Leigh Tiffin, Javier Arenas and other football players recognized from Alabama’s SEC West clinching win over LSU courtesy of UA Media Relations:

Tiffin Named Semifinalist for Lou Groza Award
TUSCALOOSA – Alabama senior kicker Leigh Tiffin is one of 20 semifinalists for the 2009 Lou Groza Award, the Palm Beach (Fla.) Sports Commission announced Monday. The Groza Award is presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl to the best kicker in college football.

Tiffin became Alabama’s all-time scoring leader on Saturday against LSU, when the senior converted three field goals and one extra point in the Tide’s 24-15 win. The Muscle Shoals, Ala., native has 347 career points which breaks Phillip Doyle’s previous school record with 345 points accomplished from 1987-90.

Tiffin’s field goals gives him 76 career field goals, second all-time at Alabama, just two shy of the school record held by Doyle (78 from 1987-90).

He has also made 23-of-26 field goal attempts this season, moving him into third on the Alabama single-season field goals list. Tiffin is closing in on his own record of 25 field goals made, a record he set in 2008 when he made 25 of 34 attempts. Philip Doyle is second on the list with 24 (in 29 attempts) in 1990.

Tiffin has scored 95 points this season via field goals or extra-point conversions. That ranks sixth on the Alabama single-season list for kicking points.

A three-time Groza Award Star of Stars winner (Virginia Tech, Mississippi and Tennessee), Tiffin was also named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after converting all four field goal attempts in a 12-10 win over Tennessee on Oct. 24.

ARENAS NAMED SEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Alabama senior cornerback Javier Arenas was named the SEC Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday morning.

Arenas registered seven tackles (four solos), with two for losses (-8 yards) and one quarterback pressure in Alabama’s 24-15 win over LSU on Saturday. The Tide defense held the Tigers to 253 total yards (95 rush/158 pass) and 13 first downs. Alabama held LSU to three-and-out on six of 11 possessions (not including one play to run out clock). Arenas also returned three kickoffs for 78 yards and four punts for 11 yards.

Arenas is now tied for second in the SEC with 10.5 tackles for losses this season and is third on the team with 52 total tackles (34 solos).

Alabama has had at least one player recognized by the league office in eight of its nine games this season, including Mark Ingram (Virginia Tech and South Carolina), Trent Richardson (Florida International and Arkansas), Rolando McClain (Kentucky), William Vlachos (Mississippi), Leigh Tiffin (Tennessee) and Terrence Cody (Tennessee).

COACHING STAFF NAMES PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: The Alabama coaching staff recognized seven players of the week following a 24-15 win over No. 9 LSU. Right tackle Drew Davis and wide receivers Marquis Maze and Julio Jones were selected on the offensive side of the ball while Arenas and Marcell Dareus were the defensive honorees. Tiffin and Jerrell Harris were tabbed for special teams.

Davis helped clear a path for 176 rushing yards, including a game-high 144 by running back Mark Ingram. He also provided time for quarterback Greg McElroy to throw for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Maze and Jones both produced their best games of the season. Jones caught four passes for a season-high 102 yards and a 73-yard touchdown. Maze caught a career-best six passes while matching his career high for yards (88).

Arenas had seven tackles, two for losses (-8) and one quarterback pressure. Dareus registered a career-best with two sacks (-12 yards) and four total tackles.

Tiffin turned in another outstanding day kicking the football. He was 3 for 3 on field goal attempts and his only extra point try. He also averaged 67.7 yards on six kickoffs with two touchbacks. Harris was outstanding on coverage teams with two tackles.

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