Enduring a lack of scholarships, three new coaches and no bowlappearances over the last three years, Alabama football appeared tobe headed to a rut. Yet thanks to a rejuvenated running game, aswell as the emergence of backup quarterback Spencer Pennington, theCrimson Tide appear on track.
Following the loss of starting quarterback Brodie Croyle justthree games into the season, Alabama was in desperate need ofestablishing a leader for the offense. That’s whenPennington, a junior, stepped in.
“There are some things that he has done that have goneunnoticed that have helped our football team,” coach MikeShula said. “We’ve talked about his leadership that hasgotten better as soon as he became a starter.”
Since becoming the starter Oct. 9 at Kentucky, Pennington hasled the Crimson Tide to a 3-2 record while establishing theSoutheastern Conference’s best red zone offense.
Yet according to Pennington, statistics are the least of hisworries.
“We don’t care about statistics or attempts orcarries,” Pennington said. “All we care about iswinning.”
Since his second career start against Kentucky, Pennington hasproved to be consistent going 36-of-71, with two touchdowns despitesix interceptions.
According to Pennington, running back Kenneth Darby, filling infor the injured Ray Hudson, is what keeps the offense going.
“[The running game] takes a lot of pressure off thequarterback,” Pennington said. “When they startbringing those safeties up, it opens the passing game. Ken has donea great job for us.”
Through nine games, Darby has gained 960 yards on 169 carrieswith seven touchdowns, contributing to Alabama’s No.13-ranked rushing offense in the nation.
“Their ability to run the football in this game is goingto be a lot about toughness,” LSU coach Nick Saban said.”They are going to come right downhill at you.”
Shula said following Croyle’s injury and the loss ofHudson, Pennington established himself as the leader of theoffense.
“You need guys to step up as leaders,” Shula said.”To help your team physically, mentally, emotionally, andSpencer has done that. It’s important when your quarterbackdoes that.”
Shula added Pennington has the ability to help lead some of theyounger players.
“He’s helped out our young guys,” Shula said.”He’s been very positive during practice and has a lotof energy, which at this point in the year, is very important tous.”
Allowing just 223.8 yards a game, the Crimson Tide defense hasearned a No. 1 defensive rank in the nation.
“[The defense] does a great job of getting turnovers andgiving us good field position,” Pennington said. “Thedefense has been doing a good job, and will continue to doso.”
With little playing time prior to this season, Pennington addedthe experience of Croyle on the sideline helps him as aquarterback.
“He tells me what he does and how he prepares,”Pennington said. “He’s been a great asset to me notonly as a friend, but also somewhat of a coach for me on thesideline.”
Now, Pennington will look to come into Tiger Stadium to earnAlabama’s second victory in its last two tries in BatonRouge.
“I just want to step in and do everything I can to get avictory,” Pennington said. “We’ve been successfulso far because we’re not a selfish team. Hopefully,we’ll continue to improve.”