2011 Ag2r–La Mondiale season, Grand Tours, Vuelta a España
Stage 8 proved largely similar, as Rodríguez again won on a short, steep final climb, and Roche finished in the top ten on the day, 15 seconds back this time. He gained two places with this ride. Mondory contested two of the field sprints in the race's first week, but did not come particularly close to winning either, finishing eighth and then seventh in stages 2 and 7 respectively.


2011 Ag2r–La Mondiale season, Grand Tours, Vuelta a España
Montaguti found a successful breakaway in stage 11, taking sufficient mountains points to earn the blue polka-dotted jersey for two days. He eventually finished second in the classification. Roche also found a winning break in the second half of the Vuelta, joining 19 others to finish 1'33" ahead of the main field in stage 13. This result moved him up to 14th overall. Mondory and Montaguti took further high stage placings in stages 16 and 18, respectively, though both were with a time gap to the day's winner. Roche slipped slightly in the last few stages of the race to finish 16th, falling well short of his goal to improve upon his placing in the 2010 Vuelta.


2011 Agra bombing
There was a blast in Indian city Agra on 17 September 2011 around 5:45 PM, at Jai Hospital, At least 15 people were injured and no fatalities were reported.


2011 Agra bombing
Uttar Pradesh DGP and chief secretary to the Union home ministry said that due to the edge competition between two private hospitals the blast might have happened.


2011 Aguascalientes Open
The 2011 Aguascalientes Open was a professional tennis tournament played on clay courts. It was the first edition of the tournament which was part of the 2011 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Aguascalientes, Mexico between 26 September and 2 October 2011.


2011 Aguascalientes Open, ATP entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2011 Aguascalientes Open, Champions, Doubles
Daniel Garza /  Santiago González def. Júlio César Campozano /  Víctor Estrella, 6–4, 5–7, [11–9]


2011 Aguascalientes Open – Doubles
Daniel Garza and Santiago González won the first edition of the tournament, defeating Júlio César Campozano and Víctor Estrella 6–4, 5–7, [11–9] in the final.


2011 Aguascalientes Open – Singles
Juan Sebastián Cabal won the first edition of this tournament after defeating his compatriot Robert Farah 6–4, 7–6(7–3) in the final.


2011 Aikido World Championships
The 2011 Aikido World Championships was held at the Brunel University in London, United Kingdom from 11 to 14 August.


2011 Air Force Falcons football team
The 2011 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Falcons were led by fifth-year head coach Troy Calhoun and played their home games at Falcon Stadium. They are members of the Mountain West Conference. They finished the season 7–6, 3–4 in Mountain West play to finish in fifth place. They were invited to the Military Bowl where they were defeated by Toledo, 42–41. With wins over Army and Navy, Air Force won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the second consecutive year.


2011 Aircel Chennai Open
The 2011 Aircel Chennai Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It was the 16th edition of the Chennai Open, and part of the 250 series of the 2011 ATP World Tour. It took place at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai, India, from 3 January through 9 January 2011.


2011 Aircel Chennai Open, ATP entrants, Other entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2011 Aircel Chennai Open, Finals, Doubles
Mahesh Bhupathi /  Leander Paes defeated  Robin Haase /  David Martin, 6–2, 6–7(3–7), [10–7]


2011 Aircel Chennai Open – Doubles
Marcel Granollers and Santiago Ventura were the defending champions but decided not to participate. Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes clinched the title. They defeated Robin Haase and David Martin 6–2, 6–7(3–7), [10–7] in the final.


2011 Aircel Chennai Open – Singles
Marin Čilić was the two-time defending champion, but lost in the first round to Kei Nishikori. 3rd seed Stanislas Wawrinka defeated 7th seed Xavier Malisse 7–5, 4–6, 6–1 in the final match.


2011 Aircel Chennai Open – Singles Qualifying
The 2011 Aircel Chennai Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It was the 16th edition of the Chennai Open, and part of the 250 series of the 2011 ATP World Tour. It took place at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai, India, from 3 January through 9 January 2011.


2011 Akron Zips football team
The 2011 Akron Zips football team represented the University of Akron in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Zips were led by second-year head coach Rob Ianello and played their home games at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field. They are a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 1–11, 0–8 in MAC play to finish in last place in the East Division. This was the Zips second consecutive 1–11 season.


2011 Akron Zips football team
Following the season, Ianello was fired after going 2–22 in two seasons.


2011 Akron Zips men's soccer team
The 2011 Akron Zips men's soccer team represented the University of Akron during the 2010 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. The Zips finished the season winning the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship, making it the first time in their history to win the national title.


2011 Akron Zips men's soccer team, Team, Roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2011 Aktobe bombing
The 2011 Aktobe Bombing was a terrorist attack in the city of Aktobe, Kazakhstan on May 17, 2011. The attacker entered the headquarters of the Kazakhstani security services in the region and set off a suicide bomb, killing himself and injuring two others. Initially, the bombing was blamed on "organized crime" in what was considered the first mafia-related suicide bombing in history. Some newspapers said that Rakhimjan Makhatov, the bomber, was a member of an organized criminal group. However, Kazakhstani officials eventually conceded that the attack was probably linked to Islamic extremists in the oil-rich province. The attack marked the opening of a violent summer in Kazakhstan's west, during which multiple attacks claimed the lives of a combined 19 people.


2011 Akwa Ibom State gubernatorial election
The 2011 Akwa Ibom State gubernatorial election was the 5th gubernatorial election of Akwa Ibom State. Held on April 26, 2011, the People's Democratic Party nominee Godswill Akpabio won the election, defeating John James Akpan Udo-Edehe of the Action Congress of Nigeria.


2011 Akwa Ibom State gubernatorial election, Results
A total of 14 candidates contested in the election. Godswill Akpabio from the People's Democratic Party won the election, defeating John James Akpan Udo-Edehe from the Action Congress of Nigeria. Valid votes was 1,148,433.


2011 Al Diwaniyah bombing
21 June 2011 Al Diwaniyah bombing was a suicide bombing that occurred outside the provincial governors house. It is believed he was the intended target. He survived the attack, however at least 27 people were killed, and over 30 wounded in the attack.


2011 Al Diwaniyah bombing, Attack
The attack occurred at approximately 7:30 am local time when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the governor's house. The second attack is believed to have happened a short time later as emergency services arrived at the area.


2011 Al Diwaniyah bombing, Attack
The attack occurred during the morning switch-over of security personnel. As a result, the majority of casualties in the blast were that of security personal to the governor. It is believed the governor himself was not harmed in the attack. It is the first major attack in the city, since 2009 when a bomb attached to a bus killed six people and 2007 when roadside bomb targeted a police patrol, killing seven officers.


2011 Al Diwaniyah bombing, Aftermath
The attacks led to further debate, especially among the top political factions in Iraq, as to whether the United States should remain in Iraq for security purposes, as despite the fact many feel that the violence has reduced in recent times, many are worried about the situation once the U.S pulls its final troops out of the country on 31 December 2011.


2011 Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge
The 2011 Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge was a professional tennis tournament played on hard courts. It was the tenth edition of the tournament which was part of the 2011 ITF Women's Circuit. It took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates between 28 November to 3 December.


2011 Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge, WTA Entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2011 Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge, Champions, Doubles
Nina Bratchikova /  Darija Jurak def. Akgul Amanmuradova /  Alexandra Dulgheru, 6–4, 3–6, [10–6]


2011 Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge – Doubles
Julia Görges and Petra Martić were the defending champions, but both chose not to participate.


2011 Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge – Doubles
Nina Bratchikova and Darija Jurak won the title defeating Akgul Amanmuradova and Alexandra Dulgheru in the final 6–4, 3–6, [10–6].


2011 Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge – Singles
Sania Mirza was the defending champion, but decided not to participate this year.


2011 Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge – Singles
Noppawan Lertcheewakarn won the title defeating Kristina Mladenovic in the final 7–5, 6–4.


2011 Al Hillah bombing
The 2011 Al Hillah bombing was an attack that took place in the city of Hillah on 5 May 2011. A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives at a local police station, killing 24 recruits and injuring at least 72 more. A few days after the explosion the Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for it, saying it was revenge for the death of Osama Bin Laden on 2 May 2011. The insurgents apparently scouted the police HQ for some time before attacking during peak hours when more than 200 people were inside the building.


2011 Al-Nakba International Football Tournament
The 2011 Al-Nakba International Football Tournament was a football competition organized by the Palestinian Football Association to commemorate the Nakba. It was held in Palestine in May 2011, and featured an appearance by the then-president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter.


