My notebook runneth over

A few quick notes from Monday's Alabama football press conference that didn't make the print edition due to space considerations ...

SIX RECOGNIZED: Alabama’s coaching staff honored six players for their performances against Western Carolina on Saturday.

Center Antoine Caldwell and running back Terry Grant were named offensive players of the week after the Crimson Tide rang up 575 total yards and a school-record 35 first downs. Linebackers Zeke Knight and Darren Mustin shared the award on defense, while kick returner Javier Arenas and coverage specialist Rashad Johnson were recognized on special teams.

Knight had four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in his first career game at outside linebacker. The Wedowee native moved to linebacker in the spring after spending two years at wide receiver and a year at defensive end.

"It feels great," Knight said. "But I feel like I’ve got a lot to improve on. I had a couple of big plays, but I think I can do a whole lot better."

Knight played in only four games last year before a season-ending injury. He totaled three tackles and forced a fumble as a back-up defensive end.

GRANT HONORED: Grant was also named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week on Monday for his performance against Western Carolina.

The 5-foot-10, 188-pound redshirt freshman rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns, including a 47-yard score on the Crimson Tide’s first play from scrimmage. He also became the first Alabama freshman to rush for 100-plus yards in his first career start since Kenneth Darby had 197 against Southern Miss in 2004.

"It felt pretty good," Grant said. "I have worked real hard and it has paid off. It is an honor. This is a great league."

Other SEC Player of the Week selections released by the conference office Monday: Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett (offense), Ole Miss defensive back Dustin Mouzon (defense), Arkansas kick returner Felix Jones (special teams), Georgia center Fernando Velasco (offensive line) and Auburn end Quentin Groves (defensive line).

SELLOUT: Vanderbilt football sports information director Larry Leathers reported Monday that Saturday’s game is a hard sellout, with all 39,773 tickets for the game at Vanderbilt Stadium having been bought.

--- Creg Stephenson