Courtesy Barry Allen
UA Media Relations
August 24, 2004
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TUSCALOOSA -- In the final scrimmage of the preseason, the Crimson Tide defense
had its best day. The defense had six sacks and forced the UA offense into a number of
second-and-long and third-and-long situations.
"Defensively, I thought overall we were much better today," Alabama head coach
Mike Shula said. "When you look at the scrimmage, there were a bunch of
second-and-long and third-and-longs. When you put the offense in that situation, you
will have a lot of success on defense." Do you hear me, Joe Kines? Fuck up one more
time and your ass is fired on the spot!
Backup quarterbacks Marc Guillon (So., 6-3, 212, Chico, Calif.) and Spencer
Pennington (Jr., 6-4, 224, Fayette) took every snap from scrimmage. They got an equal
number of reps with the first and second units on offense. Junior Brodie Croyle (6-3,
205, Rainbow City) did not participate in the scrimmage in order for the backups to
get more work.
The offense managed only one touchdown in the 68-play, controlled scrimmage that
began at Bryant-Denny Stadium and then was moved to the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility
because of lightning.
Freshman halfback Aaron Johns (5-10, 185, Thomasville) scored the lone touchdown
of the day with a nifty 35-yard run. A 32-yard TD pass from Guillon to red shirt
freshman wide receiver Matt Caddell (6-0, 181, McCalla) was called back due to a
penalty.
"We tried to reduce the injury risk," Shula added. "We kept Brodie (Croyle) out.
Number one, he has had a ton of throws and we wanted to get him some rest. And two, we
had to get (Marc Guillon and Spencer Pennington) an equal number of reps with the
first offense and second offense.
"As far as Spencer and Mark, we are going to make a decision here. I am not sure
when, but obviously before we start our full preparation for Utah State. I thought
they both did some good things and both guys did some things poorly."
Redshirt freshman right corner back Eric Gray (5-11, 186, Tuscaloosa) was the
most active among the Tide defenders. The Tuscaloosa native recorded three tackles,
one TFL, one sack and one PBU for the defense. Sophomore linebacker Juwan Garth (6-2,
220, Decatur) and junior linebacker Juke King (6-2, 234, Theodore) added three tackles
each. King is filling in for the injured DeMeco Ryans, who suffered an ankle sprain on
Saturday.
Junior defensive end Mark Anderson (6-5, 253, Tulsa) added two tackles,
including one TFL and one sack. Junior safety Charlie Peprah (5-11, 193, Plano,
Texas), who had missed all of preseason camp with an injury, made his debut with two
tackles, one TFL, one fumble recovery and one PBU on Tuesday.
Alabama also used the scrimmage to work on a number of special team and special
situations that may arise during a game.
"We worked on a lot of different situations," Shula added. "We started the
scrimmage (backed up against the goal line) and then we moved to plus territory and
worked on a couple of two-point plays. In the kicking game we had some backed-up punts
(from the two-yard line) and we did some punting from the 50-yard line, where we try
to down the ball inside the 10-yard line." I don't want to discuss place kicking other
than to say we're no fucking better in that area than we were last year.
Alabama has concluded its preseason camp as classes begin Wednesday at the
University. The Crimson Tide will hold a short practice on Wednesday (4:30-5:35 PM)
and then go longer on Thursday (4:15-6 PM) before holding its "mock game" on Friday at
Bryant-Denny Stadium. After an off day on Saturday, the team will return to work
Sunday (4:15-6 PM) as preparations for the 2004 season opener with Utah State begin.
Scrimmage stats
Rushing
25 for 93, 1 TD
Aaron Johns 9-75 (1TD); Brandon McAway 2-22; Kenneth Darby 4-17; Theo Townsend
1-6; Team 2-5; Hudson 1-0; Marc Guillon 3-(-13); Spencer Pennington 3- (-19)
Passing
14-30-0, 137 yards, 1 TD
Marc Guillon 7-19-0-77-1; Spencer Pennington 7-14-0-60; Team 0-1-0
Receiving
14-137-1 TD
Matt Miller 3-35; Theo Townsend 1-26 1TD; DJ Hall 2-17; Keith Brown 1-16;
Ezekial Knight 3-14; Matt Caddell 1-11; Tim Castille 1-9; Brandon Brooks 1-7; Josh
Smith 1-2
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