2011 Alabama A&M Bulldogs football team
The 2011 Alabama A&M Bulldogs football team represented Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bulldogs were led by tenth-year head coach Anthony Jones and played their home games at Louis Crews Stadium. They were a member of the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs finished 8–4, 7–2 in SWAC play to finish as East Division champions, but lost to Grambling State in the SWAC Championship Game 15–16.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team
The 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team will represent the University of Alabama in the 2011 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Crimson Tide play their home games in Sewell-Thomas Stadium.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team, Rankings
^ Collegiate Baseball ranks 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season. † NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season. * New poll was not released for this week so for comparison purposes the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team, Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2011 MLB Draft
The following members of the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball program were drafted in the 2011 MLB Draft.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 117th overall and 78th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 20th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of twelve wins and one loss (12–1 overall, 7–1 in the SEC) and as consensus national champions.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
After the completion of the 2010 season, the Crimson Tide signed a highly rated recruiting class in February 2011 and completed spring practice the following April. With seventeen returning starters from the previous season, Alabama entered their 2011 campaign ranked as the number two team in the nation and as a favorite to win the Western Division and compete for the SEC championship. However, Alabama lost to the LSU Tigers in their regular season matchup, and as a result did not qualify for the 2011 SEC Championship Game.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Despite not winning their conference championship, when the final Bowl Championship Series rankings were released, Alabama had the number two ranking to qualify for the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. In the rematch against LSU, the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers 21–0 to capture their second BCS Championship in three years.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
At the conclusion of the season, the Alabama defense led the nation in every major statistical category, and was the first to do so since the 1986 season. Additionally, several players were recognized for the individual accomplishments on the field. Barrett Jones won both the Wuerffel Trophy and the Outland Trophy; and Trent Richardson won the Doak Walker Award, was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Also, seven players were named to various All-America Teams with Dont'a Hightower being a consensus selection and Mark Barron, Jones and Richardson each being unanimous selections. In April 2012, eight members of the 2011 squad were selected in the NFL Draft, with an additional six signed as undrafted free agents to various teams.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Before the season
After winning the BCS National Championship in 2009, Alabama fell short of preseason expectations in 2010 and finished with a record of nine wins and three losses at the conclusion of the regular season. However, they finished with a 49–7 victory in the 2011 Capital One Bowl against Michigan State, and secured Alabama's third straight ten-win season and their third bowl win in four seasons.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Before the season
In February 2011, Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to Rivals and the No. 7 recruiting class according to Scout. Spring practice began on March 21 and concluded with the annual A-Day game on April 16. Televised live by ESPNU, the Crimson team of offensive starters defeated the White team of defensive starters by a final score of 14–10 before 92,310 fans in Bryant–Denny Stadium. For their performances, Barrett Jones earned the Dwight Stephenson Lineman of the A-Day Game Award and Trent Richardson earned the Dixie Howell Memorial Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game Award.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Before the season
In the weeks after the conclusion of spring practice, a pair of tragedies occurred that directly impacted the team. On April 27, 2011, an EF4 rated tornado devastated Tuscaloosa. As a result of the storm, long snapper Carson Tinker suffered a broken wrist with his girlfriend being one of the 43 fatalities attributed to the storm in Tuscaloosa. On May 12, 2011, offensive lineman Aaron Douglas was found dead in Fernandina Beach, Florida. The cause of death was subsequently ruled accidental as a result of multiple drug toxicity. After transferring to Alabama from Arizona Western College, Douglas struggled with off-field issues including a DUI charge following a December 2010 arrest. He started his career as a freshman All-America at Tennessee, before the Volunteers' new head coach Derek Dooley granted him a release from the program in Spring 2010.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Before the season
By August, Alabama had a combined 31 players on 12 different preseason award watch lists.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Before the season
These included Mark Barron, Dont’a Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick, Robert Lester and Courtney Upshaw for the Chuck Bednarik Award; Duron Carter, Darius Hanks and Marquis Maze for the Fred Biletnikoff Award; Hightower, Nico Johnson and Upshaw for the Butkus Award; Lester and Trent Richardson for the Walter Camp Award; Hightower, Barrett Jones, Upshaw and William Vlachos for the Lombardi Award; Michael Williams for the John Mackey Award; Richardson for the Maxwell Award; Barron, Hightower, Kirkpatrick, Lester and Upshaw for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy; Jones and Vlachos for the Outland Trophy; Vlachos for the Rimington Trophy; Barron, Kirkpatrick and Lester for the Jim Thorpe Award; and Richardson for the Doak Walker Award.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Before the season
Between the conclusion of the 2010 season and the beginning of summer practice in August 2011, seven players transferred from the Crimson Tide. Those who transferred included Robby Green (California University of Pennsylvania), B.J. Scott (South Alabama), Demetrius Goode (North Alabama), Petey Smith (Holmes Community College), Brandon Moore (East Mississippi Community College), Corey Grant (Auburn) and Keiwone Malone (Memphis).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Coaching staff
Alabama head coach Nick Saban entered his fifth year as the Crimson Tide's head coach for the 2011 season. During his previous four years with Alabama, he led the Crimson Tide to an overall record of 38 wins, 11 losses (38–11) and the 2009 national championship. In the weeks after the Capitol One Bowl victory, several changes were made to the Alabama coaching staff. Defensive line coach Bo Davis resigned his position to serve as the defensive tackles coach for Texas, and the next day Chris Rumph was hired from Clemson, to replace him as the defensive line coach.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Coaching staff
On January 12, assistant head coach and offensive line coach Joe Pendry announced his retirement, and the following day former Miami interim head coach Jeff Stoutland was hired to replace him as offensive line coach. On January 21, wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Curt Cignetti resigned his position to accept the head coaching job at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and on February 7, Mike Groh was hired as his replacement as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Roster, Returning starters
Alabama had 17 returning starters from the previous season, including ten on defense and seven on offense. The most notable departures from the previous year were defensive end Marcell Dareus, left tackle James Carpenter, tight end Preston Dial, quarterback Greg McElroy, wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Mark Ingram Jr.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Roster, Recruiting class
Alabama's recruiting class included eleven players from the "ESPN 150": No. 3 Cyrus Kouandjio (OT); No. 19 Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (S); No. 22 Xzavier Dickson (DE); No. 38 Trey DePriest (OLB); No. 41 Bradley Sylve (WR); No. 53 Jeoffrey Pagan (DE); No. 75 Marvin Shinn (WR); No. 79 Demetrius Hart (RB); No. 82 Malcolm Faciane (TE); No. 137 Danny Woodson, Jr. (WR); and No. 140 Brent Calloway (ATH). Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to Rivals and the No. 7 recruiting class according to Scout.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Roster, Recruiting class
The football program received 14 letters of intent on National Signing Day, February 2, 2011. Prior to National Signing Day, three high school players and three junior college transfers of the 2011 recruiting class enrolled for the spring semester in order to participate in spring practice. These early enrollments included: nose guard Quinton Dial, offensive lineman Aaron Douglas and nose tackle Jesse Williams from junior college and linebacker Trey DePriest, quarterback Phillip Ely safety Vinnie Sunseri from high school.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Schedule
The 2011 schedule was officially released on October 19, 2010. In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all five Western Division opponents: Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. They also faced three Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival Tennessee, Florida, and Vanderbilt. Alabama did not play SEC opponents Georgia, Kentucky or South Carolina. The contest against Vanderbilt served as the 2011 homecoming game.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Schedule
Alabama played four non-conference games. The game against Penn State was originally scheduled to be played as part of the 2004 season, however the series was moved back to this season at the request of Alabama due to fallout from NCAA sanctions being levied on the program. The non-conference schedule also included games against Kent State of the Mid-American Conference, North Texas of the Sun Belt Conference and Georgia Southern of the Southern Conference. Alabama had one bye week after the Tennessee game and prior to the first LSU game.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Schedule
On December 4, 2011, the final Bowl Championship Series standings were unveiled with a rematch between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game. The Sagarin computer ratings calculated Alabama's 2011 strength of schedule to be the fifteenth most difficult out of the 246 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the twenty-ninth most difficult out of the 120 Division I FBS teams in its rankings.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Schedule
In addition to the weekly television coverage, radio coverage for all games was broadcast statewide on The Crimson Tide Sports Network (CTSN). The radio announcers for the 2011 season were Eli Gold with play-by-play, Phil Savage with color commentary, and Chris Stewart with sideline reports.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Kent State
The Crimson Tide opened the 2011 season at home against Nick Saban's alma mater, the Kent State Golden Flashes of the Mid-American Conference. In the meeting that was the first all-time against the Golden Flashes, the Crimson Tide won 48–7. After holding the Golden Flashes to a three-and-out on the opening possession, Trent Richardson scored the Crimson Tide's first touchdown on a one-yard run to give Alabama a 7–0 lead.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Kent State
After holding Kent State again to a three-and-out, Alabama responded with a four-play, 74-yard touchdown drive that featured a 48-yard Eddie Lacy reception and a 24-yard Marquis Maze touchdown reception from A. J. McCarron to take a 14–0 lead. The Tide scored their final points of the first quarter on a one-yard Richardson run to take a 21–0 lead into the second quarter. After only scoring on a 36-yard Jeremy Shelley field goal in the second quarter, Alabama led 24–0 at the half.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Kent State
On the second Crimson Tide possession of the third quarter, Phillip Sims threw an interception to Norman Wolfe that was returned to the Alabama three-yard line. Two plays later, Kent State scored their only points of the game when Spencer Keith connected with Justin Thompson for a three-yard touchdown reception to cut the lead to 24–7. The Crimson Tide responded with touchdowns on the next two consecutive drives. Richardson and Lacy both scored on one-yard runs to extend Alabama's lead to 38–7 entering the fourth quarter.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Kent State
