Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs walks into the locker room after a first-half injury during Saturday’s win over Auburn. Coach Nick Saban said he thought Buggs, one of three Crimson Tide senior starters playing in their last home game Saturday, will be fine for the SEC title game.TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Before Alabama’s 52-21 thumping of Auburn on Saturday afternoon, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban walked the home sideline to gather with each senior player and his family.
Each player received a football and had his family photographed with Saban, who describes this annual ritual as surreal.
“When I go down that line, as soon as I see a mom or dad and as soon as I see the player, the first thing that pops into my mind is the home visit,” Saban said. “It seems like it was just yesterday that we were trying to get the guy to come here, and now he’s graduating and playing his last game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“I’m really happy that their last memory of playing in Bryant-Denny Stadium will be one that they can remember in a very positive way.”
Alabama’s senior class improved to 53-3 (94.6 percent) with the Iron Bowl victory, matching last year’s Crimson Tide seniors (53-5) in wins. Last year’s Alabama seniors set an NCAA record for career triumphs, so the current seniors could establish a new standard next weekend with a win over Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game.