TUSCALOOSA --- Word of Appalachian State’s stunning upset victory at Michigan spread quickly throughout the college football world on Saturday, and the Alabama locker-room was no exception.
The Mountaineers’ victory over the Wolverines might have carried special poignancy for the Crimson Tide heading into its season opener against Western Carolina, given that Appalachian State and WCU both play in the Southern Conference of the NCAA’s Football Championship Sub-division. But Alabama’s players were intent on focusing on their own performance, not that of the Wolverines.
“No, we were concerned about what we had to do,” cornerback Simeon Castille said. “We weren’t really worried about who we were playing. If we take care of our end, after 60 minutes, we’ll see what the scoreboard says.”
It’s worth noting that not all FCS teams are created equal, particularly in this case. While Appalachian State has won back-to-back Division I-AA national championships, the Catamounts went 2-9 last year and have now lost 10 consecutive games after Saturday’s 52-6 loss to the Crimson Tide.
KNIGHT’S NIGHT: Since Alabama opened the game in five-defensive-back alignment, linebacker Zeke Knight technically did not make his first career start for the Crimson Tide Saturday night.
But the Wedowee native did make his mark in the game. He had four tackles on the night, including a sack of Western Carolina quarterback Todd Spitzer that resulted in a 16-yard loss and a fumble. Freshman defensive tackle Alfred McCullough fell on the ball for Alabama’s first turnover of the game.
“We just ran a little blitz and they messed up on their blocks,” said Knight, a Wedowee native. “I came free and I was just trying to make something happen.”
Knight played in just four games as a defensive end in 2006 before his season ended due to complications from a previously undiagnosed heart murmur. He had corrective surgery in February and earned a starting job at outside linebacker in spring practice.
GIANT BLOCK: Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith turned in a rare highlight-reel play for a player at his position Saturday night, driving a Western Carolina defender nearly 30 yards down the field ahead of a 20-yard swing pass to running back Jimmy Johns.
Smith, one of the most celebrated offensive line recruits in college football history, earned a starting job as a true freshman in 2006. He had several memorable moments, including a crushing crack-back block against Arkansas defensive end Antwain Robinson last September.
His teammates are getting used to seeing that kind of thing from the 6-foot-4, 348-pound sophomore.
“That’s just Andre, he’s the most awesome offensive lineman I’ve seen since I’ve been playing football,” center Antoine Caldwell said. “I can’t say enough about him. He’s amazing. He does everything great players do.”
Smith, a Birmingham native, earned Freshman All-America and Freshman All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2006. He was a first-team preseason All-SEC pick this season.
--- Creg Stephenson
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