Alabama Coaching Staff Names 16 Players of the Week following SEC Championship Win over Georgia
12/6/2021 11:30:00 AM | Football
Nine names on offense along with four apiece on defense and special teams were recognized
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama coaching staff named 16 players of the week to 17 spots following the Crimson Tide's dominant 41-24 win over top-ranked Georgia in the 2021 SEC Championship Game. Javion Cohen, Emil Ekiyor Jr., Seth McLaughlin, John Metchie III, Evan Neal, Chris Owens, Kendall Randolph, Jameson Williams and Bryce Young on offense; Will Anderson Jr, Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams and Henry To'oTo'o on defense; and James Burnip, Khyree Jackson, Will Reichard and Williams again on special teams were all selected for their efforts in Atlanta.
OFFENSE
Offensive Line
- Alabama's starting group of Javion Cohen, Emil Ekiyor Jr., Seth McLaughlin, Evan Neal, Chris Owens and Kendall Randolph helped the offense rack up 536 yards against the nation's top-ranked defense
- The line opened holes for 115 rushing yards and provided time for 421 yards through the air to average a whopping 9.6 yards per play on the day
- Kept Bryce Young upright, allowing the Tide signal-caller to throw for an SEC Championship Game-record 421 yards
- Saw his day come to an end just before halftime after suffering a game-ending injury
- Caught six passes for 97 yards and a score during his time on the field
- Found the end zone from 13 yards out and converted a pair of first downs across his six grabs
- Posted his seventh 100-plus yard performance of the season with 184 yards on seven catches
- Scored twice on the afternoon on a pair of explosive plays from 67 yards and 55 yards away
- Has gone over 150 yards receiving four times in the last five games
- Finished 26-of-44 passing for 421 yards and three touchdowns through the air
- Added three rushes for 40 yards with a score on the ground
- Set an SEC Championship Game record for passing yards and total offense (461)
DEFENSE
Will Anderson Jr.
- Dominated up front against Georgia's highly regarded offensive line unit
- Totaled six tackles in the game, including two for loss (-8 yards) and one sack (-6 yards)
- Also added one quarterback pressure, part of the Tide's five in the game
- Recorded his second pick-six of the season, taking the interception into the end zone from 42 yards away
- Contributed six tackles and a quarterback hurry to go with his interception
- Led the Crimson Tide defense in tackles with nine
- Added his team-high tying third pick of the season to go with a pass breakup
- Directed a Tide defense that forced two UGA turnovers and held the Bulldogs to 24 points
- Tallied seven tackles against the Bulldogs
SPECIAL TEAMS
James Burnip
- Put together his best game as a member of the Crimson Tide
- Accumulated 219 yards on five punts for a 43.8 yards per punt average
- Boomed a 50-yarder for his longest punt of the season while dropping one kick inside the 20
- Continued his consistent play on special teams
- Helped the Tide limit the Bulldogs from breaking a big return
- Contributed 10 points on the day thanks to a pair of field goals and four made PATs
- Hit from 33 and 41 yards away on his three-point tries
- Also kicked off eight times for 520 yards to average a perfect 65.0 yards per kick average with six touchbacks
- Made a huge stop on the Tide's first punt of the day to pin the Bulldogs deep in their own territory
- The tackle added to his already impressive day at wideout where he finished as the team-leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns
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