are still a threat to be reckoned with and should be watched closely going into their SEC play.

LSU: The Tigers look to be the Tide’s biggest competition of the season. With the Tigers taking No. 1 spot, it looks to be a good season. They are unde-feated and intend on keeping it that way. Under Les Miles, the Tigers look to take down each competitor until they get back to Atlanta for the SEC cham-pionship game. Watch for the Crimson Tide and the Tigers to clash later this season to deter-mine the SEC West.

WEST

2011 Senior Spotlight


A s another season is underway, the seniors near their last home-coming at the Capstone.

In 2008, most of these seniors came to The University of Alabama as true freshmen. Within a year of joining the Tide, this team experienced great success and had many memorable moments.

They were part of a team that won an SEC Championship along with a BCS National Championship. They also experienced Alabama’s first Heisman winner and a stadium expansion. While this may be their last homecoming at Bryant-Denny Stadium, these past four years will be memorable.

The 2008 season was a season of fitting in. Head Coach Nick Saban made it through his first year and these freshmen were starting theirs. He took

them under his wing and the rest is history. After coming back from an upset season, this season looked to be better until the end. The Tide went undefeated until the SEC Championship against the Florida Gators, who went on to win a national championship that season. After that, the Tide attended the Sugar Bowl and suffered a defeat against Utah.

The Tide bounced back after two post-season losses and made this season the one to top. The 2009 season was full of adventure for the Crimson Tide players. The team went undefeated and won the SEC Championship by defeating the Florida Gators. This led them to Pasadena, Calif., where the Tide faced the Texas Longhorns. After an early-game injury of Colt McCoy, the Tide defeated the Longhorns and took home the BCS National Championship

crystal football to the proud state of Alabama.

In 2010 the Tide was coming from an upbeat season and looked to return to the national championship game, but fell short. With losses to the South Carolina Gamecocks, the LSU Tigers and the Auburn Tigers, the Tide’s chances were long gone. The team attended the Capital One Bowl against Michigan State and came away with the win, 49-7.

While this season is their last, it doesn’t mean it can’t be their best. The Tide is still ranked in the top 10 and look to stay that way. While hoping to add another victory against the Commodores, these Tide seniors will always remember this day as their last homecoming with the Tide.

By: Jennifer Gorham

Four Years of Memories

13 | TouchdownAlabama.net Fall 2011Tide seniors

Alex WatkinsLinebacker

David BlalockOffensive Line

John BatesTight End

John Michael BoswellOffensive Line

Mark BarronDefensive Back

Josh ChapmanDefensive Line

Kelly JohnsonSnapper

Sam KearnsDefensive Back

Phelon JonesDefensive Back

Marquis MazeWide Receiver

Chris JordanLinebacker

Alfred McCulloughOffensive Line

DeMarcus DuBoseLinebacker

Darius HanksWide Receiver

Nick GentryDefensive Line

Rowdy HarrellLinebacker

Brandon GibsonWide Receiver

Jerrell HarrisLinebacker

DeQuan MenzieDefensive Back

Chris UnderwoodTight End

Brad SmelleyTight End

Courtney UpshawLinebacker

William StricklandWide Receiver

William VlachosOffensive Line

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Homecoming Exclusive


are just as traditional as the game of football itself. In Tuscaloosa there are fans that attend every game, fans that regularly attend home games and fans that only come back to Bryant-Denny for homecoming. No matter what type of fan you are, chances are you know the traditions that surround the campus the week of homecoming. Here is a look into traditions the Tide loyalists experience. Gorgas Library Gorgas Library is situated in the heart of campus and stands tall on the Quad. It faces toward the South and toward Denny Chimes. It is one of many focal points on campus. While on any given day, students can be seen hustling and bustling in and out with stuffed backpacks and coffee in hand, but on Saturdays during the fall, the library stands tall as a tradition for football.

Each Saturday The Million Dollar Band climbs the

steps to Gorgas Library to participate in a pep rally before heading to Bryant-Denny Stadium to support the Tide. Regardless of your links to The University of Alabama, Gorgas Library stands as a sign of tradition and pride among the Tide. The Quad On Friday afternoons during football season The Univer-sity of Alabama’s Quad turns into a sea of white tents. Not only does the Quad serve as a centralized location on campus, but it is another focal point during football season. Fans from across the state and nation flock to this tailgating hotspot. While most fans barbecue, mingle and watch rivals play, there is more to the Quad than that.

This is the location of the bonfire during homecoming week. The Friday prior to the homecoming game alumni, fans, students and staff are welcomed to the bonfire. That same night on the steps of Gorgas Library, Alabama’s Homecoming Queen is announced and there is a pep rally given by The Million Dollar Band and cheerleaders. As the Saturday sun rises and fans awaken, the Quad turns into a lively junction.

Welcome Home to the CapstoneHomecoming 2011

Festivities at The Capstone Big Al The Crimson Tide may not have anything to do with an elephant, but that is the chosen mascot at UA. Modern paintings portray a Crimson Tide with an elephant emerging from the flood of crimson. While well-versed fans may know how these components emerged and what the history behind the tradition is, some may not and that is why this tradition is uncovered in this article.

Bama players are big, fast, strong and tough. While an Atlanta Journal writer, Everett Strupper, conveyed the team as aggressive, big, fast, powerful and tough the thought of an elephant came to Bama fans’ minds. Strupper was quoted saying, “When those big brutes hit you, I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes.” What else had an impact like the big and tough Alabama team? An elephant was the only solution to the question. The only thing left to do was to make the elephant a legitimate part of the Crimson Tide’s traditions. This first happened when an avid Alabama fan shouted this “Hold your horses, the elephants are coming.” This stuck with fans alike and there it was, Alabama had an elephant mascot.

While in the early 1930s the fan and writer made it clear, with the agree-ment of most Crimson Tide fans, the elephant was the only thing suitable for the UA football team, it wasn’t until the late 1970s that Big Al stepped out in costume. As time has took its toll, Big Al has changed outfits and styles with the decades. On campus a vintage Big Al costume still hangs in the first floor of the Ferguson Center.

By: Jennifer Gorham

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Walk of Champions Bryant-Denny Stadium is the staple of every Bama fan’s memory. When arriving on campus it is often a first-stop spot, but it has a tradition for fans and players alike. The Walk of Champions takes place on the north end zone side of Bryant-Denny Stadium prior to each game.

Players along with coaches can be seen pulling up by way of a police escorted bus. As Tide fans chant and pom poms start waving in the wind, one knows the Tide has arrived. One-by-one the players and coaches file out of the bus and head to the locker room.

While current students have always known this tradition, alumni never experienced it until 2006. This tradition is new to the Capstone, but tradition is key to The University of Alabama and this tradition is here to last.

