Did Alabama’s Defense Set Records with 15 Pass Breakups Against MSU? All Things CW

The All Issues CW notes column by Christopher Walsh will seem in 5 elements this week, one every day because the Alabama Crimson Tide enjoys a bye week.

That is …

Take 3

Though Mississippi State coach Mike Leach gave a highly-entertaining speech about his receivers having dinosaur arms and that if it continues he fears for the longer term generations of individuals in Starkville resulting from evolution, Saturday could have been a record-setting day for Alabama Crimson Tide go defenders.  

The Crimson Tide was credited with 15 passes damaged up, principally by the secondary. The beginning cornerbacks alone, Eli Ricks and Kool-Assist McKinstry, mixed for eight. 

We’ll begin with the 15. Was it a report? In all probability. It is simply a type of classes that is extraordinarily tough to trace, and like speeding the passer not at all times appropriately credited (particularly on the street). 

This is what we do know. Mississippi State tried 61 passes in opposition to the Crimson Tide, the second most by an opponent in Crimson Tide historical past.

Topping that checklist is the 63 Vanderbilt tried in 1989, en path to a 20-14 loss. Alabama was credited with breaking apart 14 passes in that sport, and having one interception.

Paul W. “Bear” Bryant’s closing sport, the 1982 Liberty Bowl in opposition to Illinois, is subsequent on that checklist with 58 go makes an attempt, adopted by the 2016 nationwide title sport in opposition to Clemson, when Alabama got here up brief 35-31. The Tigers threw 57 instances, the identical quantity as South Carolina in 2019.

The Crimson Tide was credited with one go breakup in opposition to Clemson, and two at South Carolina.

By the way, throughout the 1992 title sport in opposition to Miami within the Sugar Bowl, the Hurricanes tried 56 passes within the 34-13 loss. Gino Torretta had three interceptions after solely having 4 picked off throughout the complete season. Alabama was credited with breaking apart 13 passes. 

As for the final two instances Alabama confronted Leach at Mississippi State, it was credited with two go breakups final yr when the groups performed in Starkville, and 9 the yr earlier than. 

As for the eight by the 2 beginning cornerbacks, it is not a report. John Mangum and Efrum Thomas had 10 collectively in that 1989 Vanderbilt sport. 

Ricks and McKinstry appeared to have tied the report throughout the Saban period, although. When Marquis Johnson had a program-record six in opposition to South Carolina in 2009, Kareem Jackson was credited with two. 

It ought to be famous, although, that Javier Arenas was the starter at left cornerback, with Jackson at proper cornerback within the offense. Johnson normally got here in as a part of the nickel and dime packages. 

Most Passes Damaged Up, Recreation

• 6 Marquis Johnson vs. South Carolina, Oct. 17, 2009 
• 6 John Mangum at Vanderbilt, Sept. 30, 1989 
• 6 John Mangum vs. Southwestern Louisiana, Oct. 14, 1989
• 5 Mark McMillian vs. Vanderbilt, Sept. 29, 1990

Quite a few different defensive backs have had 4 go breakups in a sport below Saban, together with Dee Milliner twice (Michigan and Ole Miss 2020), Cyrus Jones (Ohio State 2014), Levi Wallace (Colorado State 2017), and Xavier McKinney (Oklahoma 2018). 

Magnum has the season report of 24, set in 1989. One of the best throughout the Saban period was 20 by Milliner in 2012.

Most Alabama Go Breakups, Saban Years

• 2007 Simeon Castille (DB), Sr., 10 
• 2008 Rashad Johnson (DB), Sr., 11 
• 2009 Marquis Johnson (DB), Sr., 17 
• 2010 C.J. Mosley (LB), Fr., 10 
• 2011 DeQuan Menzie (DB), Sr. 11 
• 2012 Dee Milliner (DB), Jr., 20 
• 2013 Landon Collins (DB), So., 6 
• 2014 Cyrus Jones (DB), Jr., 13 
• 2015 Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB), Fr, 11 
• 2016 Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB0, So., 7; Ronnie Harrison (DB), So., 7 
• 2017 Levi Wallace (DB) Sr., 15 
• 2018 Anfernee Jennings (LB), Jr., 11 
• 2019 Patrick Surtain (DB), So.. 8; Trevon Diggs (DB), Sr., 8
• 2020 Patrick Surtain II (DB), Jr., 12 
• 2021 Brian Department (DB), So. 9

To this point, Alabama has 39 go breakups this season, which is simply six shy of final yr’s whole, however nonetheless nowhere close to the 80 the Crimson Tide had in 2015. 

However sophomore Kool-Assist McKinstry’s 11 on the season leads the SEC by three, and is tied for season within the nation by Ridge Texada of North Texas, who has 12 in eight video games.

DeMarcco Hellams is second on the Crimson Tide with six, whereas each Brian Department and Malachi Moore have 5.

Together with his 4 on Saturday, Ricks is tied for twentieth within the league.

Go Breakups By Season 

• 2007 43
• 2008 57
• 2009 74
• 2010 57
• 2011 56
• 2012 58
• 2013 51
• 2014 61
• 2015 80
• 2016 55
• 2017 66
• 2018 75
• 2019 50
• 2020 61
• 2021 45
• 2022 (39)

“I believed he did a superb job,” Saban mentioned about Ricks on Saturday. “He gave up one throw. Once you’re taking part in 5 below man, you’re alleged to be beneath the man, so the man shouldn’t be capable to catch a comeback on you and caught one on him. Caught one on Kool-Assist on 4th-and-10. However I believed he performed properly. 

Added Hellams: “He positively is a superb DB.” 

See Additionally:

Take 1: Does Alabama, Bryce Younger Have a Go-To Receiver?

Take 2: Why Alabama Turnovers The Key Statistic to Watch

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