Game will pit SEC's top rusher against nation's No. 1 defense

• Published in: Tuscaloosa news (Tuscaloosa, Ala. : 1929)
• Main Authors: Chase Goodbread, Aaron Suttles s
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tuscaloosa, Ala Halifax Media Group 24.10.2012

The century mark: Only twice in the past 67 games has the Crimson Tide defense allowed a 100-yard rusher. Tennessee's Tauren Poole rushed for 117 in 2010, and Georgia Southern's Dominique Swope recorded 153 yards in 2011. Prior to that, the last opposing rusher to reach 100 yards was Ole Miss' BenJarvus Green-Ellis in 2007. Nico Johnson says: "A lot of people haven't heard of him. That means he's going to come in with a chip on his shoulder, you know? I like to think we're a good defense this year; he's probably thinking that, too. So this is his chance to showcase what he can do. We're going to have to come in and make them one-dimensional -- stop the run and make them, force them, to pass the ball." [LaDarius Perkins] says: "They're a very stingy defense. They don't give up many yards. I've watched them play in a couple of games. I saw a couple of plays from when they played Tennessee. They do a great job of stopping the run. They can also stop the pass, too. I know what I can do. I haven't impressed myself at all, because I know my talent, I know my ability, I know I work hard. Playing against Alabama, the No. 1 team in the nation, for us that's exciting."