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TitleCRIMSON TIDE

NO NAME P CLS HT WT HOMETOWN LASTSCHOOL 1 DemetriusHart RB FR 5-9 187 Orlando,Fla. Dr.Phillips 2 TanaPatrick LB SO 6-3 236 Bridgeport,Ala. NorthJackson 2 DeAndrewWhite WR FR 6-0 181 Houston,Texas NorthShore3 TrentRichardson RB JR 5-11 224 Pensacola,Fla. Escambia 4 MarkBarron S SR 6-2 218 Mobile,Ala. St.Paul’s 4 MarquisMaze WR SR 5-10 180 Birmingham,Ala. Tarrant5JerrellHarris LB SR 6-3 242 Gadsden,Ala. GadsdenCity 6 HaseanClinton-Dix DB FR 6-1 203 Orlando,Fla. Dr.Phillips 6 BlakeSime QB FR 6-0 212 Gainesville,Ga. Gainesville 7 KennyBell WR SO 6-1 175 Rayville,La. Rayville 8 DuronCarter WR JR 6-4 210 Ft.Lauderdale,Fla. Aquinas 8 JeoffreyPagan DE FR 6-4 272 Asheville,NC Asheville 9 PhelonJones CB SR 5-11 194 Moblie,Ala. LSU10 JohnFulton CB SO 6-0 187 Manning,S.C. Manning10 A.J.McCarron QB SO 6-4 205 Mobile,Ala. St.Paul’sEpiscopalSchool11 BrandonGibson WR SR 6-2 194 Mobile,Ala. UMS-Wright12 PhillipEly QB FR 6-1 187 Tampa,Fla. Plant13 DannyWoodson,Jr. WR FR 6-1 205 Mobile,Ala. LeFlore14 PhillipSims QB FR 6-2 212 Chesapeake,Va. OscarSmith15 DariusHanks WR JR 6-0 185 Norcross,Ga. Norcross16 BradleySylve WR FR 5-11 170 PortSulphur,La. S.Plaquemines17 BradSmelley WR SR 6-3 229 Tuscaloosa,Ala. AmericanChristian18 MorganOgilvie QB SO 6-0 198 MountainBrook,Ala.MountainBrook18 LeviCook DB JR 5-10 190 Decatur,Ala. Decatur19 JonathanAtchison LB SO 6-3 240 Atlanta,Ga. Douglass20 NateCarlson TE JR 6-4 236 Birmingham,Ala. AirForce20 JarrickWilliams DB SO 6-1 210 Mobile,Ala. Blount21 BrentCalloway RB FR 6-1 217 Russellville,Ala. Russellville21 BenHowell RB JR 5-9 202 Gordo,Ala. Gordo21 DreKirkpatrick CB JR 6-3 192 Gadsden,Ala. GadsdenCity22 ChristionJones DB FR 5-11 175 Adamsville,Ala. Minor24 NathanMcAlister WR SO 5-11 165 Russellville,Ala. Russellville24 DeQuanMenzie CB SR 6-0 198 Columbus,Ga. Copiah-LincolnCC25 CalebCastille DB FR 5-11 170 Birmingham,Ala. BriarwoodChristian26 JabrielWashington DB FR 5-11 165 Jackson,Tn. TrinityChristianAc.26 NickTinker RB SO 5-10 207 Ralph,Ala. TuscaloosaCounty27 NickPerry DB SO 6-1 205 Prattville,Ala. Prattville28 DeMarcusMilliner CB SO 6-1 196 Millbrook,Ala. StanhopeElmore29 CodyMandell P SO 6-4 202 Lafayette,La. Acadiana29 WillLowery DB JR 5-10 180 Hoover,Ala. Hoover30 Dont’aHightower LB JR 6-4 260 Lewisburg,Tenn. MarshallCounty31 JohnBaites TE SR 6-1 231 Hendersonville,Tenn.Beech32 C.J.Mosley LB SO 6-2 234 Theodore,Ala. Theodore33 TreyDePriest LB FR 6-2 242 Springfield,Oh. Springfield34 HunterBush DB JR 5-11 195 Wetumpka,Ala. Wetumpka35 NicoJohnson LB JR 6-3 245 Andalusia,Ala. Andalusia36 ChrisJordan LB SR 6-3 240 Brentwood,Tenn. BrentwoodAcademy37 RobertLester S JR 6-2 210 Foley,Ala. Foley40 DeMarcusDuBose LB JR 6-1 240 Montgomery,Ala. JeffersonDavis41 CourtneyUpshaw LB SR 6-2 265 Eufaula,Ala. Eufaula42 AdrianHubbard LB FR 6-6 237 Lawrenceville,Ga. Norcross42 EddieLacy RB SO 6-0 220 Geismar,La. Dutchtown43 CadeFoster K SO 6-1 216 Southlake,Texas SouthlakeCarroll

NONAMEPCLSHTWTHOMETOWNLASTSCHOOL43 TaylorConant WR JR 6-0 195 Tuscaloosa,Ala. TuscaloosaAcademy44 JayWilliams P FR 6-3 221 Thomasville,Ala. Thomasville44 LaMichaelFanning DE FR 6-7 275 Hamilton,Ga. HarrisCounty45 JalstonFowler FB SO 6-1 246 Mobile,Ala. Vigor47 XzavierDickson LB FR 6-3 240 Griffin,Ga. Griffin48 RowdyHarrell LB SR 6-0 219 Moundville,Ala. HaleCounty49 EdStinson LB/DL FR 6-4 252 Homestead,Fla. SouthDade49 RanzellWatkins DB SO 5-9 170 Charlotte,N.C. Independence51 WilsonLove DE FR 6-3 276 Mountainbrook,Ala.Mountainbrook51 CarsonTinker LS JR 6-1 220 Murfreesboro,Tenn.Riverdale52 AlfredMcCullough T SR 6-2 311 Athens,Ala. Athens53 AnthonyOrr DL FR 6-4 258 Madison,Ala. Sparkman54 RussellRaines OL SO 6-2 281 Satsuma,Ala. Satsuma54 JesseWilliams NT JR 6-4 319 Brisbane,Australia CavendishRoad56 WilliamMing DL SO 6-3 283 Athens,Ala. Athens57 DJPettway DE FR 6-2 272 Pensacola,Fla. Catholic57 AaronJoiner OL JR 6-2 275 Florence,Ala. Florence58 NickGentry DL SR 6-1 284 Prattville,Ala. Prattville59 ArieKouandjio OL FR 6-5 309 Beltsville,Md. DeMathaCatholic61 AnthonySteen G SO 6-3 303 Lambert,Miss. LeeAcademy62 BrandonIvory NT FR 6-4 308 Memphis,Tenn. East63 KellenWilliams OL SO 6-3 305 Lawrenceville,Ga. Brookwood65 ChanceWarmack G JR 6-3 320 Atlanta,Ga. Westlake67 JohnMichaelBoswell OL SR 6-5 300 Northport,Ala. TuscaloosaCounty68 AustinGray OL SO 6-0 309 Woodstock,Ga. Pope68 IssacLuatua OL FR 6-2 299 LaMarida,Ca. LaMarida70 RyanKelly OL FR 6-5 281 WestChester,Oh. LakotaWest71 CyrusKouandjio OL FR 6-6 322 Woodstock,Ga. Pope72 TylerLove T JR 6-6 307 MountainBrook,Ala.MountainBrook73 WilliamVlachos C SR 6-1 294 Birmingham,Ala. MountainBrook75 BarrettJones G JR 6-5 311 Memphis,Tenn. EvangelicalChristian76 D.J.Fluker OL SO 6-6 335 Foley,Ala. Foley78 ChadLindsay OL FR 6-2 287 TheWoodlands,Texas TheWoodlands79 AustinShepherd OT FR 6-5 321 Buford,Ga. NorthGwinnett80 MarvinShinn WR FR 6-3 193 Prichard,Ala. Vigor81 WilliamStrickland WR SR 6-0 191 ********* *******81 HardieBuck WR JR 5-9 190 Birmingham,Ala. VestaviaHills82 HarrisonJones TE FR 6-4 248 Memphis,Tn. EvangelicalChristian83 KevinNorwood WR SO 6-2 193 D’Iberville,Miss. D’Iberville84 BrianVogler TE FR 6-7 252 Columbus,Ga. Brookstone85 MalcomFaciane TE FR 6-5 259 Picayune,Ms. Memorial86 UndraBillingsley DE JR 6-2 288 Birmingham,Ala. Woodlawn87 ChrisUnderwood TE SR 6-4 243 VestaviaHills,Ala. VestaviaHills88 MichaelBowman WR SO 6-4 225 Rossville,Ga. Ridgeland89 MichaelWilliams TE JR 6-6 269 Reform,Ala. PickensCounty90 JeremyShelley K JR 5-10 165 Raleigh,N.C. Broughton90 QuintonDial DL JR 6-6 294 Pinson,Ala. EastMississippiCC91 AlexWatkins LB SR 6-3 234 Brownsville,Tenn. Haywood92 DamionSquare DE JR 6-3 285 Houston,Texas Yates93 ChrisBonds DE SO 6-4 269 Columbia,S.C. RichlandNortheast95 BrandonLewis DL JR 6-3 288 PleasantGrove,Ala. PleasantGrove99 JoshChapman NT SR 6-1 310 Hoover,Ala. Hoover

