Tide notes: LSU player apologizes after hit to Kirkpatrick

TUSCALOOSA – LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, nicknamed the “Honey Badger,” apologized via Twitter to Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick for his penalized “block” while Kirkpatrick was covering a kick in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s game.

Mathieu was called for holding, but replays showed Kirkpatrick was clotheslined on the play. Kirkpatrick crumbled to the ground, hit his head and was briefly knocked out on the field.

Mathieu, who did a lot of talking to Alabama players throughout the game, said he was using a technique encouraged by LSU coaches.

Here is his Twitter message:

“S/0 to Dre didn’t mean to do what I did but it’s a technique that we practice, you were just tall as hell and fast as you kno what! Goodluck”

The holding penalty backed up LSU to its own 5-yard line, but the Tigers were able to dig themselves out of the hole, allowing the game to go into overtime.

Reaction to the play, of course, depends on your perspective.

LSU coach Les Miles called it “a very good penalty” in his press conference Monday.

“The attempt that Tyrann made was to hit him in the chest and be legal,” Miles said. “… What Tyrann cannot do is hit him in the back. So Tyrann goes running to the position to try and hit him in the chest. I think he hit him legally, but the issue became that he went high and held. That was exactly the call. It was a holding call.

“… He (the official) saw it better than I did. I saw the attempt at the collision and he said no, he held. That really is the issue. I thought it was the right call. We talked to Tyrann about it during the game.”

Alabama running back Trent Richardson said he thought the clothesline could have been avoided.

“In a game like this, you don’t know what’s going to go on, for real,” Richardson said. “I mean, with Dre’s situation, it probably was dirty and stuff like that. But it happened like it happened.”

Bouncing back: Alabama was in full pads Tuesday as preparation for Saturday night’s game at Mississippi State intensified. The Crimson Tide worked for around two hours.

Two players held out of contact Monday – left tackle Barrett Jones and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick – were still in black jerseys. Jones rode a bike, pedaling with only his left foot, as he tries to recover from an ankle injury he suffered against LSU.

Alfred McCullough worked with the first team at left tackle. Tyler Love worked with the second team. John Michael Boswell could play left or right guard if anything happens to starters Chance Warmack and Anthony Steen. Austin Shepherd is working behind starter D.J. Fluker at right tackle.

Alabama’s veterans say is important not let the LSU loss linger.

“Obviously, I’ll remember it the rest of my life,” senior center William Vlachos said. “But at the same time, I’ve got three games left in the crimson jersey. I’m trying to do my part as a leader on this team, and try to get better each and every practice and try to finish the year strong.”

Iron Bowl on CBS: For the 10 th time in 12 years, CBS will broadcast this year’s Iron Bowl from Jordan-Hare Stadium. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.

Alabama visits Auburn this year on Nov. 26 for the 76 th meeting between the two programs.

The day before, on Friday, Nov. 25, eighth-ranked Arkansas will play at top-ranked LSU at 1:30 p.m., also on CBS.

Bama Alumni function: The University of Alabama Alumni Association invites all Crimson Tide alumni, friends, and fans to its a nnual Beat Auburn pep rally this Monday, Nov. 14, at the Perry Recreation Center in Ozark.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Have your picture taken with Big Al and the University of Alabama cheerleaders . Attendees may w in great Alabama door prizes and scholarship auction items.

Cost for alumni association members is $10 for adults and children 11 and over, $5 for children 6-10, and free for kids 5 and under. Cost for non-members is $35 for a family, $25 for a single.

Proceeds will fund scholarships to the University of Alabama .  Reservations must be made by mailing your check to UA Alumni, P.O. Box 238, Ozark, AL 36361, not later than Nov. 11.

For more information, call Ronald Wright, at (334) 774-9460.