TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On a day dedicated to celebrating those playing their final home game in Crimson and White, The University of Alabama honored a senior class unlike any other.
A total of fifteen seniors were recognized before the start of Alabama’s last game of the 2013 season in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Those seniors were part of an Alabama program that reached nearly unthinkable heights in Tuscaloosa.
It was a special day set aside for each of them to look back on their careers at Alabama. While all fifteen players accomplished a tremendous amount, a select few of those have set a new standard.
“For those seniors, being a part of the team here really means a lot to them,” head coach Nick Saban said after the game. “It was pretty emotional for me, too, at the end of the game. A lot of those guys have meant a lot to the program.”
In their grand finale, the fifteen seniors helped take out Chattanooga 49-0. As usual, Alabama’s defense was more than dominant, holding the Mocs to 175 yards of offense.
On the other side of the football, Alabama’s running game pounded out 251 yards on 32 carries. The Crimson Tide gained 435 yards of total offense on the afternoon, averaging more than eight yards per play.
Of the fifteen seniors playing in their final home game, seven began their careers at Alabama a bit earlier than the others. Most notable among that group are offensive stars A.J. McCarron and Kevin Norwood.
It was a memorable game for those two. “Today meant everything to me. My family was here, it’s my last home game. It was exciting,” Norwood said.
Both McCarron and Norwood were a part of Alabama’s 2009 football team. It was a team that won Alabama’s first Bowl Championship Series title under Nick Saban. It was the program’s first national championship in nearly 20 years. McCarron and Norwood both chose to redshirt during that season, giving them a year to grow and learn.
Five years later, the two Alabama stars are two of the most decorated players in Alabama football history. That’s a statement not to be taken lightly.
McCarron, Norwood and the other five seniors who signed with Alabama’s 2009 freshman class have now been a part of 60 wins throughout their five seasons in Tuscaloosa. With an overall record of 60-5, these seniors have won at least 10 games in all five seasons.
They aren’t just winning games, either. They’re winning championships.
The seven redshirt seniors have won two Southeastern Conference championships and an even more impressive three national championships. Those three titles were won by an average margin of more than 21 points.
As for McCarron and Norwood specifically, they’ve done their part. Named Offensive Most Valuable Player in the 2011 BCS title game against LSU, McCarron used precision passes to move Alabama up and down the field. But it Norwood who had his coming out party in this one. His acrobatic catches of McCarron’s passes on such a big stage made him a household name among Alabama fans.
“Norwood and I always have a good connection. I always know where he’s going to be, and the timing of everything, so it always seems for him and me to work out,” McCarron said.
Throughout their playing days at Alabama, McCarron and Norwood hooked up for 10 touchdown passes. Kenny Bell, another fifth-year senior, has caught six touchdown passes from McCarron as well.
“Today was emotional but at the same time I was happy,” Bell said. “Me being a Louisiana kid coming into Alabama and being a part of this history was special. It’s a dream come true.”
As part of an incoming class that has already seen five of its players drafted in the first round of the National Football League draft, these seven seniors are part of a special group. Stars like Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and Dre Kirkpatrick were also part of this class but have come and gone. McCarron, Norwood and Bell, along with Anthony Orr, Tana Patrick, Anthony Steen, Ed Stinson and Kellen Williams are the seven teammates who have chosen to stay.
Other notable seniors playing their final game in Bryant-Denny Stadium were linebacker C.J. Mosley, defensive back Deion Belue, kicker Cade Foster and punter Cody Mandell.
Having won 35 of their last 37 games, this senior class played their final home game just like their first. By winning.
McCarron and Norwood, the fifth-year stars, were again on top of their game. McCarron completed 13-of-16 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. One of those touchdown passes was a 28-yard toss to Norwood. The Mississippi native caught four passes for 84 yards and that score on the afternoon.
“We’ve always had that connection. We connected when we came in, right off the bat,” Norwood said. “To get that last touchdown on our home turf was exciting.”
For McCarron, his final home game went as well as he could have hoped. Not only did he find Norwood for another touchdown, he also hooked up with his brother, Corey McCarron, for their first connection ever.
“A.J. told me a long time ago he wanted to throw a pass to his brother someday,” Saban said. “I told coach Nussmeier at halftime to think of a play where we could put Corey and A.J. in and have a chance to do it. Of course, A.J. got on him because he didn’t make a better run after the catch.”
McCarron’s final pass in Bryant-Denny Stadium was a fitting 38-yard touchdown to Amari Cooper.
After the game, a surprisingly emotional Saban looked back on this memorable senior class.
“I see a bunch of good people that are going to have a very good opportunity to be successful in life at whatever they choose to do,” Saban said. “As a coach, you want to see guys reach their full potential, and I can’t really say any one of those guys has not worked hard to do that.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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