Tide DB Terrion Arnold previews matchup with Texas offense

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Terrion Arnold got his second taste of first-team game reps last year in Alabama’s one-point victory at Texas. The redshirt sophomore remembers not only the blazing temperatures that afternoon but the environment at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Arnold wants Crimson Tide fans to provide the same Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“I remember it being hot, cleats was melting,” Arnold said. “The atmosphere, the fans, they did a really great job of kind of making the atmosphere very shaky. Ultimately, we had a lot of penalties on defense and I feel like with us preparing and stuff, we have to do a better job of making practice tougher on ourselves. Ultimately, it was a very difficult atmosphere so we need our fans to come in and make a difficult atmosphere for them, too.”

Alabama escaped Austin with a 20-19 victory but made things tough on itself. The Crimson Tide committed a Saban era-high 15 penalties on the Longhorns’ home turf but was still able to leave with a victory. Texas returns a lot of experience from last year’s team, including 10 starters from an offense that amassed 371 yards and 25 first downs against Alabama’s defense.

Facing former UA offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, now the head coach of the Longhorns, for a second year in a row, Arnold and company are expecting another tough matchup. And with the home crowd being loud while the UT offense is on the field, communication is key.

“With Sark, he’s a genius,” Arnold said. “Obviously, he’s been here and he knows our defense very well, so we have to do a good job of communicating. And I feel like with my teammates, building a bond in the offseason, really just growing and knowing how they are, we do a better job communicating. So I feel like it’s very easy now.”

Texas welcomed back all but star running back Bijan Robinson from its last year’s offense. Nick Saban mentioned wide receiver Xavier Worthy by name in his Monday press conference to kick off Week 2, and expectedly so. Worthy led the Big 12 in receiving touchdowns in 2022 with nine and was fifth in that conference in receiving yards (760). He was three yards shy of reaching 100 against Alabama a season ago, accumulating 97 yards on five receptions.

“Fast, just like going against (Isaiah) Bond, man. Speed kills,” Arnold said of Worthy. “So I would say with him, he has the ability to take the top off at all times and he’s a very great player. You just have to be disciplined in guarding him.”

Texas also added former Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to its roster this season. A much larger target for quarterback Quinn Ewers, Mitchell played in 21 games with 15 starts during his career in Athens, registering 38 catches for 560 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons, but missed nine games in 2022 due to injury. Mitchell has the Tide’s attention.

“I remember watching him kind of in the Georgia game,” Arnold said. “Obviously, I wasn’t playing, so I was focused on our team. But just from watching the tape, very explosive player – 6-4, 190-something pounds. Kind of an NFL prototype receiver who’ll play on Sundays, so I’m looking forward to that matchup.”

Texas’ passing game has the potential to be one of the best Alabama will face all season. And the Tide could be shorthanded in the secondary with Week 1 injuries to starters Jaylen Key and Malachi Moore. They are both considered day-to-day and won’t practice Monday, and Alabama could have to play others in their place with Arnold potentially moving over at Star.

“Like Coach Saban always preaches, you have to always be ready,” Arnold said. “You never know when your number’s gonna be called. This came all the way back in the summer as far as (Travaris Robinson) and Coach (Kevin) Steele pushing us and really being on us as far as saying, ‘You never know when your number’s gonna be called.’

“To have position versatility and to have position depth means the world in this defense.”

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