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coming soon, pictures from Alabama vs. Vanderbilt

Bama Squeaks by the 'Dores 13-10
John Parker Wilson (#14 QB So. 6'-2" 209 lbs SQ ... Hoover High School, Hoover AL)

These post game comments came as John Parker Wilson answered post game questions from the press pool ...

John Parker Wilson ... From what I see we are improving. We're driving the ball. We're not going three-and-out and we're moving it down the field. If we can just start putting it in the endzone, we'll be doing really good.

How hard was that shot you took today?

It hurt.

Worse than last week's?

Yeah, definitely. It's was kind of late, but you know it's part of the game. We came back and responded. I didn't let it bother me too much.

Were you expecting this kind of contribution from DJ (Hall)? He hasn't played in a while.

Yeah, it doesn't matter about that. He's a playmaker and he finds ways to get open. The time off wasn't a big thing. He's been working hard. He had some time off, but he showed that he's a big leader in our offense and that he can make some plays.

The touchdown to DJ wasn't exactly what you guys had planned. What was the plan there and was he the primary guy?

He was, but the defense threw a little something different at us and we had to adjust. He just did a good job of getting open.

The first two wins have been close. Talk about your performance after these first two games.

I think the big thing is that we've given the other team opportunities to win the game, but we've found it within ourselves to come out and win, to dig down a little deeper and find a way to win. I think that says something about our team. When we get clicking and get going good, it's going to be interesting to see how good we're going to get.

Is there anything you can pinpoint as to why the running game hasn't been there yet?

I think that's based on the defenses we're seeing. We're not seeing very run friendly defenses.

Do you see that as a personal challenge?

Yeah, we're throwing the ball pretty good. We'll just take what the defense gives us, which is what our offense is about.

Can you talk about how frustrating those three turnovers were. It killed the momentum obviously.

Well, anytime you turn the ball over it's tough. But our defense did a great job of stepping up and we end up winning the game. Three turnovers is tough to overcome, but our defense did a great job.

Can you talk about the touchdown pass to DJ and what was it like having him back today?

He's a great receiver and someone the defense has to pay a lot of attention to. He just did a great job of getting open on the route. He beat the corner and then got by the safety. He did a good job.

Was it excitement or relief that you escaped today with a win?

Kind of both. We haven't put together the kind of game we want to have yet. We driving the ball, which is good. We just have to score some points.

Do you feel like from a personal standpoint that you picked up your play this week?

Yeah, I do. I feel better than last week. We haven't watched the tape yet, but I feel like we made some plays when we had to.

DJ also looked open on the underthrow ... just not enough mustard on that one?

Oh no, there was plenty of mustard (smiling). I kind of moved around in the pocket late and threw it late. He was open and it was the ball I wanted. I was just a little late and the guy was right there.

Talk about the inability to stick it in the endzone ...

It's tough, but it's just another thing we have to come out and work on. The good thing is we're driving the ball and moving the ball and our defense is playing good. Once we can convert in the red zone, we'll be doing good.

Is it a confidence thing? Do guys tighten up when you get down there?

I can't figure out what it is, I have to go back and watch the tape. But I don't see the guys tensing up any. It's just ... I don't know. We have to work on it.

The drive on the game winning field ... with consecutive 3rd down conversions, how did you keep that drive going?

I think it starts with the offensive line. They had good protection. And then just guys getting open and making plays. There giving me a chance by getting open and I'm just getting the ball to them and they're running down the field. So we're doing good with that.

And it was different guys ... I mean when Nikita (Stover) made that catch, we weren't even sure if he had dressed.

Yeah, that was a big play. It was third and very long and he gets open and runs down the field and puts us in field goal position with that one play. He was real excited after catching that ball and had a big smile on his face. It's good to see guys step up and make plays.

When it's different guys though, three or four guys had big plays that drive.

It just makes our offense that much better. We're pretty deep at receiver. Of course, DJ and Keith Brown ... but we also have Matt Caddell and Will Oakley and Nikita stepped up big today. So it's just encouraging as a quarterback.

also read post game interviews from ...

John Parker Wilson (#14 QB So. 6'-2" 209 lbs SQ ... Hoover High School, Hoover AL)

Jimmy Johns (#10 RB So. 6'-2" 227 lbs. 1VL ... Brookhaven High School, Brookhaven MS)

Joe Kines (Defensive Coordinator)

Mike Shula (Head Coach)