Notebook: Alabama vs. Duke
ATLANTA — It wasn’t a typical performance for the University of Alabama offensive line Saturday night, as the Crimson Tide didn’t just go with five set starters.
Alabama rotated in two players, and even that wasn’t typical either.
For example, senior Matt Womack got extra playing time lining up as a tight end, and also played left tackle and guard.
Emil Ekiyor, Jr. also came off the bench to play with the first team.
Chris Owens started at center, while Landon Dickerson started in his first game with the Crimson Tide since transferring from Florida State.
Evan Neal also got the first start of his career, playing left guard before alternating with Ekiyor, Jr.
Leatherwood Injury
Junior offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood went down in the second half with an undisclosed injury.
Jerry Jeudy Injury
With 9:37 remaining in the third quarter, junior wide receiver Jerry Jeudy left the game due to an injury. After sitting out a drive, Jeudy returned to play, and finished out the game for the Crimson Tide.
Head coach Nick Saban later confirmed that Jeudy had suffered with cramps during a brief stint on the field, but his overall condition is normal.
Um, coach, about that penalty ...
During the third quarter, Saban reacted in a not-so-calm manner against the referees after disagreeing with a sideline warning that had been called on his Crimson Tide players.
After Saban screamed obscenities at the officials, he was hit with a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct.
After the game, Saban admitted that he was in the wrong.
“One of the things that we wanted to establish here was discipline, and the coach did a poor job in his leadership of setting a good example for how you're supposed to be disciplined” Saban said. “But I guess my reaction was, you know, the kids are having fun. So the guy intercepts the ball and everybody jumps up and down on the sidelines and we get a flag. So my reaction to that was, the kids are having fun.
“But I deserved it. I'm not making any excuses for it. It's the first time it's happened. I don't remember the last time it happened, but it's been a long time. But I'll learn something from that, too.”
