TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The improvement was noticeable, Alabama football coach Nick Saban said between the first and second spring scrimmages.

Played behind closed doors in Bryant-Denny Stadium a week before Saturday’s A-Day game, the second go-round included a few more passes for the quarterbacks competing for the starting job.

Just don’t read too much into the numbers, Saban said. The stats were compiled in 7-on-7 drills, and 11-on-11 situations including red zone and 2-minute drills.

“From a QB standpoint, I thought both guys played well and did good things today,” said Saban.

“I think that statistically, it really doesn’t matter much right now because we do so much situations between goal line, red zone. A guy might throw four touchdown passes but if you put the ball on the 18-yard line he can throw two of them then, which means he’s throwing well, but doesn’t necessarily mean they were big plays or whatever. I think the statistics are not indicative of the competition at the position. Both guys are doing a really good job and both guys will be helpful to helping us win.”

Sophomore quarterback A.J. McCarron was 19-of-40 for 255 yards and four touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Phillip Sims completed 19-of-34 for 232 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The two combined to throw eight more passes than in last Saturday’s first of three spring scrimmages.

Darius Hanks was the favored receiver with six catches, 131 yards, and three touchdowns. Running back Trent Richardson also had six receptions for 87 yards while leading the way with 13 rushes and 44 yards.

“Trent Richardson really had a good day even though the run statistics don’t really bear it out for him, in terms of 13 carries for 44 yards,” Saban said. “But he did a great job in terms of the passing game, was a real threat for us in so many different ways.”

Alabama practices Tuesday and Thursday afternoon as final tune-ups for Saturday’s A-Day Game in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Admission is free and ESPNU will televise the action live.

Scrimmage stats

Passing

AJ McCarron – 19 for 40, 255 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT

Phillip Sims – 19 for 34, 232 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

Trent Richardson – 13 rush, 44 yards

Dee Hart – 13 rush, 41 yards

Jalston Fowler – 10 rush, 23 yards, 2 TD

Eddie Lacy – 8 rush, 22 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

Darius Hanks – 6 rec., 131 yards, 3 TD

Trent Richardson – 6 rec., 87 yards

DeAndrew White – 5 rec. 85 yards, 1 TD

Marquis Maze – 5 rec., 73 yards, 2 TD

Brian Vogler – 4 rec., 36 yards

Corey Grant – 2 rec., 34 yards

Harrison Jones – 2 rec., 22 yards

Brad Smelley – 2 rec., 21 yards

Michael Williams – 3 rec., 17 yards

Field goals

Cade Foster - Made: 50, 30; Missed: 48, 58

Jeremy Shelley - Made: 43, 25; Missed: 30

Defense

Dont’a Hightower – 10 total, 3 TFL, 1 sack

Courtney Upshaw – 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack

C.J. Mosley – 7 tackles, 2 PBU

Robert Lester – 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU

Mark Barron – 4 total, 1 PBU, 1 sack

DeQuan Menzie – 4 tackles, 1 PBU

Trey DePriest – 4 total, 2 TFL

Ed Stinson – 4 tackles, 1 TFL

Dee Milliner – 4 tackles

Quinton Dial – 4 tackles, 1 sack

Scoring

Maze 2-yard pass from McCarron – PAT Foster, good; Lowery 51-yard INT return; Shelley 43-yard FG; Foster 50-yard FG; Hanks 68-yard pass from Sims – Foster PAT, good; Hanks 18-yard pass from McCarron – No PAT attempted; Foster 30-yard FG; Hanks 7-yard pass from McCarron, No PAT attempted; White 18-yard from Sims – PAT Shelley, good; Lacy 3-yard run; Fowler 2-yard run; Fowler 1-yard run; Shelley 25-yard FG; Maze 36-yard pass from McCarron.