NOTES: Allen impressed by Huskies; Sarkisian around practice
The University of Alabama football team hit the practice field Monday afternoon, and, in may ways, it felt like a normal game week.
Of course, the stakes are much higher than a normal game week with the Crimson Tide in preparation for its Peach Bowl semifinal in the College Football Playoff.
The team worked in shorts and shells in the indoor practice facility. Film study has already begun too.
“They're a good offense,” senior defensive lineman Jonathan Allen said. “Jake Browning is a great quarterback. You have John Ross at receiver who is explosive. They like to run a lot of misdirection and trick plays. Things we have to be ready for, but we'll be ready and prepared for it.”
Part of the defensive film study has centered on sophomore running back Myles Gaskin, who has gone over 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first two seasons in Seattle.
Gaskin has 1,339 yards on 227 carries (5.9 yards per carry) for 10 touchdowns.
“He’s an effective running back,” Allen said. “Really shifty. The offensive line opens up great holes for him and he hits them really hard. It's going to be up to us to really stunt the offensive line up front, try to play our blocks and play our technique.”
All in all Allen said, Washington is one of the more balanced offenses the Crimson Tide has faced all season.
“Lot of formation changes,” Allen said. “They run the ball effectively. They throw the ball effectively. It's going to be a challenge for us, but like I said, we're ready for us.”
On the other side, the offensive line has studied the Huskies’ defense, a top 20 total and rush defense. Washington ranks No. 18 in rush defense in yards per carry allowed (3.46).
“Just the little I’ve seen so far is they’re big, stout up front and they don’t get moved very well off the ball so that’s going to be a big challenge for us,” right guard Ross Pierschbacher said. ‘Their defense is quick and they run to the ball. Big challenge like I said.”
Tested
When Rashaan Evans entered the game near the end of the second quarter of the SEC Championship Game in place of an injured Shaun Dion Hamilton, Florida went right at him.
The result was a busted play for Evans, resulting in a Gators’ touchdowns.
“Oh, yeah, they tested me,” Evans said. “I guess one of the first plays I kind of messed up a little bit. Now, we’ve kind of gotten in the film room and something like that, that’ll never happen again.”
Evans bounced back with a crushing tackle in the hole on a goal-line play for Florida later in the game. It was one of the highlights of the game.
“I kind of was watching the guard, really. I saw the guard kind of block down and I saw a big opening,” Evans said. “I seen him and I was like, ‘You know, I’m gonna go get him.’ That’s exactly what happened.
“It got a little buzz. Hopefully, I can do it again this upcoming game. It felt pretty pretty good, so hopefully I can do it again.”
The new guy
Saban has been consistent and adamant that Lane Kiffin would remain the team’s offensive coordinator for as long as UA remains in the College Football Playoff. But that doesn’t mean that the Crimson Tide’s 2017 offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian, hasn’t been more active even though NCAA rules prevent him from being an on-the-field coach while Kiffin remains as one of the team’s nine assistant coaches.
Sarkisian has been more noticeable around practices, but the players haven’t had a chance to get to know him yet.
“I haven’t had a lot of interaction,” Pierschbacher said. “Obviously, I’ve seen him around at practice and say what’s up to him every now and then. As far as individually meeting with him one on one, I haven’t done that yet and I think he brings a lot of knowledge to our offense and well-respected offensive mind as well. I’m pretty excited to work with him next year.
“I think it’s big for a guy like Jalen, even, it would be similar systems, I think for him and the younger guys to learn that and not just flip the script the whole thing next year.”
Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.