Redd is ready for Alabama challenge

Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.

Alabama tailback Trent Richardson got his big chance against Penn State last season. Could this be Silas Redd’s turn for Penn State?

Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram was sidelined with a knee injury, leaving Richardson to carry the load for the first time in a big game. He came through bigtime.

Now Redd and the Nittany Lions get a rematch Saturday against the second-ranked Crimson Tide and its now-unquestioned No. 1 tailback.

“It was one of the biggest games of my life,” said Richardson, who had 144 yards rushing and 46 receiving. “I knew it was going to be big for me because Mark was out.”

At Penn State, the sophomore Redd needed just 12 carries to produce 104 yards — 94 in the second quarter — and two touchdowns against Indiana State after replacing school career rushing rusher Evan Royster.

Redd will face a defense that gave up minus-9 yards rushing in its opener.

But, teammates don’t seem to worry much about being the lead back bothering Redd.

“Very humble guy, he’s got a very good head on his shoulders,” fullback Michael Zordich said. “He’s going to be able to handle it just fine. He’s a good kid, comes from a good family. He knows how to handle it.”

Richardson has been handling the hype since his arrival on campus. He has even been mentioned as a potential Heisman candidate even though he’s never been a fulltime starter until now.

Penn State defenders are certainly familiar with him.

“He’s definitely an elite running back in college football,” defensive tackle Devon Still said. “He’s going to be tough to control Saturday. But we’ve been practicing hard ... and going against a running back like Silas Redd [who] I think is going to be one of the best running backs in the country.”