HELLO BAMANATION CITIZENS!! Welcome again to Alabama Weekly!

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This week we bring you the Houston game reviews, a look at other notable games around the country, the Elephants Memory on a classic Houston game, an updated Depth Chart, and more. Look for our next issue on Thursday, September 16th, with previews of the La. Tech game and more!

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ROLL TIDE!

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TIDE SHUTS DOWN COUGARS
By Jess Nicholas
Editor-at-Large

If you are the type of person who gripes and complains about every little thing that goes wrong in an Alabama football game, Saturday was not for you.

Sure, there were things that go wrong, but something goes wrong in every football game. I have attended Alabama football games for 21 years, and I don’t recall ever seeing a perfect game. The closest I came to that was the 1993 Sugar Bowl, where I watched Alabama nail the Miami Hurricanes 34-13. In that game, though, Alabama still gave up a touchdown on a punt return and, if memory serves, completed just 4 of 13 passes. But they won.

It was much of the same against Houston. Alabama only had to punt twice, every offensive play call seemed to work, the defense shut down the Cougar running game and wasn’t too friendly to the Cougar quarterbacks, either, and the Tide pretty much dictated the pace and direction of the game throughout. The pessimists were left to harp on one long kickoff return and a Houston interception that could only be described as a one-in-a-million play. For Tide fans looking for good signs, we’ll take this game all day long.

Shaun Alexander was his usual great self. There is no telling where Alabama would be without his services, but that harrowing possibility got at least a few ticks brighter with the 95-yard rushing day by backup Shaun Bohanon. Bohanon did what a backup tailback is supposed to do---he ran hard and with abandon when he got the chance and he made the Cougars pay for it.

As to the long-term impact of this game, what can be told from it? For one, Alabama is serious about developing depth along both lines, even if that means playing touted true freshmen who would probably do better wearing a redshirt. Center Alonzo Ephraim had a good debut at center, while Leslie Williams and Roberto McBride saw their first defensive action at linebacker and cornerback, respectively. Santonio Beard was given the assignment of returning kickoffs, even though Houston never kicked to him. Of course, that can be forgiven---it’s hard to run back kicks when the opposition only kicks off three times. Thanks, Bama defense.

What of Houston? Was this a patsy, or did Alabama take care of business against a team of national respect?

Houston may very well qualify for a bowl. They have a victory already, and it is not unlikely that they would get five more from a pool of UAB, Southwestern Louisiana, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Tulane, and Army. Houston has talent. Running back Ketric Sanford could probably play at the next level and wide receiver Orlando Iglesias is one of it not the best receiver in the conference. The Houston secondary held Alabama’s quarterbacks well below a .500 completion percentage, and aside from blown coverage on Freddie Milons’ touchdown; Alabama did most of its aerial damage with tight end Terry Jones, who was the assignment of a linebacker.

Having said all that, Houston may prove to be the least formidable opponent the Tide plays. Vanderbilt looked superb against Alabama in week one, but then struggled to beat Northern Illinois, a terrible MAC team. Could Houston beat Louisiana Tech? Good question. The Tide may find that out the hard way.

And speaking of the Bulldogs, they whipped lowly Sam Houston State after playing Texas A&M and Florida State tough. Alabama will have to be on their toes against the Bulldogs, who fear no one and could very well upset the Tide. If Alabama improves from Houston to Louisiana Tech the way they improved from week one to week two they will win comfortably. Nothing is certain in this year defined by youth and turmoil, but the only thing to do now is to wait and see.

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WEEK 3 IN REVIEW
By Chris Van Steenberg
Staff Writer

We survived another weekend of blowouts sprinkled with some good games. For a lot of teams, questions were answered and roles finally filled. There are still a number of teams out there, though, that have some awfully big question marks hanging over them. Here's my take.

Penn State 20, Pitt 17.

While I like Joe Pa and his Nittany Lions, I was cheering for their downfall in between handoffs to Shaun and passes to Terry Jones, Jr. I was amazed to see that PSU was being pushed around by a lesser team for the second week in a row. Pitt had some luck go their way and they didn't hold anything back against their cross-state rivals. The Panthers just couldn't pull it out in the end. Too bad moral victories don't count in the record books.

