Tide ready to play Homewood's Schatz:

College Football Beat

TUSCALOOSA - Senior punter Jeremy Schatz from Homewood has been cleared to play for Alabama in Saturday's game against Southern Mississippi after undergoing medical tests for a heart arrhythmia.

And special teams coach Dave Ungerer plans to play him.

"I'd like to get Jeremy in the game," Ungerer said, "and give him a chance to show a little bit. I told both (Schatz and Jeff Aul) near the end of training camp that I'd probably play both of them early." - College Football -

Both players have been competing to replace last year's starting punter, Bo Freeland.

Aul will start again, Ungerer said. Aul had three punts for a 36-yard average and a long of 44 in the Crimson Tide's 26-7 opening win over Middle Tennessee last weekend. The Daleville junior's first start at the position produced mixed results.

The good: He pinned Middle Tennessee on its own 9-yard-line in the first quarter with the 44-yard punt, leading to a safety. - College Football -

The bad: He bobbled one snap. "That was disappointing," Tide head coach Mike Shula said.

Jamie Christensen has a chance to claim Alabama's No. 1 place-kicking job now that he's back from a one-game suspension, Ungerer said.

Christensen, a sophomore, was ahead of senior Ryan Saxby in field-goal kicking and kickoffs at the end of fall camp. - College Football -

Ungerer said he'd monitor this week's performances by Christensen and Saxby, who was 1-of-2 on field goals and 3-of-3 on extra points against Middle Tennessee.

"Ryan's really helped himself by the way he kicked off and his field goals," Ungerer said. "I think that's a positive for our football team. We'll have a good combination and see what happens."

Shula said it could be as late as Saturday before he announces the starter.

"One guy might be kicking off and one guy might be the field-goal kicker," Shula said.

Senior guard Mark Sanders is questionable for Saturday's game with Southern Miss with a knee sprain. Meanwhile, strongside linebacker Terrence Jones' injured ankle and middle linebacker Freddie Roach's injured right elbow make both questionable, as well. - College Football -

As a result, Matt Collins of Clay-Chalkville practiced at No. 1 middle linebacker Tuesday.

Defensive end Wallace Gilberry missed Tuesday's practice with a sprained ankle, but he is not expected to miss Saturday's game.

Steve Kirk

© 2005 The Birmingham News.