Fans expecting to see loads of big plays and high scoring likely left Jordan-Hare Stadium scratching their heads following Saturday’s A-Day spring scrimmage. The 1st and 2nd team defenses dominated both offenses allowing only 3 field goals, and that was without all three starting linebackers and the first and second team defensive tackles, Jackson and Thompson. The offensive player of the game was Brandon Cox. Cox was 13 of 22 for 225 yards, 44 of those yards came on a streak pattern to Maurice Anderson to end the second quarter. Anderson was knocked out of bounds at the 1 as time expired. Cox, however, was harassed by Stanley McClover all day. McClover had 4 sacks, and was in Brandon's face on almost every play. At times it looked like the offensive tackles had given up on trying to block him. Calvin Booker looked sharp at times as he threw for 84 yards (4 of 12) and Blake Field was perfect on the day passing 2 for 2 for 8 yards.
On the ground, Kenny Irons had 83 hards on 18 carries (4.6 avg), Stewart had 42 yards on 13 carries (3.2 avg), and Smith rushed 8 times for 37 yards (4.6 avg). Tre Smith once again fumbled the ball off a big play that the defense recovered.
Across the state in Tuscaloosa, Coach Shula had planned to start Bruddy Krull, but Papa Krull was there to see that it didn't happen as Krull is still nursing an injured knee he got walking off the field last season. JP Wilson was the most valuable offensive player of the day. Wilson was 14 of 31 for 168 yards, 1 TD and 2 interceptions. Guillon was 13 of 26 for 157 yards, 1 TD and 1 interception. Which left many people wondering what differentiated the 2 quarterbacks. Shula commented, "I just like Parker better. Guillon is a little punk. He's always complaining that he's better than the other quarterbacks, and when we gave him a shot last year he really screwed it up."
UAT's offense put up big points (the final was 20-18) which proves that Shula plans to open up the offense this year. "We should win the national championship this year as long as Bruddy doesn't bust his ass coming off the field again. I think we have to look to the national championship every year. That, and talk alot about tradishun", said Shula.
