Curry Is Off to Good Start at Alabama

Bill Curry, with help from Bobby Humphrey and David Smith, broke in successfully Saturday as Alabama’s football coach.

“It was a good start, but it was only a start,” Curry said after the Crimson Tide defeated Southern Mississippi, 38-6.

Alabama has to travel to Penn State next Saturday to play the defending national champions.

“Humphrey did what he always seems to do,” said Curry, who succeeded Ray Perkins last winter. “And Smith was phenomenal. There’s been a lot of speculation about him and his starting. “

Humphrey scored twice on runs and once on a pass. The junior tailback picked up 84 yards in 17 carries and another 60 with three catches. His relief, Kerry Goode, ran for 70 yards in 15 carries.

Smith, exceptionally poised with only limited experience in the previous two seasons, completed 13 of 21 passes for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns, with no interceptions.