Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White


Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

All content by Matthew Speakman
SENIOR COLUMN: Appreciating Tuscaloosas creations

SENIOR COLUMN: Appreciating Tuscaloosa’s creations

Katie Huff May 2, 2018

I constantly have a widespread stomach-turning feeling from the inevitable fact that I will never hear every song, or even every musician. I live in non stop fear that there is a song or band that I’ll...

Review: Kevin Morby crafts immersive show at Saturn

Review: Kevin Morby crafts immersive show at Saturn

Katie Huff April 27, 2018

In November, Katie Crutchfield and Allison Crutchfield were given permanent residence at Birmingham’s Saturn, curator of unmatchable line-ups consisting of increasingly on-the-cusp artists unseen by...

Marie Carastro oldest living Alabama quarterback

Matthew Speakman April 19, 2018

The oldest living quarterback in Alabama history never suited up in pads. Instead, the quarterback wore rolled-up jeans, a shirt and tennis shoes while competing on the field of the now-named Bryant-Denny...

Brian Robinson has improved tremendously in second year

Brian Robinson has ‘improved tremendously’ in second year

Matthew Speakman April 16, 2018

Linebacker Terrell Lewis remembers one of the first times he met running back Brian Robinson in a hole during practice. It was last season, and Robinson ran right at Lewis, who stands at 6-foot-5, 256...

Q&A: Forest Fire Gospel Choir talk influences, changing Nashville scene

Q&A: Forest Fire Gospel Choir talk influences, changing Nashville scene

Katie Huff April 12, 2018

Four hours away in Nashville, Tennessee, students at Belmont University, a liberal arts college that is home to the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, are immersed in crafting music and...

Alabama linebacker admits its hard not to hit quarterbacks during scrimmages

Alabama linebacker admits it’s hard not to hit quarterbacks during scrimmages

Matthew Speakman April 10, 2018

They wear a black jersey for a reason. Alabama aims to keep its quarterbacks safe during the spring season. The players wear the black jersey to keep them from taking hits and suffering injuries.  Still,...

Review: Japanese Breakfast and co. bring energetic garage rock to Saturn

Review: Japanese Breakfast and co. bring energetic garage rock to Saturn

Katie Huff April 10, 2018

Not until the year 2022 are we promised a 50/50 gender balance at 45 music festivals. While this is a thrilling, and warranted, future promise to music consumers and makers, what’s difficult to swallow...

Alabama football players view White House visit as a great honor

Alabama football players view White House visit as ‘a great honor’

Matthew Speakman April 10, 2018

There wasn't much discussion about whether or not Alabama football would visit the White House after winning its 17th national championship. It's a tradition that comes with winning a championship in any...

Josh Casher overcomes size to get shot on offensive line

Josh Casher overcomes size to get shot on offensive line

Matthew Speakman April 9, 2018

Redshirt senior Josh Casher picks up his playbook and opens it to a page.  Every day, he writes the same thing on the page.  “Every day matters,” he scribbles. For a fifth-year player fighting for...

After only one year, Collin Sextons impact on Alabama is palpable

After only one year, Collin Sexton’s impact on Alabama is palpable

Matthew Speakman April 9, 2018

Collin Sexton only wanted one thing for Christmas when he was five years old. It wasn’t any type of toy, video game or movie. It was an alarm clock. He wanted an alarm clock, so he could wake up before...

Collin Sexton declares for 2018 NBA Draft

Collin Sexton declares for 2018 NBA Draft

Matthew Speakman April 6, 2018

Alabama freshman guard Collin Sexton announced he will leave school early and enter the 2018 NBA Draft. The SEC Co-Freshman of the Year averaged 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game with...

Nick Saban, LeBron James battle over Shop Talk series

Nick Saban, LeBron James battle over ‘Shop Talk’ series

Matthew Speakman April 5, 2018

Alabama started a web series entitled "Shop Talk" last week.  It featured former players Julio Jones, Ryan Anderson and Eddie Jackson, who all play in the NFL now. The three reflected on their time at...

Lack of experience in secondary forces Dionte Thompson into leadership role

Matthew Speakman April 2, 2018

Safety Deionte Thompson waited the entire 2017 season to get his chance. The former four-star recruit sat in a reserve role before senior Hootie Jones went down with a season-ending injury right before...

