What's Led to Alabama's Increase in Interceptions
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban called Caleb Downs' interception against Texas A&M the play that changed the momentum of the game.
Time and time again this season, the Alabama defense has come up with clutch interceptions. Through six gams, the Crimson Tide has as many interceptions (seven) as it did all of last season, including the bowl game.
According to redshirt sophomore cornerback Terrion Arnold, who had an interception against Ole Miss, the emphasis on turnovers started last season with defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson preaching takeaways.
"It’s DBs really going out there and focusing on getting the ball," Arnold said. "Malachi (Moore), Kool-Aid (McKinstry), we've done a great job of preaching that to the secondary, and I will say we've done a really great job of emphasizing the ball, the ball, the ball.”
It hasn't just been the defensive backs thought. Linebackers Chris Braswell and Jihaad Campbell also snagged interceptions against Mississippi State. Transfer safety Jaylen Key got the year started with an interception in the season opener against Middle Tennessee. Downs, two-time SEC Freshman of the Week, currently leads the Tide with two interceptions.
Alabama has at least one interception in every game so far this season except the loss to Texas, where the defense did not force any turnovers. That was also the only game this season where the Tide defense did not record at least one sack.
Head coach Nick Saban credited the pressure created from Alabama's front seven with guys like Braswell, Dallas Turner, Tim Keenan, Deontae Lawson and Justin Eboigbe alongside the ball skills of his secondary with guys like Key, Downs, Arnold and Moore for the increase in interceptions so far this season.
"I think we've done a good job of pressuring the quarterback," Saban said Monday. "I think the pass rush has been good even when we only have four guys rushing. I think that has affected the quarterback to some degree. I do think our guys all have good ball skills. They all play the ball well in the air and I think we play the ball with more confidence. So that's something that we like to see in all the defensive backs that we have."
The Crimson Tide is currently tied for second in the SEC with 22 sacks and tied for third in interceptions with the seven. Eboigbe said the success on the back and front ends of the Alabama defense is dependent on each other.
"If we can get the quarterback off his original plan for where he wants to throw, we crowd the pocket, create pressure, and make it easier for the guys on the back end," Eboigbe said. "The same way how they cover great, we can get sacks off it, because the quarterback will hold the ball too long and be indecisive about what he wants to do. It goes hand-in-hand, and we’re playing great ball. But I feel like our best is still yet to come.”
This weekend, Alabama will be facing a dynamic quarterback in Arkansas' KJ Jefferson. The 6-3, 247-pound veteran QB is a threat with both his arm and legs, but has struggled this season with interceptions. Jefferson has six interceptions on the year, all over the last four games against Power Five opponents. The Arkansas offensive line has also allowed 23 sacks, including five in the loss last week at Ole Miss.
The Alabama defense will be hungry for more turnovers this Saturday when the Crimson Tide takes on the Razorbacks at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.
"Hopefully we will be able to continue to get turnovers because that's going to be huge for us, in terms of being successful in the future, is having a successful turnover margin," Saban said.