LaVar Arrington dropped a couple of notches in my estimation after that episode with the Pitt punter. What was he thinking? Was he thinking? Maybe that was his way of getting his team fired up. It certainly got the punter's attention. It was disappointing but not surprising to see that the darling of the sports press got a lot of kudos for his game-tying field goal block and very few reprimands for his attack on the punter. If PSU gives a lackluster performance like this against Miami, the Canes will be insufferable until they get beat by FSU.

Florida State 41, Georgia Tech 35.

I'm not sure what I was expecting out of this game, but THIS definitely was not it. Joe Hamilton not only survived the game (the first time in his career that he made it through all four quarters against FSU), he excelled against a hyper-aggressive Seminoles defense. I'd rather step into the ring with Tyson and risk my ears than face the 60 minutes of punishment that Hamilton had to deal with. In the face of the Noles insane pass rush, Hamilton was good for 22 of 25, 387 yards and four TDs. That would win the game against ANY other team in the NCAA. Not so with these Noles.

FSU's arsenal never seemed to empty. Their All-Everything Peter Warrick ran and caught like a pro (even lining up under center). Chris Weinke had a solid performance and even the much-injured, much-maligned Dan Kendra made his mark on the game with a TD out of the FB position. I'm not sure if the Noles are even human. Their defense does ALL of the fundamentals well and their offense can kill you quickly or slowly, depending on how Papa Bowden feels at that particular moment. I'd love to see these Noles against the Vols. We may yet.

Purdue 28, Notre Dame 23.

Who among us wasn't cheering for the Boilermakers at the end of this game? Anytime a Notre Dame team opens the season 0-2, it warms my heart. Forget the fact that Drew Brees made an incredible highlight reel lunge for the goal line for a two-point conversion. Forget the fact that for the second week, Notre Dame came up just shy of a last-minute rally (can you say "poor clock management" boys and girls?). Forget the fact that Jarious Jackson is writing his name in the ND history books as an incredible leader and QB. Forget the fact that Notre Dame has its own network. Let's all just bask in the glow of the moment. Notre Dame 0-2.

Ohio State 42, UCLA 20.

Okay, OSU proved that they're good. Oops, they played a PAC 10 team. This game means one of two things: 1) OSU merely hit a speed bump against Miami and will roll forward to dominate the Big 10; or 2) the PAC 10 is really that bad. You decide. Now that the PAC 10's two flagship teams have been publicly humiliated, that conference is doing its best imitation of an Acapulco cliff diver. The question is how far will they sink?

You might be able to make a claim that UCLA would have given a better showing with the eleven players out in the handicapped parking stupidity, but Miami proved last year that even with all of the Bruin defensive "talent" on the field, they're a VERY beatable team.

Cooper's decision on a QB was made for him, but it will definitely help OSU in the long run to have one man at the helm. It won't help much, but every little bit helps.

BYU 35, Washington 28.

Maybe the third best game of week, certainly the best Thursday game I've seen in a while, particularly when you realize that it was a game between the PAC 10 and the Mountain West conference. Aside from the BYU uniforms, this game had a lot going for it. LaVell Edwards added the shotgun formation to his already formidable playbook during the off-season, and Rick Neuhiesel was making his long-awaited debut on the Washington sidelines. The Huskies fought the good fight, but the late touchdown pass from BYU QB Feterik to WR Chris Hale (son of the BYU AD) put the final nail in the Huskies' coffin. The Huskies rallied to drive down inside the BYU red zone, but fell short on the final play of the game. Yet another PAC 10 loss. Boo-hoo.

Georgia 24, South Carolina 9.

Welcome to the SEC Lou. Is it everything that you'd hoped for? The upside for the Cocks is that they finally put some points on the board. The downside is that it wasn't nearly enough to give the folks in Athens a scare. UGA VI was introduced to the Dawg faithful as his father was retired to the wherever it is that old Dawgs go (maybe Moreland, GA, hometown of the late, great Lewis Grizzard).

