2011 GOLDEN FLAKE A-DAY GAME
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Bryant-Denny Stadium – Tuscaloosa, Ala.
 
CRIMSON EDGES WHITE, 14-10, IN GOLDEN FLAKE A-DAY GAME
Running back Trent Richardson accounted for 167 all-purpose yards to lead the Crimson team over the White team, 14-10, in the 2011 Golden Flake A-Day Game before a crowd of 92,310 at Bryant-Denny Stadium and an ESPNU national television audience.  Richardson caught a game-high 7 receptions for 85 yards and 1 touchdown and rushed for 49 yards on 9 carries, in addition to returning 2 kickoffs for 33 total yards. The White team broke out to an early lead when safety Mark Barron scooped up a fumbled snap by quarterback AJ McCarron and raced 96 yards for a touchdown to give the White a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. The Crimson team struck back tie the game at 7-7 on a 20-yard pass from AJ McCarron to Trent Richardson in the second quarter before the White team took a 10-7 lead on a 21-yard field goal by Jeremy Shelley with 51 seconds left in the first half. Dee Hart took a handoff and ran 17 yards for a touchdown to give the Crimson team a 14-10 lead with 14:50 remaining in the fourth quarter. Richardson’s performance earned him the Dixie Howell Most Valuable Player of the Game Award while offensive guard Barrett Jones of the Crimson team earned the Dwight Stephenson Lineman of the Game Award as he helped pave the way for the Crimson offense to 338 total yards including 264 yards passing.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
On defense, Crimson team linebacker Chris Jordan, White team linebacker CJ Mosley  and White team cornerback Ranzell Watkins all had 9 tackles to lead all defenders. Offensively, both AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims played quarterback for both teams. McCarron was 13-of-19 for 129 yards and one touchdown with one interception with the Crimson team and was 8-of-19 for 93 yards for the White team. Sims completed 11 of 20 for 138 yards without a touchdown or interception for the Crimson team and was 8 of 18 for 91 yards without a touchdown or interception for the White team. Trent Richardson led all rushers with 49 yards on 9 carries for the Crimson team while Eddie Lacy rushed for 44 yards on 6 carries for the  White team. Dee Hart scored the game’s only rushing touchdown on a 17-yard run for the Crimson team. Richardson, a running back, was the games’ leading receiver with 85 yards on 7 catches and 1 touchdown. Wide receiver Brandon Gibson caught 5 passes for 53 yards for the Crimson team and tight end Chris Underwood caught 4 passes for 29 yards for the White squad.
 
92,310 WITNESS 2011 A-DAY SPRING FOOTBALL GAME, SETTING U.A. NEW RECORD
The official estimated attendance at today’s game was 92,310 as fans filled most of Bryant-Denny Stadium (capacity: 101,821) on Saturday to set a new attendance mark for an A-Day football game. The total surpassed the previous record of 92,138+ set in 2007. It mark the third time in five seasons that Alabama has attracted more than 91,000 fans to the A-Day Spring Game, the three largest spring football game crowds in SEC history. The national record for attendance at a spring football game was set by Ohio State in 2009 when 95,722 attended the Buckeyes’ spring game.
                                                                
PAST A-DAY ATTENDANCE TOTALS
The top attendance totals for Alabama’s A-Day Game.
Year       Attendance
2011       92.310
2007       92,138
2010       91,312
2009       84,050
2008       78,200
1988       51,117
1994       46,700
2006       40,000
1995       37,323
2002       37,000
2004       35,000
2001       35,000
*A-Day Record.
 
SPRING FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS
The following Alabama football players were honored for the performance throughout Spring Football Practice with the following awards bestowed by the Crimson Tide coaching staff:
 
