Courtesy of UA…Enjoy
Head Coach Nick Saban
“I am really pleased and happy for our football team. We talked about finishing and playing with a purpose and focus on each play and play hard. Our defense did a great job against a really good running back tandem. I thought our offensive line did a great job tonight. We ran the football, which seemed like the right thing to do. We averaged four or five yards per attempt. I thought both running backs did a really nice job. John Parker Wilson did a great job. This is just one game of a long season. We have a lot of improvement [to make] as a team and hopefully we can build on what we did here tonight. .

On John Parker Wilson
“John Parker Wilson did a great job. He gets us in the right formations and gets us in the right plays. He did a nice job throwing the ball tonight and had no turnovers. He made some really good third down throws. I am really pleased and happy with his performance. He showed great leadership tonight.”

Quarterback John Parker Wilson
“We came out and started strong. We’ve talked about finishing and this time we did. The offensive line did a great job and we ran the ball well. Everything just fell into place. If we can run the ball the way we did tonight, we can be pretty good. Our defense did a great job in stopping the run.”
ALABAMA DEFENSE
The Crimson Tide’s young defense had an impressive debut tonight against Clemson’s high-powered offense, holding the Tigers to 0 yards rushing and 188 yards of total offense. Through three quarters, Alabama held Clemson to only two yards rushing and 129 total yards with seven first downs without a touchdown allowed (the Tigers’ only score at that point came on a kickoff return). In the first half, Clemson mounted only three points and 89 total yards (seven rushing, 82 passing). Through three quarters, Alabama had outgained Clemson by a margin of 341 to 129, amassing 185-2 edge in rushing yardage and a 156-127 edge in passing yards.

BALL CONTROL
Alabama controlled the ball for much of the game, a key factor in containing Clemson’s potent attack. Alabama held possession for 41:13 of the game, compared to Clemson’s 18:47, while running 80 plays to Clemson’ 48. In the first half, Alabama held a 21:30 to 8:30 edge in possession time, running 45 plays from scrimmage to Clemson’s 22. Through three quarters, Alabama had a time of possession edge of 32:19 to 12:41 and had run 67 plays from scrimmage to Clemson’s 31.

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SABAN-LED TIDE IMPROVES TO 8-1 WHEN LEADING AT THE HALF
Alabama held a 23-3 halftime lead. With the victory over Clemson , Alabama has a record of 8-1 when leading at the half under head coach Nick Saban. The only loss was a 41-34 loss to LSU last season in Tuscaloosa .

TIFFIN BOOTS CAREER-LONG FIELD GOAL
Junior kicker Leigh Tiffin connected on four of five field goals in the victory over Clemson. He opened the scoring with a career-long 54-yard field goal in the first quarter and extended the Alabama lead to 6-0 midway through the period with a 21-yard field goal, and capped the first half with a 34-yard field goal for a 23-3 Tide lead. He added a 26-yarder in the fourth period to give the Tide a 34-10 lead. With those successful attempts, Tiffin has made 23 of his last 28 field goal attempts dating back to the Georgia game last year. His 54-yarder ranks third in Alabama history, exceeded only by a 57-yarder by his father, Van Tiffin, against Texas A&M in 1985 and a 55-yarder by Ryan Pflugner against Arkansas in 1998. Pflugner’s kick joins Leigh Tiffin’s as the longest made field goals in Tide history kicking without the benefit of a kicking tee.

WILSON SETS CAREER COMPLETIONS MARK; SCORES ON SNEAK FOR 13-0 LEAD
Senior quarterback John Parker Wilson surpassed the Alabama career pass completions mark in the second quarter tonight, with a 5-yard pass to tight end Nick Walker. Wilson completed 22 of 30 passes for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns without an interception in tonight’s game. The completions move his career total to 500, exceeding the previous Tide record of 488 set by Brodie Croyle (2002-05). Wilson also surpassed the Alabama career pass attempts mark with 882, exceeding Croyle’s 869. Wilson extended Alabama ’s early lead to 13-0 with a 1-yard touchdown sneak with 2:51 left in the first quarter. The touchdown run was the seventh rushing TD of his career and his 44th touchdown responsible for in his career (7 rushing, 37 passing).

WALKER SETS CAREER SINGLE-GAME HIGH FOR CATCHES – IN FIRST HALF
Senior tight end Nick Walker set a career-high for catches in a game in tonight’s first half with six catches for 55 yards and one touchdown. He finished the game with a game-high 7 catches for 67 yards and one touchdown. Walker’s four-yard touchdown catch with 6:01 left in the second quarter was his fifth catch of the game and gave the Tide a 20-3 lead over Clemson. Walker caught four passes for 35 yards on that drive, including a 21-yard catch on a third-and-1 play to the Clemson 25. Walker caught five passes (for 40 yards) against Western Carolina last year. Walker ’s yardage eclipsed his previous single-game high of 46 yards against Ole Miss in 2005.