In the fourth, the Tide scored their final touchdown of the afternoon on a 49-yard Jalston Fowler run and their final points on a 32-yard Shelley field goal to make the final score 48–7. For the game, Alabama's defense was dominant in allowing −9 yards rushing and 90 yards of total offense against Kent State in the contest. On offense, the Crimson Tide had 482 total yards with three different running backs scoring touchdowns and Maze totaling 118 yards receiving on eight catches with one touchdown.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Penn State
In what was the second consecutive meeting between the Crimson Tide and the Penn State Nittany Lions, and first at Happy Valley since 1989, Alabama won 27–11. Penn State took the opening possession down the field and recorded a 43-yard field goal by Evan Lewis to take an early 3–0 lead by using all 3 of their timeouts. Alabama took a 7–3 lead later in the first quarter after A. J. McCarron connected with Michael Williams for a five-yard touchdown reception to cap an 11-play, 69-yard drive.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Penn State
A 22-yard Jeremy Shelley kick extended the Crimson Tide lead to 10–3 early in the second quarter. Then after trading punts, Dre Kirkpatrick forced Andrew Szczerba to fumble the ball that was recovered by Alabama's DeQuan Menzie. Ten plays later, the Crimson Tide led 17–3 after a three-yard Trent Richardson touchdown run.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Penn State
In the third quarter Shelley connected on an 18-yard field goal and Richardson scored his second rushing touchdown of the game midway through the fourth on a 13-yard run to give Alabama a 27–3 lead. The final points of the game came late in the fourth when Silas Redd scored on a one-yard touchdown for the Nittany Lions, and Rob Bolden converted the two-point conversion to bring the final score to 27–11.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Penn State
Trent Richardson ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns while Eddie Lacy ran for 85. A. J. McCarron threw for 163 yards and a touchdown. For his seven tackles, interception and fumble recovery, Mark Barron was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. The 107,846 fans in attendance were the most to ever see an Alabama squad compete on the gridiron, and the victory improved their all-time record against the Nittany Lions to 10–5. The outcome was also noted as the final career loss for Joe Paterno as the Nittany Lions' head coach.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, North Texas
In their meeting against the North Texas Mean Green, Alabama outgained their opponent 586 to 169 yards of total offense in Alabama's 41–0 victory. After a 26-yard Jeremy Shelley field goal gave the Crimson Tide a 3–0 lead, Trent Richardson scored their first touchdown of the evening on Alabama's second offensive possession to give them a 10–0 lead at the end of the first period. The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 20–0 by halftime after a 43-yard Eddie Lacy touchdown run and a 37-yard Shelley field goal in the second quarter.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, North Texas
North Texas opened the second half with a nine-play, 54-yard drive to set up a 42-yard Zach Olen field goal attempt. However, the kick was blocked by Robert Lester to preserve the shutout. Alabama extended their lead to 27–0 by the fourth quarter after Richardson scored his second touchdown of the evening on a 58-yard run. After Shelley missed a 42-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter, Richardson scored again with a 71-yard touchdown run on Alabama's next offensive possession to extend their lead to 34–0. Lacy scored the final points of the game midway through the fourth with his second touchdown of the evening on a 67-yard run to give Alabama the 41–0 victory.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, North Texas
Trent Richardson ran for a career-high 167 yards and three touchdowns and Eddie Lacy ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns and became the first pair of running backs to each run for 150 yards in a game. The shutout was the Crimson Tide's first since they defeated Chattanooga 45–0 in 2009 and improved Alabama's all-time record against the Mean Green to 4–0.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Arkansas
After three consecutive victories to start the season, the Crimson Tide opened conference play against the Arkansas Razorbacks, and defeated them 38–14 at Bryant–Denny Stadium. Alabama scored first with a trick play on their opening possession. After driving to the Arkansas 37-yard line, Cade Foster lined up for a 54-yard field goal attempt. Alabama quarterback A. J. McCarron received the snap as the holder, and proceeded to throw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Michael Williams to give the Crimson Tide a 7–0 lead.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Arkansas
The Razorbacks tied the game at 7–7 late in the first quarter when Tyler Wilson threw a ten-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Johnson. After an Arkansas goal line stand, Jeremy Shelley connected on a 20-yard field goal to give Alabama a 10–7 lead. On the ensuing Arkansas possession, the Crimson Tide scored when DeQuan Menzie intercepted a Wilson pass and returned it 25-yards for a touchdown to give Alabama a 17–7 lead at the half.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Arkansas
After holding Arkansas scoreless on their first possession of the third quarter, Alabama's Marquis Maze returned a Dylan Breeding punt 83-yards for a touchdown and a 24–7 Crimson Tide lead. On Alabama's next possession, Trent Richardson caught a screen pass from McCarron and ran it 61-yards for a touchdown and extended the Alabama lead to 31–7. The Razorbacks scored on the following possession when Wilson threw his second touchdown pass of the afternoon after he connected on a 19-yard pass to Cobi Hamilton.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Arkansas
Eddie Lacy then scored the final points of the game late in the third on a four-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide the 38–14 victory. The Alabama defense only allowed 17 rushing and 226 of total offense to the Razorbacks in the victory. For his 235 all-purpose yards and touchdown reception, Trent Richardson was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 12–8 (15–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Florida
In what was the first meeting as opposing head coaches between Nick Saban and his former assistant coach from both LSU and the Miami Dolphins, Will Muschamp, the Crimson Tide defeated the Florida Gators, 38–10 at The Swamp. After receiving the opening kickoff, Florida scored their only touchdown of the game on their first offensive play from scrimmage. The Gators took an early 7–0 lead when John Brantley threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Andre Debose. Alabama responded on the following drive with Jeremy Shelley connecting on a 32-yard field goal to cut the Florida lead to 7–3.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Florida
The Gators responded with what turned out to be their final points of the game when Caleb Sturgis connected on a 21-yard field goal. Alabama's Marquis Maze then returned the ensuing kickoff 70-yards to the Florida 29-yard line and the Crimson Tide tied the game at 10–10 seven plays later on a five-yard Trent Richardson touchdown run.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Florida
Alabama extended their lead to 24–10 at halftime with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns. Courtney Upshaw scored a defensive touchdown early in the quarter after he intercepted a Brantley pass and returned it 45-yards for the score. A. J. McCarron scored later in the quarter on a one-yard quarterback sneak to cap a ten-play, 61-yard drive. Late in the quarter, the Gators did have a scoring opportunity by driving to the Alabama 13-yard line. However, the Alabama defense sacked Brantley on consecutive snaps for a loss of 22-yards and knocked Brantley out of the game with an injury. Sturgis then missed a 52-yard field goal attempt and Alabama led 24–10 at the half.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Florida
After a scoreless third quarter, a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns gave Alabama the 38–10 victory. Richardson scored his second touchdown of the game with 12:25 remaining on a 36-yard run and Eddie Lacy scored the final points of the game on a 20-yard run. For the game, Alabama's defense was dominant in only allowing 222 total yards of offense, with the 15 rushing yards being the fewest ever allowed against Florida in their all-time series. Trent Richardson established a new career high for rushing yards in game with his 181 yards on 29 attempts. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 22–14 (23–14 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Vanderbilt
For the 91st homecoming football game in Alabama history, the Crimson Tide defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 34–0 who made their first visit to Bryant–Denny Stadium since the 2006 season. After a three-and-out on their opening drive, Alabama scored their first touchdown of the evening on a six-yard A. J. McCarron touchdown pass to Brad Smelley to complete a ten-play, 77-yard drive. On the following drive Vanderbilt had an opportunity to cut into the lead, but Carey Spear missed a 47-yard field goal to keep the Alabama lead at 7–0. Spear missed a second field goal later in the second quarter from 38-yards, and the Crimson Tide responded with their second touchdown drive of the game. McCarron threw his second touchdown pass of the game to DeAndrew White on a five-yard reception to give Alabama a 14–0 halftime lead.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Vanderbilt
In the third quarter, Trent Richardson scored first on a one-yard touchdown run followed by a 39-yard McCarron touchdown pass to White on consecutive possessions. Following an unsuccessful extra point by Jeremy Shelley, Alabama led 27–0 entering the fourth quarter. Early in the fourth, DeMarcus Milliner intercepted a Jordan Rodgers pass and returned it 37-yards to the Commodores' 20-yard line. Three plays later, McCarron threw a 17-yard touchdown pass, his fourth of the day, to Darius Hanks to make the final score 34–0.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Vanderbilt
For the game, Trent Richardson ran for 107 yards to extend his streak of consecutive games rushing for at least 100 yards to five games. The defense was dominant in completing their second shutout of the season and only allowing Vanderbilt 190 yards of total offense. The victory improved Alabama's all-time homecoming record to 77–13–1 and their record against the Commodores to 59–19–4 (61–18–4 without the NCAA vacations and forfeits).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Ole Miss
After Ole Miss took an early 7–0 lead, the Crimson Tide scored 52 unanswered points in their 52–7 victory over the Rebels at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium. The Rebels scored their only points of the game on their first possession. Jeff Scott scored on a one-yard touchdown run to cap a 5-play, 72-yard drive to give Ole Miss their only lead of the game at 7–0. Alabama responded on the following drive with the first of four Trent Richardson touchdowns of the evening on an eight-yard run to tie the game at 7–7. The Crimson Tide added ten points in the second quarter to take a 17–7 halftime lead. Richardson scored on a seven-yard touchdown and after Cade Foster missed a 53-yard field goal attempt, Jeremy Shelley connected for 24-yard field goal.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Ole Miss
In the third quarter, Alabama put the game away with four touchdowns. After five consecutive A. J. McCarron passes gained 65-yards, Richardson gained the final eight en route to his third touchdown of the evening. On the next Alabama possession, Richardson gained 16-yards and then scored a touchdown on a 76-yard run, the longest of his career, for a 31–7 lead. On the first play ensuing Rebels possession, Courtney Upshaw forced a Randall Mackey fumble that was recovered by Ed Stinson at the Ole Miss 15-yard line.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Ole Miss
Two plays later, the Crimson Tide led 38–7 after Jalston Fowler scored on an eight-yard touchdown run. The final points of the quarter came on a ten-yard McCarron touchdown pass to Brandon Gibson, and the final points of the game came in the fourth quarter on a 69-yard Fowler touchdown run to make the final score 52–7.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Ole Miss
Alabama's defense again had a strong performance in only allowing the Rebels 141 total yards of offense (28 rushing, 113 passing). Richardson set a new career high with his 183 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. For his performance, Richardson was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week. The 52 total points were the most Alabama had scored in a SEC game since defeating Vanderbilt 59–28 in 1990. The victory was their eighth straight over Ole Miss and improved Alabama's all-time record against the Rebels 45–9–2 (49–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
