Stabler starts on "Third Saturday"
Taking Names and Keeping Score
This past Saturday, as a member of the working press, I had the good fortune to have a sideline pass to the Alabama - Tennessee game. Having grown up a Crimson Tide fan, I have had the opportunity to attend numerous Alabama games and have seen them play most if not all of their major rivals at one time or another. The one match-up that I had never seen in person however was the Alabama - Tennessee rivalry known in many circles simply as "The Third Saturday in October".

PHOTO BY CHARLIE ANDERSON Tackle B.J. Stabler watches the defense Saturday in Tuscaloosa in his first start of the season at the University of Alabama.

That reference to the game got its start when the teams met for their first third Saturday in October encounter on October 20, 1928 and continued for 66 years. It wasn't until the 1995 season when the Southeastern Conference realigned its schedule that the string was broken. Since then the teams have met each other on the third Saturday in October only five times including this year's clash.

With this years game in the books the two traditional rivals have played each other 90 times with Alabama now holding a 45 - 38 - 7 series lead. Prior to Saturday's win by the Tide the Volunteers had won 10 of the last 12 meetings between the two schools with Alabama's most recent win coming on October 22, 2005 when they won a defensive battle 6 - 3.

Charlie Anderson

In Saturday's convincing 41 - 17 win by the Tide, junior quarterback John Parker Wilson and senior receiver D. J. Hall both had outstanding single game performances with Hall setting a single game record for receptions with 13 and Wilson tying a record for completions with 32. On the day, Hall had the 13 catches for 185 yards and added a catch for a two point conversion that didn't count in the single game reception total. Wilson was 32 for 46 passing with 363 yards and three touchdowns. Their performances somewhat overshadowed another outstanding performance from redshirt freshman Terry Grant gaining 104 yards rushing on 26 attempts which gave him the Alabama rushing record for a freshman with 697 yards.

Each of those accomplishments were part of an outstanding Alabama offensive performance that racked up 510 total yards and maintained control of the ball for an amazing 37:38.

As anyone who truly knows football will tell you, outstanding performances by a team's skill people like Grant, Hall, and Wilson are only possible if the warriors in the trenches do their job. Well, Saturday the guys whose names included Britt, Cardwell, Huber, Johnson, Smith, Stabler and Walker strapped on their armor and fought a battle for the ages in the trenches. It was their persistence and agility that gave Wilson the protection he needed for the quarterback and receivers to record 363 yards passing. It was their mobility and brute force that paved the way for Grant and his teammates to rush for 147 yards. It was also their courage, inner strength and relentless pursuit of doing their job to the best of their ability that allowed the offense to win the all important time of possession battle.

Having been both an offensive lineman and a running back during my football playing days I can truly appreciate the role that each member of an offensive team plays. I also know that when things go right the backs and receivers normally get the praise but when things go wrong the lineman usually get the blame.

Because that is the case I want to go on record giving credit to the offensive line and the grunts like fullback Huber and tight end Walker for the job they did Saturday paving the way for their teammates who drew the headlines. I know it was a special day for all of them but maybe most special for B. J. Stabler who got his first start of the season.

Stabler, who is a Clarke County native and 2004 graduate of Clarke County High School where he was named the 3A Lineman of the year in Alabama his senior season along with many other accolades, has seen very little significant playing time in 2007 prior to Saturday. That has been particularly disappointing and frustrating for the young man who logged nine starts for the Tide in each of the two previous seasons. Although coaching changes and nagging injuries have played a part in his role being diminished somewhat this season, amidst his disappointment and frustration he has never lost faith that his time would come.

Ironically, prior to my trip Saturday, I had an occasion to meet B. J.'s mother and once I knew who she was our conversation naturally turned to her son of whom she is so proud. In the conversation she told me of her son's disappointment and frustration but quickly related that he was handling things much better than she and his father were. She recounted that her son had become a born again Christian within the last year and that because of his faith he had turned things over to God. In his words she told me of their most recent conversation when he said, "Momma all I can do is continue to work hard and trust that the Lord will reward my efforts in His time."

Well, Saturday he got his opportunity and made the most of it joining his teammates along the crimson front in an effort that drew smiles and praise from the Tide coaching staff and thunderous applause from the vast majority of the 92,138 fans that crowded into Bryant - Denny Stadium for Saturday's classic.

Whether the start was merely as a result of the suspension last week of two previous starters on the offensive front or Stabler's commitment and hard work, no one knows for sure. But for this young man who proved he was worthy of the call when it came, he knows his God is in control of all things and will reward his commitment, diligence and faith in the future just as he did Saturday 'in His time'.

Until next time……be safe!

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