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Serving The University of Alabama since 1894.

The Crimson White


Serving The University of Alabama since 1894.

The Crimson White

Serving The University of Alabama since 1894.

The Crimson White

All content by Kelly Ward
Alabama softball falls in regular-season finale

Alabama softball falls in regular-season finale

Kelly Ward May 8, 2016

Someone has to lose on senior day. Someone’s seniors have to go home with a loss on the last regular-season game of the season. Despite putting together a rally in the bottom of the seventh, No. 4 Alabama...

Softball hosts No. 15 Georgia for final season series

Softball hosts No. 15 Georgia for final season series

Kelly Ward May 6, 2016

While thousands of students walk across a stage in Coleman Coliseum during graduation on Friday and Saturday, No. 4 Alabama softball will take on No. 15 Georgia in a three-game series. Four players on...

Softball takes series behind early home runs in 3-0 win over Kentucky

Softball takes series behind early home runs in 3-0 win over Kentucky

Kelly Ward April 24, 2016

No. 4 Alabama softball’s three- and four-hole hitters won’t say they’re competing with each other. Both senior first baseman Leona Lafaele and freshman catcher Reagan Dykes hit a home run in Alabama’s...

Dare drives in 4 as softball evens Kentucky series with 7-1 win

Dare drives in 4 as softball evens Kentucky series with 7-1 win

Kelly Ward April 23, 2016

Chandler Dare went 2 for 4 with four RBIs as No. 4 Alabama softball beat No. 11 Kentucky 7-1 to even the series. The junior utility player singled in two runs in the bottom of the fourth and another two...

No. 4 Alabama softball's rally falls short in 3-2 loss to No. 11 Kentucky

Kelly Ward April 22, 2016

One more hit. That’s all Alabama needed: one more hit.With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Alabama drew a walk followed by a single and error. Senior centerfielder Haylie McCleney came up a walk...

Softball preps for No. 11 Kentucky

Softball preps for No. 11 Kentucky

Kelly Ward April 21, 2016

Senior infielder Leona Lafaele isn’t have much trouble seeing the ball. In her first at-bat Wednesday night, she crushed a two-run home run just fair in No. 4 Alabama softball’s 4-2 win over South...

Softball heads to College Station for top-20 matchup

Softball heads to College Station for top-20 matchup

Kelly Ward April 14, 2016

Chandler Dare has never played softball in College Station, Texas. The last time Alabama played Texas A&M in Texas, it was 2013, and Dare was still in high school at American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa.“We’re...

​Two outs, so what: Softball comes in clutch at the plate

​Two outs, so what: Softball comes in clutch at the plate

Kelly Ward April 11, 2016

Marisa Runyon jogged out after hitting the ball and watched it sail past the foul pole in right field. She was hoping it was fair. It was, just crossing left of No. 4 Alabama softball’s sign with “two...

No. 4 Alabama sweeps Mississippi State behind timely hitting

No. 4 Alabama sweeps Mississippi State behind timely hitting

Kelly Ward April 10, 2016

Marisa Runyon was in a slump. She hadn’t hit the ball against an SEC opponent since the first game of the Florida series. With the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning Sunday, Runyon hit a...

Osorio picks up 1st SEC win in Alabama's 8-0 rout of Mississippi State

Osorio picks up 1st SEC win in Alabama's 8-0 rout of Mississippi State

Kelly Ward April 9, 2016

Sydney Booker drove in five runs in No. 4 Alabama softball’s 8-0 mercy-rule win over Mississippi State. The sophomore transfer went 2-4 with an RBI single and a three-run home run in the win. It was...

Littlejohn remains undefeated in SEC play as Alabama beats Mississippi State 7-1

Littlejohn remains undefeated in SEC play as Alabama beats Mississippi State 7-1

Kelly Ward April 8, 2016

Sydney Littlejohn has her role down. She didn’t need her best performance--she allowed seven hits and a run--but it was enough in No. 4 Alabama softball’s 7-1 win over Mississippi State on Friday...