Alabama Crimson Tide

Football Roster

Section Title Title


Commordores

NO NAME P CLS HT WT HOMETOWN LASTSCHOOL1KennyLadler FS So.6-1205 StoneMountain,Ga. Stephenson2ZacStacy RB Jr.5-9210 Centreville,Al. BibbCounty3AkeemDunham WR Jr.6-3210 Eustis,Fl. Eustis5WarrenNorman RB Jr. 5-10 196 Chamblee,Ga. ChambleeHS6BrandonBarden TE Sr. 6-5 250 Lincolnton,Ga. LincolnCounty7JoshGrady QB Fr.6-0 200 Tampa,Fl. ArmwoodHS8TreyWilson DB Jr.6-0 190 Shreveport,La. EvangelChr.Academy9TrentPruitt WR Fr. 5-10 180 Fitzgerald,Ga. FitzgeraldHS10LarrySmith QB Sr. 6-2 220 Prattville,Al. Prattville11JordanRodgers QB Jr. 6-2 210 Chico,Ca. PleasantValley12StevenClarke CB So. 5-10 195 LauderdaleLakes,Fl. BoydAndersonHS13ChrisMarve ILB Sr. 6-0 242 FortWorth,Tn. WhiteStation13LafonteThourogood QB Fr. 6-3 225 VirginiaBeach,Va. OceanLakesHS14KrisKentera QB Fr. 6-4 210 ColoradoSprings,Co. PineCreekHS15ArchibaldBarnes OLB Jr. 6-4 228 Tampa,Fl. BerkeleyPrep16EddieFoster CB Jr. 5-10 170 Colleyville,Tx. HeritageHS16TaylorHudson P Fr. 6-3 205 Powell,Oh. OlentangyLiberty17JonathanKrause WR So. 5-11 182 Snellville,Ga. SouthGwinnettHS17JarrettWadler DB Fr. 5-9 165 Houston,Tx. KinkaidSchool18JerronSeymour RB Fr. 5-6 190 Hialeah,Fl. HialeahHS18DexterDaniels DE Jr. 6-1 245 Brantley,Al. BrantleyHS19CaseyHayward CB Sr. 6-0 188 Elko,Ga. Perry19JohnTownsley QB So. 6-4 200 UpperArlington,Oh. UpperArlingtonHS20MicahPowell RB Jr. 6-0 205 TarponSprings,Fl. EastLakeHS21SeanRichardson SS Sr. 6-2 220 Linden,Al. LindenHS22EricSamuels S Jr. 6-0 200 Umatilla,Fl. UmatillaHS23UdomUmoh WR Sr. 6-0 185 FortValley,Ga. PeachCounty23AndreHal CB So. 6-0 185 PortAllen,La. PortAllenHS24WesleyTate WR So. 6-2 225 Hendersonville,Tn. PopeJohnPaulII25AndreSimmons SS So. 6-0 205 Lorton,Va. ScottCounty26ReggieFord CB So. 5-8 170 Nashville,Tn. MontgomeryBellAca.26BlakeGowder LB Fr. 6-2 225 Blairsville,Ga. UnionCountyHS27JacqueseKirk WR Fr. 6-0 165 Jasper,Al. WalkerHS27JarronLewis DB So. 5-11 167 Atascocita,Tx. AtascocitaHS28KarlButler FS So. 6-1 205 NewOrleans,La. BrotherMartin29TristanStrong OLB Jr. 6-1 228 Loganville,Ga. Grayson30JahmelMcIntosh S Fr. 6-1 200 Fulton,Ms. ItawambaAgricultural31JavonMarshall S So. 5-10 195 HuberHeights,Oh. WayneHS32AndrewWilliamson S Fr. 6-1 195 SanAntonio,Tx. JohnPaulStevensHS33DerekKing CB Fr. 5-11 198 Antioch,Tn. BrentwoodAcademy34AndrewEast ILB Fr. 6-2 225 Indianapolis,In. NorthCentral36ChaseGarnham OLB So. 6-3 225 Fairhope,Al. FairhopeHS37AlOwens OLB Jr. 6-2 215 FortWorth,Tx. Springtown38FitzLassing FB So. 6-3 236 Nashville,Tn. MontgomeryBellAca.39MitchellHester RB Fr. 5-9 184 NeptuneBeach,Fl. FletcherHS39CareySpear K So. 5-10 185 MayfieldVillage,Oh. MayfieldHS40LarryFranklin DB Fr. 6-1 212 VeroBeach,Fl. VeroBeachHS41NickAguirre S So. 5-11 195 Mobile,Al. McGill-ToolenHS41PatrickSutton DB Jr. 6-0 210 Charleston,Sc. BishopEnglandHS42TimFugger DE Sr. 6-4 255 OakBrook,Il. MontiniCatholic43JeffGendelman WR So. 6-3 190 Purchase,Ny. HackleySchool43ScotAiello DB Fr. 5-9 168 Franklin,Tn. CentennialHS

