September 8, 2007

Commodores Fall to Tide, 24-10Post-Game Interviews, Matthews' Column

COMMODORE POST-GAME COVERAGE

MooreGAME BALL
Sophomore cornerback D.J. Moore collected a career-best 13 tackles, including 12 that were solo. Moore was also a part of the Commodores defensive secondary that held John Parker Wilson to just 150 yards through the air. On special teams, Moore returned four kicks for 75 yards. Moore leads the team with 24 tackles this season after totaling 11 stops in the season opener against Richmond.

LOST OPPORTUNITY
Trailing 10-3 with less than two minutes to play in the first quarter, Vanderbilt’s Alex Washington had a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown negated due to a facemask penalty.

BENNETT WATCH
Junior wide receiver Earl Bennett collected four receptions for 52 yards. He now needs just 31 catches and 796 yards to become the SEC’s all-time leader in career receptions and receiving yardage.

STANDING ROOM ONLY
A sellout crowd of 39,773 attended today’s game. The capacity crowd marked the second sellout in the last three games played at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt’s final game of the 2006 season against Tennessee was also sellout.

DRIVE STOPPER
Having scored on its first two possessions of the game, Alabama’s third drive was thwarted by Marcus Buggs, who sacked John Parker Wilson for a 5-yard loss on third and 5. Buggs came around the right side of Alabama’s offensive line for the third sack of his career. Vanderbilt scored its first points of the game on its ensuing possession with a 33-yard field goal. “It was a good play call by the coaches,” Buggs said. “We’ve been watching their blocking schemes and we had a few plays to counter their blocking schemes, and that one worked.”

ADAMS’ FIRST TD TOSS
Sophomore quarterback Mackenzi Adams recorded the first touchdown pass of his career with 7:22 remaining in the fourth quarter when he hooked up with George Smith in the back right corner of the endzone. The touchdown drive by Vanderbilt spread 11 plays and 60 yards. Adams entered the game at the 13:12 mark of the third quarter after starting quarterback Chris Nickson was lifted due to injury. Adams completed 13-of-23 passes for 108 yards.

Will Matthews’ Column: More Than Meets the Eye

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Game Photo Gallery | Vandyville Photos

Season Stats | Quotes | Notes | Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Terry Grant ran 24 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns to lead Alabama over Vanderbilt 24-10 Saturday.

Leigh Tiffin kicked three field goals, and Alabama (2-0) won its Southeastern Conference opener against the Commodores (1-1, 0-1). Alabama tallied 371 yards of total offense.

The defense came up with two sacks and a turnover in holding Vanderbilt to 101 yards of total offense through three quarters. Alabama also held two-time All-SEC receiver Earl Bennett to four catches for 52 yards.

The Commodores went three-and-out four times in the first half with penalties wiping out their two biggest plays, including a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Javier Arenas set up Alabama’s first TD with a 69-yard punt return, and Grant scored a play later for a 7-0 lead.

Chris Nickson, hampered by a sore hamstring, struggled in going 5-of-18 for 67 yards. He was replaced by Mackenzi Adams who tossed a 15-yard TD pass to George Smith midway through the fourth.