Sky's the limit: Osorio brings calm, steady presence to the circle

Sky's the limit: Osorio brings calm, steady presence to the circle

Kelly Ward April 7, 2016

With the bases loaded and one out, down 1-0 at South Alabama last spring, Alabama coach Patrick Murphy called on an unknown, freshman pitcher to work out of the jam.It was the first game of the season....

Alabama softball wins 1,000th in program history

Alabama softball wins 1,000th in program history

Kelly Ward April 5, 2016

Twenty years after the program started, Alabama softball notched its 1,000th win. It only needed five innings to do it in the 14-0 win over Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday. Alabama averages more than...

Alabama softball blanks Florida 3-0 to take series in Gainesville

Alabama softball blanks Florida 3-0 to take series in Gainesville

Kelly Ward April 3, 2016

On Friday, No. 6 Alabama softball leaned on junior right-hander Sydney Littlejohn to deliver. She did. On Sunday, the team needed her again. She pitched seven shutout innings in the 3-0 win to beat No....

Alabama drops game 2 of series with Florida 3-2

Kelly Ward April 2, 2016

No. 6 Alabama softball fell 3-2 to No. 1 Florida in Gainesville on Saturday.Alabama (30-7, 4-4 SEC) had six hits in the loss. Freshman catcher Reagan Dykes drove in both runs with a two-run home run. Six...

No. 6 Alabama softball hands No. 1 Florida its first home loss

No. 6 Alabama softball hands No. 1 Florida its first home loss

Kelly Ward April 1, 2016

Friday was a good day to be named Sydney. Junior right-hander Sydney Littlejohn (13-2) controlled the game while sophomore transfer Sydney Booker gave her some needed defensive support at shortstop in...

No. 6 Alabama softball takes series with 16-2 win over No. 16 Missouri

No. 6 Alabama softball takes series with 16-2 win over No. 16 Missouri

Kelly Ward March 28, 2016

No. 6 Alabama softball found a weakness in No. 16 Missouri’s game and had a day with it. The first three Alabama batters reached on first-pitch bunt singles. Then came the walks in the 16-2 mercy-rule...

No. 6 Alabama softball splits doubleheader with No. 16 Missouri

No. 6 Alabama softball splits doubleheader with No. 16 Missouri

Kelly Ward March 26, 2016

After dropping the first game of its doubleheader against No. 16 Missouri on Saturday 7-3, No. 6 Alabama softball bounced back to a 9-1 mercy-rule win to even the series. Junior Marisa “Home” Runyon...

Out of left field: Dare leads on and off diamond

Out of left field: Dare leads on and off diamond

Kelly Ward March 24, 2016

It’s not unusual to find Chandler Dare at Rhoads Stadium taking ground balls in the infield when the team’s not there or spending time in the batting cages attached to the clubhouse before practice...

Softball wins 8-0 in 5 innings over Alcorn State

Kelly Ward March 22, 2016

Three freshmen led the way for No. 6 Alabama softball in its 8-0 mercy-rule win over Alcorn State on Tuesday.Merris Schroder went 1-3 with a two-run single in the first inning. Reagan Dykes went 2-3 with...

Softball drops series finale 8-1 to LSU

Kelly Ward March 13, 2016

BATON ROUGE, La. — Alabama needed its ace, and for a while it had her. It needed some hits and solid defense. Those were harder to come by. In the series’ rubber match with No. 4 LSU, the No. 6 Crimson...

Softball beats LSU 10-3 after Turner exits game with arm injury

Softball beats LSU 10-3 after Turner exits game with arm injury

Kelly Ward March 12, 2016

BATON ROUGE, La. — For the first time in two years, No. 6 Alabama doesn’t have its starting second baseman.Demi Turner, who went 1-3 on the night, was caught stealing second for the third out of a...

Hawks fly together: Softball family supports each other on and off field

Hawks fly together: Softball family supports each other on and off field

Kelly Ward March 10, 2016

Andrea Hawkins has two families. They don’t often intersect, and when they do, it’s in the spring during softball season.In October, when Hawkins was with her family in Bay City, Texas, after her father...

