(via UA)
TUSCALOOSA — The University of Alabama football team began preparations for Saturday’s game with Kentucky on Monday afternoon with a two-hour practice in helmets and shoulders pads at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban talked about another challenging Southeastern Conference game on Saturday against another undefeated team that ranks first nationally in scoring defense and kickoff returns.
“They are maybe the best defensive team in the country,†Saban at his weekly press conference on Monday. “They are certainly first in scoring defense. They have a lot of guys back from last year’s team. They are physical, they play with toughness, and they make good sound adjustments in what they do. Obviously giving up five points a game they are hard to score on which makes you a good defensive team.
“Offensively they have done a nice job controlling the ball. Their new quarterback, (Mike) Hartline has done a good job of managing the offense, keeping them in the right place and have them doing the right things. Their offensive line is good. They have been able to run the ball effectively against everybody they have played against. They have shown the capabilities of beating good teams in beating LSU when they were No. 1 last year.
“They are very good on special teams. (Dicky) Lyons is a good punt returner and is their leading receiver and they lead the conference in kickoff returns. This is going to be a challenging game for us. It is no different than the game we just played relative to maintaining intensity in terms of your mental energy, not only in how you play the game but how you prepare to play the game and get ready to play the game.â€
Alabama and Kentucky will meet this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be televised nationally by CBS Sports.
CALDWELL AND WILSON RECOGNIZED: Alabama senior center Antoine Caldwell and senior quarterback John Parker Wilson are among the 30 Division I players that make up the preliminary list for the 2008 Lowe’s Senior Class Award for NCAA football teams.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages those leaders to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact on their circle of influence. This prestigious awards program was launched during the 2001-02 basketball season, added six additional sports in 2007, and has now expanded this year to include NCAA football.
Alabama, Georgia Tech and Ohio State are the only Division I programs will multiple candidates.
These 30 student-athletes will be narrowed down to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will then be placed on the official ballot. The ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select the candidate that best exemplifies excellence in the “Four C’s†of Classroom, Character, Community and Competition.
The overall winner of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for football will be announced during a 2008-09 post-season college football event.
INJURY UPDATE: Coach Saban said that junior wide receiver Mike McCoy (hamstring) and sophomore tight end Preston Dial (knee) did not practice on Monday and that both players were questionable for Saturday’s game against Kentucky .
11 thoughts on “Alabama begins practice for Kentucky”
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BOY papa nick sure is blowing kisses to kentucky defense.that a boy papa set them up for the kill.ballplay don’t you wish aubbie had a coach like papa nick?well it looks like another ark game.BAMA 38 10 GOD BLESS ROLLLLLL”””””TIDE
Work hard, you guys-even harder than you did against UGA.
JW…….Are you the doosher that called finebauam saying “Paul ,,,I just had a scary thought went through my mind while I was watchin tha Tahd whoopin up on Jawja Satdy night”…… “That Ol Saban is betta dan Da Bahr”…..
In short jw……Sabans a good coach….But he couldnt hold Bahrs jock… And no…..I would rather have Bowden back, than have a former bammer coach…..
Is that clear ?
NEVER said he was better than THE GREATEST FOOTBALL COACH OF ALL TIME.WHAT i said was the best coach in the nation right now is MR.SABIN.And by the way ball play i’ve never called you a doosher.OK?JUST DOING a little ribbing with you but i do not get in to name calling WITH ANY ONE.GOD BLESS ROLL”””””””TIDEEEEEEEEEE
AND NO I DID NOT CALL FINEBAUAM.
Ballplay, you ain’t nobody’s daddy on here like Ala is Aub’s daddy. . . is that clear?
JW…..You would have only been a doosher if you had called. Sorry For insinuating that you MAY be a doosher. Your right , other than being a little delusional, your quite respectful. But a bammer seriously did say that on the show.
Bamaman………Tubss owns bammer at AU..There is no arguing that FACT. FACTS speak for themselves. The streak will eventually end. But until it does….Whos your daddy? Tubbs is yo daddy. End of discussion.
Ballplay, Tubs don’t own nothin but one SEC in his pathetic fourteen years, please don’t compare Tubs to our two SEC’s and a NC coach in less than half that time. End of discussion.
Bamaman…..Tubbs is 7-2 vs bammer at AU….That is ownage my friend…..End of discussion, at least until my next rebuttal………
Ballplay: Auburn is 7-2 against Bama. You are so right there. But Auburn isn’t exactly in a league of its own there. Look at LSUs record, Tennessees record, Miss ST has 2 in a row on them too. But Bama still has a winning record overall. Heck Vandy has owned Auburn with a better record. Is Vandy Auburns daddy?
You have to agree that Bama is taking things to a another level from where they were last year. Is Auburn really making that extra jump yet? It must be disappointing every year to beat a bad Bama team every year, and regularly beat a team that goes on to play for a NC.
I guess beating your chest over the Bama streak is really all that keeps you guys going.
Ballplay, like I have said before, until you can break any of our records in this case the most wins, Bama be yo’ daddy, end of discussion.