Alabama continues scoring defensive TDs in rout of Arkansas
Not only do opposing teams have to figure out how to score on Alabama’s defense, Tide foes have to worry about preventing the Tide D from scoring too.
Alabama added two defensive touchdowns on five Arkansas turnovers Saturday night as the No. 1 Crimson Tide cruised to a 49-30 win over the No. 16 Razorbacks.
Arkansas drove down the field early in the fourth quarter trailing 42-24 with a chance to cut the Alabama lead to two scores and put nervousness in the stomachs of bettors who took the Razorbacks at +14. But Alabama cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick picked off his third pass of the night and returned it over 100 yards for a touchdown.
The TD is officially credited at 100 yards because the NCAA does not count touchdowns with yardage in the end zone.
In the first half, Alabama linebacker Tim Williams returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown. The two defensive TDs mean Alabama has scored nine non-offensive touchdowns through the first six weeks of the season. Three schools (Buffalo, South Carolina and Georgia State) entered Week 6 with fewer than nine offensive scores.
Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen entered Saturday’s game without an interception since he threw two vs. Louisiana Tech in Week 1. You already know that streak ended with Fitzpatrick’s three picks and Allen was also the player whose fumble led to Williams’ touchdown.
Alabama had a couple turnovers of its own that prevented the game from being even more lopsided. Freshman running back Josh Jacobs fumbled at the Arkansas 1 on the opening drive of the game and wide receiver ArDarius Stewart fumbled in the second half deep in Arkansas territory after a big completion.
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The Tide gashed Arkansas on the ground as Jacobs and Damien Harris each broke off long runs. Alabama averaged over eight yards per carry with 31 carries for 255. The success of the run game meant quarterback Jalen Hurts, who ran for two touchdowns, had ample room in the passing game. Hurts finished 13-of-17 for 253 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
It’s just a hunch, but we’re guessing things will be a bit tougher for the Tide in Week 7. Alabama travels to Tennessee, which somehow took (and lost to) Texas A&M to two overtimes despite seven turnovers. The Volunteers have had a flair for the dramatic this season and you know full well about Alabama’s ability to score non-offensive touchdowns. We think there’s a pretty good chance Alabama will get a 10th non-offensive score next week.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
