Young, Alabama can't summon comeback minus 2 best receivers
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya)Bryce Young couldn't deliver another dramatic drive with his two best wide receivers watching from the sideline. All-American Jameson Williams appeared to injure his left knee in the first half and didn't return, joining fellow 1,000-yard receiver John Metchie III on Alabama's injured list. Young finished his first season as a starter going 35 of 57 for 369 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Without his favorite targets, the steady-handed Young was left with less experienced targets like Agiye Hall, Ja'Corey Brooks and Holden. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comDefense earns redemption as Georgia ends long title drought
CFP Championship Football Alabama's Bryce Young thorws past Georgia's Channing Tindall during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs entered the championship game allowing a nation-best 9.6 points per game. Held without a sack in the loss to Alabama in Atlanta, Georgia's defense appeared to break through on the fourth play of the game. Georgia took a 19-18 lead on Stetson Bennett’s 40-yard touchdown pass to Adonai Mitchell. The Crimson Tide's punt set up Bennett's 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brock Bowers to stretch the lead to eight points.
wftv.comGeorgia snaps 41-year title drought with 33-18 win over Bama
APTOPIX CFP Championship Football Georgia's Adonai Mitchel catches a touchdown pass over Alabama's Khyree Jackson during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (Darron Cummings)INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — Stetson Bennett delivered the biggest throws of his storybook career and Georgia’s defense sealed the sweetest victory in program history, vanquishing rival Alabama 33-18 in the College Football Playoff title Monday for its first national title in 41 years. The Bulldogs hadn't won a national title since freshman Herschel Walker led them there in 1980. Nick Saban's Crimson Tide had won seven straight against the Bulldogs, including the last four against Georgia coach Kirby Smart, Saban's longtime assistant. __Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comDawg D seeks redemption vs Bama in national title game
They'll get another shot at Alabama, the team that left them huffing and puffing in a 41-24 beatdown for the Southeastern Conference title. The Bulldogs posted three shutouts and allowed just 83 points — a miniscule 6.9 per game and by far the best in the country. They went into the SEC title game with all sorts of swagger, even though they were facing the defending national champs, a team they haven't beaten since 2007. His scrambling left Davis and the Bulldogs huffing and puffing, creating plenty of time to hit one deep pass after another. “You can actually win the line of scrimmage and you could possibly lose the game because of explosive plays,” Smart said.
wftv.comAlabama has plenty of replacements for injured WR Metchie
(AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter) (Jeffrey McWhorter)INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — When Alabama receiver John Metchie III crumpled to the ground during last month's SEC championship game, the questions came hard and fast. If Alabama can continue to thrive without Metchie in Monday night's rematch against No. Metchie had six catches, 97 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game against Georgia near the end of the first half. “Metchie is someone you just can’t replace," Young told reporters on a video call after arriving in Indianapolis earlier this week. After Metchie went down, Young leaned heavily on Williams, who finished with seven receptions, 184 yards and two TDs.
wftv.comCFP title game QBs: Former 5-star recruit vs. former walk-on
ARLINGTON, Texas — (AP) — Bryce Young is a former five-star recruit who won the Heisman Trophy in his first season as Alabama’s starting quarterback. Stetson Bennett is a former walk-on who became the starter at Georgia and never really lost the confidence of his teammates. "But like coach (Kirby Smart) said, this game was just so we could play the next game." That game is scheduled for Jan. 10 in Indianapolis, where the top-ranked defending national champion Crimson Tide and No. I came out there and played well and worked hard throughout the few weeks we had off because my teammates needed me to do that, and we needed that to win,” Bennett said.
wftv.comRun Tide! No. 1 Bama over non-P5 Cincy 27-6 in CFP semi
Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes while mostly avoiding Cincinnati's standout cornerbacks and the Crimson Tide beat the Bearcats 27-6 in the CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on Friday. It was the sixth semifinal victory in a row for the Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide will play either No. 3 Georgia, the previously undefeated team Alabama beat for the SEC title, in the national title game Jan. 10 in Indianapolis. Going into the Cotton Bowl, the Crimson Tide were averaging 147.6 yards per game, their lowest total in 15 seasons under Saban.
wftv.comRun Tide! No. 1 Bama over non-P5 Cincy 27-6 in CFP semi
Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes while mostly avoiding Cincinnati's standout cornerbacks and the Crimson Tide beat the Bearcats 27-6 in the CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on Friday. It was the sixth semifinal victory in a row for the Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide will play either No. 3 Georgia, the previously undefeated team Alabama beat for the SEC title, in the national title game Jan. 10 in Indianapolis. Going into the Cotton Bowl, the Crimson Tide were averaging 147.6 yards per game, their lowest title in 15 seasons under Saban.
