University of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and nose guard DJ Dale both earned SEC Player of the Week and team player of the week honors for their performances in Alabama’s 42-3 win over Duke.
Tagovailoa was the conference’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week and an offensive player of the week from the UA coaching staff. Tagovailoa completed 26 of his 31 passes for 336 yards and four touchdowns, no interceptions. It was the seventh four-touchdown game of his career, tying him with AJ McCarron for the school record. He also gained 15 yards on five rushing attempts, one of them a sack.
Dale started as a true freshman and delivered three tackles, 1/2 for a loss. He was a nearly constant presence, missing just a handful of snaps in the first half when UA turned to a pass-rush package.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was the coaching staff’s other offensive player of the week. He had the school’s first 10-catch game since ArDarius Stewart in the 2016 Iron Bowl, going for 137 yards and a touchdown.
Dale was joined as a defensive player of the week by linebacker Anfernee Jennings and defensive back Xavier McKinney. Jennings consistently pressured Duke quarterback Quinten Harris into a 54.5 completion percentage and contributed six tackles. McKinney led the team with eight tackles, a career high.
The special teams player of the week, Henry Ruggs III, was UA’s starting kick returner. He returned the opening kick for 22 yards.
Reach Brett Hudson at 205-722-0196 or bhudson@tuscaloosanews.com or via Twitter, @Brett_Hudson