Softball blanks Samford in midweek matchup

Kelly Ward March 8, 2016

Six batters were enough.  After No. 6 Alabama softball’s first six batters didn’t get on, coach Patrick Murphy had enough. The next four batters reached base and scored. The next inning the team...

No. 6 Alabama softball hosts Samford on SEC Network

Kelly Ward March 8, 2016

Before Alabama softball starts SEC play, it will get a small taste of what’s to come with Samford coming into town. Samford’s head coach Mandy Burford played for Alabama from 2004-07. Assistant coaches...

Osorio strikes out 16 in 5-0 win over ULM

Kelly Ward March 6, 2016

Alexis Osorio wasn’t perfect, but she didn’t need to be. She pitched 5 1/3 innings hitless before allowing a single. She walked one, hit one and struck out 16 in No. 4 Alabama softball’s 5-0 win...

Softball splits day 2 of Easton Crimson Classic

Kelly Ward March 5, 2016

With the bases loaded and a two-run deficit, Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy called on Marisa Runyon to get a hit. She didn’t, but she did everything she could to score, eventually working a walk...

No. 4 Alabama softball extends winning streak to 17

No. 4 Alabama softball extends winning streak to 17

Kelly Ward March 4, 2016

Last weekend, No. 4 Alabama softball needed a walk-off to win its first game of the tournament. On Friday night, the Crimson Tide avoided the drama and took two games by way of the mercy rule, first an...

No. 4 Alabama softball hosts Easton Crimson Classic

Kelly Ward March 4, 2016

After Sunday’s 6-5 comeback win over No. 16 Tennessee, Alabama coach Patrick Murphy wasn’t happy with the team’s adjustment to the new pitcher.“That was the thing we didn’t do very good against...

Alabama softball takes on Jacksonville State in midweek matchup

Alabama softball takes on Jacksonville State in midweek matchup

Kelly Ward March 2, 2016

Sunday wasn’t right-hander Alexis Osorio’s best game. The sophomore pitched seven innings, gave up nine hits and allowed five runs. She also struck out nine en route to her fifth win of the season...

2 home runs lead softball to 8-0 win over Troy

2 home runs lead softball to 8-0 win over Troy

Kelly Ward February 24, 2016

The last time Peyton Grantham hit a home run in Rhoads Stadium it was the 2014 Super Regional against Nebraska. The 12-inning game went into the early hours of the morning before Grantham ended it on a...

Patrick Murphy gets 900th win at Alabama with 10-5 win over Maryland

Kelly Ward February 21, 2016

Less than two years since he earned his 800th win as head coach of Alabama, Patrick Murphy reached the next milestone.No. 5 Alabama softball's 10-5 win over Maryland on Sunday was his 900th win at Alabama....

Softball wins 2 to open Panther Invitational

Kelly Ward February 20, 2016

No. 5 Alabama softball won its fifth and sixth straight games to open the Panther Invitational on Friday. The Crimson Tide downed Miami (Ohio) 10-2 in six innings before eking out a 1-0 win over Maryland...

Pitchers ready for three-day tournament after combining for no-hitter

Pitchers ready for three-day tournament after combining for no-hitter

Kelly Ward February 19, 2016

There’s a subtle shift in the mood in a dugout, in a crowd, when the unspeakable is happening. The air is different. There’s a cautiousness that pervades a normally casual, friendly environment. No...

Softball heads to Birmingham to face UAB

Kelly Ward February 16, 2016

Alabama wasn’t a softball state 20 years ago. Rhoads Stadium was a dream. The University of Alabama wasn’t even playing fast pitch. Now, two teams in the top five are from Alabama (Alabama and Auburn)....

Softball ends weekend with 10-2 mercy-rule win over Liberty

Kelly Ward February 14, 2016

Sydney Littlejohn didn't need to go the distance to get the win. Her four innings were enough in No. 5 Alabama softball's 10-2 win over Liberty.Littlejohn (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits and struck...

