Freshman offensive lineman Grant Hill burned his redshirt Saturday when he entered the game to replace Austin Shepherd at right tackle.
During his weekly radio show, Alabama coach Nick Saban said Hill “deserved to play.”
Hill played quite of bit of snaps with the first-team line and finished the game during garbage time.
“Grant Hill is very, very intelligent. Very bright guy. Very football smart,” Saban said. “It’s very important to him, so he’s very much committed and has a lot of pride in performance. He’s one of those guys that is going to make sure he knows what to do and how to do it.
“He works hard every day to try to make sure that he’s doing it the right way. From a character and attitude standpoint, you couldn’t ask for a guy that has better intangibles.”
Saban said the decision was made because he feels the team needs him.
“We just felt like instead of taking a chance to redshirt him for this year that we were going to go ahead and play him today because I feel like we need him,” Saban said. “I think it creates some competition. I think he’s very close to being one of our five best players. Whatever position he has to play, we felt like we had to get somebody else ready to play.”
Black back: Chris Black was expected to be the Crimson Tide's breakout freshman receiver last season, but a shoulder injury he suffered in August 2012 sidelined Black and forced him to redshirt.
Now, Black is back and carving up defenses when given the opportunity. He was the Tide’s leading receiving Saturday with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown from Blake Sims.
Black said he has been patient and is “ready for any opportunity I get.” On his touchdown catch, he made a defender miss with a juke move and dove for the end zone.
“Every play I go out there, I think about doing something,” Black said. “I try not to do too much, but it’s exciting to get in that end zone.”
Going deep: According to Alabama's participation chart, 70 Tide players saw time in the game. Fifteen wide receivers caught at least one pass, including walk-ons Parker Barrineau and Ty Reed. It was the second time this season Alabama has had double-digit receivers with the first coming at Texas A&M (10) on Sept. 14.
Star wideout Amari Cooper did not catch a pass.
“Amari practiced well this week,” Saban said. “Every now and then, his toe gets a little sore, especially when we practice on turf. We really weren’t holding him out. … It would be real beneficial to us if we could get Coop back in the swing of things. I think he’s very close to being able to get there.”
No report on Clinton-Dix: Saban was asked about suspended safety HaHa Clinton-Dix after the game.
“I don’t have any new information,” Saban said. “When we get new information, we’ll certainly pass it along.”
On Monday, Saban announced that Clinton-Dix was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules and policies.
Injury news: Saban said linebacker Denzell Devall sprained his knee, but could have returned if necessary. Devall limped off the field after the game with ice on his left knee. … Saban said freshman cornerback Eddie Jackson sprained his ankle, but could have returned as well. … Junior defensive lineman Jeoffrey Pagan didn't play because he sprained his shoulder in practice this week and the team didn't want to push him, Saban said.
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