Green Bar an expanding niche for original music

Green Bar an expanding niche for original music

Katie Huff April 2, 2018

Green Bar is in the business of repurposing, changing a seemingly ordinary space into a distinctive locale. They're switching to a can-only beer list, allowing for an entirely recyclable bar service and...

Review: Hinds brings new focus to women in rock

Review: Hinds brings new focus to women in rock

Katie Huff March 27, 2018

In a dimly lit, low-ceilinged music venue, a densely packed, impassioned audience slung locally-sourced IPAs through the throngs of fellow active listeners and participants. The atmosphere was entangled...

Alabama football adjusts to six coaching staff additions

Alabama football adjusts to six coaching staff additions

Matthew Speakman March 26, 2018

Looking around the practice fields for Alabama’s spring football sessions, very few coaches were on staff last season. In fact, Alabama brought in six new assistants and saw one transition to a new off-field...

Music Column: Invest in your regional venues

Music Column: Invest in your regional venues

Katie Huff March 21, 2018

In Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Julie Byrne, the Central Park central ranger who doubles as an enchantingly ethereal folk singer-songwriter, donned a simple sequined dress and no shoes to perform a delicately...

Alabama basketball exits NCAA Tournament at hands of No. 1 seed Villanova

Alabama basketball exits NCAA Tournament at hands of No. 1 seed Villanova

Matthew Speakman March 17, 2018

Alabama basketball exited the NCAA Tournament at the hands of No. 1 seed Villanova, 81-58. The Crimson Tide, who were only down five at the half, could not stop the Wildcats from knocking down three-pointers...

Alabama basketball earns No. 9 seed, set to play Virginia Tech in Pittsburgh in NCAA Tournament

Alabama basketball earns No. 9 seed, set to play Virginia Tech in Pittsburgh in NCAA Tournament

Matthew Speakman March 11, 2018

Alabama basketball will be a No. 9 seed in the east region of the NCAA Tournament and will play Virginia Tech in the first round in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  It will be Alabama's first NCAA Tournament...

Collin Sexton carries Alabama to win over Texas A&M in SEC Tournament

Collin Sexton carries Alabama to win over Texas A&M in SEC Tournament

Matthew Speakman March 8, 2018

Alabama freshman point guard Collin Sexton hit a floater with no time left to give Alabama a 71-70 win over Texas A&M in the second round of the SEC tournament. The shot snapped a five-game losing streak...

Alabama begins new season with SEC Tournament game against Texas A&M

Alabama begins new season with SEC Tournament game against Texas A&M

Matthew Speakman March 8, 2018

By Matthew Speakman | Sports Editor It is a new season for Alabama basketball, and it comes at a good time. The Crimson Tide ended the season with a five-game losing streak to thrust them to the edge of...

Calvin Ridley out to prove he is best receiver in 2018 NFL Draft

Calvin Ridley out to prove he is best receiver in 2018 NFL Draft

Matthew Speakman March 8, 2018

By Matthew Speakman | Sports Editor Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley left the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine disappointed. He felt that he didn’t perform up to his standard. The 22-year-old wide out ran...

Nick Saban confirms Alabama is interested in hiring Butch Jones as analyst

Nick Saban confirms Alabama is ‘interested’ in hiring Butch Jones as analyst

Matthew Speakman March 7, 2018

During Alabama’s annual Pro Day, former Tennessee coach Butch Jones was spotted observing the work outs in a crimson jacket with an Alabama logo on it. Jones was reportedly in Tuscaloosa recently discussing...

Donta Hall selected to SEC All-Defensive team

Donta Hall selected to SEC All-Defensive team

Matthew Speakman March 6, 2018

Alabama forward Donta Hall made the SEC All-Defensive team, the league office announced on Tuesday. Hall lead Alabama with 2.3 blocks per game and is third in the SEC in that category.  He leads Alabama...

Collin Sexton named SEC Co-Freshman of the Year

Collin Sexton named SEC Co-Freshman of the Year

Matthew Speakman March 6, 2018

Alabama basketball freshman Collin Sexton earned SEC Co-Freshman Player of the Year, the league office announced on Tuesday. Sexton is just the second player in Alabama history to earn the award with Mo...