Lee Roy Jordan Headhunter Award – Josh Chapman, Dont’a Hightower
Jerry Duncan “I Like to Practice” Award – Brad Smelley, Damion Square, Brandon Gibson
Billy Neighbors Defensive Lineman Award – Ed Stinson
Paul Crane Offensive Lineman Award – William Vlachos
Bobby Johns Defensive Back Award – Dequan Menzie
Johnny Musso Offensive Back Award – Eddie Lacy
Ray Perkins Receiver Award – Darius Hanks, Marquise Maze
Woodrow Lowe Linebacker Award – CJ Mosley
Derrick Thomas Community Service Award – Nico Johnson, Tana Patrick
Bear Bryant Outstanding Non-Scholarship Award – Hardie Buck, Will Lowery
Ozzie Newsome Most Improved Freshman Award – Adrian Hubbard, Jarrick Williams, Deandrew White, Phillip Sims
Bart Starr Most Improved Player Award – AJ McCarron, Anthony Steen, Jerrell Harris, Dre Kirkpatrick
Mal Moore Leadership Award – Barrett Jones, Mark Barron
Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award – Trent Richardson, Courtney Upshaw
Dwight Stephenson Lineman of the A-Day Game Award – Barrett Jones
Dixie Howell Memorial Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game Award – Trent Richardson
 
RICHARDSON & JONES ARE A-DAY GAME AWARD WINNERS
Two players were recognized for their outings in the A-Day Game. Offensive guard Barrett Jones was voted by the media the winner of the Dwight Stephenson Most Valuable Lineman of the A-Day Game Award. Running back Trent Richardson earned the Dixie Howell Memorial Award as Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game. Richardson accounted for 167 all-purpose yards as he caught a game-high 7 receptions for 85 yards and 1 touchdown and rushed for 49 yards on 9 carries, in addition to returning 2 kickoffs for 33 total yards
 
THE GOLDEN FLAKE A-DAY GAME BRINGS END TO SPRING PRACTICE
The University of Alabama football team and head coach Nick Saban wrapped up spring practice today with the 2011 Golden Flake A-Day Game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.  Alabama opened spring practice on Monday, March 21, and held 14 practices through Thursday, April 14, leading up to today’s A-Day game. The Crimson Tide also held two scrimmages here in Bryant-Denny Stadium this spring (April 2 and April 9) in preparation for today’s game.
 
WALK OF FAME CEREMONY HONORED 2010 TEAM CAPTAINS
The annual Walk of Fame ceremony took place Saturday at 12:15 p.m. at Denny Chimes. The 2010 permanent team captains – safety Mark Barron, quarterback Greg McElroy and linebacker Dont’a Hightower – had their hand prints and foot prints placed in cement at the base of Denny Chimes.
 
SABAN STATUE UNVEILING
The newest addition to the Walk of Champions plaza outside Bryant-Denny Stadium was officially unveiled prior to kickoff of the A-Day game. The statue of head coach Nick Saban is the fifth to be displayed, joining UA national championship coaches Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Paul “Bear” Bryant, and Gene Stallings. In addition, plaques honoring players and staff members from each of the national title teams were presented. The unveiling took place at approximately 12:40 p.m. Members of this year’s current team and former players from the 2009 team were on hand for the ceremony.
 
A-DAY GAME FORMAT
The format for the A-Day game was much like a normal game, with a few minor variations primarily regarding the game clock. The game consisted of four 15-minute quarters with a running clock. The clock stopped only following scoring plays, penalties, and changes of possession. Regular clock rules were used during the final minutes of the second quarter and the fourth quarter.
 
FORMER PLAYERS IN ATTENDANCE
Many former Crimson Tide players attended the A-Day Spring Game, including recent standouts Greg McElroy, Mike Johnson, Marcell Dareus and Mark Ingram. Also among the attendees were former players participating in the A Club 7-on-7 Flag Football Classic including Jim Bob Harris, Steadman Shealy, Kevin Lee, Antonio Langham, Derrick Oden, Jim Bunch, Forress Rayford, Taylor Britt and Shannon Brown.
 
Courtesy UA Media Relations
 

20 thoughts on “Alabama A-Day notes”

  1. Just seemed like a perfect A Day for the Crimson Tide. A beautiful day. Just perfection. I’m still torn on the QB situation – seems that Sims can scramble better but A.J. is a pocket-passer master! – folks… 92,310 fans … Productivity on both teams – good weather …

    It’s good to be an Alabama Crimson Tide fan.

  2. McCarron is so good at placing the long ball, but Phillip Sims is still the better QB.

    The freshman will get more playing time than the sophomore, by the end of the season.

  3. I’m not a fan of a two QB system – but for some reason I think it ‘could’ work – I dunno why – they both got the fire man.

