The Alabama Crimson Tide took to the field for its second scrimmage of spring practice on Friday, the last time it will practice in Bryant-Denny Stadium before April 14’s A-Day game.
“I would say that we made some improvement, but I’m not sure we have enough guys where they need to be,” head coach Nick Saban said. “But that’s why we have spring practice, that’s why they call us coach, that’s why we teach.”
The most significant improvement from the first scrimmage was the running game. After rushing for just 27 yards on 10 carries with the first team offense, junior Jalston Fowler carried the ball 22 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns on Friday, which included a 68-yard run in a situational drill.
Fowler has seen time as the number one running back with a toe injury to projected starter Eddie Lacy keeping him out of spring practice.
“Jalston probably ran it a little better today,” Saban said. “TJ Yeldon didn’t gain a lot of yards, but got some good experience. The first offense ran the ball and had better balance today, that’s probably a more accurate statement. The second offensive line couldn’t really block the defense as well.”
Quarterback AJ McCarron continued his strong spring, completed 14 of his 29 passing attempts, totaling 160 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Leading the receivers was DeAndrew White, who was practicing with the team after being held out with a minor hamstring injury. White tallied 112 yards and two touchdowns on five catches.
“I thought AJ played well,” Saban said. “We didn’t start out well offensively, but I thought we did better as we moved along. I think we ran the ball more effectively today. I think the hitting was a little crisper out there today. We probably didn’t throw as much as we did in the first scrimmage.”
A sore shoulder once again kept Phillip Sims from throwing in Friday’s scrimmage. Sims did, however, take part in the scrimmage with a few running plays that Saban said will help in his development.
Complete Stats:
AJ McCarron: 14/29, 160 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
Jalston Fowler: 22 carries, 151 yards, 3 touchdowns
DeAndrew White: 5 receptions, 112 yards, 2 touchdowns
Christion Jones: 5 receptions, 61 yards, 2 touchdowns
Kevin Norwood 4 receptions, 55 yards
Chris Black: 2 receptions, 36 yards
Cody Mandell: 12 punts, 42.0 yards per punt average, 56 long
Cade Foster: 3/6 on field goal attempts, makes: 50, 20, 20, misses: 46, 36, 32