wftv.comOhio State's Stroud feels slighted going into Rose Bowl
Despite not throwing a pass in a college football game coming into the season, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud had directed the nation's most prolific offense and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy by the end of it. Stroud agreed that Alabama's Bryce Young was the best player this year, but he isn't happy about finishing fourth behind Young, Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson and Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett in the Heisman voting.
news.yahoo.comAP All-America team: Young and Tide lead with 3 1st teamers
The AP All-America team presented by Regions Bank, selected by a panel of Top 25 college football poll voters, was released Monday. Michigan linebacker David Ojabo was chosen for the second team and running back Hassan Haskins was a third-team selection. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt and freshman tight end Brock Bowers made the second team and safety Lewis Cine was a third-team choice. Add in Alabama's Williams, an Ohio State transfer, and four receivers who played for the Buckeyes in 2020 made the AP All-America teams. Receivers — Chris Olave, senior, Ohio State; Garrett Wilson, junior, Ohio State; Jerreth Sterns, junior, Western Kentucky.
wftv.comBack-to-back: Young gives Alabama consecutive Heisman wins
Heisman Trophy Football Heisman Trophy finalist Alabama quarterback Bryce Young speaks with members of the media before attending the Heisman Trophy award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. Young became the first Crimson Tide quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, making Alabama the fifth school with consecutive winners of college football's most prestigious player of the year award. A year after former teammate DeVonta Smith won the Heisman, Young received 83% of total points available, the seventh highest among 87 winners. The other schools to have Heisman winners in consecutive years are Yale (1936-37), Army (1945-46), Southern California (2004-05) — though Reggie Bush’s 2005 victory was later vacated — and Oklahoma (2017-18). Running backs Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015) were Alabama’s first two Heisman winners and Smith, a receiver, was No.
wftv.comAlabama quarterback Bryce Young captures 87th Heisman Trophy
Bryce Young Heisman Trophy finalist Alabama quarterback Bryce Young speaks with members of the media before attending the Heisman Trophy award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)NEW YORK — University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young won the 87th Heisman Trophy on Saturday, given annually to college football’s most outstanding player. >> Read more trending newsAll four finalists -- Young, Ohio State University quarterback C.J. >> Related: 2021 Heisman Trophy finalists announcedAccording to CBS Sports, Young ranked in the top five nationally with 4,322 yards passing and 43 touchdowns. Maxwell Award Winner 🏆Alabama QB Bryce Young (@_bryce_young) has taken home the award presented to the College Football Player of the Year.
wftv.comQB Bryce Young of Alabama voted AP Player of the Year
Alabama Auburn Football Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after defeating Auburn during the fourth overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. Alabama won 24-22. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Butch Dill)Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is The Associated Press college football player of the year, giving the Crimson Tide its second consecutive winner. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith became the first Alabama player to win AP player of the year in 2020. ___AP Player of the Year:Bryce Young, QB, Alabama — 137 points (42 first-place votes). Stroud, QB, Ohio State — 17 (1).
wftv.comAlabama QB Young, LB Anderson named SEC players of year
SEC Championship Football Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes in the pocket against Georgia during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Missouri tailback Tyler Badie, Anderson and Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams were the only unanimous picks. Anderson, the Bronco Nagurski winner as the nation’s top defensive player, was named on some ballots as a defensive lineman/edge rusher. Young is the Heisman Trophy favorite after leading a 41-24 victory over Smart's Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game. WR — Jameson Williams, Alabama, 6-1, 175, Jr., St. Louis, MissouriWR — Treylon Burks, Arkansas, 6-3, 225, Jr., Warren, ArkansasK — Harrison Mevis, Missouri, 5-11, 236, So., Warsaw, IndianaAP — Velus Jones, Tennessee, 6-0, 200, Sr., Saraland, Alabama.
wftv.com2021 Heisman Trophy finalists announced
Heisman Trophy The Heisman Trophy sits on a table during the game between the Pennsylvania Quakers and the Brown Bears on Oct. 30, 2021, at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)NEW YORK — The finalists for the 2021 Heisman Trophy were revealed Monday night, leaving only six suspenseful days until college football’s top player is crowned in New York. >> Read more trending newsAccording to CBS Sports, this year’s four top contenders include University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Ohio State University quarterback C.J. Stroud, University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and University of Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson. The winner will be announced during an 8 p.m. EST ceremony, following the annual Army-Navy gridiron showdown, the network reported. Stroud, QB, Ohio StateIn his first year as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback, Stroud threw for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions.
