TUSCALOOSA – The Alabama coaching staff selected seven players of the week following the Crimson Tide’s 45-7 victory Tennessee last Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Hale Hentges and Ross Pierschbacher on offense, Raekwon Davis and Levi Wallace on defense, and Keith Holcombe, Hootie Jones and Deionte Thompson on special teams were each recognized for their performance.
Pierschbacher anchored an offensive front that cleared a path for 272 rushing yards and 604 total yards of offense. The junior offensive lineman recorded one knockdown block and did not surrender a sack or a quarterback hurry on the night to grade out at 89 percent in 82 snaps from the left guard position. Hentges also provided key blocks to help the Tide rushing attack and while adding two catches for 34 yards to earn his second weekly honors from the coaches.
Wallace and Davis led an Alabama defense that limited Tennessee to just 108 total yards without surrendering an offensive touchdown. Wallace led all Alabama players in production points, finishing with six total tackles, including four solo stops. The senior defensive back notched a career-high three tackles for loss (-19 yards) as well as a career-best two sacks (-18 yards), while adding one quarterback hurry. Davis accounted for four tackles with two solo stops and anchored a defensive line that allowed just 64 yards rushing. The sophomore lineman recorded one sack to increase his team-leading total to 5.5 for the season.
Holcombe, Jones and Thompson all saw time on kickoff coverage, making key tackles to limit the Tennessee return game. Holcombe finished with two stops on return coverage, while Jones and Thompson each added a tackle apiece to keep the Volunteers in unfavorable field position all afternoon.