Alabama football spends Saturday building house for Habitat for Humanity

Alabama football spends Saturday building house for Habitat for Humanity

Matthew Speakman March 4, 2018

Seventeen houses for 17 national championships. Nick Saban and the Alabama football team spent its Saturday not in the weight room or lounging around, but building its 17th house for Habitat for Humanity...

Alabama basketball ends regular season with five-game losing streak

Alabama basketball ends regular season with five-game losing streak

Matthew Speakman March 3, 2018

Alabama basketball fell on the road to Texas A&M, 68-66, to end the regular season on a five-game losing streak. It is the first losing streak of five games since the 2005 season. Alabama finished the...

Fusion jam band Flow Tribe to play Green Bar tonight

Fusion jam band Flow Tribe to play Green Bar tonight

Katie Huff March 1, 2018

UA students flocked to the streets of New Orleans following the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 1. The celebration continued following the National Championship game on Jan. 8 in Atlanta....

Alabama football adds graduate transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew

Alabama football adds graduate transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew

Matthew Speakman February 28, 2018

Graduate transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew has reportedly committed to Alabama and will enroll in May. His commitment was first reported by Sports Illustrated and AL.com. Minshew confirmed to The Crimson...

Poor shooting plagues Alabama as losing streak extends to four

Poor shooting plagues Alabama as losing streak extends to four

Matthew Speakman February 27, 2018

To say it was a poor shooting night would be an understatement. Alabama basketball experienced something much worse. The Crimson Tide simply could not hit anything it threw up against Florida, no matter...

Music Column: Four new singles you need to hear ASAP

Music Column: Four new singles you need to hear ASAP

Katie Huff February 27, 2018

In a seemingly mundane world of time zones and the circumstantial references that place us in said realm of time, there is a gleaming light of pleasure for those not looped into Eastern Standard Time....

Riley Norris fills leadership role despite being out with season-ending hip injury

Riley Norris fills leadership role despite being out with season-ending hip injury

Matthew Speakman February 27, 2018

Alabama (17-12, 8-8 SEC) will honor seniors Riley Norris and ArMond Davis before Tuesday’s contest against Florida (18-11, 9-7). It will be Alabama’s final home game of the year. Both players could...

Longtime RBs coach Burton Burns to transition to off-field role for Alabama

Longtime RBs coach Burton Burns to transition to off-field role for Alabama

Matthew Speakman February 22, 2018

Alabama announced that long time running backs coach Burton Burns will transition to a new off-field role as assistant athletics director for football. Burns spent 11 years as Alabama's running backs coach...

Alabama officially announces multiple coaching changes

Alabama officially announces multiple coaching changes

Matthew Speakman February 22, 2018

Alabama announced the hirings and promotions of several new and current members of the coaching staff.  Among those is the promotions of Mike Locksley from wide receivers coach to offensive coordinator...

Alabamas annual Pro Day set for March 7, will be televised on SEC Network

Alabama’s annual Pro Day set for March 7, will be televised on SEC Network

Matthew Speakman February 22, 2018

Alabama's annual Pro Day will be held on Wednesday, March 7 at noon CT. The Pro Day will be televised on the SEC Network, the league office announced.  It will serve as a mock combine for all of Alabama's...

Alabama basketball dominated on the road against Auburn

Alabama basketball dominated on the road against Auburn

Matthew Speakman February 22, 2018

Alabama basketball suffered a 19-point loss on the road against No. 12 Auburn. The Crimson Tide's record now stands at 17-11 overall and 8-7 in SEC play. Despite being only being down by five at the half,...

Collin Sexton to face off against former teammate, Auburn for first time

Collin Sexton to face off against former teammate, Auburn for first time

Matthew Speakman February 21, 2018

For the first time this season, Alabama point guard Collin Sexton will face off against his former teammate when Alabama travels to Auburn on Wednesday night. Sexton spent three years playing alongside...

Music Column: Waxahatchee and Kevin Morby encompass Molinas musical imprint

Music Column: Waxahatchee and Kevin Morby encompass Molina’s musical imprint

Katie Huff February 20, 2018

Between Birmingham and Montgomery lies the Waxahatchee River. Twenty-two miles long, it constitutes the unsung border between Shelby and Chilton counties. A waterway typically provides jet-skiing and kayaking...