If the UGA receivers had used super glue on their hands, they might have doubled the score that they put up against Holtz's hapless Gamecocks. Even with the severe case of the dropsies his receivers were suffering from, Quincy Carter continued to cement his spot as possibly the best QB in the country (good enough to drive off 4 scholarship QBs at UGA).

There were some bright spots for USC in this game. Okay, there weren't, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Auburn 30, Idaho 23.

It looked like a blowout early with the Tigers running out to a 23-0 lead over the Vandals. The purported strength of this edition of the Plainsmen didn't impress, though, as the Auburn defense gave up 23 points in the final quarter. If Tuberville wore a visor, I bet he would have thrown it. Ben Leard gave a solid if uninspired performance, while both teams combined for less rushing yardage than Shaun Alexander. I hope that the AU faithful are a religious group, because only prayer will help them down the stretch.

Florida 58, Central Florida 27.

The Gator defense continues to give up points like nobody's business, but the Gator offense seems to be geared up to outgun anyone in the country. They may have to this weekend against the Vols. However, the Culpepper-less Knights were unable to do much to scare Visor Boy. Florida rolled up seven (that's right, SEVEN) TDs in the first half and played a lot of young players the remainder of the game. UCF gave up too many turnovers to keep the Gators within striking distance.

The Fun-n-Gun is alive and well in Gainesville. However, their defense will need to play up to its potential in three key SEC games: Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. Each one has the weapons to beat the Gators, but none of them are a lock to do so. UF had better bring its A game if they expect to beat the Noles. Maybe their A+ game.

Alabama 37, Houston 10.
See the extended game review above.

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"Notes from the Box"
By Jim Morris
Features Editor

*TidBits

For the eighth consecutive season the Crimson Tide began the season with a 2-0 record. A total of 73 Tidesmen saw action in the Houston game. The TIDE is now 9-0 all-time against the Cougars.

*Depth Pays-Off Along Offensive Line

A patched up Offensive Line paved the way for TIDE rushers to gain 275 yards on 49 carries against the Cougars. With Center Paul Hogan out of the game with a calf injury, UA coaches moved Griff Redmill to that position for Saturday's game. With Redmill moving from Left Guard to Center, Redshirt Freshman Marico Portis was called on to fill Redmill's spot.

In post game comments Coach Mike Dubose said, "I am very proud of what Griff was able to do. I thought he handled it very well, and I expected him to do that. I was worried that moving Griff would weaken us at Left Guard, but I didn't see that either."

*More Freshmen Get Starts

Six freshmen saw their names posted in the starting line-ups of Saturday's game. True freshmen starting against the Cougars were: Right Tackle Dante Ellington, Defensive Tackle Jarrett Johnson, Defensive End Kenny King, and Outside Linebacker Saleem Rasheed. Redshirts making starts Saturday were Left Guard Marico Portis and Middle Linebacker Marvin Constant.

Other Notables who saw action on special teams were Running Back Santonio Beard and Outside Linebacker Leslie Williams.

*Special Teams Anything But Special

If there continues to be a single question Tidefans ask it is this, "Why isn't our special teams any better this year?" Believe me I wish I had the answers.

A few mishaps on special teams Saturday: Kicker Ryan Pflugner missed a PAT, a 37 yd. field goal, and had a kickoff go out of bounds. On another kickoff, Houston running back Ketric Sanford returned it 64 yards.

One lone bright spot in this area is newly found punter Patrick Morgan. Morgan punted twice in the game averaging 53.5 yards per punt.

Addressing the Kicking mishaps Coach Dubose said, "I was baffled by it. On the extra-point, he felt like he hit it good. He wasn't sure what happened. We have got to stop trying to place the ball on kickoffs, when we try to do that, that's when we see the ball going out-of-bounds."

*Saleem "The Cream" Rasheed

If you still aren't convinced that Rasheed is an All-American in the making, then maybe this will help. Rasheed recorded ten tackles in Saturday's game; some of those were made after running down Houston running backs from behind. Saleem's play at Linebacker has made even the most info-filled TideFan forget about the suspensions of Darius Gilbert and Chris Horne.

