Coffee handles bulk of run duties

TUSCALOOSA | Even though redshirt freshman Terry Grant was leading the SEC in rushing yards with 403 through three weeks, University of Alabama coaches gave the ball to sophomore Glen Coffee more Saturday night against Georgia.

Grant finished with 80 yards on 11 carries, including a 30-yard run that set up a touchdown, while Coffee had 62 yards on 16 carries.

“Whatever it takes,” Grant said afterward.

Sophomore Roy Upchurch had only two carries for 19 yards, but saw his most playing time of the season. Upchurch was usually on the field in obvious passing situations, and frequently lined up as a wideout.

Although Alabama was able to accumulate more rushing yards 164-153, it lost time of possession (34:22 to 25:38). Strangely enough, the team had the same number of rushes as passes, 35 for each.

“We wanted to have balance in the game,” Nick Saban said.

Munson misses first UGA game in 17 years

Larry Munson, the legendary radio play-by-play announcer for the Georgia Bulldogs, missed his first game in 17 years Saturday night when 22nd-ranked Georgia faced 16th-ranked Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Munson has been the voice of the Bulldogs since 1966 and had missed only one game in his previous 42 years, a 34-3 loss to Clemson on Oct. 6, 1990, when he was recovering from back surgery.

Before the season started, Munson announced his decision to call only Georgia home games this fall due to health issues from arthritis and his back. Scott Howard, Munson’s broadcasting partner for 14 years, assumed the play-by-play duties Saturday night and former Georgia quarterback Eric Zeier debuted as a color analyst.

Munson turns 85 next week and has not decided whether to return next fall for home games. He had called 201 consecutive games before Saturday night and 487 overall in his Georgia career.

After Georgia completed a last-second, game-winning drive against Tennessee in 2001, Munson delivered this memorable description: “We just stepped on their face with a hobnailed boot and broke their nose. We just crushed their faces.”

Injuries and starters

Senior linebacker Darren Mustin (shoulder stinger) did not play. Sophomore Prince Hall started in his place.

“I thought [Hall] did a pretty good job,” Saban said.

Alabama got some help on the defensive line with freshman defensive tackle Nick Gentry (shoulder) dressed and got into the game in the second quarter.

Sophomore defensive tackle Lorenzo Washington appeared to hurt his right hand on the first snap of the second half. Gentry briefly replaced him, but Washington quickly came back.

Sophomore receiver Mike McCoy was shaken up late in the third quarter, but quickly returned. He led all receivers with six catches for 47 yards.

Sophomore Javier Arenas was shaken up on the second-half kickoff, but did return.

Redshirt freshman Taylor Pharr worked with the second unit at left guard during warm-ups.

Senior kicker Jamie Christensen (groin) was warming up with field goals from as far back as the 33, which was an improvement from a week ago in terms of leg strength, but still short of teammates.

Tide-bits

Alabama is 3-7 in overtime games. … Representatives of the Capital One, Chick-fil-A and Liberty bowls attended the game. … Alabama has 15 players on its roster from the state of Georgia, while Georgia has one from Alabama, senior tackle Chester Adams, from Luverne. … Team captains were seniors Wallace Gilberry, Keith Brown and Forress Rayford.. Honorary captains were former teammates Jim Bob Harris (1978-81), Tommy Wilcox (1979-82) and Jeremiah Castille (1972-82). Castille, an All-American cornerback in 1982 is also the father of senior cornerback Simeon. … Gymnasts Terin Humphrey, a senior, and Morgan Dennis, a sophomore, received their championship rings at halftime.

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0196.

Reach Michael Southern at michael.southern@tuscaloosanews.com.