Alabama goes on second-half run to take down LSU at home

Alabama goes on second-half run to take down LSU at home

Matthew Speakman February 14, 2018

   Early in the second half, it looked like Alabama basketball was heading for familiar territory. LSU pulled within one point and freshman guard Collin Sexton went to the bench with four fouls. It looked...

Alabama basketball hoping to avoid upset as NCAA Tournament resume builds

Alabama basketball hoping to avoid upset as NCAA Tournament resume builds

Matthew Speakman February 13, 2018

Alabama basketball has had its fair share of let downs this season. Big wins are often followed by head-scratching losses to inferior teams from a talent perspective. This week, Alabama (16-9, 7-5 SEC)...

Music Column: Take a gander at the Phish Phanatics

Music Column: Take a gander at the Phish Phanatics

Katie Huff February 13, 2018

Phish “phans” have an app. It can be phound in the App Store and downloaded to your phone. Through this app, phanatics have, at their phingertips, twenty-phour minute jam sessions that drastically...

Students partner with, promote local entertainers

Students partner with, promote local entertainers

Katie Huff February 12, 2018

Between The Jupiter and Druid City Music Hall, The Strip continuously houses the various musical stylings of local, regional and nationally-recognized artists. From The Avett Brothers at The Jupiter in...

Alabama earns fifth win over a ranked team by dominating Tennessee

Alabama earns fifth win over a ranked team by dominating Tennessee

Matthew Speakman February 10, 2018

Top-25 teams continue to bring out the best in Alabama.  The Crimson Tide (16-9, 7-5 SEC) defeated a red-hot No. 15 Tennessee (18-6. 6-6) team, 78-50, to get its fourth win over a ranked team at home...

Alabama hoping to bring A-game against red-hot Tennessee

Alabama hoping to bring ‘A-game’ against red-hot Tennessee

Matthew Speakman February 10, 2018

In an up-and-down season, the high points have come against the right teams for Alabama. When top-25 teams roll into Tuscaloosa, Alabama shows up. Alabama has victories over four top-25 teams with three...

Alabama addresses position needs in lowest-rated recruiting class since 2007

Alabama addresses position needs in lowest-rated recruiting class since 2007

Matthew Speakman February 8, 2018

For the first time since 2010, a team besides Alabama found itself at the top of the recruiting rankings. Georgia broke Alabama’s record for five-star recruits in a year and finished with the nation’s...

Alabama loses defensive line recruit Bobby Brown to Texas A&M

Alabama loses defensive line recruit Bobby Brown to Texas A&M

Matthew Speakman February 7, 2018

National Signing Day is underway and Alabama already got a surprise. Four-star defensive lineman Bobby Brown spurned the Crimson Tide in favor of Texas A&M. Arlington Lamar DE Bobby Brown (@tre_brown8700)...

Donta Hall brings leadership, energy to Alabama locker room

Donta Hall brings leadership, energy to Alabama locker room

Matthew Speakman February 6, 2018

On Saturday at halftime against Florida, something in Alabama’s locker room changed. The Crimson Tide were only down six, but it felt like it could have been much more. Alabama lacked energy much like...

John Petty embraces maturation process, continues to be three-point specialist

John Petty embraces maturation process, continues to be three-point specialist

Matthew Speakman February 5, 2018

Alabama freshman guard John Petty’s three-point shooting has won Alabama numerous games this season. At home against No. 11 Auburn on Jan. 17, Petty hit eight threes to propel Alabama to an important...

Alabama fails to find any spark in loss to Missouri

Alabama fails to find any spark in loss to Missouri

Matthew Speakman February 1, 2018

If anyone was wondering if Alabama would experience a hangover against Missouri, they got their answer. Four days removed from one of the biggest wins in recent program history, a sluggish Alabama team...

Music Column: Women in music fight back

Music Column: Women in music fight back

Katie Huff January 30, 2018

The year 2017, shockingly, lasted only 365 days. It’s difficult to understand how one year can hold such immense tragedy while simultaneously providing an outpouring of unique art that asks for change,...

Alabama defense rises to the occasion against Trae Young, Oklahoma

Alabama defense rises to the occasion against Trae Young, Oklahoma

Matthew Speakman January 27, 2018

More than 50 NBA scouts were in attendance to see a duel between two potential top-10 NBA Draft picks in Alabama guard Collin Sexton and Oklahoma guard Trae Young. While both players went at each other...

