Alabama Coaches Name Seven Players of the Week following the Crimson Tide's Win over Southern Miss
9/23/2019 11:30:00 AM | Football
Three selections apiece on offense and special teams with two on defense
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama coaching staff named seven players of the week across eight total slots following the Tide's 49-7 win over Southern Miss last Saturday in a non-conference pairing at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Najee Harris, Henry Ruggs III and Jedrick Wills Jr. on offense; Anfernee Jennings and Xavier McKinney on defense; and Slade Bolden, Jaylen Moody and Ruggs on special teams all were selected for their impressive performances last Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
Offense
Najee Harris
- Led all Tide backs with 14 carries for a season-high 114 yards on the ground
- Added a five-yard touchdown reception for Alabama's third touchdown of the day
- Averaged 7.9 yards per carry with half of his rushes resulting in a first down or touchdown for UA
Henry Ruggs III
- Finished with a career-high and team-best 148 yards on just four receptions
- Matched the team-high mark with two touchdown catches, a total that tied the junior's previous career best
- The two touchdowns moved him into third place on Alabama's career touchdown receptions list with 21, just one behind Jerry Jeudy and 10 behind the program's all-time leader, Amari Cooper (2012-14)
Jedrick Wills Jr.
- Turned in his most consistent performance of the season, playing 50 snaps without a sack, hurry or pressure on Tua Tagovailoa
- Missed only one assignment on 50 snaps with the junior's efforts helping the Crimson Tide roll up 514 yards of total offense on the day
Defense
Anfernee Jennings
- Registered five tackles, including a sack (-14 yards) to go with one pass breakup
- The sack added to the redshirt senior's team-leading sack total of three (-27 yards)
- His efforts helped the Alabama defense limit the Golden Eagles to only 226 yards of total offense
Xavier McKinney
- Tied with Jennings for third on the team in tackles, totaling five stops from his starting safety spot
- The junior's efforts in the defensive backfield forced the USM quarterback into a 17-of-26 afternoon that included an interception and resulted in just 174 yards passing
Special Teams
Slade Bolden
- The redshirt freshman earned special teams recognition for a second straight week thanks in part to his tackle on kickoff coverage
Jaylen Moody
- Combined for two tackles on kickoff coverage to put the sophomore ahead of all special teamers in that category
Henry Ruggs III
- Recorded two tackles on special teams with one stop on punt coverage and one on kickoff
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