NO NAME P CLS HT WT HOMETOWN LASTSCHOOL44 DarienBryant DE Fr. 6-4 220 Pickerington,Oh. PickeringtonNorthHS45 MarcPanu FB So. 6-2 245 Mableton,Ga. WhitefieldAcademy45 KellenWilliams LB Fr. 6-1 220 WinterHaven,Fl. WestOrangeHS46 SteveMonk WR Fr. 5-11 170 BatonRouge,La. UniversityLabSchool46 BobbyJewell LB Jr. 6-0 225 Brentwood,Tn. BrentwoodHS47 DeAndreJones ILB Jr. 6-1 235 Memphis,Tn. MemphisUnivSchool48 RyanFowler K Jr. 5-10 170 Taylors,Sc. EastsideHS49 JoshGregory DB Fr. 5-11 170 Nashville,Tn. DavidsonAcademy49 RobbyBarbieri LB Fr. 6-2 220 EdenPrairie,Mn. BreckSchool50 MylonBrown OL So. 6-5 303 Tribly,Fl. PascoHS51 EricFrieman K So. 5-10 170 Scarsdale,Ny. ScarsdaleHS52 AndrewBridges OT Fr. 6-6 273 Atlanta,Ga. WestminsterHS53 VinceTaylor DT Fr. 6-2 288 Hattiesburg,Ms. OakGroveHS54 TaylorLoftley DT Jr. 6-2 285 Chamblee,Ga. ChambleeHS55 ConorHart DE Fr. 6-3 240 BloomfieldHills,Mi.BrotherRiceHS56 JoeTownsend OL Fr. 6-4 285 Hendersonville,Tn. HendersonvilleHS57 JaboBurrow OG Jr. 6-4 292 Morris,Al. MortimerJordanHS58 ColtNichter DT Jr. 6-2 287 LongBeach,Ut. ParkCityHS59 JoseValedon OL Fr. 6-4 295 OakRidge,Tn. OakRidgeHS60 LoganStewart OL So. 6-4 290 BoilingSprings,Sc. BoilingSpringsHS61 ConnorMorrison LS Fr. 6-0 220 Edmond,Ok. CasadySchool62 RyanSeymour OT Jr. 6-4 300 Kingsland,Ga. CamdenCountyHS63 JakeBernstein OL Fr. 6-3 288 CrystalLake,Il. CrystalLakeSouthHS67 WesleyJohnson OL So. 6-5 280 Nashville,Tn. MontgomeryBellAca.69 JoshJelesky OG Jr. 6-5 266 Naperville,Il. NapervilleCentralHS72 KyleFischer OG Sr. 6-6 310 Columbia,Sc. SpringValley73 ChaseWhite OT Fr. 6-5 280 Plano,Tx. PlanoWestHS74 T.J.Greenstone DT Sr. 6-3 290 Houston,Ga. CollinsHill75 GrantRamsay OL Fr. 6-5 285 Marietta,Ga. PopeHS76 JamesLewis OL Fr. 6-5 305 Arlington,Tn. ArlingtonHS77 SpencerPulley OL Fr. 6-4 280 Germantown,Tn. EvangelicalChristian78 CalebWelchans OL Jr. 6-5 300 Wildwood,Mo. LafayetteHS80 ChrisBoyd WR Fr. 6-4 200 Roswell,Ga. RoswellHS81 StevenScheu TE Fr. 6-5 249 Evansville,In. ReitzMemorialHS82 JamesonSackey WR Jr. 6-1 210 Smyrna,Ga. TheLovettSchool83 JohnCole WR Jr. 5-11 180 Somerset,Ky. SomersetHS84 DanielHagaman WR Fr. 6-2 195 Brentwood,Tn. BrentwoodHS84 RobLohr DT Jr. 6-4 290 Phoenixville,Pa. PhoenixvilleHS85 MasonJohnston TE So. 6-4 240 Jacksonville,Fl. BollesSchool86 AustinMonahan TE Sr. 6-6 242 Evanston,Nc. CountryDay87 JordanMatthews WR So. 6-3 200 Madison,Al. MadisonAcademy88 BradyBrown WR So. 6-4 210 Argyle,Tx. ArgyleHS89 DillonvanderWal TE Fr. 6-7 235 WestlakeVillage,Ca. OaksChristianHS90 WalkerMay DE So. 6-5 238 Birmingham,Al. BriarwoodChristian91 BarronDixon DT Fr. 6-3 288 Alpharetta,Ga. ChattahoocheeHS92 KyleWoestmann DE Fr. 6-3 250 Marietta,Ga. WaltonHS94 RichardKent P Jr. 6-2 195 Marietta,Ga. WaltonHS95 JimmyStewart DE Fr. 6-3 215 FortMyers,Fl. IslandCoastHS96 ThomasRyan DE Fr. 6-3 234 Marathon,Fl. MarathonHS97 JaredMorse DT So. 6-2 285 Oxford,Al. OxfordHS98 JohnellThomas DE Jr. 6-0 250 Orlando,Fl. BooneHS99 ThadMcHaney DE So. 6-5 256 Nashville,Tn. BrentwoodAcademy

Vanderbilt Commodores

Football Roster

Opposing Team


“One of the huge points of emphasis this

off season has been finishing,” Chris Marve, Vanderbilt’s fifth year senior linebacker, declared at SEC Media Days.

He is from Memphis, Tenn., where he played at White Station High School. Marve is a major component in the Vanderbilt defense. He

was selected second team All-SEC after the 2009 and 2010 seasons, as well as preseason all-SEC first team for the 2011 season. He has 329 career tackles to go along with seven sacks. He was honored as one of the SEC’s outstanding performers in week one of the 2011 season when he led Vanderbilt with 12 tackles, including two for loss.

Larry Smith is Vanderbilt’s starting quarterback. The

senior hails from Prattville, Ala., where he was a captain for the state champion Prattville Lions. He has been the quarter-back at Vanderbilt since the beginning of the 2009 season, and is a big reason for the Commodores strong start to the 2011 season.

In his career, he has passed for nearly 3,000 yards, along with 14 touchdowns. He has posted strong stats through the first part of the 2011 season, including more touchdowns than intercep-tions, as well as an average passer rating over 100. The improved stats have prompted tackle Kyle Fischer to comment that he can “sense he [Smith] has more confi-dence in himself and the offense this year.”

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By: Thomas Watts

The Commodores Come to TownVanderbilt Players

to Watch

Larry Smith #10 Chris Marve #13

News around the

WEST

Ole Miss Rebels: The Ole Miss Rebels look to

improve their season as SEC play gears up. Early on in their schedule, the Rebels have lost more games than won, but SEC play is unpredict-able and the Rebels would love nothing better than to get a good SEC win under their belt midseason. The Rebels have suffered defeat from both SEC competitors they’ve played so far and need to gain a few victo-ries against SEC teams if they hope to advance to post-season play.