Collin Sexton, Trae Young stand at the center of Alabama-Oklahoma matchup

Collin Sexton, Trae Young stand at the center of Alabama-Oklahoma matchup

Matthew Speakman January 27, 2018

NBA scouts have been waiting all season for this one. Alabama freshman point guard Collin Sexton will go head-to-head with Oklahoma point guard Trae Young when the Sooners roll into Coleman Coliseum today....

Artists from the Hangout lineup to watch for at The Grammys

Artists from the Hangout lineup to watch for at The Grammys

Katie Huff January 26, 2018

While Hangout Music Fest always promises its patrons a sandy setting, the need for sunscreen, a laidback festival vibe and the picturesque landscape of Gulf Shores, this year also comes with the chance...

Former Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey arrested on robbery charge

Former Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey arrested on robbery charge

Matthew Speakman January 25, 2018

Former Alabama standout cornerback Marlon Humphrey was arrested for third-degree robbery, according to the Sheriff of Tuscaloosa County's office. Third-degree robbery is a class C felony in Alabama. Here...

Q&A: Tuscaloosa band Seismos talk broad scope of sound and T-town scene

Q&A: Tuscaloosa band Seismos talk broad scope of sound and T-town scene

Katie Huff January 25, 2018

“We have to get a fan mail and start it off with ‘Hello Repeat Offenders,’” said RJ Marchand, drummer for the genre-bending, Tuscaloosa-based band Seismos.  Seismos is a quartet of musicians with...

Alabama basketballs winning streak comes to an end against Ole Miss

Alabama basketball’s winning streak comes to an end against Ole Miss

Matthew Speakman January 24, 2018

Alabama basketball lost to Ole Miss on the road, 78-66, to end its four-game winning streak in the SEC. The Crimson Tide fell to 13-7 overall and 5-3 in SEC play on the season. Alabama fell behind early,...

Music Column: Bands show their brightest versatilities via covers

Music Column: Bands show their brightest versatilities via covers

Katie Huff January 23, 2018

This weekend, Jason Isbell did a three-night run at Alabama Theatre starting Thursday and running through Saturday. This marked the beginning of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s tour following the release...

Column: Why Tuscaloosa needs a brick and mortar bagel shop

Column: Why Tuscaloosa needs a brick and mortar bagel shop

Katie Huff January 19, 2018

Going to the dentist as a child would incite a strongest sense of panic in my bones. I feared everything, from the smell of the waiting room and the receptionist’s alarmingly too-cheery demeanor, to...

John Pettys big scoring night pushes Alabama past Auburn

John Petty’s big scoring night pushes Alabama past Auburn

Matthew Speakman January 17, 2018

A five-star talent produced a five-star game for Alabama. Time after time, freshman guard John Petty, a five-star recruit in high school, ran off a screen, caught the ball, and threw up a three-pointer...

Full details for Alabamas national championship parade on Saturday

Full details for Alabama’s national championship parade on Saturday

Matthew Speakman January 17, 2018

Alabama's national championship parade will be held on Jan. 20 to honor the Crimson Tide's historic season. It will begin at Denny Chimes and end at the Walk of Champions in front of Bryant-Denny Stadium. ...

Alabama using video of Auburn buzzer beater to fuel them against the Tigers

Alabama using video of Auburn buzzer beater to fuel them against the Tigers

Matthew Speakman January 17, 2018

They have had the play in their minds since it happened.  Last season, in a road game against arch-rival Auburn, Alabama was ready to accept a 17-point loss. Auburn had different plans. With barely any...

Music Column: Thundercat, taste and defending your musical preferences

Music Column: Thundercat, taste and defending your musical preferences

Katie Huff January 16, 2018

Thundercat, or Stephen Bruner in less funkified terms, is a bass guitarist that can undeniably envoke feelings of sly coolness on any listener. Listening to his new album “Drunk” feels almost deliriously...

Alabama OC Brian Daboll will leave Alabama for Buffalo Bills after one season

Alabama OC Brian Daboll will leave Alabama for Buffalo Bills after one season

Matthew Speakman January 14, 2018

Alabama offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will leave Alabama after just one season to become the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills.  Alabama head coach Nick Saban released a statement after...

