Barker Goes Out, Tide Hangs On to Win, 14-6

Jay Barker, who threw for a career-high 396 yards the previous week in a comeback victory over Georgia, injured his right shoulder early in the second half against Southern Mississippi, and the Crimson Tide offense vanished without its senior quarterback.

Fortunately for Alabama, Barker left with his team ahead and the 11th-ranked Tide held on for a 14-6 nonconference victory--even though Southern Miss had a commanding 371-194 advantage in total yards.

With Brian Burgdorf at the controls, Alabama (6-0) managed only two first downs, and one of those came on a roughing-the-passer penalty.

“We hadn’t played Brian enough,” Coach Gene Stallings said. “Brian is a good quarterback. He won the most valuable player in the Gator Bowl” last season when Barker was hurt.

“But practicing and playing are two different things. You go in cold, it makes a difference.”

Burgdorf completed only two of seven passes for 11 yards. He was blitzed constantly and sacked twice.

Barker was nine of 14 for 116 yards when he was hit hard on his throwing shoulder after getting off a pass on the fifth play of the second half.

“I thought it wasn’t as bad as the Ole Miss game,” said Barker, referring to a shoulder injury that kept him out of two games last season.

Barker said he hopes to be ready next Saturday when Alabama plays at Tennessee.