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Arenas returns 7th punt for touchdown

November 21, 2009

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 2 Alabama’s Javier Arenas set a Southeastern Conference record with his seventh punt return for a touchdown.

Arenas sprinted down the right sideline for a 66-yard score early in the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Chattanooga.

He was tied with Kentucky’s Derek Abney, who returned six punts for scores from 2000-03. Abney also scored on a two kick returns, leaving Arenas still one TD shy of the overall record for returns.

Arenas also came into the game just 105 yards behind Vanderbilt’s Lee Nalley’s SEC record of 1,695 career punt return yards. He is within range of the NCAA record of 1,761 yards set by Texas Tech’s Wes Welker.

Welker and Oklahoma’s Antonio Perkins hold the NCAA record for career punt returns for touchdowns with eight.

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Tags: antonio perkins, chattanooga, derek abney, javier arenas, kick returns, nalley, ncaa record, punt return, punt returns, punts, sec record, second quarter, sideline, southeastern conference record, texas tech, tuscaloosa, Tweets, vanderbilt, wes welker, yard score

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Don’t forget about Arenas

November 21, 2009

Alabama has so many good players, and it’s easy to get caught up in what Mark Ingram has done this season on offense and what Rolando McClain and Terrence Cody have done on defense.

But the unsung hero on this team is without a doubt senior cornerback Javier Arenas, who played his final home game Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium and went out in style in Alabama’s 45-0 rout of Chattanooga.

Arenas returned his seventh career punt for a touchdown, an SEC record, and has been one of the Tide’s best all-around defenders all season.

You could make a case for his being the the most valuable player on Alabama’s team this season with all the different things he does for this team.

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Tags: bryant denny stadium, chattanooga, cornerback, denny, different things, home game, mark ingram, Punt, rolando mcclain, rout, sec record, Tide, touchdown, Tweets, unsung hero

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SECOND RANKED ALABAMA CRUSH CHATTANOOGA

November 21, 2009

93012526-430x296Tuscaloosa, AL (Sports Network) – Mark Ingram had 102 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries in two quarters of action, as second-ranked Alabama thumped FCS foe Chattanooga, 45-0, at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Greg McElroy played only the first half, completing 6-of-11 passes for 80 yards and one touchdown for the Crimson Tide (11-0), who rested many first- stringers on the offensive side after building a 35-0 lead at the break.

Julio Jones had a touchdown reception in the win, and Javier Arenas set an SEC record with his seventh punt return for a touchdown, breaking the mark previously established by Kentucky’s Derek Abney.

“We were pleased to be able to play as many players as we played today,” said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. “It was great for the seniors who were acknowledged. I think that just about every senior on our team got to play in the game. It was good that the players came out and played Alabama football and got ahead in the game so that those players got an opportunity to play.”

B.J. Coleman struggled immensely for an overmatched Chattanooga (6-5) squad, throwing for just 36 yards and two interceptions on 7-of-25 passing.

The Mocs, who totaled 84 yards of offense, ended the regular season by dropping four of their last six games.

“Obviously it was a tough (loss) for us,” said Chattanooga head coach Russ Huesman. “We played a great football team. We’ll watch the film but I think our guys played hard. You could see they wanted to be in the game, even towards the end there.”

After going three-and-out to start the game, McElroy led the Crimson Tide on an 11-play, 51-drive on their second offensive series that culminated in a two-yard touchdown run by Trent Richardson.

Only two plays were required for Alabama to extend the lead to 14-0. The Crimson Tide got the ball at their own 31 following a punt. McElroy threw a 44-yard pass to Jones and the dynamic Ingram rumbled 25 yards for the score.

Chattanooga’s Jare Gault was picked off on the ensuing drive, and Jones caught a pass in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown with 54 seconds remaining in a productive first quarter for Alabama.

The Crimson Tide’s overwhelming defense limited Chattanooga to one yard on its next possession and Arenas returned the subsequent punt, sprinting down the right sideline for a 66-yard score 18 seconds into the second quarter.

A 40-yard dash by Ingram gave Alabama a comfortable 35-0 advantage at halftime.

Coleman threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. Alabama transformed the turnover in a 41-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal.

Roy Upchurch’s 21-yard TD run with four minutes to go in regulation accounted for the final margin.

Game Notes

Upchurch and Demetrius Goode both rushed for 70 yards for Alabama, which totaled 313 yards on the ground…Chattanooga recorded just five first downs…Alabama has won all 11 meetings with the Mocs…The Crimson Tide battle Auburn on Friday before facing Florida in the SEC championship game on December 5.

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Tags: alabama football, alabama head coach, bryant denny stadium, coach nick, Crimson Tide, derek abney, first stringers, jare, julio jones, mark ingram, offensive side, punt return, SEC, sec record, touchdown reception, trent richardson, tuscaloosa al, yard touchdown

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