In the 2011 edition of the Third Saturday in October, Alabama entered the game as a 30-point favorite over the rival Tennessee Volunteers. At Bryant–Denny, the Volunteers were looking for the upset after tying the game 6–6 at halftime; however 31 unanswered points resulted in a 37–6 Crimson Tide victory to extend their overall record to 8–0. The first half was dominated by both defenses with each only allowing a pair of field goals. Mike Palardy connected from 40 and 52-yards for Tennessee and Jeremy Shelley connected from 26 and 29-yards for Alabama.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
After holding the Volunteers to a three-and-out to open the second half, the Alabama offensive responded with their first of three third-quarter touchdowns with a two-yard A. J. McCarron touchdown run. On the following Tennessee drive, the Alabama defense stopped quarterback Matt Simms on a fourth-and-one to give the Crimson Tide offense the ball on the Volunteers' 39-yard line. On the next play, McCarron threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Bell to extend the Alabama lead to 20–6.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
Trent Richardson then scored his first touchdown of the game on the following Alabama possession on a 12-yard run to cap a six-play, 63-yard drive. Cade Foster scored early in the fourth quarter with his 45-yard field goal, and after a Dont'a Hightower interception, Richardson scored his second touchdown of the day on a one-yard run to make the final score 37–6.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
In the game, Marquis Maze had 106 yards receiving on five catches and McCarron set a new career high with 284 yards passing. For his defensive performance, Hightower was named both the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. The victory was Alabama's fifth consecutive over Tennessee and improved their all-time record against the Volunteers to 48–38–7 (49–37–8 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, LSU
Coming off their bye and in what was hyped as the latest "Game of the Century" in college football, the LSU Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 9–6 in overtime. After a scoreless first quarter that saw the Crimson Tide miss two field goals, and another blocked early in the second quarter, Alabama took a 3–0 lead midway through the second on a 34-yard Jeremy Shelley field goal. LSU responded on their following possession by driving to the Alabama two-yard line and kicking a 19-yard Drew Alleman field goal as time expired to tie the game at 3–3 at halftime.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, LSU
Just as the first half was dominated by both defenses, the second was no different with both Alabama and LSU only managing a pair of field goals. Alabama's came in the third on a 46-yard Cade Foster score and LSU's came in the fourth on a 30-yard Alleman score. In the overtime period, Foster missed a 52-yard field goal attempt and Alleman connected on a 25-yard attempt to give the Tigers the 9–6 victory. Both defenses held each offense to less than 300 yards of total offense with each having a pair of interceptions. With the loss, Alabama dropped to 4–8 all-time in overtime games and brought Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 45–25–5.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Mississippi State
A week after their loss to LSU, Alabama traveled to Starkville and defeated their long-time rival, the Mississippi State Bulldogs 24–7. After a pair of missed field goals, one from 19-yard by Cade Foster and the second from 31-yards by Jeremy Shelley, Alabama scored their first points in the second quarter. Eddie Lacy capped a five-play, 52-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 7–0 lead.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Mississippi State
Later in the quarter Derek DePasquale missed a 41-yard field goal attempt for the Bulldogs, but on the ensuing Alabama possession Cameron Lawrence intercepted an A. J. McCarron pass and returned it to the Alabama four-yard line. However, the Alabama defense held the Bulldogs to only a field goal attempt which was then missed from 29-yards by Brian Egan to preserve a 7–0 halftime lead for the Crimson Tide.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Mississippi State
Alabama extended their lead to 10–0 after Shelley connected on a 24-yard field goal early in the third quarter. Early in the fourth, Trent Richardson scored on a two-yard run for a 17–0 Crimson Tide lead. However, on the ensuing kickoff was returned 68-yards to the Alabama 22-yard line by John Fulton, and four plays later the Bulldogs cut the score to 17–7 after Tyler Russell threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Chris Smith.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Mississippi State
The Crimson Tide then closed the game with an eleven-play, 73-yard drive, all on the ground, with Lacy scoring his second touchdown of the night from 32 yards out to give Alabama the 24–7 victory. The 127 rushing yards gained by Richardson was his seventh 100-yard rushing game of the season. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 74–18–3 (76–17–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Georgia Southern
Against the triple option attack of the Georgia Southern Eagles, ranked No. 3 in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the Alabama defense gave up the most total yards, rushing yards and points of the season in their 45–21 victory at Bryant–Denny Stadium. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Crimson Tide drove to the Eagles' 14-yard line where Jeremy Shelley connected on a 32-yard field goal for a 3–0 lead. On their opening possession, Georgia Southern had a nine-play, 49-yard drive to set up a 42-yard field goal attempt.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Georgia Southern
However, the Adrian Mora attempt was blocked by Dont'a Hightower and returned by Dre Kirkpatrick 55-yards for a touchdown and a 10–0 Crimson Tide lead. In the second quarter, A. J. McCarron threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Trent Richardson to complete a ten-play, 71-yard drive for a 17–0 lead. However, the Eagles responded on their next offensive play when Dominique Swope scored on an 82-yard touchdown run to cut the Alabama lead to 17–7. Both teams then traded touchdowns when Richardson scored on a one-yard run for Alabama and Jaybo Shaw threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Bryant for Georgia Southern. After Cade Foster missed a 47-yard field goal attempt late, Alabama led 24–14 at halftime.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Georgia Southern
After forcing a punt to open the second half, Alabama scored a touchdown on its opening possession with a 34-yard touchdown reception by Brad Smelley from McCarron. However, on the ensuing kickoff, Laron Scott returned it 95-yards for a touchdown to cut the lead again to 31–21. Alabama responded on the following drive with Richardson accounting for 46 yards of it on seven carries with a one-yard touchdown run for a 38–21 Alabama lead. In the fourth quarter, Alabama stopped the Eagles at the Crimson Tide eight-yard line after an incomplete Shaw pass on fourth down.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Georgia Southern
From there the Alabama offense began a 15-play, 92-yard drive that took 8:36 to complete with McCarron throwing a four-yard touchdown pass to Smelley for the final points in their 45–21 win. For the game, Richardson had 175 yards on the ground with a pair of rushing touchdowns and one receiving. His one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave Richardson the Alabama single-season rushing touchdown record breaking the previous mark of 19 set by Shaun Alexander in 1999.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Auburn
After the loss against the Auburn Tigers the previous year, in which the Crimson Tide surrendered a 24-point lead, for nearly a year reminders of the defeat and the phrase "never again" were utilized by the team as even greater motivation to win in an already heated rivalry. With a potential berth in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game on the line, the Alabama defense did not allow an offensive touchdown in their 42–14 victory on The Plains.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Auburn
After trading a pair of three-and-outs to open the game, Alabama scored their first points of the game when A. J. McCarron threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Bell for a 7–0 lead. Following a ten-yard Steven Clark punt on the ensuing Auburn possession, Alabama got the ball on the Tigers' 35-yard line. On the next play, McCarron threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Brad Smelley for a 14–0 lead.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Auburn
On the first play of Alabama's fourth offensive possession, Corey Lemonier forced a McCarron fumble that was recovered for a touchdown by Kenneth Carter to cut the Crimson Tide lead to 14–7 at the end of the first quarter. A pair of long drives in the second quarter resulted in a five-yard Trent Richardson touchdown reception and a 30-yard Jeremy Shelley field goal to give Alabama a 24–7 halftime lead.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Auburn
On the opening kickoff of the second half, Onterio McCalebb scored a touchdown on an 83-yard return to cut the Alabama lead to 24–14. Alabama responded on their next possession with a 28-yard Shelley field goal for a 27–14 lead entering the fourth quarter. On the third play of the fourth quarter, Auburn's Clint Moseley threw an interception to DeMarcus Milliner that was returned 35-yards for a touchdown and after a successful two-point conversion, Alabama led 35–14. After getting the ball back on downs late in the quarter, Jalston Fowler scored on a 15-yard touchdown run, to cap a drive that included a 57-yard Richardson run, and made the final score 42–14.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Auburn
In the game, Richardson set a new career high with his 203 rushing yards and tied Mark Ingram Jr. for the most 100-yard rushing games in a season with nine. The defense held Auburn to 140 total yards of offense, with only 78 yards on the ground, and zero offensive touchdowns in the victory. The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 41–34–1.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, LSU
On December 4, 2011, the final Bowl Championship Series standings were unveiled with a rematch between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game. In the game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers 21–0 to clinch their second BCS Championship in three years. The first points of the game were set up after Marquis Maze returned a Brad Wing punt 49-yards to the LSU 26-yard line in the first quarter. Five plays later, Jeremy Shelley connected on a 23-yard field goal to give Alabama a 3–0 lead. After his first attempt was blocked by the Tigers' Michael Brockers, Shelley connected on second-quarter field goals of 34 and 41 yards to give the Crimson Tide a 9–0 halftime lead.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, LSU
Shelley extended the Crimson Tide lead to 12–0 after he converted a 35-yard field goal on Alabama's first possession of the second half. He then missed a 41-yard field goal attempt wide right before he connected on a 44-yard attempt to give the Crimson Tide a 15–0 lead at the end of the third quarter. Midway through the fourth quarter, the LSU offense crossed the 50-yard line for the first time of the game only to be pushed back to the 50 after Dont'a Hightower sacked Jordan Jefferson on a fourth down play to give possession back to Alabama. On that possession, the Crimson Tide scored the only touchdown of the game on a 34-yard Trent Richardson run to make the final score 21–0.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, LSU
In the game, Alabama outgained LSU in total offense 384 to 92 yards, and the shutout was the first ever completed in a BCS game since the advent of the BCS in 1998. Jeremy Shelley established the all-time bowl record with seven field goal attempts and tied the all-time bowl record with five made. For their performances, Courtney Upshaw was named the defensive player of the game and A. J. McCarron was named the offensive player of the game.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, LSU
McCarron became the first sophomore quarterback to lead a team to a BCS National Title.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Rankings
Entering the 2011 season, the Crimson Tide was ranked No. 2 in the AP and Coaches' Preseason Polls. Alabama dropped no further than to No. 3 in any of the rankings through week nine when they were ranked No. 2 for their November 5 game against LSU. After their 9–6 loss against the Tigers, Alabama dropped to No. 4 in all but the BCS standing where they dropped to No. 3 .


