Harrison and Jackson moved past spat on sideline
Nick Saban has a rule for his University of Alabama football team during games: Don’t talk to the other team. Keep your mouths shut.
But, that doesn’t stop its opponents from saying anything — Southern Cal included.
“There was a lot of trash talking going on on the other side," the Crimson Tide coach said Monday. “That’s OK. That’s their choice. They can do whatever they want. I’m not being critical of that.”
It’s just not the Alabama way, and Saban wishes the rest of the college football realm would have the same mindset.
During Alabama’s 52-6 pummeling of USC on Saturday, tempers were tested. Defensive back Ronnie Harrison was a victim of the Trojans’ smack, and he didn’t handle it in the best manner.
The sophomore returned to the Alabama sideline with 1:37 left until halftime, Alabama leading 17-3, and ended up getting into a scuffle with fellow defensive back Eddie Jackson.
“Ronnie let it emotionally get to him that these other guys were talking,” Saban said. “So he said something, and Eddie said, ‘Hey man, this is not what we do. We don’t talk to the other team.’”
In the moment, that didn’t go over well with Harrison. He was heated, and he kept going. Jackson didn’t back down, though, and another defensive back, Deionte Thompson, stepped in between them.
Linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton said it was nothing but coaching from Jackson, who has a strong leadership role among the defense.
“We don’t want to get any dumb penalties or anything like that from doing the talking,” Hamilton said. “It’s just a leader stepping up and trying to get a young guy right to prevent something from happening.”
The situation didn’t defuse with just Jackson’s words, though. Linebacker Reuben Foster also tried to shut it down. Harrison then had two seniors and a freshman working to calm him down. Before he could, Saban intervened and gave him no option. Enough was enough.
That was the only sideline drama of the night, and the Crimson Tide defense completely shut the Trojans out of the end zone, only allowing two field goals.
In regards to handling vocal opponents, Alabama’s mentality is that actions speak louder than words.
“We’re not supposed to talk to the other team; Saban doesn’t like it,” said defensive back Marlon Humphrey, who totaled two tackles, one of which was for a loss of three yards. “So you make a big play. Speaking with your pads always speaks better.”
The redshirt sophomore also had an 18-yard interception returned for a touchdown that spoke volumes. Harrison finished Saturday’s game without recording a touchdown, while Jackson brought down two solo tackles and had a pass breakup.
Saban called Harrison a fine young man, saying the outburst was totally out of character. Harrison also apologized, and Saban believes it won’t ever be an issue again.
“I think the lesson to be learned is that when you have a teammate who is caring about you and trying to help you, the response should be, ‘Thank you,’” Saban said. “Not ‘Screw you.’”