Softball improves to 3-1 on season with 2 wins on Saturday

Softball improves to 3-1 on season with 2 wins on Saturday

Kelly Ward February 13, 2016

No. 5 Alabama softball took both games on Saturday after dropping the Friday nightcap. The Crimson Tide beat Rutgers 6-0 before edging out No. 19 James Madison 2-1 on a walk-off single.In the first game,...

Softball splits opening day

Softball splits opening day

Kelly Ward February 12, 2016

For the sixth straight year, Alabama softball opened its season with a win. After downing Fordham 9-1 in five innings, No. 5 Alabama dropped its next game, a 8-1 decision to No. 17 UCF in the UCF Classic.In...

Softball starts season with Orlando tournament

Softball starts season with Orlando tournament

Kelly Ward February 11, 2016

Haylie McCleney has the best view in Rhoads Stadium. From her perch in center field, the senior can see everything on the field. She spies pitches and batters’ tendencies. She knows how the ball moves...

I’m still here, despite my own best efforts

Kelly Ward February 8, 2016

Adults with a Serious Mental Illness | HealthGroveEight days before my 21st birthday, I had no intention of celebrating it. I had no plans, no list of alcohol I could buy, no intention of seeing anyone.To...

Alabama softball ranked No. 5 in preseason poll

Kelly Ward January 26, 2016

Alabama softball is ranked No. 5 in both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason polls.The Crimson Tide received a first-place vote in each of the polls. In the coaches poll, Alabama is...

GAMEDAY: Special teams wins championship

GAMEDAY: Special teams wins championship

Kelly Ward January 22, 2016

For much of the season, Alabama’s defense was heralded as the second coming of the 2009 championship team. It was the best in the country. Teams couldn’t run the ball against it, and its passing games...

Donning a new shade a of red

Donning a new shade a of red

Kelly Ward January 14, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. — By now, Kirby Smart has traded in crimson for red and black. The former defensive coordinator for Alabama officially took over as the head coach of Georgia after a 45-40 win over Clemson...

Special teams wins the day in national title game

Special teams wins the day in national title game

Kelly Ward January 13, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The ball only had to go 10 yards.Ten players had to be behind Adam Griffith before he chipped the ball. If any one of them was ahead of the ball, there would’ve been a flag: offsides.Defensive...

Defense gets big stops when needed

Defense gets big stops when needed

Kelly Ward January 13, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Bend, don’t break. It’s not the Alabama way, with defenses stifling teams at the line of scrimmage and blanketing receivers in coverage. That was the Crimson Tide defense against...

"Alabama does:" Crimson Tide brings home 16th championship

“Alabama does:” Crimson Tide brings home 16th championship

Kelly Ward January 12, 2016

By Kelly Ward | Digital Managing EditorGLENDALE, Ariz. — At some point, the confetti will be cleared from the field and the cigar smoke scrubbed from the locker room. For now, the confetti litters University...

Alabama defeats Clemson 45-40 in the CFP Championship

Alabama defeats Clemson 45-40 in the CFP Championship

Kelly Ward January 12, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Alabama won the CFP Championship by a score of 45-40 on Jan. 11, 2016 in front of a crowd of 75,765.Derrick Henry struck first with a 50-yard score. It was his 20th consecutive game...

Saban, Swinney focus on developing players for life after football

Saban, Swinney focus on developing players for life after football

Kelly Ward January 10, 2016

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Freshmen walk on to Alabama’s campus with big eyes and big stomachs. College is a place to grow and blossom.The freshmen who enter into the Mal Moore Athletic Facility to begin...

Alabama's 'selfless' attitude aided Playoff run

Alabama's 'selfless' attitude aided Playoff run

Kelly Ward January 10, 2016

PHOENIX — All Dillon Lee did was secure the shutout. His one-handed interception late in the 38-0 rout of No. 3 Michigan State in the College Football Playoff semifinal kept the Spartans from a late...

One Last Time: Seniors aim to finish right in final game

One Last Time: Seniors aim to finish right in final game

Kelly Ward January 10, 2016

PHOENIX — No, it hasn’t hit him yet. It might not hit him until he puts his helmet on in the tunnel or walks out to the sideline. It might not hit him until the confetti comes down - win or lose -...