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Rankings
The Crimson Tide regained their No. 2 ranking in all of the polls after Oklahoma State was upset by Iowa State, and retained the No. 2 position through the end of the regular season to qualify for the BCS National Championship Game. After their victory over LSU in the BCS National Championship Game, Alabama was selected No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches' Polls.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season
Following the victory against LSU for the national championship, the team arrived at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport on the afternoon of January 10. Several hundred fans were there to greet them upon their arrival. On January 21, a public national championship celebration at Bryant–Denny Stadium was attended by approximately 32,000 spectators. Speakers at the event included head coach Nick Saban and university president Robert Witt. All of the championship trophies were available for public viewing.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season
As part of the A-Day celebrations on April 14, the 2011 team captains Trent Richardson, Dont'a Hightower and Mark Barron were honored at the Walk of Fame ceremony at the base of Denny Chimes. On April 19, the team made their trip to the White House, where President Barack Obama offered congratulatory remarks for their championship season and recognized the team for their community service given in Tuscaloosa after the April 2011 tornadoes.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Final statistics
After their victory over LSU in the BCS National Championship Game, Alabama's final team statistics were released. On the defensive side of the ball, of the 120 FBS teams, the Crimson Tide was ranked at the top of all major defensive categories in conference and nationally. They ranked first in total defense (183.62 yards per game), scoring defense (8.15 points per game), passing defense (111.46 yards per game) and rushing defense (72.15 yards per game). It marked the first time that a single defense ranked first in all four major, team defensive categories since the 1986 Oklahoma squad.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Final statistics
Individually, Dont’a Hightower led the team with 85 total tackles, 45 of which were assisted, and Mark Barron was the leader with 43 solo tackles. Courtney Upshaw was tied for sixteenth nationally, fourth in conference and first on the team with 9.5 quarterback sacks. Upshaw was also eighteenth nationally, second in conference and first on the team with 18 tackles for loss. DeMarcus Milliner led the team with three of Alabama’s thirteen total interceptions of the season.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Final statistics
On offense, of the 120 FBS teams, Alabama ranked sixteenth in rushing offense (214.46 yards per game), twentieth in scoring offense (34.85 points per game), 31st in total offense (429.62 yards per game) and 69th in passing offense (215.15 yards per game). In conference, they ranked first in rushing offense, second in total offense, third in scoring offense and fourth in passing offense.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Final statistics
Individually, Trent Richardson led the SEC and the team offensively with 1,679 total yards rushing, an average of 129.15 rushing yards per game, an average of 160.23 all-purpose yards per game, 21 rushing touchdowns and an average of 11.08 points per game. A. J. McCarron led the team in passing offense and completed 219 of 328 passes for 2,634 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. Marquis Maze led the team with 56 receptions for 627 yards, and Brad Smelley led the team with four touchdown receptions.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Awards
Following the SEC Championship Game, multiple Alabama players were recognized for their on-field performances with a variety of awards and recognitions. At the team awards banquet on December 4, Mark Barron, Dont'a Hightower and Trent Richardson were each named the permanent captains of the 2011 squad. At that time Richardson was also named the 2011 most valuable player with Barron, Hightower and Courtney Upshaw named defensive players of the year and A. J. McCarron and Marquis Maze named the offensive players of the year.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Awards, Conference
The SEC recognized several players for their individual performances with various awards. Trent Richardson was named the AP Offensive Player of the Year. In addition to Richardson, Mark Barron, Barrett Jones, Courtney Upshaw and William Vlachos were named to the AP All-SEC First Team. Josh Chapman, Dont'a Hightower and Dre Kirkpatrick were named to the AP All-SEC Second Team. Barron, Hightower, Jones, Richardson, Upshaw and Vlachos were named to the Coaches' All-SEC First Team. Chapman, Kirkpatrick, Marquis Maze (as both a wide receiver and return specialist) and Chance Warmack were named to the Coaches' All-SEC Second Team. Cyrus Kouandjio and Vinnie Sunseri were both named to Freshman All-SEC Team. The SEC named Richardson the Offensive Player of the Year. Jones earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy and was also named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Awards, National
After the season, a number of Alabama players were named as national award winners and finalists. Trent Richardson was named a finalist to win the Heisman Trophy, along with Wisconsin's Montee Ball, Baylor's Robert Griffin III, Stanford's Andrew Luck and LSU's Tyrann Mathieu. He finished third in the Heisman voting with 978 points, behind Griffin (1,687 points) and Luck (1,407 points).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Awards, National
Richardson won the Doak Walker Award and was also named a finalist for the Maxwell Award; Dont'a Hightower was named a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award, the Lott Trophy and the Lombardi Award; Courtney Upshaw was named a finalist for the Butkus Award and the Lombardi Award; Barrett Jones won the Outland Trophy, the Wuerffel Trophy and the ARA Sportsmanship Award; Mark Barron was named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy; and William Vlachos was named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Awards, National
Assistant head and linebackers coach Sal Sunseri was also named a finalist for the Frank Broyles Award. The team as a whole was honored with the Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award as a result of their collective efforts to assist in the rebuilding of Tuscaloosa following the April 27, 2011 tornado.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Awards, National
In addition to the individual awards, several players were also named to various national All-American Teams. Barron, Hightower, Jones, DeQuan Menzie and Richardson were named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team. Barron, Hightower, Jones and Richardson were named to the Walter Camp All-America Team. Upshaw and Vlachos were both named to the Walter Camp All-America Second Team. Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick, Jones, Richardson and Upshaw were named to the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America Team.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Awards, National
Barron, Hightower, Jones and Richardson were named to the Associated Press All-American First Team; Upshaw and Kirkpatrick were named to the Associated Press All-American Second Team. Barron, Jones, Richardson and Upshaw were named to the Sporting News (TSN) All-America Team. Of the seven Alabama players selected, Barron, Jones and Richardson were each recognized as unanimous All-American selections, and Hightower was recognized as a consensus All-American selection.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Awards, All-star games
Several Alabama players were selected by postseason all-star games. Mark Barron, Josh Chapman, Marquis Maze, DeQuan Menzie, Courtney Upshaw and William Vlachos were selected to play in the Merrill Lynch Senior Bowl. On January 17, Brad Smelley became the seventh member of Alabama's team to receive an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Darius Hanks was selected to play in the East–West Shrine Game. Alabama did not have players participate in the Casino del Sol College All-Star Game or the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, Coaching changes
In the weeks following the conclusion of the season, several changes were made to the Alabama coaching staff. On December 13 offensive coordinator Jim McElwain was introduced as the head coach with the Colorado State Rams. He stayed with Alabama through the BCS National Championship Game and began his transition as the Rams' head coach from Tuscaloosa. On January 13, assistant head and linebackers coach Sal Sunseri was named as the defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Volunteers. On January 18, 2012, Alabama officials announced the hires of both Doug Nussmeier from the Washington Huskies as offensive coordinator and of Lance Thompson from Tennessee as outside linebackers coach.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, NFL Draft
Of all the draft-eligible juniors, Dont'a Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick and Trent Richardson declared their eligibility for the 2012 NFL Draft on January 12. At the time of their announcement, each was projected as a first round pick. In February 2012, nine Alabama players, six seniors and three juniors, were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. The invited players were safety Mark Barron, defensive tackle Josh Chapman, wide receivers Darius Hanks and Marquis Maze, linebackers Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw, cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie, and running back Trent Richardson.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, NFL Draft
Mark Barron, Dont'a Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick, Trent Richardson and Courtney Upshaw were each invited to attend the Draft at Radio City Music Hall. In the draft, Alabama tied a school record with four players selected in the first round. The first round selections were Richardson (3rd Cleveland Browns), Barron (7th Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Kirkpatrick (17th Cincinnati Bengals) and Hightower (25th New England Patriots). Upshaw was the third player selected in the second round (35th Baltimore Ravens).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, After the season, NFL Draft
Chapman was the first player selected in the fifth round (136th Indianapolis Colts) and Menzie was the eleventh player selected in the fifth round (146th Kansas City Chiefs). Brad Smelley was the eighth and final Alabama player selected in the 2012 Draft in the seventh round (247th Cleveland Browns). In the days after the draft, six players from the 2011 squad that were not drafted signed as undrafted free agents. These players included Alfred McCullough (Baltimore Ravens), Marquis Maze (Pittsburgh Steelers), Alex Watkins (Tennessee Titans), Jerrell Harris (Atlanta Falcons), William Vlachos (Tennessee Titans) and Darius Hanks (Washington Redskins).


