Tide Tidbits – September 25, 2009

Home-field mystique returns for Crimson Tide
Only about 35 scholarship players on the University of Alabama roster have been around long enough to notice the difference. The rest only know Bryant-Denny Stadium as a place that’s always full, always loud and always good for a victory. But the veterans, like offensive lineman Mike Johnson and cornerback Javier Arenas, can recall a UA home venue where opponents were more undaunted and where victory was anything but certain. Alabama hasn’t lost a home game since the low point of head coach Nick Saban’s tenure, a 21-14 loss to Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 17, 2007. Countless players later called that loss a turning point for the team. Since then, the Crimson Tide has compiled a nine-game home win streak, and will seek No. 10 Saturday against Arkansas.

Javier Arenas keeping mouth shut about not being challenged
Alabama’s first three opponents haven’t challenged Javier Arenas much. The Crimson Tide’s senior cornerback has watched as most of the passes have gone toward the other side of the field, often toward nickel back Marquis Johnson, but Arenas is too wily to admit quarterbacks are avoiding him. “I don’t like to see it as them not going at me,” he said, “because I’ll get relaxed out there, then they’ll dump one over my head and we ain’t going to be asking that question no more. I honestly think that’s how it’s going. Last year, I was thinking that same thing, then the guy started throwing cover slants and out routes at me. It’ll come at me. I’ve got to be ready to make a play on a ball.”

Mallett has talent to pound Tide defense
Rankings don’t mean a lot to Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett or his opponents. Mallett, the Michigan transfer who is doing his best to put Arkansas on the map as an offensive power, faces his first major challenge of the season Saturday at third-ranked Alabama, where he will face a defense ranked second nationally against the run, third in total defense and 13th in pass defense. “We have got to execute, that’s what we are worried about right now.” he said. “They score a lot of points,” said Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain, “but they haven’t played us. We do a good job of stopping people from scoring. That’s what a defense does. Yes, they have a good offense, a very good quarterback with good skill players around him. But we’re a pretty good defense with a pretty good coach.”

What’s a little rain?
A misty, spitting rain greeted Scott Urbantke when he arrived at work Saturday. It was 6:30 a.m. and the Alabama director of athletic grounds could very well have panicked. Just five hours later, the Crimson Tide football team would kickoff against North Texas but a sloppy field was not in his extended forecast. The rain continued; Urbantke remained calm. Located in a little room just off the tunnel leading to the Alabama locker room is a room containing the grounds keeper’s best friend – two big pumps connected to a vacuum system that runs underneath the Bryant-Denny Stadium playing surface. “I don’t know if it could rain a lot more than it did before the game, but the system that we have, whatever it is, really worked well and the grounds people did a fantastic job of having the field in great condition,” Saban said.

Alabama appeal in NCAA’s hands
The University of Alabama has documented its arguments toward penalties handed down in the school’s textbook case and now awaits a decision from the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee. All briefs have been submitted by the university and its attorneys to the NCAA, a UA spokesperson confirmed Thursday. University officials have requested an in-person hearing to be held before the Appeals Committee hands down its ruling.

Roll Tide!

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