  4. I thought Sims looked a little better, but it is still too close to know for sure. I know that if Trent stays healthy, he is going to be a beast, and he will likely have to carry the offense until everything gets sorted out. No receiver is really stepping up, but overall they are a good group. I think the tight ends are going to be a strength too. Dee Hart is looking good, and I wouldn’t be surprised he ends up being the next Arenas type player at punt returns. But overall, I think we have solid depth at least on the 2-deep roster.

  5. Looked OK. I know they don’t show alot in spring game but I predict 2 losses at least this year that’s still a damn good year!

  6. It is too early to tell what the win-loss record will be, to me. I think they have a pretty solid two-deep roster, and a lot of these guys need to play in some games to get the experience they need. The secondary and linebackers will definitely be a strength, probably the best in the SEC. Offensive line and running back will be the strengths for the offense. They unknowns are at receiver and defensive line. They definitely have good talent there, just need more game experience.

  7. ITs never too early to predict I do know that the kicking game better get it together

  8. Well, right now the record is 0-0 and still have players coming for the fall. I think they have a chance to win them all, with a little luck and a stout defense. I think the schedule lines up well this year too. But definitely a more mature and disciplined team than the 10-3 team from a year ago. That defense is pretty good, 1st team and second team. I agree a 2 loss season is pretty good, but if they can get that close, and have a little of that luck all undefeated teams seem to have, they can win them all. I am not going to pick against them lol.

  9. LOl I wont bet against alabama ever but I will throw out the win loss record that I forsee and hope and pray that im wrong in the end! Qbs and kicking are going to have to improve especially tge kicking game. Mcarron/simms will have enormous pressure taken off of them because of the running game and will give them a chance to blossom. The kicking game on the other hand…well lets just say even if you.can kick it 80 yards its all for nothing unless you put it thru the uprights.they will get there im sure but they better tighten up cuz september will be here before you know it!

  10. Yeah, I am a little worried with the kicking. They still have a scholarship kicker coming in the fall so maybe that will help. I think Shinn and Carter may make an impact with the receivers once they are on the team. But the defense is pretty solid, and the defensive line will get better once the new guys get going. Probably have the best LBs in the conference, and the secondary is looking really good. The offense should only get better having to practice up against that defense. Roll Tide!

  11. ILl go as far as saying best linebacking corp in the nation! Those guys are only gonna get better and thats gonna be scary! Lol

  12. gruden puts cam to shame now cam can’t call plays to go with can’t hit the wide side of a barner, can’t read defenses, sociopath.

  13. Like Brando said — too early to predict an accurate WIN/LOSS column for the Crimson Tide right now — that comes after the first game of conference play IMO.

    One this is a FACT: the depth is SCARY good. Like — the envy of possibly the entire Nation. It almost makes you feel bad these guys can’t all play at the same time the depth is so good. Aside from the fantasy, we are going to be REALLY good this year. We went through the National Championship hangover phase — the players are motivated and having the place packed at an “official” 92,310 probably added a little more motivation for fall. Strap in folks, because it’s going to be a helluva ride —

    As far as the kicking game — sure we need 80+ yarders — but IMO, I believe hang-time is the most important key factor in punting — the field goal issue was the crosswinds the new expansion in the stadium has created — here is an analogy — Bob Len, ex manager for Diamondbacks when they won the world series, announcer for the Chicago Cubs, the guys in the outfield were complaining about catching routine outs because of the sun — well, guess what, the sun isn’t going away — just like the crosswinds created from the new expansion ain’t going away — and I can assure you that the kicking core are making adjustments in all types of variables.

    Oh, like BamaBrando was talking about the Linebackers — man we ARE Linebacking U — I’m friends with a Freshman who’s on the team — I’ll be watching more of him when Dont’a finishes his year up — but he told me they are going to RAISE HELL this year. Rf’inTR!!!!!!!!!!!

  14. imo? the stadium has been done with expansion for over a year so I think they miiiight should have noticed your crosswinds before this spring.hang time dont mean anything if the ball is only going 30-35yards. NET punting yards are what ultimately matter! Come on DUMA you know that!

  15. Well — I know what ya mean on the “IMO” — I know it’s there – everyone knows it’s there — but it IS an issue that won’t go away — and I just hope the new wind dynamics in the stadium are being addressed — studied, whatever — just so our kicking/punting can be top notch — word.

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