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team
The 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team is an American softball team, representing the University of Alabama for the 2011 NCAA softball season. The Crimson Tide plays its home games at Rhoads Stadium. The 2011 made the postseason for the 13th straight year, and the Women's College World Series for seventh time after failing to make it in 2010. This season represents the 15th season of softball in the school's history. The Crimson Tide won the SEC Regular Season by defeating the Ole Miss Rebels 10-1.


2011 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team, Season
While the Tide loses two-time SEC Player of the Year Charlotte Morgan along with 2010 senior leaders Alex Blewitt and Jessica Smith, Alabama returns nine starters from a team that won the Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament championships en route to claiming the number one overall seed in the NCAA Division I tournament. The Crimson Tide softball team only has two seniors this season, Kelsi Dunne and Whitney Larsen. In the annual Southeastern Conference coaches preseason poll, the Crimson Tide was picked to win the 2011 SEC Softball title. The Crimson Tide also landed three players on the Preseason All-SEC team; Kelsi Dunne, Whitney Larsen, and Kayla Braud.


2011 Alabama State Hornets football team
The 2011 Alabama State Hornets football team represented Alabama State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Hornets were led by fifth-year head coach Reggie Barlow and played their home games at the Cramton Bowl. They were a member of the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and finished the season with an overall record of 8–3.


2011 Alamo Bowl
The 2011 Valero Alamo Bowl, the 19th edition of the game, was a post-season American college football bowl game, held on December 29, 2011 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas as part of the 2011–12 NCAA Bowl season.


2011 Alamo Bowl
The game, which was telecast at 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPN, featured the Baylor Bears, led by Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, from the Big 12 Conference versus the Washington Huskies from the Pac-12 Conference. With a total combined score of 123 points, the game is currently the highest-scoring regulation bowl game in college football history.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Teams
On December 4, 2011, both Baylor and Washington accepted invitations to play in the 2011 Alamo Bowl. The two teams had not met since 1965, with the Bears holding a 3–1 advantage against the Huskies. Baylor and UW played home-and-home series in 1954–55 and 1964–65. The Bears won in Waco in 1954 (34–7) and in Seattle in 1955 (13–7). Washington won in Seattle in 1964 (35–14), and Baylor won in Waco in 1965 (17–14).


2011 Alamo Bowl, Teams, Baylor
Baylor entered the game 9-3, finishing 3rd in the Big 12 standings. The Bears were looking for their first bowl win since the 1992 John Hancock Bowl, notably the last game for legendary Baylor coach Grant Teaff. Baylor entered the game on a 5-game winning streak, after starting 4-3. During the 5-game winning streak, Baylor averaged 46.4 points and 587 yards, which included the Bear's first victory ever over Oklahoma.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Teams, Baylor
For the season, the Bears had the nation's 2nd ranked total offense (571.25 yards per game), 5th ranked passing offense (356.2 yards per game) and 18th ranked rushing offense (215.08 yards per game). Baylor's offense was led by Heisman Trophy-winning QB Robert Griffin III. Wide receiver Kendall Wright and running back Terrance Ganaway were other players that led the offense. Baylor's defense, on the other hand, was ranked only 114th overall in the FBS.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Teams, Washington
Washington entered the game with a record of 7-5, finishing 3rd in the Pac-12 North division. Washington quarterback Keith Price had a single-season school record 29 touchdown passes in the 2011 regular season. Running back Chris Polk was ranked 16th in the nation in rushing, averaging 112 yards per game. In addition, the Huskies were very efficient in the red zone, scoring 36 touchdowns on 45 trips. Washington's defense, on the other hand, was ranked only 116th out of 120 against the pass and only 102nd against the run.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Game summary
Baylor scored first on an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Wright. Washington responded with a 5-yard Keith Price touchdown run to tie the game 7-7. The Bears were able to score two more rushing touchdowns from Jarred Salubi and Robert Griffin III to go up 21-7 at the end of the 1st quarter.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Game summary
In the 2nd quarter, Washington cut the deficit 21-14 on a 12-yard touchdown pass to James Johnson. After forcing Baylor to punt, the Huskies tied the game 21-21 on a 1-yard touchdown pass to Devin Aguilar. On the ensuing drive, Baylor's Robert Griffin III fumbled the ball at Washington's 43-yard line. Taking advantage of the fumble, Washington took the lead 28-21 on a 15-yard touchdown run from Keith Price. After Baylor turned the ball over on downs, Washington took a 35-21 lead with only 1 play on a 56-yard touchdown run from Chris Polk. Baylor was able to cut the deficit 35-24 at the end of the half on a 42-yard field goal.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Game summary
Washington received the ball in the 3rd quarter. The Huskies quickly took a 42-24 lead on an 80-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse. Baylor responded with a Jarred Salubi touchdown run to make it 42-31. Baylor's defense was then able to force Washington to punt. However, Washington's defense responded by forcing a three and out. On the ensuing punt, Washington's Kasen Williams returned the punt 46 yard to Baylor's 17-yard line. However, on the next play, Washington's Chris Polk fumbled the ball, giving Baylor the ball back at the Baylor's 11-yard line.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Game summary
Baylor quickly cut the deficit 42-39 on an 89-yard Terrance Ganaway touchdown run (Baylor went for a two-point conversion and succeeded). Washington answered with a 13-yard Devin Aguilar touchdown reception to make it 49-39. On the next drive, Baylor once again made it a 3-point game on a 1-yard touchdown run by Terrance Ganaway. After Washington's Eric Folk missed a 43-yard field goal, Baylor took a 53-49 lead on another touchdown run from Terrance Ganaway.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Game summary
Washington retook the lead 56-53 in the 4th quarter on a 13-play, 76-yard drive that took 6 minutes, 18 seconds that was capped off by an 8-yard touchdown run from Keith Price. Baylor, however, retook the lead again 60-56 on a 4-yard touchdown run from Terrance Ganaway. Baylor's defense was able to force Washington to turn the ball over on downs with 3:20 left in regulation. The Bears then scored again on a 43-yard touchdown run from Ganaway to go up 67-56. After Washington fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Baylor was able to run out the clock to preserve the victory.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Game summary, Records
Several records were set in the 2011 Alamo Bowl. The 123 combined points were the most scored in regulation in a bowl game. The game also had 1,397 combined yards of offense and 17 touchdowns, both bowl game records. Baylor's 67 points were the most scored in bowl history. However, the record stood for just six days, when the West Virginia Mountaineers defeated the Clemson Tigers 70-33 in the 2012 Orange Bowl.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Game summary, Records
The Huskies allowed a school record 777 yards of total offense in the 2011 Alamo Bowl. Because of the Huskies' defensive performance, defensive coordinator Nick Holt was fired, as were defensive assistants Mike Cox (linebackers), and Jeff Mills (safeties) on December 31.


2011 Alamo Bowl, Game summary, Records
With the win, Baylor secured their first 10-win season since 1980. Baylor also won its first bowl game since 1992.


2011 Alawwa rail accident
The 2011 Alawwa rail accident, occurred on the evening of Saturday 17 September 2011, when a passenger train, Sri Lanka Railways S11, drove into an observation car at the back of a stationary Intercity Express train near the Alawwa railway station, approximately 60 km (37 mi) northeast of Colombo. The accident resulted in the death of five people, including a French national, a Thai Buddhist monk and the train driver, with over 30 injured. The Intercity Express had been pushing a Rambukkana-bound train from Colombo, which had stalled near Alawwa. The accident may have been caused by human error, and the S11 train ran into the observation car at the end of the other train.


2011 Alawwa rail accident, Investigation
A three-member committee, comprising Nimal Dissanayake, retired Appeal Court judge, Sanath Panawella, Director Arthur C. Clarke Centre and Sarath Perera, retired Deputy Inspector General Police, undertook an inquiry into the accident in October. The Committee's conclusion was the accidents was a result of high speed and failure by the train driver to observe the rail signals. The committee recommended several solutions including re-positioning of the signal system, maintaining a proper coloured light warning system and improving communication among drivers, control room staff and station masters.


2011 Alawwa rail accident, Investigation
The Ministry of Transport indicated the estimated damages resulting from the train accident as being over Rs.75 million. Compensation was paid to the families of those killed, and to the injured.


2011 Albanian Supercup
Albanian Supercup 2011 is the 18th edition of the Albanian Supercup since its establishment in 1989. The match was contested between the 2010–11 Albanian Superliga champions Skënderbeu Korçë and the 2010–11 Albanian Cup winners KF Tirana. The match was played on 18 August 2011.


2011 Albanian Supercup
After 17 editions played in Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirane, this time the venue for the final was the Skënderbeu Stadium hosting its first Albanian Supercup final.


2011 Albanian local elections
The Albanian local elections of 2011 took place on 8 May 2011 in Albania. Electors were asked to elect their municipality's mayor, municipal council members, municipal unit mayor, and municipal unit members. The elections were administrated by the Central Election Commission of Albania. Only 9 of the 384 winning candidates were women.


2011 Albanian local elections, Parties and coalitions
The two coalitions taking part in the 2011 local elections were the Coalition of the Citizen (Albanian: Aleanca për Qytetarin) formed by the Democratic Party of Albania and Coalition for the Future (Albanian: Aleanca për të Ardhmen) formed by the Socialist Party of Albania.


2011 Albanian local elections, Process
In total, 7882 voting centers in the country opened at 7:00 am and closed at 8:00 pm. The voter turnout countrywide was about 50.9%.


2011 Albanian local elections, Tirana election, Polls
The Socialist Party-led Coalition of the Future published a poll that predicted the electoral victory of Edi Rama in Tiranë, while TV Klan, an Albanian private channel published a poll of the Gani Bobi Institute predicting a victory of Lulzim Basha.


