Turnovers Prove Consequential in Alabama’s Narrow Victory

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — 4 to 1.

That is the hefty turnover margin that top-ranked Alabama was on the mistaken aspect of in its thrilling 24-20 victory over Texas A&M at dwelling Saturday evening.

Alabama turned the ball over 4 instances, three of these being misplaced fumbles and one being an interception, in comparison with only one interception thrown by the Aggies.

Texas A&M’s first 17 factors of the sport have been scored off Alabama turnovers. 

“We did plenty of issues that weren’t successful soccer,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban stated. “Penalties, 4 turnovers, […] we now have plenty of issues we have to enhance on.”

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe began rather than reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Younger, who was sidelined with a shoulder sprain final week. Milroe threw for 111 yards and three touchdowns, however was the wrongdoer of three of Alabama’s turnovers, fumbling the ball twice and throwing an interception. 

“Jalen did some good issues, however clearly had a few turnovers,” Saban stated. “However he’ll dwell and be taught, and we will dwell and be taught with him.”

All three of Milroe’s turnovers got here within the first half, and his coaches had a message for him coming into the second half.

“[They said] one play at a time,” Milroe stated. “That was the primary half, we needed to fear about one play at a time as we entered the second half. I feel we have to strive to do this as a lot as doable.”

Milroe was requested if he had ever fumbled twice in a sport earlier than, and he replied with a easy ‘no’. 

“I needed to transfer onto the subsequent play,” Milroe stated. “That is prior to now. We acquired the ‘W’ and that is all that issues.”

On the opposite aspect of the ball, sophomore cornerback Terrion Arnold intercepted Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King with below a minute left within the first half. That interception got here off the heels of Milroe’s lone interception within the sport. 

“The drive earlier than that, Evan [Stewart] caught that 43-yard reception,” Arnold stated. “In my head I assumed I needed to discover a approach to shift the momentum. The line of defense did an important job and I used to be capable of capitalize on the chance.”

It was Arnold’s first profession interception, and the primary interception of the season made by an Alabama defensive again. The one different interception from an Alabama participant this season got here from linebacker Will Anderson towards Louisiana-Monroe.

Defensive again Brian Department had a easy response concerning if the protection’s mindset modifications after an offensive turnover. 

“[Our mindset is] stopping them,” Department stated. “We do not care what the offense does. So long as we do our job, that is all we will ask for.”

Alabama’s 4 misplaced turnovers have been its most in a single sport since dropping to Ole Miss at dwelling in Sept. 2015. Transferring ahead whether or not it is with Milroe nonetheless on the helm or Younger coming back from his harm, Alabama might want to defend its possessions with a tough stretch of video games on the horizon. 

Alabama faces Tennessee and its high-powered offense subsequent week, and if Alabama fingers the Volunteers free possessions prefer it did the Aggies, the Crimson Tide protection might be below much more stress to cease potential Heisman Trophy darkish horse Hendon Hooker.