Deshaun Watson poses problem for Alabama defense

Kelly Ward January 6, 2016

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is a force of nature. A little over a year after injuring a ligament in his knee and undergoing surgery to repair it, he finished third in the Heisman vote and is a...

Saban talks preparation before CFP title game

Saban talks preparation before CFP title game

Kelly Ward January 6, 2016

Two days before No. 2 Alabama flies out to Phoenix for the College Football Playoff national championship game, coach Nick Saban held his final press conference in Tuscaloosa.He stressed the importance...

Resolution: Crimson Tide ends 2015 with dominant playoff win

Resolution: Crimson Tide ends 2015 with dominant playoff win

Kelly Ward January 1, 2016

ARLINGTON, Texas — The dry erase board in the Alabama locker room had four times listed on the dry erase board. Three were for warmups. The fourth had kickoff for the Crimson Tide against Michigan State...

Finish It: Crimson Tide determined to finish 2015 the right way

Finish It: Crimson Tide determined to finish 2015 the right way

Kelly Ward December 31, 2015

DALLAS — Nine hours from the familiarity of Tuscaloosa is a sprawling metropolis–more of a collection of a dozen cities than one. The drive west on I-20 is long, often boring, seemingly never-ending.For...

Saban pleased with preparation going into CFP Semifinal matchup with Michigan State

Saban pleased with preparation going into CFP Semifinal matchup with Michigan State

Kelly Ward December 30, 2015

DALLAS — The two teams meeting in the Cotton Bowl on Thursday haven’t played in three weeks. Both Alabama and Michigan State won their respective conference championship games and endured more than...

Fundamental: Comparing the Cotton Bowl teams

Fundamental: Comparing the Cotton Bowl teams

Kelly Ward December 30, 2015

DALLAS — Michigan State isn’t flashy. It doesn’t do neat little tricks and run a hurry-up like other teams. It’s fundamentally sound in all phases of the game and dares you to beat it.Alabama will...

Saban: Focus, playing with edge key before CFP Semifinal

Saban: Focus, playing with edge key before CFP Semifinal

Kelly Ward December 30, 2015

DALLAS — Michigan State hasn’t won a national title since 1966. It’s two wins away from taking home the hardware.A national title would mean everything to the Spartans.Just ask Alabama coach Nick...

Saban, Dantonio discuss working together at Michigan State

Saban, Dantonio discuss working together at Michigan State

Kelly Ward December 30, 2015

DALLAS — Mark Dantonio joked and Nick Saban smiled.Dantonio thinks Saban is funny too, although he can’t remember any specific instances of hilarity.“We're talking about 15 years in the past,”...

Alabama front seven takes on pack mentality

Alabama front seven takes on pack mentality

Kelly Ward December 29, 2015

DALLAS — Anchored by players like A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama’s defensive line is intimidating enough that defensive coordinator Kirby Smart joked that the line was the reason he stayed at Alabama through...

Here comes the General: Ragland commands Alabama's defense

Here comes the General: Ragland commands Alabama's defense

Kelly Ward December 29, 2015

DALLAS — On the field, Reggie Ragland surveys with an experienced eye. He commands the defense. Alabama's defense relies on the veteran linebacker to call out what adjustments it needs to make. He...

Michigan State quarterback, co-offensive coordinator break down Alabama defense

Michigan State quarterback, co-offensive coordinator break down Alabama defense

Kelly Ward December 28, 2015

DALLAS — It’s hard to miss A’Shawn Robinson or Jarran Reed walking around. Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook certainly didn’t as he passed by the Alabama defensive linemen on his way into...

Even Alabama's offense changes with the times

Even Alabama's offense changes with the times

Kelly Ward December 27, 2015

DALLAS — Before offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin came to Alabama after the 2013 season, people didn’t use no-huddle to describe the Crimson Tide offense. Hurry-up wasn’t even in the conversation.Now...

Kenyan Drake talks injuries, mistaken identity

Kenyan Drake talks injuries, mistaken identity

Kelly Ward December 27, 2015

DALLAS — Before Kenyan Drake broke his arm on a kickoff return at Mississippi State, he was hurt. Cracked rib against Ole Miss, sprained ankle, concussion after LSU and contusions among some of the pains.“It’s...

