Game Notes: Alabama defeats Georgia State 63-7

FINAL POST-GAME NOTES – ALABAMA 63, GEORGIA STATE 7 (courtesy of UA Media Relations)

In a rare Thursday night game for Alabama, the No. 10 ranked Crimson Tide beat Georgia State Panthers 63-7 in front of a sold-out crowd of 101,821. The Tide offense racked up 478 total yards (262 rushing, 216 passing) while the defense forced five turnovers, resulting in 35 Alabama points. Seven different Crimson Tide players scored touchdowns, led by junior wide receiver Julio Jones, who finished with two scores on the night to go along with seven catches for 86 yards.

Senior quarterback Greg McElroy finished a near perfect 12-of-13 for 159 yards and two touchdowns, while junior running back Mark Ingram totaled 102 yards of offense (86 rushing on 12 carries, 16 receiving on one reception) and a score in one half of work. The Alabama defense did not allow a touchdown at home for the fourth time this year. The Tide closes out the regular season next Friday at 1:30 p.m. against No. 2 Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

HOME WINNING STREAK: With the victory over Georgia State, Alabama has now won 20 consecutive games at Bryant-Denny Stadium dating back to the home opener against Tulane in 2008. It is tied for the second-longest streak in school history at Bryant-Denny Stadium, originally set from Nov. 1, 1941, to Nov. 11, 1950. The longest winning streak at Bryant-Denny Stadium is 57 games from Oct. 26, 1963, to Nov. 13, 1982. During the current streak, the Crimson Tide is 11-0 against SEC competition, 9-0 against non-conference opponents and 5-0 against top 25 teams.

Longest Winning Streaks at Bryant-Denny Stadium
57 Oct. 26, 1963 – Nov. 13, 1982
20 Nov. 1, 1941 – Nov. 11, 1950
20 Sept. 6, 2008 – Present
18 Sept. 28, 1929 – Sept. 28, 1935
16 Nov. 23, 1957 – Oct. 12, 1963
16 Nov. 9, 1935 – Oct. 12, 1940

SCORING DEFENSE: Alabama has been extremely stingy at home this season, allowing just 19 first half points in six home contests and just 39 points overall in Bryant-Denny Stadium this season.

63 POINTS: Alabama’s 63 points scored against Georgia State ranks among the highest single-game scoring outputs in Crimson Tide history and is the most points scored by Alabama since a 66-3 victory over Vanderbilt on Sept. 29, 1979.

Points Opponent Score Date
110 Marion Military 110-0 Sept. 30, 1922
95 Bryson (Tenn.) 95-0 Oct. 15, 1921
89 Delta State 89-0 Sept. 21, 1951
77 Virginia Tech 77-6 Oct. 27, 1973
66 at Vanderbilt 66-3 Sept. 29, 1979
66 California 66-0 Sept. 15, 1973
66 Richmond 66-0 Nov. 11, 1961
63 Southern Mississippi 63-14 Sept. 27, 1969
63 Georgia State 63-7 Nov. 18, 2010

NATIONAL INTERCEPTIONS LEADER: With four interceptions against Georgia State, the Crimson Tide has moved into the national lead with 21 interceptions on the season. That total moves Alabama into the conference lead ahead of Florida. Alabama also moved ahead of Florida, Ohio State, Tulsa and Boston College for the national lead. Alabama finished second nationally with 24 interceptions last season (one behind Texas) and managed 14 interceptions during the 2008 season.

ALABAMA’S MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN A SEASON
25……………. 1979

24……………. 1968

24 ………….. 1966

24……………. 1952

22……………. 1992

22……………. 1962

21……………. 1981

21………. 2010

20……………. 1991

20……………. 1987

20……………. 1973

20……………. 1971

20……………. 1966

20……………. 1959

20……………. 1954

20……………. 1950

MOSLEY WITH ANOTHER PICK 6: True freshman linebacker C.J. Mosley intercepted a Georgia State pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown to give Alabama a 21-0 lead in the second quarter, Mosley’s second interception return for a touchdown this season. He also took an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter against Florida to give Alabama a 31-6 lead over the Gators.