2011 Albanian local elections, Tirana election, Voting process
The counting process lasted 6 days and was marked by mutual stalls from parties involved, and the intervention of most prominent foreign Ambassadors accredited to the country for moving the process forward. On 14 May 2011, after the last ballot box determining the result for the Tirana election was counted, it revealed that Edi Rama, the Coalition for the Future candidate was ahead by only 10 votes from Lulzim Basha, the candidate of the Coalition for the Citizen. Thus, the pre-eliminary result pointed to Edi Rama as the winner of the Tirana Mayoral election. The tally was awaiting final certification by the KQZ.


2011 Albanian local elections, Tirana election, Recount and final decision
The latter declared that ballots inserted on the wrong ballot boxes should have been counted as well. Indeed, voters were asked to elect local city, and municipal unit mayors as well. Thus, KQZ overrode local KZAZ's decisions and started to count all invalid ballots cast on the wrong ballot boxes. The final tally revealed that Lulzim Basha won the Tirana race by 81 votes more than Edi Rama. Thus, the winner for the Tirana mayoral chair was declared to be Lulzim Basha. Edi Rama filed an appeal at the Electoral College to overthrow the result and re-instate the 14 May tally that pointed to him as the winner of the election. All instances rejected Rama's appeal, and on 25 July 2011 Lulzim Basha was sworn in as the new Mayor of Tirana.


2011 Albanian local elections, Partial Elections
Partial elections were held in September and November 2013 for mayors of the following communes: Korçë in Korçë District, Dardhas in Korçë District, Rrethina in Shkodër District, and Karbunarë in Lushnje District.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations
The 2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations (also known as 21 January events) were a series of anti-government protests in cities around Albania following 18 months of political conflict over alleged electoral fraud by the opposition. A video surfaced which portrayed the deputy prime minister arranging a corrupt deal with the minister of economy. The public outcry over the video resulted in the resignation of the deputy prime minister. A demonstration was called by parliamentary opposition parties, which include the Socialist Party and the Unity for Human Rights Party. These were called on 21 January in order to protest the alleged corruption of the Albanian government as well as widespread unemployment and poverty in the country.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations
On 21 January, a protest in Tirana led to the killings of three demonstrators by the Republican Guard during a rally in front of Prime Minister Sali Berisha office. A fourth person died several days later in a hospital in Ankara, Turkey.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Background
Edi Rama has been a part of Albanian politics since 1998 andPaskal Milo has been in Albanian politics since 1991. Sali Berisha has been in Albanian politics since 1990. Skënder Gjinushi has been in Albanian politics for 24 years.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Background, Allegations of electoral fraud
The Socialist Party, the largest opposition party at the time, alleged that the June 2009 parliamentary election was neither free nor fair. When the leader of the Democratic Party Sali Berisha could not form a government with his own coalition partners, he established another coalition with the LSI. This deal further galvanized the opposition and the Socialist Party led 18 months of continuous protests against the government. Berisha also continuously postponed the opening of the ballot boxes for a recount. Ultimately the ballots were burned by the Albanian electoral commission.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Background, Allegations of electoral fraud
The governing coalition wanted a Parliamentary Investigative Committee to examine the election but the Socialist Party objected to the move. They then organized a 21-day hunger strike in the main boulevard in Tirana. However, the hunger strike was embroiled in controversy as images emerged of the strikers eating. At the beginning of January, the ballot boxes from the June 2009 election were burned, while other electoral materials were sealed for 25 years, making an investigation legally impossible.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Background, Opposition claims
On 11 January Ilir Meta, chairman of LSI was shown putting pressure on one of the government ministers and finalizing a number of economic deals informally. Meta forced the Minister to cancel a deal between a contractor and the Ministry and to make a new deal with new terms with another individual connected with Meta's economic interests. Furthermore, he forced the Minister to hire two individuals into mid-level government jobs and finally asked for another favor in a deal involving a hydro-electrical power plant.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Background, Opposition claims
Meta mentioned that the profit for the Minister of the Economy would be around 700,000 euros in one of the deals and 7% of the value of the investment in the other – his personal profit was not mentioned. The American FBI examined Dritan Prifti's laptop and found that he was the person who took the bribes.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Background, Opposition claims
The alleged corruption of Meta has never been broadcast at such high levels of government in Albania. LSI and Meta initially rejected the video, claiming it was false and unclear. Meta, however, resigned from parliament three days later, thus removing his parliamentary immunity. He said he was willing to cooperate with the Attorney General's Office in its investigation. On 12 February, his immunity was removed.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Opposition demonstrations, 21 January
According to police and the international media, an estimated 20,000 people attended an anti-government demonstration in Tirana, but the opposition claimed there were about 200,000 demonstrators. The large number of police coupled with continuous provocations and rising political tensions during the week preceding the demonstration, were major factors in the development of the protest. Anti -government chants were followed by clashes with a group of around 600 protesters who threw umbrellas at the riot police. When a group of 600 protesters started throwing stones and Molotov cocktails the police reacted using tear gas and batons.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Opposition demonstrations, 21 January
Clashes continued for two hours until police forces and the Republican Guard began firing bullets into the air in an attempt to stave off and scare away the demonstrators. Live fire was at some point used against demonstrators in the crowd, killing three demonstrators on the spot and injuring another who died after a week-long coma. After the demonstrators began running away from the main square, hundreds were rounded up by plainclothes police as well as riot police. The opposition parties considered the shooting "extreme and unjustified."


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Opposition demonstrations, 21 January
Berisha denied that there was a specific order to shoot the protesters, but he confirmed that it was the Republican Guard that perpetrated the shooting. Nevertheless, the Albanian Constitution and its Penal Code allow the Republican Guard to non-fatally injure individuals who try to enter any governmental institution.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Opposition demonstrations, 21 January
The Albanian Socialist Party stated that the background and the reasons that caused the escalation of this peaceful protest in Tirana, although similar to the situation in Tunisia, were very different. The leader of the opposition, Edi Rama, said: "People protested for a better Albania and lost their lives for an Albania we are forced to live with but that we shall definitely change."


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Opposition demonstrations, 28 January
A non-violent demonstration in the form of a homage to the three victims of 21 January was held on 28 January in the same boulevard. The demonstration consisted in putting flowers where the 3 individuals were killed and lighting candles in their memory. Despite continuous calls by the ruling party and various international institutions and representatives to call off the demonstration because of the danger of repeated violence, the protest happened with no signs of violence. The estimates of attendance for the second demonstration were even higher than these of 21 January.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Opposition demonstrations, 4 February
The opposition organized simultaneous demonstrations in four cities: Tirana, Vlora, Korça and Lezha, though no provocations or signs of violence were reported. The protesters avoided marching in front of the Prime Minister's Office where the killings occurred on 21 January to avoid the possibility of repeated violence. The police claimed that 3,000 people marched in Tirana, 3,500 in Vlora, 2,000 in Korça and 600 in Lezha. However, the Socialist Party claimed that 40,000 people marched in Tirana, 30,000 in Vlora, 20,000 in Korça and 10,000 in Lezha. The opposition vowed to continue the weekly demonstrations across Albania.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Coup d'etat allegations
Sali Berisha stated on 21 January that the three protesters who died during the opposition rally were killed by other demonstrators in an attempt to create victims and ultimately start a coup d'état against his government. On 22 January – only 24 hours after his first statement, he affirmed that they were shot but by the Republican Guard. However, his allegations of a coup d'état did not change. Berisha continued to claim that several independent institutions including most of the judiciary, the intelligence services and the President were part of the coup.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Coup d'etat allegations
Albanian prosecutors immediately issued arrest warrants for six members of the Republican Guard over the three deaths. Berisha stated that warrants were illegal and ordered the state police not to carry them out. Despite this the six were arrested; however, three of the accused Guards were released by the prosecutor. Former president Alfred Moisiu and other politicians urged Berisha to cease violating the independence of the constitutional institutions such as the General Prosecutor's Office, the National Intelligence Services and the President of Albania.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Coup d'etat allegations
Berisha ultimately stated that he would counter the effects of the purported coup d'état by hiring Lady Gaga to perform in Albania during the summer.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Reactions, Domestic
The Democratic Party claimed that many demonstrators were paid by the opposition to protest.


2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations, Reactions, International
The major embassies in Tirana called for peace and calm without commenting on the government's actions during 21 January protests. Furthermore, there was only marginal reaction to the continuous attack on independent institutions by the executive represented by Berisha in Albania. The diplomatic community called for the opposition to cancel their peaceful protest in order to preserve the status quo and avoid any possibility of violent clashes.


2011 Albany Great Danes football team
The 2011 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany, SUNY in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Great Danes were led by 39th year head coach Bob Ford and played their home games at University Field. They are a member of the Northeast Conference. They finished the season 8–4, 7–1 in NEC play to share the conference championship with Duquesne. Due to their win over Duquesne, the Great Danes earned the conference's automatic bid into the FCS playoffs where they lost in the first round to Stony Brook.


2011 Albany Panthers season
The 2011 Albany Panthers season was the second season as a professional indoor football franchise and their second in the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL).


2011 Albany Panthers season
The team played their home games under head coach Lucious Davis at the James H. Gray Civic Center in Albany, Georgia.


2011 Albany Panthers season
The Panthers returned to the SIFL, which had expanded from just five teams to sixteen during the offseason, for their second season. Finishing 10-2, they clinched their second playoff berth and the #2 seed. They hosted the 9-3 Erie Explosion in the first round of the playoffs, winning 68-43 and earning their first playoff win and berth in the eastern conference championship against the Columbus Lions. They would go on to win that game as well, and coupled with a Louisiana upset over the undefeated Houston Stallions, would play in and host their first ever championship game. On July 1, 2011, they beat the Louisiana Swashbucklers 69-48, to win their first ever championship.


