Greg McElroy threw two touchdown passes, including a 52-yard strike to Julio Jones, as the Crimson team defeated the White team, 14-7, in front of more than 84,000 at A-Day in Tuscaloosa.
McElroy was named the game's co-MVP after completing 16 of 30 pass attempts for 189 yards, two scores and two interceptions playing for the Crimson squad. Marquis Maze, the game's other MVP and the star of the White squad, caught five passes for 87 yards.
Alabama was without star running backs Mark Ingram and Roy Upchurch for the game, and the lack of depth was evident. The Crimson team gained only 38 yards on 19 attempts, led by 2007 starter Terry Grant, who finished with 28 of those yards on 10 carries. Maze was the White team's leading rusher, gaining 47 yards on a couple of trick plays.
"We work on those during practice," Maze said. "I just did what I had to do."
The scoring started early for the Crimson squad with McElroy's strike coming at the 9:00 mark in the first quarter.
"He got open and made the play," McElroy said. "I knew exactly where he was going to be. I guess that's what all the execution over the spring led to and I was excited we got points out of it."
The lead expanded to 14-0 late in the second quarter, as McElroy hit Mike McCoy on a 10-yard fade in the corner of the north endzone.
After the game, head coach Nick Saban made it clear that McElroy was the man to beat for the starting job come Fall.
"I think everybody knows that watched the game today and that has been to practice every day who our players have the most respect for," Saban said. "I think he knows that somebody has to beat him out.
The White team's only score - a 5-yard run by Ivan Matchett - came with 14:11 remaining in the final quarter. Kicker Leigh Tiffin missed field goals for both squads - a 55-yarder for the Crimson in the fourth and a 33-yarder in the third for the White.
Star Jackson and Thomas Darrah alternated at quarterback for the White squad. Darrah completed 8 of 22 pass attempts for 113 yards, while Jackson finished with just four completions on 13 attempts for 52 yards.
On defense, the Tide played well on both sides of the ball. Mark Barron led the Crimson team with 4.5 tackles and an interception. Rolando McClain racked up six tackles, including a sack for a loss of eight yards. Dont'a Hightower, Chris Jordan, Robby Green and Barron each registered an interception.
"Defensively, I think we came up with three or four turnovers, which is something we've done a good job of," Saban said. "I think even thought the defense played fairly well today, the one thing they did do was [give up] several big plays.
"If you're going to be a good defense, you can't give up big plays."
The Tide players will now get a little time off in lieu of summer workouts. Alabama opens the 2009 regular season against Virginia Tech in Atlanta on Sept. 5.
McElroy was named the game's co-MVP after completing 16 of 30 pass attempts for 189 yards, two scores and two interceptions playing for the Crimson squad. Marquis Maze, the game's other MVP and the star of the White squad, caught five passes for 87 yards.
Alabama was without star running backs Mark Ingram and Roy Upchurch for the game, and the lack of depth was evident. The Crimson team gained only 38 yards on 19 attempts, led by 2007 starter Terry Grant, who finished with 28 of those yards on 10 carries. Maze was the White team's leading rusher, gaining 47 yards on a couple of trick plays.
"We work on those during practice," Maze said. "I just did what I had to do."
The scoring started early for the Crimson squad with McElroy's strike coming at the 9:00 mark in the first quarter.
"He got open and made the play," McElroy said. "I knew exactly where he was going to be. I guess that's what all the execution over the spring led to and I was excited we got points out of it."
The lead expanded to 14-0 late in the second quarter, as McElroy hit Mike McCoy on a 10-yard fade in the corner of the north endzone.
After the game, head coach Nick Saban made it clear that McElroy was the man to beat for the starting job come Fall.
"I think everybody knows that watched the game today and that has been to practice every day who our players have the most respect for," Saban said. "I think he knows that somebody has to beat him out.
The White team's only score - a 5-yard run by Ivan Matchett - came with 14:11 remaining in the final quarter. Kicker Leigh Tiffin missed field goals for both squads - a 55-yarder for the Crimson in the fourth and a 33-yarder in the third for the White.
Star Jackson and Thomas Darrah alternated at quarterback for the White squad. Darrah completed 8 of 22 pass attempts for 113 yards, while Jackson finished with just four completions on 13 attempts for 52 yards.
On defense, the Tide played well on both sides of the ball. Mark Barron led the Crimson team with 4.5 tackles and an interception. Rolando McClain racked up six tackles, including a sack for a loss of eight yards. Dont'a Hightower, Chris Jordan, Robby Green and Barron each registered an interception.
"Defensively, I think we came up with three or four turnovers, which is something we've done a good job of," Saban said. "I think even thought the defense played fairly well today, the one thing they did do was [give up] several big plays.
"If you're going to be a good defense, you can't give up big plays."
The Tide players will now get a little time off in lieu of summer workouts. Alabama opens the 2009 regular season against Virginia Tech in Atlanta on Sept. 5.