In a one-on-one with Rasheed after the game he said, "Our linebackers are great, We've got speed and depth. When Chris and Darius get back, we'll be much better because of the playing time everyone has had."

Asked how he made the switch from High School to College seem so easy, Rasheed responded, "The faster flow of the college game suits me better. In High School I overran a lot of plays. But now I seem to be getting there at the right time."

On starting his first two games of his college career, "I expected to play when I got here, but I didn't expect to start. But with the Good Lord's blessing, I got the opportunity."

*NEWS FLASH: Kim Helton Blast's Officials

This shouldn't surprise us, but coming from the "Love Doctor"? This I must say, has shattered the respect I had for the man.

During post-game interviews, Coach Helton was asked if he thought that the penalties the Cougars were detrimental to his team's chances of winning. Helton responded, "Each time we come down here we get screwed by the officials." Helton continued with a few expletives, which are not common language of the BamaNation.

Asked for comment on Helton's remarks, Bama Coach Mike Dubose said, "I like the outcome of the game, that's all I care about."

Helton is expected to be receive a letter of reprimand later this week from Conference USA.

*Thank Goodness There's Only One More in B'ham

For reasons too many to name here, I am thankful that next Saturday's game will be the last time BAMA plays in the Steel City. It appears to me that the leaders of Birmingham could care less. Cooperation from the City during last week's game was non-existent. From the press box to the game clock, the hospitality given by the City of Birmingham could be better described as mortality than hospitality.

But I must confess there are a few traditions I will miss from Legion Field:

1. Parking in someone's front yard
2. The game clock malfunctioning in the 4th quarter.
3. The lady who runs the press box elevator reading her magazine as she shuttles you up and down.
4. Having an Air National Guard jet buzz overhead during the game.
5. The roasted peanuts served in the press box.

Hopefully, God can grant me the strength to make it without all the traditions of Legion Field. Somehow, I think he already has.

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Who's who in the Bama Family-September 14, edition
By Kelly Brewer
Freelance Writer

There may be something about Mary, but I think that there is just something about Legion Field. The old stadium has held a lot of football memories over the years. If you hang around after the game, you can watch the children playing on the same field that former Alabama greats have played on. Names like Ozzie Newsome, Kenny "the Snake" Stabler, Howard Cross, Cornelius Bennett, John Copeland, David Palmer, Johnny Musso. The list goes on and on and on. You can walk out on that sacred field, step off the steps and look at the south uprights for "the kick". You can close your eyes and hear the ghosts and the roar of the crowds of the past. Those voices are all captured in Legion Field's steel and concrete structure. A shiver goes up my spine every time I see the players run out onto the grass there. History truly has a remarkable affect on the initiated.

Continuing on the history theme, I saw a great past player walking outside of Legion Field's hallowed structure Saturday. I was excited that I had a chance to meet former defensive end and linebacker Wayne Rhoads. Rhoads carried Bama's #82 with honor in 1967-71. Absolutely Rhoads has some great memories of playing in Legion Field as a member of Bear's formidable defenses. Rhoads is very easy to talk to and he has a great job now as the Chief of Staff for the Mississippi Department of Transportation in Jackson, Miss. He said to be sure to say a big "hello" to Bama fans here at TideFans.com. He left his telephone number for Jackson, Miss., area fans to join him at the Alabama alumni meetings- (601) 992-5651. He proudly wanted to mention that the Alabama alumni chapter in Jackson is even bigger than the Ole Miss chapter! Roll Tide! Please look Wayne up, he will be glad to talk to you. You will be glad you did.

I also managed to catch up with former Bama offensive lineman Joey Harville just strolling down Graymont Avenue before the game. Harville is another player with that 1992 championship ring in his jewelry collection. He said that he is now a chemical technician at Mercedes right outside of Tuscaloosa. Now there is a guy with brawn AND brains! We have sat directly in front of him at Bryant-Denny stadium before and he is very conscious of offensive line happenings on the field. Once a lineman, always a lineman. Joey is a "knock your socks off" friendly guy and he is usually at the home games so if you see him, be sure to say hello.

