While Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma was demoralizing in many aspects, fans were no doubt ecstatic with the play of freshman running back Derrick Henry.
Henry rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and added another score on a 64-yard screen pass in the fourth quarter.
At 6 feet 3 inches and 238 pounds, Henry drew a lot of hype when he was signed out of Yulee, Fla., where he broke numerous national high school rushing records. He previously had only carried the ball in mop-up duty this season, but Saban decided to play him as the No. 2 back in the Sugar Bowl, and it paid off in a big way.
“Derrick had a really good bowl practice,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said after the game. “Actually, we decided that he was our second best back going into this game, and we were going to give him an opportunity based on his performance in practice and what he had done and the confidence that he had gained throughout the course of the season in terms of knowing what to do and playing fast.
“And certainly, he had an outstanding game tonight and did a really good job for us, and I think he has a bright future.”
McCarron sets UA passing marks
AJ McCarron capped his storied Alabama career by setting a few final records in the Sugar Bowl.
He finished the season with 3,063 passing yards, surpassing Greg McElroy’s previous record of 2,987 yards in 2010, and also becoming the first UA quarterback to pass for more than 3,000 yards in a season.
The 387 yards in the game were also a career-high for McCarron. His 63-yard touchdown pass to DeAndrew White in the first quarter set a UA record for longest pass in a bowl game. McCarron and White broke that record again in the second quarter with a 67-yard score.
Several UA juniors await draft decisions
A handful of Alabama juniors could declare for the NFL Draft over the next week before the January 15 deadline.
Left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio said he was “50-50” before the game. After the Sugar Bowl, where he struggled containing Oklahoma defensive end Eric Striker in a game where McCarron was sacked seven times, Kouandjio reiterated that he had not made any postseason plans.
Auburn’s Greg Robinson, another top tackle, announced he would be leaving for the NFL and Michigan senior Taylor Lewan is top draft prospect at tackle as well.
Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix also said before the Sugar Bowl that he had not yet made a decision. He is expected to forgo his senior season.
Linebacker Adrian Hubbard said he would meet with Saban on Wednesday to discuss his future.
Linebacker Trey Depriest said he has already decided to return for his senior season.
