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Mark Ingram Named SEC Offensive Player of the Week UA players have been honored six times in seven games by the league office



Oct. 19, 2009

 

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama sophomore running back Mark Ingram was the named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday morning.

Ingram rushed for a career-high 246 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown and also caught two passes for 23 yards in Alabama’s 20-6 win against No. 22 South Carolina. Ingram’s rushing total is the highest ever in a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium and third most in Alabama history.

In Alabama’s fourth-quarter 68-yard scoring drive, Ingram carried the ball on all six plays, ending in a 4-yard touchdown run to put the Tide ahead, 20-6. Ingram had 146 yards in the first half, including a game-long 54 yarder, which set up an Alabama field goal.

The Flint, Mich., native leads the SEC, averaging 129.3 rushing yards per game, and 11 total touchdowns.

The SEC has recognized an Alabama player in seven of the eight weeks this season. Ingram (Virginia Tech and South Carolina) and freshman running back Trent Richardson (Florida International and Arkansas) have been honored twice, while Rolando McClain (at Kentucky) and William Vlachos (at Mississippi) have also earned player of the week honors.

The Alabama coaching staff recognized nine players of the week following the Crimson Tide’s win over South Carolina on Saturday. Mark Ingram and Barrett Jones were honored as offensive players of the week while Rolando McClain, Marquis Johnson, Lorenzo Washington and Tyrone King took home defensive honors. Julio Jones, P.J. Fitzgerald and Roy Upchurch garnered special teams honors.

Jones helped cleared the path for Ingram, who busted loose for a career night with 246 yards rushing on 24 carries, an average of 10.2 yards per carry.
 
The defensive quartet of McClain, Johnson, Washington and King combined to hold the Gamecocks to six points, 64 yards rushing and just 278 total yards. McClain made seven tackles with a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries while directing the Tide’s defense. Johnson tied a school record with six pass breakups while making two tackles. Washington registered four tackles with his second sack of the season and another quarterback hurry while King made seven tackles and a career-best 1.5 sacks (-10).
 
On special teams, Fitzgerald was honored for his 45.3 yards per punt average and his two kicks that he placed inside the 20-yard line. Jones filled in for the injured Javier Arenas and averaged 15 yards per return on five returns for 75 yards with a long of 33 yards. Upchurch continued his outstanding all-around play on special teams and had one tackle in the game.