Alabama Crimson Tide Air Attack Scorches Defense in First Scrimmage

In Alabama's first scrimmage of spring practice, an experienced Tide offense burned the rookie defense through the air, with QB's A.J. McCarron and Greg McElroy combining for 664 passing yards. McElroy threw one touchdown pass while McCarron had three.

On the flip side of the ball, this means the Tide defense has much more work to do before they take on a serious passing team like Penn State. Coach Nick Saban said, "I thought (first team cornerbacks) B.J. Scott and Dre both did a pretty decent job with the first group. I think we've got to get more consistent play from a corner standpoint."

Junior Defensive End Marcel Dareus was the top defender of the day, making eight tackles and four sacks, although they were "touch" sacks. Dont'a Hightower successfully returned from knee surgery to make three tackles, 1 PBU, and a sack.

Saban also said that Redshirt Freshman Receiver Kenny Bell made some big catches during the scrimmage. He finished with four receptions for 62 yards. Here are the complete stats released by the Alabama Athletic Department.

Alabama Football - Scrimmage No. 1 (April 2, 2010) *Stats include 11-on-11, situational drills, red area, goalline, two-minute

Passing Leaders: Greg McElroy - 14 for 22, 235 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT A.J. McCarron- 21 for 28, 229 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT

Rusing Leaders: Trent Richardson - 6 rush, 44 yards, 2 TDs Demetrius Goode- 7 rush, 31 yards Eddie Lacy - 9 rush, 29 yards Mark Ingram - 9 rush, 22 yards

Receiving Leaders

Julio Jones - 8 rec., 105 yards 

Preston Dial - 5 rec., 45 yards 

Kenny Bell - 4 rec., 62 yards 

Kendall Kelly - 4 rec., 39 yards

Marquis Maze - 3 rec., 56 yards, 1 TD

Kevin Norwood - 3 rec., 46 yards, 1 TD

Darius Hanks - 2 rec., 49 yards

Trent Richardson - 3 rec., 44 yards

Field Goals Cade Foster - Made: 42, 38; Missed: 56, 39. 

Jeremy Shelley - Made: 30.

Defensive Leaders

Marcell Dareus - 8 tackles, 4 sacks 

B.J. Scott - 6 tackles, 2 PBU 

Mark Barron - 5 tackles 

Jerell Harris- 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU 

Dre Kirkpatrick - 4 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 sack 

Dont'a Hightower- 3 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 sack 

Chavis Williams - 3 tackles, 2 sacks 

Josh Chapman- 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack

Scoring Touchdowns - 6 (Maze 22-yard pass from McElroy; M. Williams 11-yard TD pass from McCarron; Richardson 18-yard run; K. Norwood 15-yard pass from McCarron; John Baites 5-yard pass from McCarron; Richardson 21-yard run) Field Goals - 3 (Foster 42-yards; Shelley 30-yards; Foster 38 yards)