Practice For Performance


By: Johnny Jackson

A Complex Way to Burn FatJohnny Jackson graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelors degree in exercise science and he is no stranger to the Tide. He interned with The

University of Alabama football team that won the SEC and BCS National Championship title. Jackson also interned with the baseball and track and field teams while at the Capstone from 2007 until 2010.

As far as strength and conditioning goes, Jackson knows his strengths. He bench presses over 550 pounds and currently caters to serious high school, college and professional athletes that are driven to reach their full athletic potential.

“I’m dedicated to getting athletes brutally strong, lightning fast and mentally tough,” he said.

Jackson has a Strength and Conditioning article featured in each issue of Touchdown Alabama Magazine. To contact Jackson send your questions and concerns to: [email protected].

Being a strength coach or a personal trainer, the question often comes up “How do I lose weight?”

The first thing most people will do to lose weight is jog or run. Jogging or running is not bad if you are in shape to do it. There are, however, better ways to lose weight without running or jogging. They don’t require a lot of space or equipment, but they are very challenging. If you can suck it up for a little while, the payoff will be huge. These exercises are known as complexes.

Complexes are simply doing two or more exercises and not putting the bar or dumbbells down. You will complete all the reps in one movement; an example would be doing five reps of squats first, then five overhead push presses without letting the bar drop until you finish all the reps.

Here is some math to think about if you were to do a five move-ment complex and at five reps, a total of 25 reps per set: instead of doing 25 reps for one exercise you will only perform five before switching to the next movement. Lets say 95 pounds times five reps, that’s 475 pounds. That times five movements is 2,375 pounds. That’s one set, now do this for four sets and that’s a whopping 9,500 pounds in about 10 minutes.

The weight shouldn’t be too light, so a good rule is to use anywhere from 10-25 percent of bodyweight with a barbell or dumbell. They are not easy by any means; to be honest, they are hard to do, but the payoff is huge when it comes to fat loss or condi-tioning. These are not intended for a newbie or an out-of-condition athlete or person.

The workouts must have a smooth transaction from one movement to the other. Here are some examples to use with athletes and the general public.

Complex 1: Hang clean 5Front squat 5RDL 5Upright row 5Back squat jumps 5Reverse lunge 5

Complex 2: DeadliftBent-over rowClean to squat Back squat to press

Complexes should always be done first in the workout while the body is fresh. They can make your metabolism spike up so you burn fat longer.

Strength & Conditioning:

About the Writer

UA Player Spotlight


By: Kassidy Hill

many young men dream of their whole lives. Standing in the tunnel at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Suited up in the famous crimson jersey, surrounded by Alabama teammates and jumping around with them as the time draws closer to run onto the field to the sound of “Yea! Alabama” and over 100,000 fans. But imagine that the closest you have ever been to the moment is while watching a movie. Because you are not from one hundred miles down the road or from a certified tour guide of Tuscaloosa. Home is 8,863 miles away, along with family and all you have ever known. That is the surreal moment that junior defensive lineman Jesse Williams found himself in when he took the field for Alabama this year.

Williams is a 6-foot-4-inches, 319-pound lineman who transferred to Alabama after playing two years for, and being recruited from, the junior college Western Arizona. But those two years were more of a pit stop. Williams is actually a native of Brisbane, Australia, and says that this life he is living right now is still a little crazy.

“Back in Australia, you see movies about colleges and American football and that’s kind of the life I’m living right now,” he said. “It’s fun, you know, to go to class and of course going to practice and live the life I’m living at the moment. Just trying to keep up with what I’m doing and be successful in that.”

The intensity of American football, especially

Alabama football, is something to which Williams is still adjusting. While he did play two years in Arizona at the junior college, he says it was a small town and nothing like being in Tuscaloosa and a part of the far-reaching Crimson Tide nation.

“I even got stopped in LAX, people noticed who I was because I had an Alabama t-shirt on,” Williams confessed. “And people say Roll Tide in Los Angeles as well. It’s crazy the support we get.”

Alabama’s AussieJessie Williams speaks about football in the South

He was able to have his family here for the first game against Kent State and says they were a bit blown away by everything because they are not used to American football and how it is played. But he enjoyed getting to show them what his life is like right now and they had a lot of fun while here. He is also trying to keep in touch with those he played in junior college with, including a player from North Texas, whom Alabama took defeated earlier this season.

Now that this tattooed mammoth of a lineman is settled into Tuscaloosa, he is getting comfortable with a defense that is garnering national attention. When asked about the chemistry among the line, Williams credited it to the athletes all feeding off one another.

“We have a really aggressive and physical defense; I think we feed off each other,” he admitted. “Once we see other people hit hard, we want to go out there and compete. We want to hit people harder than they do. So I think we just kind of build off each other and I think that’s how it really works really well. “

Williams is a big credit to that line, and Alabama fans are certainly grateful that this Australian football player took a chance on American football.

It is something

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Recruit of the Week


By: Coe Robbins

what is going through a 17-year-old’s mind throughout high school when they make everyday decisions, but making a decision on what college they will be attending is very important and one which that high school senior must feel comfortable making. For Alec Morris, a scholarship offer to play quarterback at the University of Alabama after committing to play for Wake Forest just two weeks prior to Alabama’s offer was all he needed to make his

Texas QB Chooses TideAlec Morris switches commitment and goes with Alabama

“There’s not much more to it other than the fact that I’m going to college to play football.”

- Alec Morris

mind up. “Alabama offered me last Friday,” Morris told 247sports.com “I went on a trip to Alaska this week and that gave me a chance to think about it with my dad. When I came back I called Wake Forest and decom-mitted. There’s not much more to it other than the fact that I’m going to college to play football. When I realized that, I knew that there was no other choice than Alabama. I have so much respect for Wake Forest in every sense. They’ve been recruiting me hard the entire way and have a great coaching staff and great campus, but when it came down to it, Alabama’s the place for me.” Prior to Morris’s commitment to Alabama, UA had other quarterback targets on their list with Gunner Kiel out of Indiana and Jameis Winston out of Alabama. When both players decided to choose Indiana and

Florida State respectively, it gave the opportunity for Alabama to extend an offer to Morris to play for the Crimson Tide. “I think Alabama had originally told Alec, and told us, that they would decide by the end of July,” Allen coach Tom West-erberg told the Midland Reporter-Telegram. “So they pretty much stuck with their timeline.” In a game against Northwest, Morris struggled in the first half, throwing 14 incompletions. Then, in the second half, Morris came roaring back, going 8-of-8 for 145 yards and three touchdowns as Allen routed Northwest 59-0. The following week Morris had a field day with Longview. He went 25-of-35 for 368 yards and five touchdowns as the No. 1 team in the state, Allen, won 42-23. Morris is listed as a 6-foot-3, 235-pound pro-style quarterback by Rivals and is rated a three-star athlete.

