January 13, 2005

'Bama's Pennington Quits

The Crimson White ('Bama's student rag) is reporting that Spencer Pennington, who started seven games for the Tide after would-be star Brodie Croyle went down early in the third quarter against Utah State, will not be returning to the Tide for his senior season:

Pennington's career as a starting quarterback had a rocky start, but he had his best two games at the end of the season, recording his only 200-yard passing games against Auburn and in the Music City Bowl against Minnesota.

"He had his best half against Auburn and his best complete game against Minnesota," Bostick said. "He really was building some momentum going into the offseason."

Next year, Croyle will return to the starting lineup at quarterback, with sophomore Marc Guillon, greyshirt freshman John Parker Wilson and recent verbal commitments Jimmy Johns and Jimmy Barnes competing for the back-up job.

Fans, having seen what was beginning to look like a banner year disintegrate as injury after injury decimated the offense, will probably not weep for Pennington's departure. Despite a horrible series of officiating in the Music City Bowl that gave Minnesota a touchdown, the Tide was in a position to win the game when Pennington over-threw a wide open receiver in the end-zone on third down in the red zone. One incompletion later, Minnesota locked the game up in the first meeting between the two teams.

Those miscues were constant, but Pennington managed to win 3 of his 7 starts for Alabama this season and his overall game-play drastically improved as the season went along. He did a passable job, but having seen a few games of Brodie had gotten expectations in Tuscaloosa up just in time for a let down.

Most likely Pennington saw his future with the team dwindle as Croyle is expected to return and there's a stable of quality young quarterbacks behind him. Nevertheless, if Brodie goes down again next year the Tide will need to look elsewhere for their saving grace.

Posted by Pete Holiday

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Comments & Trackbacks

1. Todd says:

   posted on January 14, 2005 03:55 PM — link

   I'm glad to see Pennington stepping out like this, not because I don't like him but because I think it really is best for him in the long run. He improved by leaps and bounds after each game this season and I think if he hadn't gone out hurt last season against Georgia (can we please get some offensive players to stay healthy down there?!) he probably would have stayed in as the starter and really shown his ability. But with Brodie returning next year he'd be right back on the bench (probably not even second string) so I'd say its a smart move for him to just focus on baseball and keep himself healthy. I sure hope he has the best of luck with it, he truly deserves it.

2. Bethany says:

   posted on January 30, 2005 04:16 PM — link

   I think Spencer made the best decision to because he probally sees that if Brodie stays healthy, he will not see any playing time. Let's just hope that Brodie does. Marc has really not even shown what he could do, but it sounds like to me that he needs an attitude adjustment because of all he has been saying bout the Bowl game. Hopefully, Alabama has kinda got over that huge injury streak. I just pray that Alabama has a GREAT season next year because I am tired of Auburn fans!!!