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PAGE 6A October 2023 PAGE 4B December 2023
The University of Alabama football team had three Southeastern Conference individual award winners. Dallas Turner was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Teammate Will Reichard was the league’s Special Teams Player of Year. Caleb Downs rounded out the group as the conference’s Freshman of the Year. Defensive Player of the Year Dallas Turner • He is a threat off the edge and is one of the most productive defenders in all of college football • He recorded 50 tackles, including a team-high 13.5 for loss (-86 yards) and nine sacks (-66 yards) • He also contributed a team-leading 13 quarterback hurries to go with two forced fumbles and one pass breakup Special Teams Player of the Year Will Reichard • He is one of the most reliable placekickers in college football history • He is the NCAA’s career points leader with 539 thanks to 82 field goals and 293 PATs • He accumulated 113 points in his final season on 20-of-23 field goals and 53 PATs in as many tries • He also punted four times for 165 yards while adding 82 kickoffs, 47 of which went for a touchback Freshman of the Year Caleb Downs • He earned the starting strong safety spot for the Crimson Tide in year one • He leads Alabama and ranks fourth in the conference with 99 tackles, including 3.5 for loss (-11 yards) • He has been a part of four turnovers on the year, forcing a fumble, recovering a fumble and picking off a pair of passes • He also broke up three passes and added four punt returns for 87 combined yards and a touchdown Alabama Football Honored with Three SEC Individual Awards
Over 20 current and former Auburn student-athletes participated part in the Auburn University 2023 Fall Commencement ceremonies in Neville Arena. Eight teams were represented over the course of three ceremonies The list of current and former student-athletes participating include: • Men’s Basketball (2): Dylan Cardwell, Jalen Harper • Football (10): Eugene Asante, Jackson Billings, Luke Deal, Brandon Frazier, Marquise Gilbert, Marcus Harris, Jalil Irvin, Tate Johnson, Trent Mason, Kam Stutts • Soccer (2): Becky Contreras, Sydney Richards • Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country (3): Kyle Brown, Dontavious Hill, Justin Stuckey • Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country (3): Hannah Tarwater, Zatoria Thompson, Amy Warren • Volleyball (2): Chelsey Harmon, Kyla Swanson Student Athletes Participate in Fall Commencement at Auburn University
FSU's Jordan Travis Fifth in Heisman Voting Florida State quarterback Jordan
Travis placed No. 5 in voting for the 2023 Heisman Trophy. He finished one spot behind the top four contenders for the award. Those include Jayden Daniels of LSU, Bo Nix of Oregon, Michael Penix, Jr. of Washington, and Marvin Harrison, Jr., of Ohio State. Travis is the eighth Florida State player to author a top-five finish in the Heisman Trophy voting, and his finish is the highest for FSU since 2013 when Jameis Winston claimed the Seminoles’ third Heisman Trophy. According to a FSU press release, Travis was 207-of-324 passing for 2,756 yards and 20 touchdowns with only
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
FSU Quarterback Jordan Travis
two interceptions, while adding 176 yards and seven touchdowns on 73 rushing attempts. Travis had a streak of 22 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass, a streak that ended on Nov. 18 when he was injured in the first quarter. In addition to his ACC Player of the Year recognitions, Travis was also named a finalist for the Manning Award and
a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Davey O’Brien Award and Jason Witten Man of the Year, as well as being included on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10. No. 5 Florida State is set to face No. 6 Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Saturday, December 30. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. CT at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Fort Payne native and Auburn kicker Alex McPherson completed the 2023 regular season with a perfect field goal percentage, as he made 13 of 13 attempts for the Tigers. His performance recently earned him All America honors from The Athletic and the College Football Network. McPherson will try to cap off a perfect season with a victory at the 2023 Music City Bowl. Auburn is set to play Maryland at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, December 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. McPherson Looks To Stay Perfect at Music City Bowl
University of Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian (center) was in Tuscaloosa for the 2023 AHSAA Super 7 State football championships. He was joined by former Boaz High School standout and UNA quarterback A.J. Milwee (right) and A.J.'s father Jeff Milwee (left). A.J. currently serves as the Co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Sarkisian at the University of Texas. During his playing days, Milwee was a member of the Boaz Pirates, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, and the University of North Alabama. Following his Freshman year in Tuscaloosa, AJ transferred to UNA where he played from 2006-2008. During that time he set a school record, passing for 8,436 yards and 73 touchdowns. Milwee has the opportunity this season to help coach the Texas Longhorns to a national championship. Texas is set to face Washington in the All-State Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Year's Day at 7:45 p.m. CT. The winner will advance to the College National Championship Game on January 8, 2024 against the winner of the Alabama vs. Michigan Rose Bowl game. Texas Coaches Visit Alabama Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
LSU Quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels drops back for a pass during the Tiger's season opening game against Florida State at the 2023 Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, Florida. Despite falling to the Seminoles 45-24, LSU finished the regular season with a 9-3 overall record. The Tigers also earned a trip back to the Sunshine State this season for the upcoming New Year's Day ReliaQuest Bowl, which will be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT. LSU Headed To Tampa For ReliaQuest Bowl
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