Morris threw for 2,533 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions last year for Allen. Scout.com had this to say about Morris. “Morris has an arm blessed to make all of the necessary throws and that is definitely his biggest asset,” the website stated. “He really has a cannon. He can sit in the pocket and use that super charged arm to serve up deep balls and fire balls over the middle of the field. He continues to get better and better. Watching him this spring you can tell that he has worked hard on shortening his delivery to get the ball out quicker, but still has some more work to do.” “I think Alec will fit in well with Alabama,” Wester-berg said. “Then again, I think he will fit in well wherever he goes; he’s got a lot of talent and is a competitor.”

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Traumatic brain injuries have left thousands with drastically changed

lives. Wounded Warrior Project offers services that ease the

burdens of these returning heroes, along with their fellow troops

who have suffered other severe physical and mental injuries.

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Some wounds you can’t see.

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Traumatic brain injury, severe muscle damage

CFC #11425 Wounded Warrior Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

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Catching Up With


By: Donald F. Staffo

was a highly-recruited running back who came to Alabama in

1971. He played when the Crimson Tide ran the wishbone offense, after “Bear” Bryant secretly switched to the ‘bone and surprised Southern California 17-10 to open the 1971 season. The upset of the Trojans began a decade that saw Bama dominate college football.

Stokes was a member of Tide teams that won four SEC champion-ships and the 1973 national championship. But the 6-foot, 175-pound halfback who won the Johnny Musso Most Improved Offensive Back Award in 1974 almost didn’t attend the Capstone.

In 1970, Stokes was a high school All-American running back at Lee High School in Montgomery who had numerous scholarship offers to play football. John David Crow, who won the Heisman Trophy when he played at Texas A&M under Bryant, recruited Stokes. Stokes told Crow that he liked Alabama’s program, but that his mother wouldn’t let him go there because at the time the Crimson Tide did not have any black players, although Wilbur Jackson soon became the first African-American player to receive a scholarship and transfer John Mitchell the first black player to play in a game. The University then had 12,000 students, but only 23 African-Americans.

“My mother told me that I couldn’t go to Alabama because ‘Bear’ Bryant was a racist,” stated Stokes. “She said that she heard him say on television that he wasn’t going to recruit any black players because at the time the social climate wouldn’t permit it, so she told me that

Ralph Stokes former running back was on 4 SEC championship teams and the 1973 national championship team

she didn’t want me to play football for him. She was concerned how I was going to fit in if I went there because there wasn’t anyone there like me.”

Crow told Bryant that Stokes’ mother insisted that Bryant come to her home in Montgomery to explain why he wanted her son to play for him. Bryant went to the Stokes home, and the way Stokes explains it, Bryant came in the house and didn’t even have a chance to sit down before his mother confronted him face-to-face about being a racist and what she had heard him say on television.

“I heard you say on TV that you would never recruit a black player and, unless I’m mistaken, that kid sitting over there is black,” she told Bryant. Stokes said Bryant responded, “I did say that, but I was wrong. I’m not here to recruit a black football player. I’m here to recruit a football player.” and cause problems for him, who is going to protect my son?” Bryant then assured her that he would be her son’s father away from home. “Coach Bryant told her that he would take care of me,” Stokes said. “After he said that, they finally sat down. And he did take care of me.”

“My father sat there throughout this exchange and didn’t say a word,” related Stokes. “Coach Bryant changed my mother’s mind, and it only took one meeting. Coach Bryant and my mother shared the same birthday, and for many years he sent my mother flowers every year on her birthday.”

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After graduating in 1975 with a degree in business, Stokes, an avid and excellent golfer, went on to enjoy a successful career as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for CIGNA Healthcare, President of Stokes Consulting, Inc. and Director of Corporate Sales for PGA Superstore, advancing to his current position of Director of Marketing for PGA Super-store. Stokes also serves on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics of Georgia, on the Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama School of Business and for the last three years has been a member of the UA Football Oversight Committee that is charged with engaging former Crimson Tide football players and bringing them back into the Tide football family.

“We need more than just good coaches and good facilities in order to recruit the best and brightest players,” Stokes stated. “Seventy percent of black athletes are born into families without a father present, so they are looking for a family to be a part of. The Alabama program and tradition is not just the 13 national championships and 22 SEC champion-ships, but was built by the blood, sweat and tears of everyone who ever wore a crimson jersey, as well as by the way the people who were in this program conducted themselves in their homes and in their communities.”

“We also have former players who help former players find jobs,” continued Stokes. “Coach [Nick] Saban knows that these kids are looking for something to connect to and be a part of. Our commitment is to continue to build on that tradition.”

Stokes said that Bryant was extremely tough on his players and would push them to unbe-lievable lengths. “If you didn’t understand what he was trying to do, you didn’t like him. He was trying to make you not just a good football player, but a good person.”

“I have gotten to know Coach Saban reasonably well, and I like him and respect him. What he’s trying to do is the same thing that Coach Bryant did.”

News

THEAROUND

Auburn Tigers: The Tigers have had close calls throughout the entire beginning of the season, but have pulled out wins against most of their components. Although the Tigers dropped to the Clemson Tigers earlier this season, they are back and not looking into the past. The Tigers’ schedule is packed full of SEC counterparts for the rest of the season. The only break they have from an SEC compet-itor is their homecoming game against Samford. Look for the Tigers to keep their fans on the edge of their seats as close-call games continue throughout their SEC play.

Mississippi State Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are a trying to get out of the doghouse when it comes to SEC competition. They’ve lost against every SEC component they’ve played thus far in the season. While most SEC teams have the massive SEC chunk within the last half of the season, Mississippi State has SEC counterparts sprin-kled throughout their entire schedule. This could be good for the Bulldogs, giving them a chance to re-cooperate before gearing up against another SEC powerhouse. Look for an unpredictable month from the Bulldogs.

WEST

Crimson Extras


Gridiron GrubYogurt Marinated

Chicken Kabobs

Ingredients:1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1 ½ -inch pieces1 ½ cups plain fat-free yogurt¼ cup chopped cilantro2 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon red curry paste1 tablespoon lemon juice1 tablespoon minced garlic1 tablespoon kosher salt6 10-inch skewers6 pita bread rounds

Directions:Place chicken pieces in large resealable plastic bag. For the sauce, in a bowl, whisk together cilantro, curry paste, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and yogurt. Reserve ½-cup yogurt and refrigerate. Pour remaining sauce over chicken, seal bag and toss to coat. Refrigerate at least six hours or overnight. If grilling the kabobs, coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray or oil before starting the grill. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Drain and discard marinade. Thread chicken on metal or soaked wooden skewers.Grill, covered, or broil four inches from heat for 12-15 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170 degrees, turning once. Place pitas on grill during last two minutes of grilling

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“I Do Declare - Jox Rocks!”By: Vicky W. Elrod

Only in the state of BAMAHome of mountains, lakes and Rammer Jammer,

Would a woman such as me,Rock daily to these three:

The Round Table, Finebaum, and the OD!

Though a small world it may be,One big, southern city clamors:

RAVE ON, JOX,TIDE - CLEAN THEIR CLOCKS,

LISTEN TO OUR MANTRA -

We are loud,We are proud,

And we are TUSCALOOSA BOUND!

