Alabama Coaching Staff Selects Eight Players of the Week Following Victory over Auburn

11-24-18 MFB vs Auburn
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11)
Photo by Kent Gidley

Three apiece on offense and defense with two on special teams were recognized for their play in the Iron Bowl

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama football coaching staff selected eight players of the week following the Tide’s 52-21 win over Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium last Saturday in the annual Iron Bowl matchup. Josh Jacobs, Ross Pierschbacher and Tua Tagovailoa on offense; Shyheim Carter, Anfernee Jennings and Dylan Moses on defense; and Kyriq McDonald and Henry Ruggs III on special teams were all recognized for their play against the Tigers.

Tagovailoa continued his standout season, contributing six touchdowns against the Tigers with five passing and one rushing. The sophomore threw for 324 yards and five scores on 25-of-32 passing, with his five passing scores matching the Alabama single-game mark. Tagovailoa added four rushes for 36 yards with one more touchdown to his totals. The six scores in a single game was a new Alabama record and moved the Tide signal-caller atop the single-season list for touchdown responsibility with 41 (36 passing/five rushing).

Aiding Tagovailoa in his standout day were Jacobs and Pierschbacher. Jacobs contributed another all-around performance for the Crimson Tide, finishing with 81 yards of total offense. The junior tailback carried five times for 28 yards to average 5.6 yards per tote while adding four catches for 53 yards and one score. Pierschbacher provided the blocks for both his quarterback and tailback, equaling his season-high mark with four knockdown blocks as UA’s offense rolled up 500 yards against the Tigers’ top-10 nationally-ranked defense. The redshirt senior did not commit a penalty and kept his quarterback clean as he did not allow a sack or quarterback pressure.

Alabama’s defensive unit limited Auburn to only 283 yards of total offense and 21 points, including just seven in the second half with the trio of Carter, Jennings and Moses playing big roles. Carter set a new career-high total for tackles with six, including half a stop for loss (-1 yard). The junior defensive back also broke up a career-high three passes. Jennings picked off his first career pass, part of his eight-tackle performance that included one sack (-3 yards). The redshirt sophomore also recorded one quarterback hurry and broke up a pass by game’s end. Moses tied for the team lead in tackles once again, with the sophomore collecting nine stops with one tackle for loss (-2 yards).

McDonald and Ruggs III each made one tackle on kickoff coverage. McDonald stopped the AU returner after an 18-yard gain, with the redshirt freshman’s efforts leading to an eventual three-and-out. Ruggs III, a sophomore, took down the Tiger returner and prevented a potentially big play with the stop.