Alabama Prepares to Faceoff with Gators
9/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 28, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama football team continued its preparation for Saturday's game against No. 7 Florida with a two-hour practice in full pads Tuesday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.
"We have to have a good week of practice," sophomore linebacker Nico Johnson said. "If we have a good week of practice we should be able to go out and do what we have to do to stop the run." The Crimson Tide defense will look to put a damper on Florida's rushing attack, which has been the bright spot of the Gators' offense this season.
"We have to stop the run in this game. That is one thing that we have taken to heart," Johnson added.
The importance of playing mistake-free football will be taken to another level this week for Alabama. Florida ranks in the top 20 nationally in terms of scoring offense, averaging over 37 points per game.
Alabama sophomore defensive back Robert Lester was named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. Lester's two interceptions against Arkansas were a key part of the Crimson Tide's second-half comeback. Lester leads the Southeastern Conference and is second in the nation in interceptions with four total, averaging one per game.
The past two national champions will square off Saturday evening at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff and will be nationally televised by CBS Sports with Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson calling the game from the booth and Tracy Wolfson reporting from the sidelines.
