Greg McElory threw six touchdown passes in Alabama’s scrimmage on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Unv. Alabama Athletics)

Contributed
(August 15, 2010)

TUSCALOOSA – Top-ranked Alabama held its first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday afternoon inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide scrimmaged for roughly two hours as the UA coaching staff got a good look at the 2010 squad in game-like situations.

“A lot of good things happened out there today, especially on offense,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said following Saturday’s scrimmage. “I think the offense is way ahead of the defense in terms of experienced players back and a lot of explosive players, both A.J. (McCarron) and Greg (McElroy) are doing very well at quarterback.

“A lot of guys are injured in the secondary, which created some issues and problems in terms of being able to have any continuity in what we’re trying to do. There are a lot of things that we can work on, learn on and improve on, especially on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams.”

McElroy threw for 360 yards and six touchdowns while completing 78.8 percent of his attempts (26 of 33) with no interceptions. McCarron was also impressive with 241 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 21-of-29 passing.

“Greg played very well today,” Saban said. “He has a really good feel for the offense. He made a lot of good choices and decisions. He was 26-for-33 with 360 yards, had a lot of big plays. We probably threw the ball more by plan in this scrimmage, because we wanted to work on pass defense and tackling in the secondary, but we didn’t do a very good job of tackling today anywhere on defense. We have a lot of work to do on that.”

Julio Jones led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns while Earl Alexander added two more scores on five receptions for 87 yards. Tight end Preston Dial also made three catches – two for touchdowns – for 60 yards.

Mark Ingram led the Tide rushing attack with nine carries for 28 yards and a score while Trent Richardson carried seven times for 19 yards and a TD. Both running backs were also productive in the passing game with Ingram catching three passes for 75 yards and a score and Richardson grabbing four passes for 66 yards.

“B.J. Scott had an interception and (C.J.) Mosley had an interception, so there were some turnovers created by the defense,” Saban said. “All-in-all I think it is a tough circumstance our team is in right now. We have to get our team focused in on what they need to do to improve. That is the number one thing I talked to them about afterwards, is it doesn’t matter where you are now. Everybody can improve. Some areas we need to improve in more than others. It’s a process. I think that’s the number one focus we need to take out of this practice, is that we can get better as a team.”

Junior safety Mark Barron, sophomore B.J. Scott and freshman Nick Perry led Alabama with five tackles each. Scott and C.J. Mosley both recorded interceptions.

The Crimson Tide will take Sunday off and return to the practice field on Monday at 9:30 a.m. for the first of two practices. The second practice is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

ALABAMA FOOTBALL – FALL SCRIMMAGE (Aug. 14, 2010)

*Stats include 11-on-11, situational drills, red area, goalline, 2-minute

PASSING LEADERS

Greg McElroy – 26 for 33, 360 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT

A.J. McCarron – 21 for 26, 241 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INT

Phillip Sims – 5 for 10, 97 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

RUSHING LEADERS

Mark Ingram – 9 rush, 28 yards, 1 TD

Eddie Lacy – 8 rush, 24 yards, 2 TD

Trent Richardson – 7 rush, 19 yards, 1TD

Corey Grant – 4 rush, 13 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Julio Jones – 7 rec., 99 yards, 2 TD

Marquis Maze – 6 rec., 51, yards, 1 TD

Earl Alexander – 5 rec., 87 yards, 2 TD

Trent Richardson – 4 rec., 66 yards

Kenny Bell – 4 rec., 39 yards

Brandon Gibson – 4 rec., 29 yards

Eddie Lacy – 4 rec., 26 yards

Mark Ingram – 3 rec., 75 yards, 1 TD

Preston Dial – 3 rec., 60 yards, 2 TD

DeAndrew White – 2 rec., 87 yards, 1 TD

DEFENSIVE LEADERS

Mark Barron – 5 tackles, 1 PBU

B.J. Scott – 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU

Nick Perry – 5 tackles

Courtney Upshaw – 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 PBU

Nico Johnson – 4 tackles

Phelon Jones – 4 tackles, 2 PBU

Jarrick Williams – 4 tackles

Jalston Fowler – 4 tackles

Chris Jordan- 4 tackles, 1 sack

Dont’a Hightower – 3 tackles

Will Lowery – 3 tackles

C.J. Mosley – 3 tackles, 1 INT

SCORING

Passing Touchdowns (9): Greg McElroy – 6 (24 yards, 38 yards, 26 yards, 18 yards, 70 yards, 2 yards); A.J. McCarron – 2 (41 yards, 16 yards); Phillip Sims – (78 yards)

Rushing Touchdowns (4): Eddie Lacy – 2 (8 yards, 1 yard); Mark Ingram – 1 (1 yard); Trent Richardson – 1 (3 yards)