For the third time this season, which has really only consisted of a game and a half so far, Alabama scored a non-offensive touchdown. That already surpasses last year’s tally of two.
With 6:44 left in the second quarter of Saturday’s home opener, Alabama defensive back Saivion Smith intercepted one of Arkansas State quarterback Justice Hansen’s passes. Smith then returned it 38 yards to the end zone, giving Alabama the 40-0 lead it would take into halftime.
Alabama defensive back Shyheim Carter had a 45-yard interception-turned-touchdown last week against Louisville. Running back Josh Jacobs also returned a kickoff 77 yards for a score.
In 2017, only former UA defensive back Levi Wallace and current linebacker Mack Wilson had a non-offensive touchdowns. Both were interceptions.
Rewind two years ago, the Crimson Tide set a single-season record of 15 non-offensive scores, leading the Football Bowl Subdivision and marking the most by a FBS team in the last 20 years.
From Dec. 31, 2015 (against Michigan State) to Oct. 22, 2016 (against Texas A&M), Alabama had 10 consecutive fames with a non-offensive touchdown. It has had two games in a row now.
The Crimson Tide has scored 64 times overall under Nick Saban without the offense.