JULIO JONES HAS SOLID DEBUT
Highly touted true freshman wide receiver Julio Jones caught 4 passes for 28 yards, highlighted by a 4-yard touchdown catch of a John Parker Wilson pass to give Alabama a 31-10 lead with 4:08 left in the third quarter. Jones’s catch capped a 14-play, 67-yard drive that consumed 6:52 of the clock to give the Tide the 21-point lead.

TIDE SCORES ON OPENING POSSESSION
Alabama scored on its first possession against Clemson as Leigh Tiffin connected on a 54-yard field goal for a 3-0 Alabama lead, marking the third consecutive season opener in which the Tide has taken the opening possession to a score. Last year, running back Terry Grant scored on a 47-yard run on the game’s first play. In 2006, Alabama scored on a field goal by Leigh Tiffin against Hawaii . In 14 games under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has scored on its first possession 10 times (4 touchdowns, 6 field goals).

FIRST-TIME PLAYERS
Twelve players made their Alabama debuts in this game: true freshman Julio Jones (WR), true freshman Mark Ingram (RB), true freshman B.J. Scott (WR), redshirt freshman Marquis Maze (WR), true freshman Chris Jackson (WR), true freshman Dont’a Hightower (LB), true freshman Chris Jordan (LB), junior transfer Terrence Cody (DT), true freshman Mark Barron (DB), redshirt freshman Chris Underwood (TE), true freshman Marcel Dareus (DL) and true freshman Robby Green (DB).

TWO TRUE FRESHMEN START SEASON OPENER
True freshman wide receiver Julio Jones started the Clemson game at kickoff return and wide receiver, becoming only the 10th true freshman to start in a season opener since freshmen regained their eligibility from the NCAA in 1972. Last year a pair of true freshmen, mike linebacker Rolando McClain and cornerback Kareem Jackson, started the season opener. In 1999, Alabama started freshman left tackle Dante Ellington and linebacker Saleem Rasheed in its 28-17 win at Vanderbilt. Alabama has started at least one true freshman in the season opener in each of the last three seasons as left tackle Andre Smith started his first game at Alabama in the 2006 season opener against Hawaii .

TRUE FRESHMEN TO START A SEASON OPENER
Player, Pos. Year
Julio Jones, WR/KR 2008
Dont’a Hightower, LB 2008
Rolando McClain, LB 2007
Kareem Jackson, DB 2007
Andre Smith, LT 2006
Tim Castille, FB 2003
Dante Ellington, RT 1999
Saleem Rasheed, LB 1999
Terry Jones, Jr., TE 1998
Jon Stevenson, RT 1991

TONIGHT’S CAPTAINS
Alabama’s game captains against Clemson were senior quarterback John Parker Wilson, senior center Antoine Caldwell and senior safety Rashad Johnson.

ALABAMA-CLEMSON SERIES
With the victory, Alabama leads the series with Clemson, 12-3. This game was the first meeting between the two schools since the Crimson Tide posted a 56-0 win over the Tigers on Sept. 20, 1975, at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa . Alabama has won the last 12 meetings, including its first series win on Oct. 16, 1909 at the Birmingham Fairgrounds with UA winning, 3-0.

ALABAMA IMPROVES TO 77-33-1 VS. ACC
With the victory, Alabama improves to 77-33-1 (.698) against the current ACC field. The Crimson Tide’s record against the ACC field includes Boston College (1-3), Clemson (12-3), Duke (2-1), Florida State (2-1-1), Georgia Tech (28-21-3), Maryland (2-1), Miami, Fla. (14-3), North Carolina (1-0), North Carolina State (5-0) and Virginia Tech (0-1) … Alabama has never faced Virginia or Wake Forest in football.

SABAN IMPROVES TO 3-2 VS. ACC
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 3-2 (.600) in his career against ACC teams … In addition to the win over Clemson, Saban has posted wins against Boston College (1995) and Georgia Tech (2000) and suffered losses to Virginia Tech (2002) and Florida State (2007). He is 1-1 against ACC teams at Alabama , including last year’s 21-14 loss to the Seminoles in Jacksonville , Fla.

ALABAMA 90-21-3 IN SEASON OPENERS
Alabama has compiled an 90-21-3 all-time record in season openers, including a seven-game winning streak. Dating back to the 1977 season, Alabama is 28-4 in its last 32 season openers. The Tide has posted a 16-2 opening day record since 1991.

