ALABAMA IS FWAA NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts rushed for 132 yards and three touchdowns to lead an overpowering rushing attack as the Alabama Crimson Tide remained undefeated (7-0) with a decisive 49-10 win at Tennessee. The win earned Alabama the Football Writers Association of America National Team of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Oct. 15.


The announcement was made on "Playbook," hosted by Chris Carlin and Gino Torretta on SiriusXM Radio's "College Sports Nation." Each Monday during the season, the FWAA National Team of the Week will be unveiled during the program, which airs from 1-4 p.m. ET.


Alabama rushed for 438 yards, the most for the Crimson Tide since going for 451 against Tennessee in 1986, and two Alabama players rushed for over 100 yards. In his first start, Bo Scarbrough added 109 yards and a touchdown on only five carries, including an 85-yard scoring run. The Crimson Tide offense generated 594 total yards, the most in the 98-game series with Tennessee.


Free safety Ronnie Harrison returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown to put Alabama ahead 14-0 in the first quarter to start the scoring spree. It was Alabamas eighth defensive touchdown this season. Eddie Jackson returned a punt 79 yards for a score to open the fourth quarter that extended the Alabama lead to 42-10.


"We said we wanted a complete game, and they certainly did that," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "We wanted to make sure that the other team never gained any momentum and had to play 60 minutes, and we obviously did that. I think the defense played outstanding, but our ability to run the ball for 400 yards took a lot of time off the clock. It took them off the field. This is as proud of our team as Ive been all year long in terms of playing a complete game against a really good team."


Alabama, winners of 19 straight, has defeated 11 consecutive ranked opponents dating back to a loss to Ole Miss in September 2015. The Crimson Tide has won its last seven games against ranked opponents as the visiting team.


The other National Team of the Week nominee for the weekend of Oct. 15:


Vanderbilt (3-4): The Commodores won   their first Southeastern Conference road game under coach   Derek Mason, and beat Georgia for only the third time in the   last 22 meetings, 17-16. Georgia led in total yards,   421-171, but Vanderbilt scored following a long return of   the opening kickoff, and on a field goal following a Georgia   turnover to start the second half. Khari Blasingame's   two-yard run with 9:43 left was the game-winner.


The Football Writers Association of America has named a national team of the week since the 2002 season. Members of the 12-person FWAA All-America Committee – plus one fan vote from Twitter – decide the weekly honor.


Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football.
The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key
executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas
that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.
For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson
at tiger@fwaa.com.