Hanging out with SuperFan is a Saturday tradition. If you don't hang out with SuperFan for a little while, you have missed out on an important part of Alabama football history. SuperFan's real name is Tommy Ray, but I don't know of anybody who calls him that. He is the SuperFan. For the last 28 years he has not missed a single game, including all away games and bowl games. 328 straight games as of last Saturday. That puts him at second in current fan streaks. SuperFan will be hanging around for a few hours before the Louisiana Tech game selling Bama game programs so be sure to go up to him and say hello and buy your game program from SuperFan. The silver-haired SuperFan sells them on Graymont Avenue across the street and just slightly west of the Tide & Tiger (UAB Lounge). In T-town, he hangs around on the southeast side of the Quad. SuperFan can tell you stories of seeing Mike Shula, Major Ogilvie, Derrick Thomas and all of your favorite Tide players. He'll be glad to talk about your favorite games, just ask!

I was a very lucky last Saturday as I had the pleasure of meeting former Tide receiver Steve Webb. He was #84 in 1987-1991 so he overlapped the Bill Curry-Gene Stallings era. When I identified myself as a writer for TideFans.com, Webb was pleased to tell me what he had been up to recently. Our man in crimson is now a juvenile probation officer in Tuscaloosa County. He really enjoys what he is doing and enjoys coming back to the Alabama games and cheering the team on. Webb made sure to mention that he was the ORIGINAL number 84 with a laugh. I immediately turned to look for the current #84 Shamari Buchanan and got hearty chuckle for my attempt at humor.

As I told you last week, I was going to try to look for Chris Samuels' cousin Beef. I found the cuz and asked him where he was at the Vanderbilt game. He said to tell everyone he was there at the game but he was just not out there waiting on his All-American relative that particular day. He said he'd be glad to be mentioned on TideFans.com. If Bama fans want to say hello to Chris, Beef will be glad to introduce you to him so keep an eye out for Beef after the games.

Bama linebacker #45 Marvin Constant had a great day against Houston. He punched in some excellent hits and helped wear out that Cougar offensive line. His mother Jackie Constant was waiting for him after the game and her first thought was that she was glad he wasn't hurt. Her second one was a smile because she is very proud of her amazing son. The Bama family is too.

A very special meeting took place when I once again got to meet Coach White, defensive tackle Kelvis White's father. The coach retired from coaching the Courtland Chiefs this past year so it is his first year not being on the sidelines after 27 seasons. You can see that he misses it sometimes. The Chiefs were a perennial powerhouse in Alabama football under his direction including trips to the championships. His older son, former Bama lineman Leron White, took up the mantle of coaching as the defensive coordinator at Decatur High School. From all sources, Leron's defense is very strong. Perhaps Kelvis will persue the same coaching goal. It is obviously in the blood.

Cornerback Reggie Myles came off the field and had his happy family waiting on him including little brother Charlie Myles. Jimmy Myles, Reggie's father, is very outgoing and friendly to fans, so be sure to go up and congratulate him on Reggie's tough play.

As an interesting bonus, I got to meet Mary Holland, the mother of Florida State baseball player Andre Holland. Well, what was she doing at the Alabama-Houston game? It seems that she and her daughter were standing outside hoping to get a glimpse of Shaun Alexander. Her teenage daughter really wanted to meet Shaun and wore a Bama shirt and other Alabama things to prove her faith. Mary proudly said to be sure to look for her son Andre in the spring.

Ah, but all eyes were on Carol Alexander, mother of Alabama's Heisman candidate Shaun Alexander. I asked Carol if her runningback son had been called "Alexander the Great" playing on his name with that famous conqueror. She said that actually they did call him that in high school in Kentucky. I think that the name is perfect for him.

That is all for this time, but we'll talk to more of the Bama family next week. If you have a Bama family member you would like to hear something about or a question you want asked to someone, then email me at brewer@hiwaay.net and I will try to accommodate. Until then, Roll Tide!

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