Mark Ingram moves up the charts

Mark Ingram wasted little time warming up Saturday.

His day was done after 11 carries and a little more than five minutes into the second quarter, after 102 yards and two touchdowns.
That was Ingram’s sixth 100-yard rushing performance of the season.

Despite the short day, Ingram continues to climb up the Alabama single-season yardage charts.

He is now second on the single-season rushing list. His 1,399 yards this season trails only Bobby Humphrey, who gained 1,471 yards in 1986. Ingram passed Sherman Williams (1,341 in 1994), Shaud Williams (1,367 in 2003) and Shaun Alexander (1,383 in 1999) on Saturday.

“I don’t think he should be underestimated for his balance and body control, the power and strength he has as a runner, and he’s got explosive speed to go with it,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “He can also change directions so you don’t get those straight-up hits on him.”

Javy gets closer
Javier Arenas’ pursuit of the SEC and NCAA career punt return yardage records continues. Arenas’ 66-yard touchdown and another two-yard return gives him 1,658 yards for his career. That leaves him 37 yards behind Lee Nalley’s 50-year old SEC record of 1,695 yards. He is 103 yards behind Wesley Welker’s NCAA mark.

Arenas said the punt return for touchdowns record he set Saturday — as well as the career yardage marks — are for savoring someday, but not now.

“That’s for when you’re sitting in the rocking chair,” Arenas said. “Until that point, you keep moving forward. You think about it every once in a while and it builds your confidence.”

Slow start
The crowd was late arriving and the start seemed to reflect it. Alabama went three-and-out to start the game and needed to convert on fourth-and-one to keep its second drive alive.

“I’d like to see us a little sharper in the passing game, especially in the beginning of the game,” Saban said.

Reserve quarterback Star Jackson was 4-for-5 passing for 29 yards in the second half. He was also sacked twice.
Alabama called timeout after Jackson was sacked for the second time, on his second series. Saban met him on the field and voiced his displeasure about something.

Finishing, Part I
Alabama earned its first shutout of the season. The Crimson Tide has not given up a first-quarter touchdown since the FIU game in Week 2. But the Tide has also been strong in the fourth quarter. The Tide now has outscored its opponents 96-24 in the fourth quarter this season.

Finishing, Part II
Alabama recognized 27 seniors, including scholarship players, walk-ons and medical hardships, before kickoff. Twelve of those — Eryk Anders, Drew Davis, P.J. Fitzgerald, Mike Johnson, Tyrone King, Cory Reamer, Chris Rogers, Brian Selman, Ali Sharrief, Travis Sikes, Heath Thomas and Lorenzo Washington, have already earned degrees. Another 10 are on track to graduate next month. In addition, junior quarterback Greg McElroy has already earned a business marketing degree.

Chattanooga series
Alabama has never lost in 11 meetings with the Mocs. Saturday’s victory improved the Tide’s record in Tuscaloosa to 8-0. The most recent meeting was a 42-13 decision in Birmingham. This was Chattanooga’s first game in Bryant-Denny Stadium since a 13-0 Alabama win in 1959.

By the numbers
13 — Number of senior starters for Alabama on offense (2), special teams (3) and defense (8). The special teams are significant as the Tide will lose Leigh Tiffin, punter P.J. Fitzgerald and long snapper Brian Selman.
3 — Interceptions for the Alabama defense, turned in by seniors Javier Arenas, Justin Woodall and Cory Reamer.
9 — The number of sacks Chattanooga has given up this season. Alabama did not record a sack. However ...
9 — The number of quarterback hurries Alabama recorded. B.J. Coleman was hit — a lot — and was forced to throw the ball much earlier than he would have liked most of the afternoon.
77 — The number of Alabama players who participated in the game.