Marr’s Pond Poets

If you would like to see your football-themed poem in Touchdown Alabama Magazine

feel free to send in your submission. Chosen submissions will receive a $25 Barnes & Noble

gift card. Send submissions to the following addresses:[email protected] or Touchdown Alabama Magazine, P.O. Box 3251,

Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-3251.

to warm. Remove chicken from skewers. Serve chicken on pita bread with reserve sauce and thinly sliced cucumber, red onion and tomato. Makes six servings.

Cook’s Tip:Soak wooden skewers in water at least 30 minutes to prevent the skewers from

burning. Look for red curry paste in the oriental section of your grocery store.

Tide Trivia

#1 War caused the cancellation of which two seasons? A. 1916 and 1917 B. 1918 and 1943 C. 1917 and 1942 D. 1944 and 1945

#2 In 1970, __________ was recruited as Alabama’s first African-American scholar-ship player. A. John Mitchell, Jr. B. Ozzie Newsome, Jr. C. Wilbur Jackson D. Nat Northington

#3 Former Alabama player John Hannah was called_________ on the cover of August 3, 1981, issue of Sports Illustrated. A. “the scariest man on the field” B. “the best offensive lineman of all time” C. “the greatest Alabama player ever” D. “the smartest man in the NFL”

#4 In the 1954 Cotton Bowl, Rice tailback Dicky Meagle ran for 266 yards against Alabama. Late in the game, Alabama’s Tommy Lewis earned a name for himself by_______________. A. sprinting off the bench to tackle Meagle B. tackling Meagle with two broken arms C. stealing Meagle’s jersey during half-time D. lassoing Meagle from the bench

#5 Which coach both led Alabama to a bowl game and coached another team against Alabama in a bowl game? A. Gene Stallings B. Bill Curry C. Bear Bryant D. Wallace Wade

ANsWers: 1. B | 2. C | 3. B | 4. A | 5. A

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The 2011 Season Is Here!!!

Interview


Q’sQ’sA’sA’s

Ken Gaddy was raised in the small town of Thomasville, Ala., with a population of about 5,000. His hometown was a little

larger than Fordyce, Ark., where Paul “Bear” Bryant grew up and played high school football before attending the Capstone. Gaddy attended the University of South Alabama, but, like Bryant, “Mama called” him to UA.

He is the director of the Paul W. Bryant Museum. The museum opened on October 8, 1988, and has been delighting fans and researchers alike with its collection of Alabama sports memorabilia ever since. Gaddy shared information about the museum and some of his best memories there.

Ken GaddyBehind the Scenes of the Bryant Museum

By: Mike Lacy

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TDA (Touchdown Alabama Magazine): How long have you worked with Paul W. Bryant Museum?

KG (Ken Gaddy): Since December 1992TDA: What was the greatest day at Paul W. Bryant

Museum? KG: In 1997, the Bryant stamp event. TDA: What was the saddest day at Paul W. Bryant

Museum? KG:Loss of John Forney [Alabama Football Network

announcer, who died in 1997]TDA: Have any classes in history, covering Alabama

football, ever been offered at University of Alabama? KG: Not Bama only, class in college football and sports in

media.TDA: Can you put into perspective with a size and shape

comparison, the University of Alabama football historical

archives that date back to 1892? KG: Over 100,000 photos, coaches’ films for all

sports, most of game programs and media guides.TDA: How many researchers do you have on

staff? KG: ThreeTDA: What are some of the other services/

attractions that Bryant Museum offers in addition to exhibit?

KG: Tours for school groups, after-hours rentals for receptions.

TDA: About how many books have you read directly related to Alabama football?

KG:Never counted.TDA: How long is the museum tour? KG: 45 minutes to an hour for most TDA: What college football team made the first

visit to the Museum? KG: Bama in 1988.TDA: In what areas has Paul W. Bryant Museum

become Eco-Friendly? KG: Using fiber optic lights, recycling.TDA: What do you envision at Paul W. Bryant

Museum in the next 10 years? KG: Expand web and social media presence,

digitize all photos and video, redesign exhibits and continue book and video series.

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Larry’s Lowdown


Younger fans may not remember a time when Vanderbilt wasn’t the poster child for conference futility.

But to really appreciate the SEC in all its complexity, you have to understand Vanderbilt.

The Commodores actually started playing football before their more famous in-state rival Tennessee in 1890. They were an early power in the South and were involved with the founding of the confer-ences they’ve been a part of including the SEC.

They were a true mover and shaker and instrumental in the founding of the forerunners of the SEC conference. They were a powerhouse at that time with 30 conference championships to their credit.

As the years went on, however, Vanderbilt kept moving away from a focus on sports to a focus on academics. It was a move that paid off on the academic end, as Vanderbilt is known as the “Harvard of the South.”

They seek the best students first; if they can play football also, that comes second.That focus costs them on the stage of major college football in the NCAA’s toughest conference.

Prior to 1960, Vanderbilt was 394-180-40, a winning percentage of over 67 percent. Also in that same time frame, Vanderbilt had a 17-16 edge over Alabama in head-to-head contests with four ties.

So when people say Vanderbilt has always been a doormat, they simply don’t know their football. Since 1960, Vanderbilt has still managed to win just under a third of all their games, but against SEC opponents. They have about a 16 percent winning margin in that same era, hence the stereotype that has been hung around their collective neck.

But that alone doesn’t tell the whole story of Vanderbilt football. There are two more things that today’s football fans may not know.

First of all, for many of those losses, Vanderbilt wore the mantle of “moral victories” for so many closely fought contests over very tough odds.

Secondly, Vanderbilt’s philosophy of “academics first, sports are just another student activity” means they are the only Division I major college program without an athletic department and an athletic director.

Those duties are done by the Division

Underestimated CommodoresNot Always an Exercise in Futility for the Commodores

By: Larry Burton

of Student Life, the same people that oversee intramural sports and other mundane student activities.

However, in 2008 the Commodores did have a winning season and capped it off with a thrilling victory over Boston College in a bowl game, but that was the first bowl game since 1982 and their first bowl win since 1955, when they beat Auburn.

The fact they do as well as they do in baseball and basketball is surprising; why the football team suffers so badly is not.

That decision, however, was Vanderbilt’s to make and they did. While


News AROUND THE

Tennessee Volunteers: The Volunteers are coming off their last non-SEC game this week. While they fell to the Florida Gators, the Vols are still looking to snag victories against SEC competitors. Good news for the Vols is that they don’t have too many road trips left. They have five home games left and only travel three games the rest of the season. The Vols will take advantage of the time they have in Knoxville and try to snag those victories they need.

Vanderbilt Commordores: The Commodores are having an excellent season, although they fell to the Gamecocks, they’re looking for more SEC victories this season. The Commodores will come off a bye weekend and visit Tuscaloosa for the Tide’s homecoming game.

Georgia Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are still rein-venting themselves after a slow start to the season. While starting

EASTdifferent teams have risen to the top and sunk back down in sports, Vanderbilt’s decision to maintain academic excellence has kept them at the pinnacle of the SEC’s most respected scholastic universities and has never faltered.

