Notebook: Cornerback Trevon Diggs left game with cramps

Alabama gets through New Mexico State win without any major injuries

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A third-quarter scare to senior defensive back Trevon Diggs had fans thinking back to last year's Arkansas game. That's when he suffered a season-ending foot injury.

With 7:18 remaining in the third quarter, Diggs went down on the far side of the field after tackling New Mexico State’s Tony Nicholson inside the 10-yard line.

 Diggs initially walked with assistance, before being carried by trainers to the Crimson Tide’s medical tent. Diggs remained in the tent for about 15 minutes before emerging. He did not return to the game, although he was seen walking without a limp on the sideline.

“Trevon Diggs just had cramps,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. “He was cramping up. He’s fine. I don’t think anybody got injured in the game today.”

After Diggs, Saban moved on to discuss Alabama's other injury issues, which was mostly about linemen on both sides of the ball. 

“Hopefully we’ll get some guys back,” Saban said in regards to next week's game at South Carolina. “Maybe Justin [Eboigbe], maybe Emil [Ekiyor], maybe Chris Owens."

The only other injury to mention was a quick step off the field by junior Devonta Smith in the first quarter. Smith briefly left the field while a targeting call was under review by the officials. Smith had his right ankle looked at and the tape adjusted, but was back on the field after missing no play time.

Ekiyor has a knee injury. Owens' injury was undisclosed.

Kicking

Another key note in Alabama’s game against New Mexico State was its kicking game. Freshman place kicker Will Reichard had a great day for the Crimson Tide, going 7-7 on extra points. 

Reichard also hit both of his field goal attempts, with one being a 48-yard attempt in the second quarter and the other bing a 49-yard attempt in the third quarter.

Both brought some of the loudest cheers of the afteroon. 

Antonio Alfano update ...

Saban updated the status of true freshman defensive end Antonio Alfano, one of the top prospects int the recruiting Class of 2020 who didn't practice most of last week. 

“He’s going through some discipline things with me,” Saban said. “If he does what he’s supposed to do ... I’m not going to tell you what, whether it’s academic — which has something to do with it — and being responsible and accountable to do what he’s supposed to do, like every other player on the team. 

"We want to get him right. We want to help him. We want to help him do the right things. But he’s got to make those choices and decisions, too.”

Turnovers

The Crimson Tide has forced at least one turnover in 56 of its last 61 games dating back to the 2015 season. In that time span, Alabama has had 66 interceptions and recovered 33 fumbles, with 22 of those turnovers being taken to the end zone for touchdowns.

New Mexico State turned the ball over to Alabama three times, with the Crimson Tide recovering two fumbles and an interception.

Offensive milestones

The Crimson Tide offense finished its game against the Aggies with 603 total yards. This marks the first time that Alabama has tallied a total of over 600 yards since Oct. 6, 2018 at Arkansas, when the Crimson Tide achieved 639 yards total offense. In total, the New Mexico State game marks the 14th game under Saban where Alabama has had a 600+ yard game.

In addition to the whole offense having a solid outing, junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also passed a milestone of his own. A 21-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jerry Jeudy pushed Tagovailoa over the 5,000-yard career passing mark. At the end of the game, Tagovailoa’s total passing yards was 5,165.

Jeudy acquired a milestone of his own on Saturday. His 21-yard touchdown reception from Tagovailoa marked his sixth-consecutive game with a touchdown. This marks the longest streak in Alabama football in the past 20 years. The streak began has been running since Nov. 24, 2018, following a 46-yard touchdown reception against Auburn.