Notes from Saturday's game

• Ingram returns to form: After Alabama’s victory against Tennessee, Saban said, freshman running back Mark Ingram did not look like himself. Against Arkansas State, Ingram looked every bit like the player who ranks second on the Tide in rushing yards. He led Alabama with 113 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
“He is a warrior,” running back Glen Coffee said. “He is a great football player and a great addition to the team.”

• What offense?: Arkansas State entered Saturday ranked No. 22 in total offense, averaging 435.7 yards per game. It didn’t even achieve half of that against Alabama, as the Crimson Tide allowed 153 yards to the Red Wolves.
Arkansas State quarterback Corey Leonard had averaged 260.4 total yards per game, and finished Saturday with 48. The only bright spot for the Red Wolves offense was running back Reggie Arnold, who gained 72 yards on 15 carries.
“You can tell why they are No. 2 in the country,” Leonard said. “They don’t make many mistakes.”

• McCall and McCall: After the win against Arkansas State, Alabama tight end Travis McCall had a little family business to attend to.
His cousin, Gregory McCall, plays on the Red Wolves defensive line and had a sack against the Tide. The two did not talk much during the week leading up to Saturday’s game, but Saturday night, Gregory stayed with Travis.
“It was fun. I didn’t get to block him that much,” Travis said. “I did have to block him once on a punt. That was pretty cool.”

• Saban praises, retracts praise: Saban made a slight mistake Saturday during his post-game news conference: He referenced Alabama’s 9-0 record.
Saban often refuses to comment on his team’s record, or success, but when asked about next Saturday’s impending game with LSU, Saban acknowledged Alabama’s dominance.
“This team is 9-0 and has played extremely well all year long,” Saban said.
Later Saban corrected himself when it was brought to his attention that he had said Alabama’s record.
“Well, I shouldn’t have mentioned that,” Saban said.

• Cody to practice: Saban said that nose tackle Terrence Cody should practice with the team, starting this week. Cody, who injured his right knee ligament against Ole Miss, did not play Saturday, and walked up and down the sidelines wearing his crimson Alabama warm-up pants and his crimson jersey.
“He is day-to-day and I don’t anticipate anything,” Saban said. “But we feel like he has progressed in his rehab enough that he should be able to do some practicing this week.”

• Eva Longoria Parker in the house: Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria Parker watched Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa. Parker, who is married to San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker, is friends with country singer Sara Evans, wife of former Crimson Tide quarterback Jay Barker.
Evans and Parker were on the sidelines before the game wearing matching Alabama jerseys. The back of Evans’ said “Mrs. Barker” and the back of Parker’s said “Mrs. Parker.”

— Josh Cooper