Football vs. Vanderbilt Postgame Notes
9/23/2017 6:00:00 PM | Football
GAME CAPTAINS: Alabama's captains for today's game vs. Vanderbilt were offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and running back Bo Scarbrough.
THE ALABAMA-VANDERBILT SERIES: Today's game was the 85th meeting between Alabama and Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide leads the all-time series, 60-19-4 (after vacations), and has won the last 22 contests dating back to 1985. The Tide is now 28-14-2 all-time against VU in Nashville and has won the last 19 matchups in the Music City. Alabama head coach Nick Saban is now 4-0 in his career against Vanderbilt, including a 3-0 mark with the Tide.
EASTERN STREAK: With today's 59-0 win over Vanderbilt, Alabama has won 19 consecutive games against SEC Eastern Division opponents, dating back to a 35-21 loss at then-No. 19 South Carolina on Oct. 9, 2010. The 18 wins include a 4-0 record in SEC Championship Games and a 14-0 mark in regular season games.
UNRANKED UNDER SABAN: Alabama has defeated 68 consecutive unranked teams under head coach Nick Saban. The last loss to an unranked team came against Auburn to close out the 2007 season. The current streak began with a win over Colorado on Dec. 30, 2007, in the Independence Bowl. Under Saban, Alabama holds a 72-3 (.960) (68-3, .958 after vacations) mark against unranked opponents, including a perfect mark in unranked matchups since 2008.
ALABAMA AS THE NATION'S NO. 1: Alabama has played 78 games as the nation's top-ranked team since the inception of the Associated Press Poll in 1936. In those games, the Crimson Tide boasts a 67-11 (.859) record. Alabama has played 54 games while being ranked under head coach Nick Saban and is 48-6 (.889) during that span.
SABAN'S 54th GAME AS AP No. 1: Today's matchup against Vanderbilt was Nick Saban's 54th career game coaching Alabama as the Associated Press No. 1 team, the most games coached as No. 1 at one school. At 48-6 (.889), Saban has won more games coaching at No. 1 team at one school than any other coach in college football history. Woody Hayes (Ohio State) and Bobby Bowden (Florida State) are tied for second with 40 wins each. Bowden was 40-5 at Florida State as No. 1 and Hayes went 40-6 with Ohio State.
SABAN'S ROAD RECORD: Head coach Nick Saban owns a 65-29-1 (.689) mark in road games across his four career stops, including a 37-6 (.860) mark while at Alabama. Alabama has won 24 of its last 26 road games dating back to the start of the 2011 season and is riding an 11-game road winning streak.
SABAN IN SEC ROAD OPENERS: Nick Saban is 12-4 (.750) all-time in Southeastern Conference road openers spanning his time at Alabama and LSU. He is 10-1 (.909) in road conference openers during his time with the Crimson Tide.
110-7 UNDER SABAN WHEN LEADING AT THE HALF: Under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide is 110-7 (.940) when leading at the half. Alabama leads Vanderbilt, 31-0 at the half today and has held the lead in 28 of its last 34 games dating back to the start of the 2015 season, including 13 of 15 games in 2016 and all four games this season.
Defensive Notes
10 POINTS OR LESS: Alabama's 59-0 win today marks the 74th time under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide has held opponents to 10 points or fewer and the third time in four games this season and the 18th time in the last 34 games dating to the start of the 2015 season. The Tide has also now shut out 20 opponents during the Saban era.
HOLDING OPPONENTS UNDER 200: Vanderbilt's 78 yards in total offense marks the 45th time in the last 128 games under Nick Saban (since the start of the 2008 season), the Crimson Tide defense has held the opposition to fewer than 200 yards of total offense. Alabama's best performance under Saban came in 2009 when the Tide held Chattanooga to 84 yards of total offense.
RUSHING DEFENSE: Alabama has surrendered only 18 individual 100-yard rushing performances dating back to the 2005 season, a mark that is the lowest in the nation. Alabama has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in the past 26 games (Nick Chubb, Georgia on Oct. 3, 2015). Since head coach Nick Saban's arrival in 2007, the Tide has allowed 11 players to rush for more than 100 yards in a game.