wftv.comHeisman finalists: Young, Hutchinson, Pickett, Stroud
(AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore)Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud were announced Monday as the finalists for the Heisman Trophy. After a 2021 season in which a Heisman front-runner took a while to emerge and the race seemed wide-open into November, Young closed strong to become the favorite. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comSEC Championship: Alabama tops Georgia 41-24 to win 2021 title
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 11Photos: Georgia, Alabama face off in SEC Championship Game 2021 Bryce Young of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass as Nakobe Dean of the Georgia Bulldogs defends in the second quarter of the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
wftv.comPlayoff bound: Bama rolls No. 1 Georgia 41-24 for SEC title
SEC Championship Football Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates his touchdown against Georgia during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. 1 Georgia 41-24 in the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday, a result that likely sends both powerhouse programs to the four-team College Football Playoff. Young set SEC championship records with 421 yards passing and 461 yards total offense. The playoff field will be announced Sunday, with the semifinals set for the Orange and Cotton bowls on Dec. 31. ___Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963 and find his work at https://apnews.com/search/paulnewberry___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comYoung sets record, No. 2 Bama tops No. 21 Arkansas 42-35
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — (AP) — Bryce Young passed for a school-record 559 yards and five touchdowns and No. 2 Alabama clinched a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game with a 42-35 victory Saturday over No. Alabama set up a date with No. Williams caught eight passes for 190 yards with touchdowns of 79, 32 and 40 yards. Young shattered the school mark of 484 passing yards set by Scott Hunter against Auburn in 1969, surpassing it with 11 minutes to play.
wftv.comNo. 3 Alabama holds on to beat huge underdog LSU, 20-14
LSU Alabama Football Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) celebrates a touchdown pass reception by wide receiver John Metchie III (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama offensive lineman Chris Owens (79) looks on. 3 Alabama's defense came up with enough big plays for a 20-14 victory over heavy underdog LSU on Saturday night. LSU harried Young all night and held Brian Robinson Jr. to 18 yards on 13 carries. Cameron Lewis gave LSU the ball back in Alabama territory after ripping the ball from Young with 3:25 left. Alabama had missed an extra point earlier, so LSU later had a chance to take the lead several times late.
wftv.comAP Top 25: 'Bama jumps OU to No. 3; Penn State falls to 20th
8 Michigan State, No. In a week with no games matching ranked teams, five ranked teams lost, including two in the top 10. The combination of the two has allowed the Tide to run its top-five streak to 69. This will be the sixth straight meeting with both teams ranked, but the Nittany Lions are trending in the wrong direction. 8 Michigan State.
wftv.comYoung, Robinson power No. 4 Alabama past Tennessee 52-24
4 Alabama to a 52-24 victory Saturday night over traditional rival Tennessee. Brian Robinson ran for 107 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Crimson Tide (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) score 21 points in the first six-plus minutes of the final quarter. Young, a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, completed 31 of 43 passes and turned five of his frequent scrambles into first downs or touchdowns. Then Alabama struck again, with Young launching a 65-yard bomb to Jameson Williams. Alabama: Got off to a sloppy start with a roughing the kicker penalty setting up a Vols touchdown and a fumble inside the Tennessee 10.
wftv.comRobinson, defense push No. 1 Bama past No. 12 Ole Miss 42-21
Corral extended his streak of games with a TD pass to 16 games with 2:23 left, matching Eli Manning for the second-longest such streak at Ole Miss. Alabama's defense, burned by Ole Miss for 48 points and 647 yards a year ago, made the big fourth-down stops and plenty of others. The Tide limited Ole Miss to 291 total yards, despite giving up a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. Ole Miss was without second-leading receiver Jonathan Mingo, who was wearing a boot on his left foot and didn't dress out. UP NEXT Ole Miss hosts Arkansas, with both teams coming off losses.
