TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Crimson Tide held the second and final full scrimmage of fall camp Saturday afternoon in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The scrimmage lasted more than two hours and included 50 plays of regular game scrimmaging, situational down and distance, red area, goalline, coming out and two-minute.
“The objective of the scrimmage today was to play a little bit like an exhibition game with game-like situations, penalties and substitutions,” said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. “During that part of the scrimmage, I was really pleased with the way our ones played. I thought the intensity and energy was good both ways. If there is one thing I would want to make a big improvement in, it is how our second units compete, play and execute. I think they can be a lot better than they were.”
Senior All-American safety Mark Barron had a big day statistically to lead the defense with six tackles, one interception, one sack, three pass break-ups and a blocked kick. Dont’a Hightower also had six stops (one TFL) while Courtney Upshaw (5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PBU) and C.J. Mosley (5 tackles, 1 PBU) were next on the list of leading tacklers.
The offense got solid production from the ground game as Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy combined for 96 yards on 13 carries, an average of 7.4 yards per rush. Lacy had 57 yards on seven carries with one touchdown while Richardson added 39 yards on seven carries. They both also contributed to the passing game with several catches out of the backfield.
“I thought we ran the ball a little better in this scrimmage,” said Saban. “We made some big plays offensively, which is a good thing. We had better pass protection and a more solid pocket. Several of the explosive plays we made came off of scrambles, which is good. We worked hard to finish plays. I thought we played more physical and that we had better intensity up front. The first offensive line, especially, played a lot better.”
The staff held Brandon Ivory, Arie Koundjio and Dre Kirkpatrick out of the scrimmage due to injuries.
“Dre Kirkpatrick did not scrimmage today because he has a leg injury that is something that is keeping him out,” Saban stated. “When you play that position, if you cannot run as fast as you can run, you are certainly not going to get any better. He has made improvement, but hopefully he will be back Tuesday.”
The Crimson Tide will take Sunday and Monday off from practice before returning to work Tuesday afternoon. Alabama opens the 2011 season on September 3 against Kent State.
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