Offensive Notes
ALABAMA RECORDS RECORD NUMBER OF FIRST DOWNS: The Crimson Tide finished with a program-high 38 first down's in the win at Vanderbilt, surpassing the previous high of 36 set against Western Carolina on Nov. 22, 2014.
SCORING STREAK CONTINUES: Alabama's school record consecutive games scoring streak was extended to 217 games today with Damien Harris' first quarter 61-yard touchdown against Vanderbilt. Alabama was last held off the scoreboard in a 9-0 loss to Auburn on Nov. 18, 2000.
NO TURNOVERS: Alabama has yet to turn the ball over this season and is riding 30-quarter turnover-free streak dating to the second quarter of the Auburn game on Nov. 24, 2016. The streak is the longest in school history based on available records dating to 1940.
HURTS WITHOUT AN INTERCEPTION: Jalen Hurts has now attempted 150 passes without an interception dating back to the first half of the Auburn game on Nov. 24, 2016. The streak is currently the fifth-longest in school history.
SEASON-HIGH RUSHING YARDS: Alabama's 496 yards on the ground today is a season high, surpassing the 305 yards UA accumulated in its 41-10 victory over Fresno State on Sept. 9.
HARRIS CAREER-HIGH RUSHING DAY: Junior Damien Harris' 151 yards on the ground today is a new career high. Harris' previous high was 144 yards at Ole Miss on Sept. 17, 2016. Today was also Harris' fourth career 100-yard rushing game and his first of the season. Harris' last 100-yard game was a 132-yard effort at Arkansas on Oct. 8, 2016. Harris' two rushing touchdowns today is also a new career high.
CARRER LONG TOUCHDOWN RUN FOR HARRIS: Damien Harris' 61-yard first quarter touchdown run is the longest scoring run of his career.
SCARBROUGH'S FOURTH TWO-TOUCHDOWN GAME: Junior Bo Scarbrough's two first half touchdown runs today marks the fourth time in his career the Northport, Ala., native has found the end zone on the ground multiple times. Scarbrough last rushed for two touchdowns in a game against Clemson in the 2017 CFP National Championship Game.
ROBINSON, JAMES, TENNISON JOIN ALABAMA FRESHMEN TO DEBUT THIS SEASON: Running back Brian Robinson and tight ends Kedrick James and Major Tennison became the 13th, 14th and 15th true freshman to see action for the Crimson Tide this season with their appearances today. Other first-year players who have debuted for UA this season are: Christopher Allen (LB), Thomas Fletcher (SN), Najee Harris (RB), Jerry Jeudy (WR), Alex Leatherwood (OL), Xavier McKinney (DB), Dylan Moses (LB), Henry Ruggs III (WR), DeVonta Smith (WR), Tua Tagovailoa (QB), Jedrick Wills Jr. (OL) and Daniel Wright (DB).
RIDLEY CLIMBING CAREER RECEPTIONS LIST: With three receptions in the first half today, Calvin Ridley has moved into a tie for third place with Julio Jones (2008-10) on the Alabama career receptions list with 179. D.J. Hall (2004-07) ranks second with 194. Amari Cooper is the Alabama leader with 228 from 2012-14.
RIDLEY FOURTH IN CAREER RECEIVING YARDS AT UA: Calvin Ridley's 53 receiving yards on five catches today gives the junior 2,076 yards for his career, which ranks No. 4 all-time at Alabama. Junior Jones (2008-10) is third with 2,653 yards. Amari Cooper (2012-14) is Alabama's all-time leader with 3,463 yards.
Special Teams Notes
SCOTT CLIMBING TIDE CAREER PUNTING LISTS: Senior punter JK Scott's two attempts against Vanderbilt today gives the senior 202 for his career, the third-most in Alabama history. Chris Mohr (1985-88) is No. 2 all-time with 203 attempts. P.J. Fitzgerald (2006-09) is Alabama's career leader with 238 punts. Scott's 64 punting yards against the Commodores gives him 9,254, good for second all-time at UA behind Fitzgerald.