wftv.comYoung throws 4 TDs, No. 1 Alabama routs No. 14 Miami 44-13
Miami Alabama Football Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles away from Miami safety Gilbert Frierson (3) before throwing a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. 14 Miami on Saturday behind four touchdown passes from Bryce Young in his first college start. Young became the first Alabama quarterback to throw four TD passes in his starting debut. King and the Hurricanes simply made too many mistakes to compete with perhaps the greatest dynasty in college football history. ___Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963 and his work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/paulnewberry___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comNo. 1 Alabama banking heavily on new wide receivers, Metchie
Alabama Receivers Football FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2021, file photo, Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) takes a breather at during NCAA college football practice in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama is hoping that search for receiver help to complement John Metchie III pays immediate dividends. The top-ranked Crimson Tide, which could be called Wide Receiver U. lately, brought in four highly rated recruits and landed Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams. The top-ranked Crimson Tide, which could be called Wide Receiver U. with its recent run of talented wideouts, brought in four highly rated recruits and landed Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams. Alabama will rely heavily on some of those newcomers in the passing game starting with Saturday's matchup against No. Everyone is waiting to see which young receivers emerge from the fray starting Saturday, but coach Nick Saban said developing consistency is a big part of the process.
wftv.comWeek 1 Preview: Top-five matchup and Tide's new quarterback
Uiagalelei (5) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Boston College in Clemson, S.C. Uiagalelei finally has the national spotlight to himself. Tigers-Bulldogs is one of five games matching teams in the AP Top 25 on Saturday, the centerpiece of a long Labor Day weekend of college football. The Big Ten decided to embrace early season conference games this year like never before, and the result is two ranked matchups (No. There are a few ranked teams in FCS, Division I's lower tier of college football, facing ranked major college teams that could inject some unexpected drama into the weekend. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.APpodcasts.com/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comFresh arms: Playoff teams all featuring new starting QBs
All four teams from last season's playoffs sent its starting quarterback on to the NFL, ushering in successors trying to carry their teams into contention again. 1 overall pick Lawrence, did nothing to diminish the buzz or expectations in his two starting chances last season. And he’s played really, really well.”Uiagalelei had the best chance among the new guys to flash his potential last season while Lawrence was sidelined with COVID-19. He directed the largest comeback in Memorial Stadium when he led the Tigers back from an 18-point deficit against Boston College in his starting debut. Coan won the competition to replace Book, whose 30 wins as starting quarterback is a Notre Dame record.
wftv.comAlabama's Young embraces expectations, says not distractions
“I think really it says a lot about Alabama, and it’s honestly not too hard with the coaching that we have,” Young said Thursday. Saban said in July that Young already had received nearly seven figures' worth of name, image and likeness deals. Other than mop-up duties, Young hadn't been seen all that much by Alabama fans before the spring game. “There obviously are expectations, but regardless of what happened in high school or any past experiences I’ve had, coming to Bama is where you come for pressure and come for expectations,” Young said. "Everyone here when they signed on the dotted line and decided to come here, we knew it was going to come with expectations.
wftv.comPlaymakers wanted: Defending champ Alabama replacing stars
Saban and Alabama opened spring practice Friday, March 19, 2021l with an immediate goal. For now, they need to find replacements for three of college football's top offensive weapons. Patterson, File)Nick Saban and Alabama opened spring practice Friday with an immediate goal. He also didn't get a spring practice last year because of the pandemic. The Crimson Tide holds its spring game on April 17 and opens the regular season against Miami on Sept. 4 in Atlanta.
Alabama follows up title by finalizing star-studded class
The recruiting class that Alabama finalized Wednesday has the highest rating in the history of the 247Sports Composite team rankings, which go back to 2010. Steve Wilfong, the director of recruiting for 247Sports, notes this celebrated Alabama class arrives as most of the Tide’s decorated 2017 class departs. Ad“You’re replacing one of the best recruiting classes ever for what they accomplished with maybe the best recruiting class on paper coming in,” Wiltfong said. While plenty of SEC teams joined Alabama in signing impressive classes, Ohio State stood out from its Big Ten foes. All three were quarterbacks, with Bryce Young enrolling at Alabama, DJ Uiagalelei selecting Clemson and CJ Stroud selecting Ohio State.
Roll redemption: No. 3 Alabama aims to restore dominance
3 Crimson Tide received that programs equivalent of a humbling last season, if an 11-2 record can qualify as such. Alabama failed to make the College Football Playoffs for the first time thanks largely to a 48-45, regular season-ending loss to rival Auburn. Making matters worse, that followed a 2018 season that ended with national championship game thrashing at the hands of Clemson. Speculation abounded that highly recruited freshman Bryce Young might push Jones for the starting job before COVID-19 canceled spring practice. Harris emerged as Alabamas latest star runner last season, gaining 1,224 yards and scoring 20 combined touchdowns rushing and receiving.