SABAN IS 10-3 IN SEASON OPENERS
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 10-3 in his collegiate season openers after the win over Clemson. He led Alabama to a 52-6 win over Western Carolina on Sept. 1, 2007 in his inaugural game with the Crimson Tide. Saban won his very first collegiate game on Sept. 8, 1990 as he led Toledo to a 20-14 win over Miami ( Ohio ). Saban was 3-2 in season openers at Michigan State and was 4-1 in season openers at LSU.

DOME SWEET DOME
With the win over Clemson , Alabama is 8-3-1 (.708) all-time in domed stadiums. The Clemson game was Alabama ’s first appearance in a domed stadium since handing No. 5 Florida a 34-7 loss in the 1999 SEC Championship Game on Dec. 4, 1999, at the Georgia Dome. UA is 1-2 (.333) in its three SEC Championship game appearances at the Georgia Dome. In addition, Alabama is 6-1 (.857) in games played at the Louisiana Superdome, including a 5-1 (.833) mark in Sugar Bowl games. Alabama beat Penn State , 13-6, in the first Sugar Bowl game played in the Superdome on Dec. 31, 1975. The Crimson Tide also tied Oklahoma in the 1970 Bluebonnett Bowl inside the Astrodome in Houston .

TIDE IMPROVES TO 28-27-3 IN GAMES IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA
Alabama is 28-27-3 (.509) all-time in games played in the state of Georgia . The Crimson Tide owns a 16-15-3 (.514) record in the city of Atlanta and has won six of its eight games in Atlanta .

NEUTRAL SITES
Alabama is 63-44-4 (.585) in neutral site games. The list includes all Alabama-Auburn games not played on campus, including Legion Field from 1948-88.

NEXT GAME
Alabama opens the home portion of its 2008 football schedule on Saturday, Sept. 6, against the Tulane Green Wave. The game will be televised on a pay-per-view basis beginning at 6 p.m. (CDT).

26 thoughts on “Alabama-Clemson Game Notes”

  1. Kevin Says…..
    “UAT will lose on Saturday night. Afterwards, you will all have to pick up the pieces of your shattered delusions and move on.”

    War Eagle Says:
    August 28th, 2008 at 9:34 am
    “No way that Bama’s defense stays on the field with Clemson’s offense”

    SHANE’S PAIN Says:
    August 28th, 2008 at 9:44 am
    “TIGERS 30 – ESCALADES 6”

    Ballplay Indian Says:
    August 28th, 2008 at 9:47 am
    “The game diference will lie in Bamas front seven , for sure….In particular , their linebackers. If they commit soley to stopping the run,(wich may be necessary) Cullen Harper has a field day with screens and short passes. Clemson is gonna score”

    I really dont think you realise the lack of talent at Bama….This will be the least amount of talent that youve had in 15 years….The freshman WILL NOT be a factor yet

    Clemson 31 – Bama 23

    OMNIPRESENT Says:
    August 28th, 2008 at 10:54 am
    “clemson by 6 to 8 points and thats if your defense happens to step up if not they win by 17”

    danny Says:
    August 28th, 2008 at 11:18 am
    Shane, I actually thought that was your best article then comes the prediction.I know your a homer but a ten point win,come on now. Clemson 31-Bama 27

    ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES…..

    Shanes Pain sez:
    “I can’t wait until Bama gets the Crapstone beaten out of them this weekend. Then I can come on here Monday and see all the excuses that you goobers come up with as to why…….”

    sixdownnow7 Says:
    August 28th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
    Just don’t embarrass the SEC Bama. Different day, same Jessica Parker Wilson. Tigers 23- Julie “O” U 17.

    TONYtheTIGER Says:
    August 29th, 2008 at 10:51 am
    BAMA HAS NO SHOT. THEIR DEFENSE WILL BE RAN OUT OF THE DOME. LITERALLY.

    CLEMPSON – 38
    BAMA – 6

    Man up… our puck out and change the screen names……again….

  2. Great post, tmc…you won’t see ANY of those barntards around here anytime soon!! Just want to add one you omitted…that Shaneisablogger dude with his Clemson 44 – scum 6 crap for the last month…he needs to get his due as well!!!

  3. lol @ the barnies!! looks like that young and inexperienced d did an okay job if you ask me. not allowing clemson to score one offensive touchdown only goes to show the masters of delusion down on wire road are living up to their reputation.

    Count this as my signature:

  4. UMMMMM NOOO!!! I expect those guys to post(if they dont?)I AM Great Game and I Like 80% of the reat of the country was wrong BUT I STILL LOVE SEC FOOTBALL and GREAT GAME >>>…………NOW wheres the BAMMAS who said POLYTECH WOULD LOSE cmon give that up…..

  5. Okay, that’s it! It’s official, all of the so-called Alabama Tech fans are just ONE person. You do a nice job at disguising the grammar and spelling trying to mislead others, but only a true moron (such as yourself) would actually buy it. At least use the same username instead of 20 like the webcam girls do on myspace.