INTERCEPTION RETURNS FOR TOUCHDOWN – SEASON
2 C.J. Mosley 2010
2 Rashad Johnson 2008
2 Cedric Samuel 1995
2 Antonio Langham 1992
2 Bobby Johns 1966
2 Hootie Ingram 1952
1 By many, last by Marcell Dareus 2009

INTERCEPTION RETURNS FOR TOUCHDOWN – CAREER
3 Antonio Langham 1990-93
2 C.J. Mosley 2010
2 Rashad Johnson 2005-08
2 Charlie Peprah 2002-05
2 Reggie Myles 1998-2001
2 Steve Higginbotham 1969-71
2 Bobby Johns 1965-67
2 Hootie Ingram 1952-54

BLOCKED PUNT FOR A TOUCHDOWN: Brandon Gibson’s return of a blocked punt by Chavis Williams gave Alabama a 35-0 lead in the second quarter. That touchdown marked the first blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Alabama since Chris Rogers returned a punt blocked by Roy Upchurch 17 yards for a score against Tulane on September 6, 2008. Prior to that, Alabama’s last blocked punt came on September 26, 2009 against Arkansas (Lorenzo Washington).

McELROY SETS ACCURACY RECORD: Senior quarterback Greg McElroy exited the game with 6:46 left in the second quarter and Alabama leading, 35-0, but not before setting a single-game Alabama record for completion percentage. McElroy completed 12 of 13 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. That set a completion percentage of 92.3 percent, the Alabama record for highest completion percentage in a game with a minimum of 10 completions.

HIGHEST COMPLETION PERCENTAGE – GAME
(Minimum 10 Completions)
92.3% Greg McElroy vs. Georgia State (12 of 13) Nov. 18, 2010
86.7% Greg McElroy vs. North Texas (13 of 15) Sept. 19, 2009
86.7% Walter Lewis vs. Mississippi (13 of 15) Sept. 17, 1983
86.7% Danny Woodson at Vanderbilt (13 of 15) Sept. 28, 1991
84.6% Harry Gilmer vs. Georgia Tech (11 of 13) Nov. 15, 1947

(Minimum 15 Completions)
84.2% Ken Stabler at Mississippi (16 of 19) Oct. 1, 1966
81.8% Andrew Zow vs. Mississippi (18 of 22) Oct. 14, 2000
80.0% John Parker Wilson at Arkansas (16 of 20) Sept. 23, 2006

(Minimum 20 Completions)
80.0% Tyler Watts at South Carolina (20 of 25) Sept. 39, 2001
76.5% Jay Barker vs. Georgia (26 of 34) Oct. 1, 1994
75.9% Andrew Zow vs. Auburn (22 of 29) Nov. 18, 2000
75.9% Scott Hunter vs. Mississippi (22 of 29) Oct. 4, 1969

(Minimum 30 Completions)
79.4% Greg McElroy at South Carolina (27 of 34) Oct. 9, 2010
69.6% Gary Hollingsworth vs. Tennessee (32 of 46) Oct. 21, 1989
69.6% John Parker Wilson vs. Tennessee (32 of 46) Oct. 20, 2007
54.5% Scott Hunter vs. Auburn (30 of 55) Nov. 29, 1969

JONES CLOSING IN ON RECORD: With 7 catches for 86 yards against Georgia State, Julio Jones has 65 catches for 885 yards this season. That is tied for second for catches in a season and ranks Jones fifth in receiving yards in a season.

RECEPTIONS – SEASON
67 DJ Hall (1,005 yards) 2007
65 Freddie Milons (733 yards) 1999
65 Julio Jones (885 yards) 2010
62 DJ Hall (1,056 yards) 2006
61 David Palmer (1,000 yards) 1993
58 Julio Jones (924 yards) 2008

RECEIVING YARDS – SEASON
1,056 DJ Hall (62 catches) 2006
1,005 DJ Hall (67 catches) 2007
1,000 David Palmer (61 catches) 1993
924 Julio Jones (58 catches) 2008
885 Julio Jones (65 catches) 2010
820 Dennis Homan (54 catches) 1967
804 Ozzie Newsome (36 catches) 1977
790 David Bailey (55 catches) 1970

JONES MOVES INTO TOP 10 FOR CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS: Jones’ two touchdown catches (a career best) gave him 14 in his Alabama career. That ties Jones for fifth place on the Alabama career touchdown receptions list with Al Lary (1948-50).

TOUCHDOWN CATCHES – CAREER
18 Dennis Homan…………………………………………………………………………………… 1965-67
17 DJ Hall…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2004-07
16 Ozzie Newsome…………………………………………………………………………………. 1974-77
15 Joey Jones…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1980-83
14 Al Lary……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1948-50
14 Julio Jones…………………………………………………… 2008-present
13 David Bailey………………………………………………………………………………………… 1969-71
13 Keith Brown……………………………………………………………………………………….. 2004-07
11 Wayne Wheeler……………………………………………………………………………….. 1971-73
11 Jesse Bendross………………………………………………………………………………….. 1980-83
11 Al Bell……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1985-86
11 David Palmer……………………………………………………………………………………… 1991-93
11 Curtis Brown………………………………………………………………………………………. 1991-95
11 Toderick Malone………………………………………………………………………………. 1993-95

INGRAM SCORES 43RD TOUCHDOWN: Junior running back Mark Ingram scored on a 1-yard run with 3:55 left in the first quarter to give Alabama a 14-0 lead. That touchdown was the 43rd touchdown of Ingram’s Alabama career and his 39th rushing touchdown. Ingram ranks third in career touchdowns and is second in career rushing touchdowns at Alabama.

TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS – CAREER
52 Harry Gilmer (2 PR, 1 KOR, 1 IR, 19 rush, 29 pass) 1944-47
50 Shaun Alexander (41 rush, 8 rec., 1 KOR)………………… 1996-99
43 John Parker Wilson (37 pass, 6 rush)……………………………. 2005-07
43 Mark Ingram (39 rush, 4 rec.)…………………. 2008-present
42 Walter Lewis (13 rush, 29 pass)……………………………………….. 1980-83
41 Jeff Rutledge (11 rush, 30 pass)……………………………………….. 1975-78
40 Joe Namath (15 rush, 25 pass)………………………………………….. 1962-64
40 Johnny Musso (34 rush, 4 rec., 2 pass)………………………… 1969-71
40 Bobby Humphrey (33 rush, 7 rec.)…………………………………. 1985-88
39 Andrew Zow (35 pass, 4 rush)…………………………………….. 1998-2001
37 Mike Shula (35 pass, 2 rush)………………………………………………. 1983-86

RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS – CAREER
41 Shaun Alexander…………………………………………………………………………….. 1996-99
39 Mark Ingram……………………………………………….. 2008-present
34 Johnny Musso……………………………………………………………………………………. 1969-71
33 Bobby Humphrey……………………………………………………………………………. 1985-88
29 Tony Nathan ……………………………………………………………………………………… 1975-78
27 Sherman Williams…………………………………………………………………………… 1991-94
26 Bobby Marlow…………………………………………………………………………………… 1950-52

McELROY’S 36th CAREER TD PASS: Senior quarterback Greg McElroy threw two touchdown passes against Georgia State, giving him 36 touchdown passes in his Alabama career, ranking McElroy third on the UA career touchdown passes list. He has 17 touchdown passes in the 2010 season, ranking in a tie for second on the Alabama single-season touchdown passes list with John Parker Wilson (2006) and his own mark last year.

TOUCHDOWN PASSES – CAREER
47 John Parker Wilson………………………………………………………………………….. 2005-08
41 Brodie Croyle……………………………………………………………………………………….. 2002-05
36 Greg McElroy……………………………………………….. 2007-present
35 Andrew Zow…………………………………………………………………………………… 1998-2001

35 Mike Shula…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1983-86

TOUCHDOWN PASSES – SEASON
18 John Parker Wilson………………………………………………………………………………….. 2007
17 John Parker Wilson………………………………………………………………………………….. 2006
17 Greg McElroy……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2009
17 Greg McElroy…………………………………………………………….. 2010
16 Mike Shula…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1985
16 Brodie Croyle……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2003
14 Brodie Croyle……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2005
14 Walter Lewis………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1983
14 Gary Hollingsworth………………………………………………………………………………….. 1989
14 Jay Barker………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1994
14 Freddie Kitchens……………………………………………………………………………………….. 1996

McELROY ON CAREER LISTS: McElroy ranks high on several individual season and career lists at Alabama through tonight’s game. A summary follows:
PASS ATTEMPTS – SEASON
462 John Parker Wilson (255 comp., 2,846 yards)…………………… 2007
379 John Parker Wilson (216 comp., 2,707 yards)…………………… 2006
341 Brodie Croyle (182 comp., 2,303 yards)………………………………… 2003
339 Brodie Croyle (202 comp., 2,499 yards)………………………………… 2005
339 Gary Hollingsworth (205 comp., 2,379 yards)……………………. 1989
325 Greg McElroy (198 comp., 2,507 yards)………………….. 2009
302 Freddie Kitchens (162 comp., 2,124 yards)………………………… 1996
282 Gary Hollingsworth (140 comp., 1,462 yards)……………………. 1990
266 Scott Hunter (157 comp., 2,188 yards)…………………………………… 1969
264 Andrew Zow (148 comp., 1,799 yards)………………………………….. 1999