Michigan State defensive end talks Saban, stopping Derrick Henry

Michigan State defensive end talks Saban, stopping Derrick Henry

Kelly Ward December 27, 2015

DALLAS — Shilique Calhoun is happier about the way 2015 is ending than how it started. Don’t get the Michigan State defensive end wrong–he enjoyed beating Baylor in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, but...

Nick Saban reflects on playing Santa Claus as Alabama turns focus to MSU

Nick Saban reflects on playing Santa Claus as Alabama turns focus to MSU

Kelly Ward December 26, 2015

DALLAS — The day after Christmas, Alabama football was back to work, this time 600 miles west of Tuscaloosa.Alabama coach Nick Saban said he enjoyed the time he spent with his family over the holiday....

Alabama football arrives in Dallas ahead of College Football Playoff semifinal

Alabama football arrives in Dallas ahead of College Football Playoff semifinal

Kelly Ward December 26, 2015

DALLAS — With the storms that made their way through Alabama on Friday, some people had trouble getting out of the state as roads were flooded from the rain.Alabama football didn’t have any issues...

Back-to-back: Alabama claims 2nd straight SEC title, Playoff berth

Back-to-back: Alabama claims 2nd straight SEC title, Playoff berth

Kelly Ward December 5, 2015

ATLANTA — Derrick Henry got any last minute resume fillers for his Heisman campaign he needed with 189 yards rushing in No. 2 Alabama’s 29-15 win over No. 18 Florida in the SEC Championship Game.He...

Nick Saban addresses the rumors concerning Kirby Smart's departure

Nick Saban addresses the rumors concerning Kirby Smart's departure

Kelly Ward December 3, 2015

If you have any questions about Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart’s reported hire by Georgia, you can address them to the Coca-Cola bottle on the podium in the media room in Mal Moore.Alabama...

Welcome to Atlanta: Alabama downs Auburn 29-13 in Iron Bowl

Welcome to Atlanta: Alabama downs Auburn 29-13 in Iron Bowl

Kelly Ward November 28, 2015

AUBURN — Adam Griffith couldn’t see over his line when he prepped for a 50-yard field goal with less than 30 seconds left in the first half. He couldn’t see the Auburn return man, ready to try to...

Quick Hits: Saban addresses Auburn prep, Thanksgiving before Iron Bowl

Kelly Ward November 25, 2015

In his last availability before the Iron Bowl, Alabama coach Nick Saban spent some time talking about Thanksgiving, one of his favorite holidays.“We spend a lot of time thinking about what we don’t...

Forged in fire: ​Looking ahead to the Iron Bowl

Kelly Ward November 23, 2015

Nearly a year ago, Alabama came out on top of an improbable game. Down 33-21 in the third quarter, the Crimson Tide came back for a 55-44 win.The 2014 Iron Bowl, the highest scoring in the rivalry’s...

Seniors say farewell to Bryant-Denny

Seniors say farewell to Bryant-Denny

Kelly Ward November 16, 2015

Senior Michael Nysewander remembers a time where football coach Nick Saban didn’t know his name.When he got to campus his freshman year, he was a walk-on. He set some goals for himself. The first was...

Alabama pounds its way to 31-6 win over Mississippi State

Alabama pounds its way to 31-6 win over Mississippi State

Kelly Ward November 14, 2015

STARKVILLE, Miss. — For nearly 20 minutes, No. 2 Alabama couldn’t find the end zone. On offense, it couldn’t find much of anything after a 34-yard first quarter.Then cornerback Cyrus Jones broke...

Quick Hits: Saban's pre-LSU press conference

Kelly Ward November 2, 2015

For the first time since August, Alabama football didn't play Saturday. Instead, it enjoyed its only bye week of the season.Alabama coach Nick Saban said it was a productive bye week but now it's time...