Players adapt to new roles as Alabama continues to find the right lineup

Players adapt to new roles as Alabama continues to find the right lineup

Matthew Speakman January 13, 2018

It’s early January, and Alabama is still trying to find a lineup that best suites the team. The Crimson Tide have experienced numerous line up shakeups with players going down with injury, sickness or...

Report: Former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster arrested in Tuscaloosa on marijuana charge

Matthew Speakman January 13, 2018

Former Alabama standout linebacker Reuben Foster was arrested in Tuscaloosa on Friday night, according to a report by the Anniston Star. Foster was booked on a second-degree possession of marijuana. His...

Reports: Derrick Ansley will join Oakland Raiders coaching staff as defensive backs coach

Reports: Derrick Ansley will join Oakland Raiders coaching staff as defensive backs coach

Matthew Speakman January 11, 2018

Alabama defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley will leave Alabama to become the defensive backs coach for the Oakland Raiders, according to reports. Originally, it was reported that Ansley would join Colorado...

Here are all the 2018 Tuscaloosa Amphitheater shows announced so far

Here are all the 2018 Tuscaloosa Amphitheater shows announced so far

Katie Huff January 11, 2018

Despite the recent frigid weather and ice skating rink still occupying Tuscaloosa Amphitheater’s pit seating, the venue has released a lineup for its upcoming Coca-Cola Concert Series starting in March....

OPINION: Bold moves in national championships prove that Nick Saban is college footballs greatest coach

OPINION: Bold moves in national championships prove that Nick Saban is college football’s greatest coach

Matthew Speakman January 11, 2018

Alabama head coach Nick Saban had a choice. Play it safe, or make a potentially risky change. Thankfully for Alabama, he chose the bold decision. Heading into the locker room at halftime, Alabama was down...

Calvin Ridley will forgo his senior year, enter 2018 NFL Draft

Calvin Ridley will forgo his senior year, enter 2018 NFL Draft

Matthew Speakman January 10, 2018

Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley will enter the NFL Draft, he announced on Wednesday. In his three-year career, he caught a pass in all 44 games he appeared in. He finished third on Alabama’s all-time...

Tua Tagovailoa comes off the bench, unexpectedly ignites Alabamas offense to an overtime victory in national championship game

Tua Tagovailoa comes off the bench, unexpectedly ignites Alabama’s offense to an overtime victory in national championship game

Matthew Speakman January 9, 2018

ATLANTA- A true freshman quarterback replaced a seasoned starter with a 26-2 career record at halftime in a national championship, and won the game for Alabama. Yes, that really happened.  Quarterback...

Players to watch: Breaking down the players who need to have a big game against Georgia

Players to watch: Breaking down the players who need to have a big game against Georgia

Matthew Speakman January 8, 2018

Story lines have been running wild leading up to tonight’s College Football Playoff national championship. Alabama’s injuries, Georgia’s running backs and the relationship between Alabama head coach...

Reports: Derrick Ansley to take defensive coordinator position at Colorado State

Reports: Derrick Ansley to take defensive coordinator position at Colorado State

Matthew Speakman January 8, 2018

Colorado State will hire Alabama defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley as its next defensive coordinator, according to a report by Football Scoop. Ansley spent the last two seasons coaching Alabama’s...

Mel Tucker developed Alabama starting DBs early in their careers

Mel Tucker developed Alabama starting DBs early in their careers

Matthew Speakman January 8, 2018

ATLANTA- He was there during a crucial stage in their development. Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker coached Alabama’s defensive backs for one season, but it shaped the way the team performs now....

Rashaan Evans big-game mentality goes a long way for Alabama in national championships

Rashaan Evans’ big-game mentality goes a long way for Alabama in national championships

Matthew Speakman January 7, 2018

ATLANTA- When the lights are the brightest, he shows up. Linebacker Rashaan Evans has a big-game mentality. During the 2015 national championship, he made a name for himself. The former five-star recruit...

Minkah Fitzpatrick responds to rumors about possible injury

Minkah Fitzpatrick responds to rumors about possible injury

Matthew Speakman January 6, 2018

Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick’s status was in question ahead of the national championship. Reports surfaced that Fitzpatrick had a bruised kidney after Alabama’s 24-6 win over Clemson. During Saturday’s...

