Football vs. Western Carolina Postgame Notes
11/23/2019 2:13:00 PM | Football
GAME CAPTAINS: Alabama's captains for today's game against Western Carolina were senior defensive backs Shyheim Carter and Jared Mayden and senior offensive lineman Matt Womack.
FIRST TIME STARTERS: Redshirt sophomore tight end Major Tennison, senior defensive lineman Tevita Musika and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Christian Barmore made the first starts of their career in today's game against Western Carolina. Other first-time starters in 2019 include: redshirt sophomore tight end/offensive lineman Kendall Randolph (LSU, Nov. 9); sophomore quarterback Mac Jones and freshman placekicker/punter Ty Perine (Arkansas, Oct. 26); freshman defensive lineman Byron Young (Tennessee, Oct. 19); freshman defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (Southern Miss, Sept. 21); junior running back Najee Harris and freshman defensive back Jordan Battle (New Mexico State, Sept. 7); running back Jerome Ford, offensive linemen Landon Dickerson, Evan Neal and Chris Owens, defensive lineman DJ Dale, linebackers Christian Harris and Shane Lee, defensive backs Josh Jobe and Jared Mayden and placekicker/punter Will Reichard (Duke, Aug. 31).
139-7 UNDER SABAN WHEN LEADING AT THE HALF: Under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide is 139-7 (.952) when leading at the half. Alabama has held the lead in 56 of its last 70 games dating back to the start of the 2015 season. Alabama is also 123-4 (.969) when leading by seven or more points at the break during the Saban era.
NON-OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS IN THE SABAN ERA: Junior defensive back Xavier McKinney's 81-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter against Western Carolina marked Alabama's 74th non-offensive touchdown of the Nick Saban era and the sixth in 2019. The first score this season came on a blocked punt return by sophomore linebacker Ale Kaho against Ole Miss on Sept. 28. That was followed up by another blocked punt for a score, this time from redshirt sophomore wide receiver Tyrell Shavers in the Tide's win at Texas A&M on Oct.12. Senior defensive back Trevon Diggs has notched two of UA's five so far - his first non-offensive touchdown of the season came against Tennessee (Oct. 19) on a fumble recovery for a 100-yard touchdown. Diggs then returned an interception for an 84-yard touchdown in the second quarter against Arkansas on Oct. 26. Alabama totaled seven non-offensive scores in 2018 and recorded a single-season record 15 in 2016, which led the Football Bowl Subdivision and was the most in a season by any FBS team in the last 20 years. Alabama scored a non-offensive touchdown in 10 consecutive games dating from to the CFP Semifinal vs. Michigan State on Dec. 31, 2015, to the Texas A&M game on Oct. 22, 2016, and had 14 non-offensive touchdowns in that span – four interceptions, four punt returns, five fumble recoveries and a kickoff return.
UNRANKED, NO PROBLEM UNDER SABAN: With its 66-3 win against Western Carolina, Alabama has defeated 91 consecutive unranked teams under head coach Nick Saban, the longest streak in FBS history. The current streak began with a win over Colorado on December 30, 2007 in the Independence Bowl. The previous record was 72 games, shared by Miami (Fla.) (1984-95) and Florida (1989-2000). Under Saban, Alabama holds a 95-3 (.969) (91-3, .968 after vacations) mark against unranked opponents.
Defense
TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS: With junior Xavier McKinney's interception in the first quarter against Western Carolina on Nov. 23, the Crimson Tide has now forced at least one turnover in 65 of its last 70 contests dating back to the start of the 2015 season. During the current run, the Crimson Tide has forced 117 turnovers (77 interceptions, 40 fumbles) and returned 25 of those miscues for touchdowns. Alabama's five turnovers forced in today's game were the most it has had since it accounted for five at Arkansas in 2012.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS: Alabama has caused at least one turnover in 10 games this season with 10 fumble recoveries and 15 interceptions. The Crimson Tide is outscoring opponents, 121-31, in points off turnovers (Sept. 7 vs. New Mexico State – 17; Sept. 14 at South Carolina – 10; Sept. 21 vs. Southern Miss – 14; Oct. 26 vs. Arkansas – 24; Nov. 16 at Mississippi State – 7; Nov. 23 vs. Western Carolina – 35).
10 POINTS OR LESS: Alabama's 66-3 win against Western Carolina marked the 91st time under head coach Nick Saban that the Crimson Tide has held opponents to 10 points or less and the 35th time in the last 70 games, dating to the start of the 2015 season.
HOLDING OPPONENTS UNDER 200: Western Carolina's 179 yards of total offense marked the 51st time in the last 166 games under Nick Saban (since the start of the 2008 season) that the Crimson Tide defense has held the opposition to fewer than 200 yards of total offense.
Offense
SCORING STREAK CONTINUES: Alabama extended its school record for consecutive games with a score to 253 thanks to redshirt sophomore Joseph Bulovas' 29-yard field goal in the first quarter versus Western Carolina on Nov. 23. The Crimson Tide was last held off the scoreboard in a 9-0 loss to Auburn on Nov. 18, 2000. Alabama has a 196-54 (.784) record over the course of the current streak.
WADDLE ECLIPSES 100-YARD RECEIVING MARK: Sophomore wide receiver Jaylen Waddle finished today's contest with three catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. It marks the fourth game of his career with 100 yards or more. His career best came in 2018 against Louisiana where he recorded 138 yards.
JONES THROWS FOR A CAREER HIGH: Redshirt sophomore Mac Jones set a new career high in passing yards, collecting 275 on 10 completions.
HARRIS RECORDS RUSHING AND RECEIVING SCORES FOR THIRD-STRAIGHT GAME: Junior running back Najee Harris once again scored a rushing and receiving touchdown, marking the third consecutive game he has done so. Harris is the first player in the Southeastern Conference to achieve that feat over the last 20 seasons.
500+ YARDS OF TOTAL OFFENSE: Alabama recorded 541 yards of total offense in today's win over Western Carolina. The 500-plus yard performance marked the 32nd time in the last 70 games, dating to the start of the 2015 season, that the Crimson Tide has eclipsed the 500-yard mark. Last season, UA totaled 500 or more yards in 12 of 15 games to set a single-season school record. The Tide has eclipsed 500 yards of offense in eight of the 11 games in the 2019 campaign.