Smoke 'em if you got 'em: 9 wins in a row

Smoke 'em if you got 'em: 9 wins in a row

Kelly Ward October 26, 2015

Lighters went up and puffs of smoke erupted from Bryant-Denny Stadium as soon as A’Shawn Robinson scooped up the fumble Ryan Anderson forced and returned it nine yards to the Tennessee 4-yard line.The...

​Defense outscores offense, silences crowd in 41-23 win over Texas A&M

Kelly Ward October 17, 2015

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Welcome to the big leagues, Minkah Fitzpatrick.No. 10 Alabama’s 41-23 win over No. 9 Texas A&M was as good a coming out party as any. The freshman defensive back put on a show...

Four Downs in Alabama Territory: Alabama defense stifles Arkansas

Four Downs in Alabama Territory: Alabama defense stifles Arkansas

Kelly Ward October 12, 2015

There’s really only so much a defense can do when 12 yards separate its opponent from the end zone.That's the situation Alabama's defense faced late in the second quarter of the 27-14 win on Saturday.Arkansas...

Freshman show up big in road win

Freshman show up big in road win

Kelly Ward October 5, 2015

ATHENS, Ga. — On Monday, Alabama wasn’t supposed to beat Georgia. After a 72 game streak, the Crimson Tide opened as an underdog to the Bulldogs.At halftime on Saturday, when Alabama led 24-3, the...

Downpour: ​Alabama washes over Georgia in Sanford Stadium storm

Downpour: ​Alabama washes over Georgia in Sanford Stadium storm

Kelly Ward October 3, 2015

ATHENS, Ga. — Maybe a downpour was all No. 13 Alabama needed to figure out its game. When the sky opened up and the downpour came to Sanford Stadium, so did the Crimson Tide in a 38-10 win over No....

​Madi Moore brings new look to Alabama softball pitching staff

​Madi Moore brings new look to Alabama softball pitching staff

Kelly Ward October 1, 2015

Madi Moore isn’t going to have it easy when she scrimmages against her teammates on the Alabama softball team.They will repay the favor done to them by pitchers like Jaclyn Traina, who led the team to...

Crimson Tide offense still searching for identity

Crimson Tide offense still searching for identity

Kelly Ward September 28, 2015

Alabama’s offense sputtered early before finding some consistency in the 34-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday. Four games into the season, the offense hasn’t quite found its identity.“I was...

Quick hits from Nick Saban's pre-ULM Monday press conference

Quick hits from Nick Saban's pre-ULM Monday press conference

Kelly Ward September 21, 2015

Following Saturday’s 43-37 loss to Ole Miss, Alabama coach Nick Saban addressed what he liked and what he didn’t during his weekly Monday press conference.He liked the effort he saw from his players....

​U.S. Women's National Team routs Haiti in front of record Birmingham crowd

​U.S. Women's National Team routs Haiti in front of record Birmingham crowd

Kelly Ward September 20, 2015

BIRMINGHAM — In its fourth appearance at Legion Field, the U.S. Women’s National Team gave the 35,753 fans in attendance a show in an 8-0 rout of Haiti.The crowd was a record for a USWNT match in the...

Alabama's turnover woes return in 43-37 loss to Ole MIss

Alabama's turnover woes return in 43-37 loss to Ole MIss

Kelly Ward September 20, 2015

At first, the crowd was loud, the stadium shaking. After the opening kickoff and subsequent fumble by Alabama, the crowd quieted.The trend continued throughout the night as No. 2 Alabama toyed with a comeback...

​Derrick Henry runs over Badgers in 35-17 win

​Derrick Henry runs over Badgers in 35-17 win

Kelly Ward September 6, 2015

ARLINGTON, Texas — Give the ball to Derrick Henry and watch him run. All No. 20 Wisconsin could do was watch, as the junior running back worked his way to 147 yards rushing on 13 carries in No. 3 Alabama’s...

The Closer

The Closer

Kelly Ward September 3, 2015

Somehow — between the demands of fall camp and football season, the demands of his position, perhaps the most demanding in the state — Nick Saban has time. Time to help, time to work with other coaches...