PASS ATTEMPTS – CAREER
1,175 John Parker Wilson (665 comp., 7,924 yards)…….. 2005-08
869 Brodie Croyle (488 comp., 6,382 yards)………………….. 2002-05
852 Andrew Zow (459 comp., 5,983 yards)……………… 1998-2001
706 Jay Barker (402 comp., 5,689 yards)…………………………. 1991-94
680 Freddie Kitchens (343 comp., 4,668 yards)………….. 1993-97
672 Scott Hunter (382 comp., 4,899 yards)…………………….. 1968-70
621 Gary Hollingsworth (345 comp., 3,842 yards)……… 1989-90
591 Greg McElroy (384 comp., 4,935 yards)….. 2007-present
578 Mike Shula (313 comp., 4,069 yards)………………………… 1983-86
504 Walter Lewis (286 comp., 4,257 yards)……………………. 1980-83
494 Tyler Watts (284 comp., 3,540 yards)………………… 1999-2002

PASS COMPLETIONS – SEASON
255 John Parker Wilson (462 att., 2,846 yards)…………………………. 2007
216 John Parker Wilson (379 att., 2,707 yards)…………………………. 2006
205 Gary Hollingsworth (339 att., 2,379 yards)………………………….. 1989
202 Brodie Croyle (339 att., 2,499 yards)………………………………………. 2005
198 Greg McElroy (325 att., 2,507 yards)………………………. 2009
187 John Parker Wilson (323 att., 2,273 yards)…………………………. 2008
182 Brodie Croyle (341 att., 2,303 yards)………………………………………. 2003
182 Greg McElroy (259 att., 2,490 yards)………………………. 2010
157 Scott Hunter (266 att., 2,188 yards)…………………………………………. 1969
152 Freddie Kitchens (302 att., 2,124 yards)………………………………. 1996
148 Andrew Zow (264 att., 1,799 yards)………………………………………… 1999

PASS COMPLETIONS – CAREER
488 Brodie Croyle (869 att., 6,382 yards)………………………………. 2002-05
478 John Parker Wilson (820 att., 5,651 yards)…………………. 2005-07
459 Andrew Zow (852 att., 5,983 yards)………………………….. 1998-2001
402 Jay Barker (706 att., 5,689 yards)……………………………………… 1991-94
396 Greg McElroy (604 att., 5,094 yards)…………. 2007-present
382 Scott Hunter (672 att., 4,899 yards)…………………………………. 1968-70
345 Gary Hollingsworth (621 att., 3,842 yards)………………….. 1989-90
343 Freddie Kitchens (680 att., 4,668 yards)………………………. 1993-97
313 Mike Shula (578 att., 4,069 yards)…………………………………….. 1983-86
286 Walter Lewis (504 att., 4,257 yards)………………………………… 1980-83

HIGHEST COMPLETION PERCENTAGE – CAREER
(Minimum 200 Completions)
65.5% Greg McElroy (396 of 604)…………………… 2007-present
57.5% Tyler Watts (284 of 494)…………………………………………… 1999-2002
56.9% Jay Barker (402 of 706)……………………………………………………. 1991-94
56.8% Scott Hunter (382 of 672)……………………………………………….. 1968-70
56.6% Walter Lewis (286 of 504)………………………………………………. 1980-83
56.6% John Parker Wilson (665 of 1,175)…………………………… 2005-08

YARDS PASSING – SEASON
2,846 John Parker Wilson (255 of 372)……………………………………….. 2007
2,707 John Parker Wilson (216 of 379)……………………………………….. 2006
2,499 Brodie Croyle (202 of 339)…………………………………………………….. 2005
2,507 Greg McElroy (198 of 325)………………………………… 2009
2,490 Greg McElroy (182 of 259)………………………………… 2010
2,379 Gary Hollingsworth (205 of 339)………………………………………… 1989
2,303 Brodie Croyle (182 of 341)…………………………………………………….. 2003
2,188 Scott Hunter (157 of 266)……………………………………………………….. 1969
2,124 Freddie Kitchens (152 of 302)…………………………………………….. 1996
2,009 Mike Shula (138 of 229)…………………………………………………………… 1985

YARDS PASSING – CAREER
7,924 John Parker Wilson (665 of 1,175)…………………………… 2005-08
6,382 Brodie Croyle (488 of 869)…………………………………………….. 2002-05
5,983 Andrew Zow (459 of 852)………………………………………………. 1998-01
5,689 Jay Barker (402 of 706)……………………………………………………. 1991-94
5,094 Greg McElroy (396 of 603)…………………… 2007-present
4,899 Scott Hunter (382 of 672)……………………………………………….. 1968-70

BARRON’S INTERCEPTION: Safety Mark Barron ended Georgia State’s first offensive possession of the game with an interception. That pick was Barron’s third of the 2010 season and the 10th of his Alabama career. Barron needs two more interceptions to crack the Alabama top 10 for career interceptions.