12/28/17 MFB vs Hospital
Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4)
Photo by Kent Gidley
Crimson Tide worked for two hours in shells at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The University of Alabama football team continued its preparations for the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Thursday afternoon, practicing for two hours in shells at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Thursday’s session was second for the Tide in the Crescent City and the 10th of 12 bowl practices prior to the College Football Playoff Semifinal against Clemson in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The No. 4 Crimson Tide will face off with the top-ranked Tigers on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, with kickoff scheduled for 7:45 p.m. CT on ESPN. The tandem of Joe Tessitore and Todd Blackledge will call the Semifinal pairing from the booth, while Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge will work each team’s sideline.
Thursday began with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll joining Bradley Bozeman, Damien Harris, Jalen Hurts, Calvin Ridley and Jonah Williams for the Crimson Tide’s offensive press conference at the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center. Following Wednesday’s practice, Alabama players and coaches visited with patients at the Ochsner Hospital for Children in New Orleans.
The Semifinal matchup will mark the 18th pairing between Alabama and Clemson in the history of the two schools, with the Crimson Tide owning a 13-4 series advantage. The two most recent matchups came in the 2016 and 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Games. Alabama rallied to defeat the No. 1 Tigers, 45-40, to capture the Tide’s 16th national championship in the 2016 game in Glendale, Ariz. The Tigers then returned the favor with a come-from-behind, 35-31, win in the 2017 championship in Tampa, Fla.