UAPD issues advisory following report of robbery on Jackson Avenue

Kelly Ward September 1, 2015

UAPD issued an advisory early Tuesday morning after a robbery was reported on the 1100 block of Jackson Avenue.According to the advisory, two men approached the victim around 9:45 p.m. as he was getting...

Saban talks quarterbacks, secondary after first fall scrimmage

Saban talks quarterbacks, secondary after first fall scrimmage

Kelly Ward August 15, 2015

Alabama football hosted its first scrimmage of fall camp Saturday afternoon in Bryant-Denny Stadium. There were no stats provided from the closed scrimmage.Following the scrimmage, head coach Nick Saban...

Kenyan Drake prepared to return after injury

Kenyan Drake prepared to return after injury

Kelly Ward July 29, 2015

HOOVER — The year has been a long one for Alabama running back 
Kenyan Drake.After ending his season with a leg injury at Ole Miss early October, Drake spent his offseason working on getting back to...

LSU brings back some quarterback experience

LSU brings back some quarterback experience

Kelly Ward July 22, 2015

HOOVER — LSU’s 8-5 season was not up to standards.Head coach Les Miles said there were a number of factors involved in the year, including youth at quarterback and losing valuable juniors. Every year,...

Arkansas' winning season a launching point

Arkansas' winning season a launching point

Kelly Ward July 22, 2015

HOOVER — While Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema made comments about the Razorbacks’ win over Texas in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl that went viral Wednesday at SEC Media Days, he kept his speech tamer...

Treadwell likely to return for Ole Miss season opener

Treadwell likely to return for Ole Miss season opener

Kelly Ward July 22, 2015

HOOVER — Ole Miss was a different team without wide receiver Laquon Treadwell.Treadwell suffered a season-ending injury in the final minutes of Ole Miss’ 35-31 loss to Auburn. He broke his leg as he...

Football Continues Camp on First Day of Class

Football Continues Camp on First Day of Class

Kelly Ward July 19, 2015

By Kelly Ward | Digital Managing EditorEvery year, the first day of class marks the end of fall camp for Alabama football. This year, it cuts fall camp about a week short due to the season starting the...

Saban talks NFL, Kenyan Drake at Media Days

Kelly Ward July 17, 2015

HOOVER — No news, while bad for the most in the room at SEC Media Days, is good news for Alabama coach Nick Saban.After a flurry of arrests in the spring, the summer has been quiet for football at the...

Another cannonball found on campus

Kelly Ward July 17, 2015

A crew installing wiring for lights near Rowand-Johnson Hall on Friday morning found a cannonball.Friday's find brings the total number of Civil War-era cannonballs discovered on campus this summer to...

New SEC commissioner addresses conference goals

New SEC commissioner addresses conference goals

Kelly Ward July 15, 2015

HOOVER — SEC Media Days had a different look this year. For the first time since 2002, Mike Slive did not open the event. Greg Sankey, the new conference commissioner, represents a new era in the SEC.He...

Mississippi State hopes for another competitive year

Mississippi State hopes for another competitive year

Kelly Ward July 15, 2015

HOOVER — The Mississippi State head coach, Dan Mullen, walked in wearing a suit, a tie and a pair of Yeezy Boost 350 shoes by Adidas on Tuesday at SEC Media Days.“I’ve got a little sock game going...

Texas A&M looks for leadership

Texas A&M looks for leadership

Kelly Ward July 15, 2015

HOOVER — Last season, Texas A&M was far from the team that produced a Heisman-winning quarterback. The 2014 squad began 5-0 before losing three consecutively, including a 59-0 loss to Alabama.This year,...

Hargreaves discusses Cooper

Hargreaves discusses Cooper

Kelly Ward July 15, 2015

HOOVER — Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III rarely gets beat. He’s not very talkative; he prefers to speak with his play, not unlike former Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.Lining up against...

Bell to focus on research, recruitment as president

Bell to focus on research, recruitment as president

Kelly Ward June 24, 2015

The first night Stuart Bell and his wife Susan were in Tuscaloosa, they had a late dinner before deciding to walk around the campus. The two made their way to the Quad where they saw two or three groups...