J.C. Hassenauer will once again fill in on Alabamas offensive line in wake of injury to Lester Cotton

J.C. Hassenauer will once again fill in on Alabama’s offensive line in wake of injury to Lester Cotton

Matthew Speakman January 6, 2018

ATLANTA- Alabama head coach Nick Saban officially ruled out right guard Lester Cotton from playing in the national championship against Georgia. Cotton suffered a left leg injury and left the game in the...

Goal line touchdown on trick play rewards physical Alabama offense in win over Clemson

Goal line touchdown on trick play rewards physical Alabama offense in win over Clemson

Matthew Speakman January 2, 2018

NEW ORLEANS- In the third quarter, quarterback Jalen Hurts find the widest of his wide receivers.  Lined up in a jumbo package, 6-foot-2, 308-pound Da’Ron Payne released in the flat. Hurts rolled right...

Dabo Swinney discusses high-stakes rivalry with Alabama

Dabo Swinney discusses high-stakes rivalry with Alabama

Matthew Speakman December 31, 2017

 NEW ORLEANS- It’s a new rivalry forged in parallel success.  Alabama and Clemson have faced each other in the national championship two years in a row, with each team claiming a victory. This season,...

LaBryan Ray embraces role as next man up during freshman season

LaBryan Ray embraces role as next man up during freshman season

Matthew Speakman December 31, 2017

NEW ORLEANS- Alabama defensive end LaBryan Ray did not expect to play this season. Rarely does a defensive lineman break into the rotation in their first year at Alabama. Ray did just that, because his...

Alabama dominates No. 5 Texas A&M, gets first win over an AP Top 5 team since 2004

Alabama dominates No. 5 Texas A&M, gets first win over an AP Top 5 team since 2004

Matthew Speakman December 30, 2017

Alabama basketball dominated No.5 Texas A&M, 79-57, in Coleman Coliseum on Saturday night. The win was Alabama's first over an AP top-5 team since the team beat Stanford in the NCAA tournament in 2004. ...

Riley Norris out for the season with hip injury

Riley Norris out for the season with hip injury

Matthew Speakman December 30, 2017

Alabama senior forward Riley Norris will miss the rest of the season with a hip injury. It is the same injury that sidelined Norris for the first three games of the season. Norris has only played in nine...

Alabama offense prepares for Clemsons dominant defensive line

Alabama offense prepares for Clemson’s dominant defensive line

Matthew Speakman December 30, 2017

NEW ORLEANS- Alabama’s offensive line knows the challenge it is facing in Clemson. The Tigers’ front four, which has 44 sacks this season, has a rotation with multiple pro-level players. That unit...

Deionte Thompson leans on family and football while dealing with legal situation

Deionte Thompson leans on family and football while dealing with legal situation

Matthew Speakman December 30, 2017

NEW ORLEANS- Alabama safety Deionte Thompson’s legal situation has lingered over his head throughout his redshirt sophomore season. Before the 2017 campaign, Thompson was accused and indicted on felony...

Stop telling athletes to stick to sports

Stop telling athletes to “stick to sports”

Matthew Speakman December 7, 2017

Politics and sports are no longer separate entities. Now more than ever, athletes are using their platforms to address issues that they feel passionately about. Football players, specifically, have used...

Alabama basketball overcomes season-high turnover total to defeat Rhode Island

Alabama basketball overcomes season-high turnover total to defeat Rhode Island

Matthew Speakman December 7, 2017

 It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done. Alabama basketball certainly didn’t put on performance that would turn heads anyone by any means, but still walked away with a 68-64 win. Alabama had a...

Music Column: The years best albums, as reviewed via haikus

Music Column: The year’s best albums, as reviewed via haikus

Katie Huff December 5, 2017

This is an arbitrary list. Every list like this is. These opinions are formed from a wide range of conflicting, correlated experiences and opinions that have formed my personal preferences and opinions....

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Calvin Ridley among 11 Alabama players on AP All-SEC teams

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Calvin Ridley among 11 Alabama players on AP All-SEC teams

Matthew Speakman December 4, 2017

Alabama had a league-leading 11 players named to the Associated Press All-SEC teams on Monday. The No. 4-ranked Crimson Tide had eight elections for the first team, and three for the second team. Wide...