That is something the fans of the Commodores can not only live with, but be proud of.

The Commodores simply take their football victories in smaller scales. Since 1960 they have had 16 All Americans, put dozens of athletes in the NFL and beaten the best coaches, including Coach Bryant of Alabama and all the teams in the SEC at different times.

So to totally overlook Vanderbilt is a mistake and to think that they’ve always been a doormat and don’t belong in the SEC is also a mistake. They were once a powerful foe and one of the powers behind the formation of the SEC.

So when people say Vanderbilt

has always been a doormat, they

simply don’t know their football. Since

1960, Vanderbilt has still managed to win just under a third of all their games, but against

SEC opponents.

Florida Gators: The SEC East looks to be dominated by the Gators. Florida is undefeated and falling into ranks with new Head Coach Will Muschamp. The Gators will take this week off and recover for their compe-tition against the Tide. The Tide and Gators matchup will be one for the books. Both teams are undefeated and look to take the SEC by storm. Keep your eyes peeled for the Gators to domi-nate the SEC East this season.

slow then gaining momentum towards midseason, the Bull-dogs are ready for SEC play. They have a full schedule lined up that contains all SEC compe-tition with the exception of two teams. The Bulldogs looks to fall into their groove and gather some victories along the way.

Georgia native James Carpenter first joined the Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2007.

In high school he was an all-area performer and was regarded as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com, Although Carpenter didn’t receive much publicity and didn’t rank among the nation's top offensive linemen prospects, he now joins the Seattle Seahawks as a right tackle.

He was selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Pete Carroll is looking forward to seeing the big time play making skills of James Carpenter in the future.

"This is a pick that we needed to make a move on," Seahwaks Head Coach Pete Carroll said. "We've watched this guy all along. We had him targeted throughout."

He received minor attention from college teams and committed to Iowa State before he made an official visit to The University of Alabama. Carpenter, however, struggled academically and was placed at Coffeyville Community College by Iowa State.

In two seasons at Coffeyville, he improved dramatically and soared to a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com. He started every game at left tackle for the Red Ravens and earned

All-Conference honors twice. Although he remained an Iowa State signee, he began visiting other schools. He made official visits to Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Ole Miss before eventually commit-ting to the Crimson Tide.

In his freshman season, Carpenter had the difficult task of replacing All- American left tackle Andre Smith. While many analysts did not expect him to dominate the run game like Smith, it became clear that he was excellent in pass protection.

In his two seasons with the Tide, Carpenter helped the Tide win an SEC and a BCS championship in 2009 and the Capital One Bowl in 2010.

New Additionto Seattle Seahawks

Pro Connections


By: Stephen M. Smith

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25th overall pick, James Carpenter, transitions to right tackle for the Seahawks.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMATOLL FREE

[email protected]


Senior CheckupTide Commits Enjoying Senior Seasons

By: Mike Parker

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a stellar senior season is Ryan Anderson, the linebacker from Daphne, Ala., who has racked up 23 tackles, 5.5 sacks, six tackle for loss and two forced fumbles. It would be accurate to put Anderson right under Morris as one of the most underrated commits the Tide has for 2012. Because he can play all four of the linebacker positions, Alabama’s coaching staff is thrilled to get Anderson. At 6-foot-3-inches and 250 pounds, Anderson’s speed is what separates him from other players of similar weight. Though Anderson is currently not ranked very highly by any of the recruiting websites, look for that to change for him, as well as for Morris.

At 6-foot-1-inch and 195 pounds, Kenyan Drake, a running back from Powder Springs, Ga., is proving that he can put his head down as well as any other back and be a straight-up bruiser. For instance, last week Drake finished his game with 123 yards and a touchdown on only nine carries.

Alec Morris, the quarterback from Allen, Texas, is proving wrong not just coaching staffs, but critics by putting up some of the best numbers in the country this year.

Allen High School, one of the top teams in the country, plays at the highest level of Texas high school football. Morris, who recently had his best game of the season, playing against No. 8 Long View, went

For the season, Drake has an amazing stat of only 19 rushes for 323 yards, four touchdowns, four receptions for 140 yards with three touchdowns.25-of-35 for 368 yards and five touchdowns and added another one on the ground. His senior statistics to date are 61-of-96, 936 yards, and 13 touchdowns, two rushing, resulted in a couple of things.

First, the Tide’s coaching staff got a chance to evaluate Morris in person and decided to offer him, after Jameis Winston’s commit-ment to Florida State; when the Tide offered Morris, it did not take him long to commit to the Tide. Because Morris was so underrated and unheard of, the Tide’s offer left Alabama fans scratching their heads.

Second, it probably means that a lot of other teams will offer

Morris. Morris is playing lights-out, and the Tide coaching staff hopes this performance will continue throughout the season, as it is thought that the Tide will not offer another quarterback for 2012. Besides having a great touch on the ball and exhibiting excellent vision, Morris is a very effective leader. To make him

even more attractive as a quarterback, Morris has a nice frame at 6-foot-4-inches and 235 pounds.

Though those numbers may not stick out at face value, they do when you consider that he had three scores called back, two rushing and one receiving, all due to penalties. For the season, Drake has an amazing stat of only 19 rushes for 323 yards, four touchdowns, four receptions for 140 yards with three touch-downs. He even took a kick-off for a touchdown. Some Tide fans are waiting for a huge running back’s name to pop up on the radar for next year. If this does not happen, his name will make that wait easier on Alabama by having such a sensational year

Also enjoying

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at running back.

At 6-foot-1-inch, 185 pounds, Casey Bladney, a receiver from Columbia, S.C., is also one of those recruits who is underrated and overlooked. However, his senior season statistics in only three games [25 receptions for 350 yards and six touchdowns] draws attention to this receiver, who even does the punting well, with a 41.3 average. Watch Bladney’s recruitment closely up until Signing Day, as he is listed as a soft verbal.

At 6-foot-4inches and 250 pounds, Reggie Ragland, the line-backer from Bob Jones High School out of Huntsville, Ala., is the Tide’s No. 1 ranked linebacker in the class of 2012. He looks to be the future of Alabama’s linebacking corps.

Racking up, in only two games, 25 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and one receiving touchdown, Ragland is an athlete who can run from sideline to sideline with any running back he plays against. A very instinctive player, Ragland is what Nick Saban would call a “thumper.” The Tide did a great job at securing Ragland’s commit-ment early on in the recruiting race of 2012.

Casey Bladney

News AROUND THE

South Carolina Gamecocks:

The Gamecocks look to give the Florida Gators a run for their money with regards to the SEC East. The two powerhouses don’t matchup until the end of November and a lot can happen in that time frame. While both teams are unde-feated, they both hope to bring home the SEC East title. The Gamecocks are a team to watch for in the SEC championship race.

EAST

Game Day Photos

Women of Touchdown Alabama

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touchdown alabama - 2011 vanderbilt - promotional issue

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touchdown alabama magazine

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