    As for my predictions:

    LAMO: 21
    Alabama Tech: 17

  6. the first one was i hate gw up there
    ANNNNNDDD

    Bama Fan in NYC Says:
    August 27th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
    The Alabama PolyTECHnic Institute 7

    The Alabama PolyTECHnic Institutes’ New Daddy, Louisiana-Monroe 34

  7. Just face it, Bama is amazing! You are all just too slow to realize that we are back this year and better than ever and we are going to kick all of yall’s teams asses!

  8. shane’s pain…did you enjoy watching alabama…oh, what was it.. “get the crapstone beat out of them”? i think that was it. hahahahha…fucking moron…
    🙂 roll tide 🙂

  9. that aboy OMNI thats right clemson was overranked tide looks like they did last year.i don’t rememeber seeing any thunder and lighting running up and down field tho.dam you aubies.i don’t give a dam what you backwoods SOB THINK.THE TIDE IS BACK SO FEAR THAT. ROLL]]]]]]]]]TIDE

  10. I am sure that CTT had one of his classy “6 in a row type” remarks lined up in his bullshit gun for Alabama. Unfortunatley the famed spread never got off the ground. Wow…85 yards passing against LaMo. After all the extra practice, the secrecy of the lineups and QBs, the ruse of changing up the QBs every series.. etc..etc..etc…It would have to be embarrassing to put that much effort into a victory and New offense and see Bama score just as many points against A TOP TEN TEAM. Hang your head and Bow Down Aubbos. Once again you have promised the moon, and delivered some fat ugly plummers ass instead…….

  11. WOW WHAT LOSERS .IT’S GOT TO SUCK TO BE A AUBIE FAN WITH THAT SHOWING.HOOVER HIGH LOOKED A LOT BETTER.MAYBE AUBIES MIGHT WANT TO PRATICE WITH HOOVER.F. LOSERS GOOD FOR THE AUBIES HOPE YALL LOSE EVERY DAM GAME.BET TUBBERNECK IS REALLY PROUD OF THAT SHOWING WITH HIS DUMB AZZZ GRIN.

  12. Can you believe the barners…….there on the way back to the shed where the fossils of past barner teams set up home. Still sounding like the wannabes they are. The barners KnoW alot about obscurity. The tide’s rising and the pussycats are runnin from the water.

    ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!

  13. think you tiderinsider. some of you bammers are idiots. yall have completely forgot that yall couldnt do anything against thishigh school team last year we put 34 points on them yall put 7 and lost to them last year. this team came in and defended the pass but we do know how to run.some 300 plus yards on the ground. alot of people said we were going away from the run. i dont think you have to worry about that. you cant defend both the run and the pass lamo also runs some type of spread so they know how to defend it. all i have to say is preseason ranking dont mean a thing. yall just wait till yall start playing in the rest of the sec.

  14. That’s why you won’t hear me trash talking until I see what Alabama and The Alabama PolyTECHnic Institute is really made of.

  15. tmac is just giving them a dose of their own medicine. They deserve it for coming here everyday swearing Clemson was gonna punish us.
    Now they lost what little credibility they as unbiased fans had.

  16. Well guys, to me the most pitiful part of this is that the Chicken Bowl last year was The “Spread Eagle”‘s signature win.
    The big coming out party for Tony Franklin and the “spread”. 3 points in over time. Woohoo.
    I have heard it over and over and over what a great EPIC win that was in the history of War Tiger football, And how Clemson was going to beat Bama down. Well guess what, It didnt happen that way. Once again the Auburn faithful have proven as long as there is a rigged game on the midway in need of gap tooth yokels to shear like sheep they will line up and spend evey penny of the monthly allotment check they are drawing from the government.
    That is because they are suckers.

    By the way, I read on the CR that Auburn would be reverting back to the “3 yards and a cloud of dust spread” I cant remember who wrote it but they hit the nail on the head with that prediction.

  17. I can agree with you. We heard more hype surrounding the new spread offense than we heard after Nick Saban signed with Alabama. And not one Aubum gave us the benefit of the doubt against Clemson.

    Man… I’m still in disbelief. It’s like I was watching Coach Stallings’ team perform for the first time since the mid-90’s.

  18. What does it say about the ACC when a middle tier team of the SEC beats the preseason ACC champion? ACC is baddddddd.

  19. Tmc1…..You were right. I was wrong. About this game anyway. You called it on there o-line. I never thought in a trilion years a brand new D-line could come in and play. But yours did. You must admit that this in the exception to the rule. Congrats on the win.

    Also…..Please keep the bile spewing. I wouldnt have it any other way.

    And please keep thinking your “back”. Nothing is better than whipping a “back” bamas ass. Remember 05 ?

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