Write On Sports LLC - "Alabama Versus Vanderbilt Preview" by Frank Sita

Alabama Versus Vanderbilt Preview

2006-09-08 00:03:20 | By: Frank Sita

Chris Nickson knows he will be a marked man for the Alabama defense.

The former Pike County star and Mr. Football in the state of Alabama brings his Vanderbilt Commodore squad to Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday for the SEC opener for both teams.

Nickson, who was recruited by Alabama before choosing Vanderbilt, got his feet wet last week against the Michigan Wolverines in the “Big House” in front of 107,000 fans, so traveling this week to Tuscaloosa and the 92,000-seat sea of crimson-clad supporters won’t be that big of a deal for the redshirt sophomore from Brundidge.

“Obviously, everybody can improve and Chris will,” said Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson on Nickson’s first collegiate start against Michigan. “I don’t think Chris was overly nervous or anxious. There are some things that we can do better. Number one: protect him.

“But other than that, throwing the ball on time, making split-second decisions in the heat of the game is always tough for a first-year guy to do. You go back and look at the young quarterbacks I’ve had through my career and even Jay (Cutler) had a bunch of trouble early in his career.

“Everyone on the team will gain so much after walking off that field in Michigan. It’s just getting the butterflies out of you. We think Chris can make the throws that we want him to make in our offense, and he can certainly handle the running game. We are looking forward to him to make some big plays that way this year.”

Vanderbilt scored its lone touchdown on a flanker reverse option pass in a 27-7 loss, but Johnson knows the ‘Dores will need more production this week against an Alabama defense that gave up 350 yards passing to Hawaii.

“Michigan would fit right into the SEC,” Johnson added. “They are a talented football team and had some excellent linebackers – versatile guys that we had trouble blocking.

“Alabama is going to be physical. They are going to be fast on defense. That is what we’re going to see all year, so we might as well get used to it. I don’t think we’re going to see otherwise. That’s the name of the game in the SEC.”

Nickson rushed 16 times for 22 yards but the sophomore’s totals were sabotaged by six quarterback sacks for a minus-38 yards by the Wolverine defense. The Alabama-native completed 11-of-25 passes for 99 yards but two fumbles on scrambles also hurt his totals.

While Vanderbilt put up a game fight to Michigan, Alabama avoided a late Hawaii scare in a 25-17 Crimson Tide victory over the Rainbow Warriors.

Sophomore quarterback John Parker Wilson completed 16-of-29 aerials for 253 yards and a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Keith Brown, who hauled in six passes for 132 yards.

“I think the way (Wilson) played today gives us some confidence to throw it more,” said Alabama coach Mike Shula.

The Tide built a 22-3 lead on three field goals by Leigh Tiffin of 31, 23 and 27 yards. Tim Castille had a three-yard scoring run and Jimmy Johnson rushed for 58 yards on eight carries, but Alabama squandered two scoring chances in the first half.

Hawaii challenged what was first ruled an Alabama touchdown off a botched punt. Officials determined the Tide’s Roy Upchurch recovered a bad punt snap out of bounds instead of in the end zone, and Bama had to settle for a safety.

The Warriors used another video review to wipe out an apparent touchdown pass from Wilson to Brown, ending the drive with another Tiffin field goal.

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