Football vs. Duke Postgame Notes
8/31/2019 7:02:00 PM | Football
GAME CAPTAINS: Alabama's captains against Duke were defensive lineman Raekwon Davis, defensive back Shyheim Carter and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, along with honorary captain Calvin Ridley.
FIRST TIME STARTERS: The Crimson Tide had 10 student-athletes make their first career start vs. Duke, including four on offense, five on defense and one specialist. Getting their first career nod on offense was running back Jerome Ford, offensive linemen Landon Dickerson, Evan Neal and Chris Owens. Making their first start on defense was defensive lineman DJ Dale, linebackers Christian Harris and Shane Lee and defensive backs Josh Jobe and Jared Mayden. Placekicker/punter Will Reichard started for the first time on special teams.
130-7 UNDER SABAN WHEN LEADING AT THE HALF: Under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide is 130-7 (.950) when leading at the half. Alabama has held the lead in 47 of its last 60 games dating back to the start of the 2015 season. Alabama is also 114-4 (.966) when leading by seven or more points at the break during the Saban era.
HARD TO FIND THE END ZONE AGAINST THE TIDE: Since the start of the 2009 season, no team has allowed fewer touchdowns than the Crimson Tide. Alabama has surrendered only 218 touchdowns over the last 140 games. That is 50 fewer than the second most in the nation (LSU with 268).
OPENING DAY SUCCESS UNDER SABAN: Alabama has been dominant in season openers under head coach Nick Saban. The Tide is 13-0 under Saban, has outscored its opponents 528-144 (40.6-11.1) and outgained them, 5,743-2,685 (441.8-206.5). Alabama outscored its last four opening day opponents – USC, Florida State, Louisville and Duke – 169-30 and allowed just three touchdowns.
SEASON OPENER STREAKS: Alabama holds the second longest active win streak in season openers in the FBS with 18 consecutive wins, dating back to the 2002 season. Ohio State leads the season opener win streak at 20.
Defensive Notes
TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS: Alabama's fumble forced by Patrick Surtain II and recovery and interception by Trevon Diggs, as well as Jordan Battle's interception gives the Crimson Tide at least one turnover in 55 of its last 60 contests dating back to the start of the 2015 season. During the current run, the Crimson Tide has forced 96 turnovers (65 interceptions, 31 fumbles) and returned 22 of those miscues for touchdowns.
HOLDING OPPONENTS UNDER 300: The Crimson Tide defense held the Duke offense to just 204 yards in Alabama's 42-3 victory, marking the 106th time in 168 games (63.1 percent) under head coach Nick Saban that the Tide has held an opponent to less than 300 yards of total offense. The Tide has held 18 of its last 30 opponents below 300 yards, dating to the start of the 2017 campaign.
Offensive Notes
RUGGS, JEUDY CLIMBING CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS LIST: Junior wideout Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DJ Hall (2004-07) are ranked fourth all-time on the Crimson Tide's all-time leaders with 17 catches for a score. Alabama's all-time leader is Amari Cooper who recorded 31 from 2012-14.
OPENING DAY QUARTERBACK: Tua Tagovailoa's four touchdown passes today equal the most for an opening day starting quarterback during the Nick Saban era at Alabama. Tagovailoa's 336 passing yards today ranks No. 1 for an opening starter in the Saban era. The junior's total surpasses his 227 yards last season against Louisville, Blake Sims' 250 yards against West Virginia in 2014 and Greg McElroy's 230 yards against Virginia Tech in 2009.
TAGOVAILOA THROWS FOR FOUR OR MORE TOUCHDOWNS FOR THE SEVENTH TIME: Tua Tagovailoa threw for four touchdown passes against Duke, marking the seventh time in his career he has achieved the feat. In doing so, Tagovailoa ties AJ McCarron (2010-13) for the career record at Alabama.
TAGOVAILOA THROWS FOR 300+ YARDS FOR THE SEVENTH TIME: Tua Tagovailoa threw for 336 yards passing against Duke, marking his seventh career 300+ passing performance at Alabama, the most in school history. He has now accounted for seven of the 36 300 or more passing games by a UA quarterback in school history.
SCORING STREAK CONTINUES: Alabama extended its school record for scoring in consecutive games to 243 against Duke in the 2019 Chick-fil-A Kick Off Game with Miller Forristall's 27-yard touchdown reception from Tua Tagovailoa in the second quarter. The Crimson Tide was last held off the scoreboard in a 9-0 loss to Auburn on Nov. 18, 2000. Alabama has a 190-53 (.782) record over the course of the current streak.
FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWNS: Redshirt junior tight end Miller Forristall's 27-yard touchdown reception from Tagovailoa marked the first touchdown of the game and the first of his career. Teammate redshirt sophomore tight end Major Tennison scored his first career touchdown off a 1-yard reception from Tagovailoa.