2011 Albany Panthers season, Roster
Rookies in italics updated July 1, 20110 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS


2011 Alberta Liberal Party leadership election
An election for the leadership of the Alberta Liberal Party was held on September 10, 2011, which was caused by David Swann's announcement on February 1, 2011, of his intention to resign as leader. The election is the party's second since the 2008 election. MLA Raj Sherman was elected on the first ballot. An open nomination system was used in which any Albertan could vote in the election, even if they were not party members.


2011 Alberta Liberal Party leadership election
Because of a Progressive Conservative leadership election, the PCs elected a new leader on October 1, 2011. The media were speculating that the new PC leader, who would become Premier, may call a snap election rather than wait until 2013. This did not come to fruition, however, and Alison Redford stated that a general election would be held in the spring.


2011 Alberta Liberal Party leadership election, Candidates
At the close of nominations, there were five candidates for leader:


2011 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The 2011 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts was the 2011 edition of the Alberta provincial women's curling championship. It was held January 26–30 at the Edgeworth Centre Encana Arena in Camrose, Alberta. The winning team of Shannon Kleibrink represented Alberta at the 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, finishing 6-5 in round robin play.


2011 Albirex Niigata season
The 2011 Albirex Niigata season was Albirex Niigata's eighth consecutive season in J.League Division 1. It also includes the 2011 J. League Cup, and the 2011 Emperor's Cup.


2011 Albirex Niigata season, Players, First team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2011 Albirex Niigata season, Players, Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2011 Alcorn State Braves football team
The 2011 Alcorn State Braves football team represented Alcorn State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Braves were led by first year head coach Melvin Spears and played their home games at Casem-Spinks Stadium. They were a member of the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and finished the 2011 season with an overall record of 2–8.


2011 Alessandria Challenger
The 2011 Alessandria Challenger was a professional tennis tournament played on clay courts. It was the fourth edition of the tournament which is part of the 2011 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Alessandria, Italy between 23 and 29 May 2011.


2011 Alessandria Challenger, ATP entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2011 Alessandria Challenger, ATP entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received entry as an alternate into the singles main draw:


2011 Alessandria Challenger, ATP entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received entry as a special exempt into the singles main draw:


2011 Alessandria Challenger, Champions, Doubles
Martin Fischer /  Philipp Oswald def. Jeff Coetzee /  Andreas Siljeström, 6–7(5), 7–5, [10–6]


2011 Alessandria Challenger – Doubles
Ivan Dodig and Lovro Zovko were the defending champions but Dodig not to participate. As a result, Zovko partnered up with Adrian Ungur, but they lost to Sadik Kadir and Purav Raja 2–6, 3–6 in the first round. Martin Fischer and Philipp Oswald defeated Jeff Coetzee and Andreas Siljeström 6–7(5), 7–5, [10–6] in the final to win the tournament.


2011 Alessandria Challenger – Singles
Björn Phau was the defending champion, but decided not to participate this year. Pablo Carreño-Busta won the tournament after defeating Roberto Bautista-Agut 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 in the final.


2011 Alexandria bombing
The 2011 Alexandria bombing was an attack on Coptic Christians in Alexandria, Egypt, on Saturday, 1 January 2011. 23 people died and another 97 were injured as a result of the attack, which occurred as Christian worshipers were leaving a New Year service. The attack was the deadliest act of violence against Egypt's Coptic Christians in a decade, since the Kosheh massacre in 2000 left 20 Copts dead. The target of the bombing was the Saints Church, a Coptic church located across the street from the Masjid Sharq El-Madina mosque.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Background
Copts in Egypt complain of increasing persecution, from attacks by Muslim extremists and what they see as official discrimination by the state. Copts celebrate Christmas on 7 January. This was the second consecutive Christmas with violence. On Christmas Eve in 2010, a Muslim gunman fired on worshipers leaving a church in Upper Egypt, killing 7 people.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Background
In the months prior to the incident, the religious ambiance in Egypt had been clouded by anti-Church sentiment, in particular regarding the public allegation made by Mohammad Salim Al-Awa that the Coptic Orthodox Church was storing weapons in churches and monasteries.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Background
In November, a group calling itself Al-Qaeda in Iraq announced that all Christians in the Middle East would be "legitimate targets." The Alexandria bombing occurred almost two months to the day after the attack on Our Lady of Salvation church in central Baghdad in what militants called a response to the mistreatment of Muslim converts by Egyptian Copts. Al-Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate claimed responsibility for that attack and made new threats against Christians. The group threatened to attack Egyptian Copts if their church did not free two Christians, it said had been "imprisoned in their monasteries" for having converted to Islam. The two women were Camilia Chehata and Wafa Constantine, the wives of Coptic priests whose claimed conversion caused a stir in Egypt.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Background
Two weeks before the bombing an Islamist website called for attacks on a list of Egypt's churches, and included the church that was hit.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Bombing
An explosive device detonated in front of the Coptic Orthodox church of Saint Mark and Pope Peter in the Sidi Bishr neighbourhood in Alexandria. Initial reports stated that it was a car explosion, however an Interior Ministry statement later declared that it was a suicide attack, through the Egyptian official news agency.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Bombing
At the time of the blast, several thousand Coptic Christians were attending midnight prayer service at the church at the occasion of the new year. The explosion resulted in scattered body parts, destroyed cars and smashed windows. 21 Coptic Christians were killed immediately following the explosion, or soon after, and about 97 people – most of them Christians – were injured. The remains were covered with newspapers until they were brought inside the church. Two more Copts died in the hospital over the few days following the attack, raising the total number to 23, all of whom were Coptic Christians. According to one eyewitness report, the first victim was a Muslim salesperson who sold Quran books across the street from the Saints Church.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Bombing
Forensic testing confirmed that the explosive device used was homemade and contained nails and ball-bearings. The Interior Ministry stated that the bomb was filled with small pieces of metal to serve as shrapnel, and that a foreign-backed suicide bomber may have been responsible.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Responsibility
Egypt's former Interior minister Habib Ibrahim El Adly said on 23 January that evidence proved that the Gaza-based Army of Islam planned and executed the attack. The group, which has received sanctuary from Hamas and earlier collaborated in the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit, quickly denied the charge, while also reportedly expressing support for the bombing. In July 2011 however, nobody had yet been brought to trial and the Coptic Church threatened to sue the Interior Ministry. On the other hand, various reports claim that Habib Ibrahim El Adly himself was involved in the bombings.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
Copts were deeply aggrieved by this attack, many believing that the Egyptian state security's failure to deal firmly with past attacks on Christians in Egypt contributed to this attack, while others went as far as to directly blame the State Security for the bombings. One member of the Coptic community declared, "The government is the reason this happened. They are the terrorists who attack us every day."


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
Following the bombing, several thousand Copts took to the streets in protest. Furious Christians clashed with Egyptian police and Egyptian security forces. Christians and Muslims pelted each other with rocks, and cars were torched. After these overnight protests, more than 100 Christians protested the following morning near the church that was attacked, chanting "We sacrifice our souls and blood for the Holy Cross" and "O Mubarak, the heart of the Copts is on fire". The Egyptian police reacted by firing rubber bullets and tear gas at the Christians.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
In Cairo, about 4,000 Christians and Muslims demonstrated against terrorism in the predominantly Christian neighborhood of Shubra. The demonstration lasted for six hours and was joined by both government and opposition members of the Egyptian parliament and a number of political figures, including a former minister and Tomorrow Party founder Ayman Nour. In the same neighborhood of Shubra, thousands of Coptic Christians clashed with riot police for three consecutive days, resulting in injuries to both Coptic civilians and riot police soldiers.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
Thousands of Copts demonstrated at the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner in Cairo. The demonstrators called for the resignation of the Egyptian government. They chanted, "With our souls and blood we redeem our Cross". They then clashed with the Egyptian security forces, resulting in injuries to 12 of the Coptic demonstrators.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
In addition, thousands of Coptic Christians demonstrated outside the Egyptian ministry of foreign affairs and the state television buildings for two consecutive days.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
Pope Shenouda III strongly condemned the "criminal assault", blaming it on "forces that wish no good for Egypt". The Pope also called upon the government to "speedily arrest and prosecute the perpetrator of this criminal act." His personal secretary said the incident had "severely grieved us, because it is very alien to the love and harmony in which the nation lives".


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
The top cleric in Alexandria, the Patriarchal Vicar Hegumen Ruweis Marcos, said that the Egyptian government and security forces wanted to blame the bombing on a suicide bomber instead of a car bomb in order to write off the crime as something carried out by a lone attacker. He also denounced the lack of protection in front of the church, stating he was surprised to find only three soldiers and one officer guarding the church at such a sensitive time in spite of the recent numerous threats against Copts.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
The Synod of priests in Alexandria unanimously criticized the lax attitude of the Egyptian authorities towards the public expression of hatred against Coptic Christians. In a statement issued by the Synod, the priests said that the attack on the church was "the result of anti-Christian mobilization and the lies recently propagated against the Coptic Orthodox Church."


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
On the Sunday following the bombings, Coptic parishioners at the bombed church of Saint Mark and Pope Peter expressed anger, and protested discrimination that Christians in Egypt are facing. One of the parishioners declared "in this country, we cannot even pray in churches." Another blamed the anti-Coptic sentiments spread by the Islamic mosques. The priest of the church blamed "Islamic fanaticism" and "Islamic extremism". He called upon the Egyptian government to ensure the rights of the Christians in "life, prayer and work".


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in Egypt
Officials of the Coptic Orthodox Church announced that prayers for Eastern Christmas would still be held, but that celebrations would be canceled.


2011 Alexandria bombing, Reactions, Coptic community in the diaspora
Memorial services were held in Coptic churches across Europe in memory of the victims of the bombing.