Alabama edges out Ohio State for fourth spot in College Football Playoff

Alabama edges out Ohio State for fourth spot in College Football Playoff

Matthew Speakman December 4, 2017

On championship Saturday, Alabama was left waiting and watching. The team didn’t qualify for its conference championship, despite only losing one game all season. The rest of Alabama’s season was out...

Alabama names permanent team captains, votes Minkah Fitzpatrick team MVP

Alabama names permanent team captains, votes Minkah Fitzpatrick team MVP

Matthew Speakman December 4, 2017

Alabama had its annual team awards banquet on Sunday at the Birmingham Sheraton.  Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was named the team's MVP, which was voted on by the players. He had 52 tackles, one...

Alabama basketball unable to overcome sluggish second half against UCF

Alabama basketball unable to overcome sluggish second half against UCF

Matthew Speakman December 3, 2017

A completely out-of-sync Alabama had its worst offensive half of the season in second half of its 65-62 loss to UCF. The Crimson Tide only scored 26 points and blew a six-point halftime lead in the final...

Alabama will face Clemson in College Football Playoff

Alabama will face Clemson in College Football Playoff

Matthew Speakman December 3, 2017

After a week of speculation, Alabama was selected for its fourth-straight College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide comes in at No. 4, and will face Clemson in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.  The selection...

Alabama must sit and wait as playoff chances hang in the balance

Alabama must sit and wait as playoff chances hang in the balance

Matthew Speakman November 30, 2017

There is less than a week until the College Football Playoff field will be settled, and for the first time, Alabama does not control its own destiny. After a loss to now No. 2 Auburn, the Crimson Tide...

Dazon Ingram, Collin Sexton power Alabama to another close win

Dazon Ingram, Collin Sexton power Alabama to another close win

Matthew Speakman November 30, 2017

Guards Collin Sexton and Dazon Ingram combined for 44 points, and Alabama needed every single one of them. The Crimson Tide squeaked out a win over Louisiana Tech, 77-74. Ingram tied his career high at...

Music Column: Genres often a barrier to musical exploration

Music Column: Genres often a barrier to musical exploration

Katie Huff November 28, 2017

I share a dark past with the year 2010: this is the time when I listened to, and pretended to enjoy, the music of Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, but not ironically. In order to comfort my shame surrounding...

Alabama offense unable to sustain drives in loss to Auburn

Alabama offense unable to sustain drives in loss to Auburn

Matthew Speakman November 25, 2017

It was a flurry of miscommunication and mistakes sandwiched between multiple failed third-down conversions. Alabama’s offense played an uncharacteristic game in its 26-14 loss to Auburn in Jordan-Hare...

Behind Enemy Lines: The Plainsmans Will Sahlie talks high-stakes Iron Bowl

Behind Enemy Lines: The Plainsman’s Will Sahlie talks high-stakes Iron Bowl

Matthew Speakman November 23, 2017

This biggest rivalry in college football will have a huge impact on the landscape of college football. No. 1 Alabama and No. 6 Auburn will battle for the SEC west title, and a chance to go to Atlanta to...

Alabama rallies behind Collin Sexton in thriller with UT-Arlington

Alabama rallies behind Collin Sexton in thriller with UT-Arlington

Matthew Speakman November 22, 2017

In what felt like a late-season game, Alabama rallied for a 77-76 win over UT-Arlington. The Crimson Tide used defensive intensity and a dominating performance from freshman guard Collin Sexton to flip...

Alabama basketball ranked No. 25 in latest AP Poll

Alabama basketball ranked No. 25 in latest AP Poll

Matthew Speakman November 20, 2017

Alabama basketball (3-0) moved into the top 25 of the AP poll following an undefeated start to the season. Alabama comes in at No. 25. The Crimson Tide recently defeated Alabama A&M, 104-67, behind a combined...

JC Hassenauer named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week

JC Hassenauer named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week

Matthew Speakman November 20, 2017

Alabama's JC Hassenauer was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after his performance in the Crimson Tide's 56-0 win over Mercer. Hassenauer played 45 snaps and graded out at 91 percent. It is the...

Alabama offense makes quick work of Mercer in big win

Alabama offense makes quick work of Mercer in big win

Matthew Speakman November 18, 2017

Alabama’s offense made light work of Mercer in a 56-0 win. The Crimson Tide scored touchdowns on its first five possessions. Leading the way was quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver Calvin Ridley....

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