There\u2019s one moment on a football field that can flip a game faster than anything else. It\u2019s the moment the defense takes possession of the ball, becomes the offense and scores.\u00a0Alabama\u2019s<\/strong> defense has done its share of flipping games this season. Most recently, Jonathan Allen’<\/a><\/strong>s fumble return against Texas A&M<\/strong> extended the Tide’s<\/strong> streak of scoring a non-offensive touchdowns — or NOTs — to 10 games. The Tide has scored at least one non-offensive touchdown dating back to the College Football Playoffs\u00a0semifinal vs. Michigan State<\/strong> on Dec. 31, 2015, and has tallied 22 non-offensive TDs in its last 19 games.\u00a0Allen’s fumble return was the 58th non-offensive touchdown of the Nick Saban<\/strong> era. The 12 this season are a school single-season record.<\/p>\n Watch all 12 NOTs here<\/a>\u00a0AND\u00a0Jonathan Allen\u2019s TD vs Texas AM here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 13 non-offensive touchdowns during the current streak can be broken\u00a0down to: four interceptions, four punt returns, four fumble recoveries and a kickoff return.<\/p>\n Cyrus Jones Michigan St. (CFP Semi) 57-punt return<\/strong> By position group this season, the defensive backs have seven touchdowns (Eddie Jackson<\/a>, Ronnie Harrison<\/a>, Minkah Fitzpatrick<\/a><\/strong> and Marlon Humphrey<\/b><\/a>), the defensive linemen have two (Allen and Da\u2019Ron Payne<\/strong><\/a>) and the linebackers have one (Williams). Two of the defensive backs\u2019 touchdowns, though, came on punt returns from Jackson, while the third punt-return score was by wide receiver Xavian Marks<\/a>.<\/b>\u00a0Alabama will look to build its streak to 12 games with a non-offensive touchdown Saturday against No. 6 Texas A&M. Last season, Jackson and Fitzpatrick (twice) returned interceptions for scores in a 41-23 win in College Station.<\/strong> A&M has thrown seven picks against the Tide in the past three seasons \u2013 and four have been returned for.<\/p>\n In addition to defensive touchdowns, Alabama excels on special teams because everyone, no matter your level of talent, plays on them. Even when Derrick Henry<\/strong><\/a> was on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy as a junior, he was a member of the punt coverage team. A.J. McCarron<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s two championship rings didn\u2019t keep him from being the holder on field goals. Special Teams is also a great way to get the future stars of the program involved — case and point: the two massive hits from true freshman linebacker Mack Wilson<\/a><\/strong> on kickoffs Saturday. Scoring on defense and special teams has become contagious, competitive and progressively more efficient. Back when Alabama played Ole Miss<\/strong> in mid-September, which started this trend of non-offensive touchdowns, you could turn on the tape of defensive end Jonathan Allen\u2019s long run into the end zone and find a few guys who weren\u2019t blocking.<\/p>\n But fast-forward to the Arkansas<\/strong> game last week, and look at what happened when Minkah Fitzpatrick picked off Austin Allen<\/strong><\/a> in the end zone. It looked like a spot for a safe touchback, but Jackson spun his head around, saw a crease and tapped on Fitzpatrick\u2019s shoulder to bring the ball out. A caravan formed immediately in front of Fitzpatrick with Jackson, Hamilton and Ryan Anderson<\/strong><\/a> all blocking ahead of him. Jackson ran with Fitzpatrick for 65 yards before throwing the final block on Allen that allowed for the touchdown.<\/p>\n Nick Saban seems to have realized his team\u2019s potential for NOTs as early as Marlon Humphrey<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s interception return for a touchdown against Southern Cal<\/strong> in the opener, stating afterword, \u201cIt\u2019s something that we work on. Turnovers are a big part of what we work on \u2013 not only getting the turnover but returning it, how to block them. That\u2019s something that has been very beneficial to us. \u2026 We want to continue to get those things and get the turnovers. That’s where it starts \u2013 and if we can finish them, great. If we can do it on special teams, I think it\u2019s a huge advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n In other words, these touchdowns aren\u2019t lucky breaks. When it comes to a forced fumble, for example, linebacker Rashaan Evans<\/strong><\/a> says it is relatively simple, And while all these NOTs certainly ignite the defense, the most significant effect is probably on the offense. Knowing the defense and special teams are most likely going to put up points, there is less pressure on true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts<\/strong><\/a> and the rest of the offense — including offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.<\/strong> Kiffin is able to explore more of the playbook and take more chances that keep the opposing defense off balance since he knows he’s always got a major cushion. Dating to last season\u2019s College Football Playoff semifinal rout of Michigan State, Alabama has scored a non-offensive touchdown in nine consecutive games; the Tide has an incredible 21 TDs in its past 18 games overall.<\/p>\n Main Photo<\/p>\n
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\nBreaking Down the 13 NOTs Through the Texas A&M Game<\/h3>\n
\n Kenyan Drake Clemson (CFP Champ.) 95-kick return<\/strong>
\n Marlon Humphrey USC 18-yard interception return<\/strong>
\n Eddie Jackson Western Kentucky 55-yard interception return<\/strong>
\n Eddie Jackson Ole Miss 85-yard punt return<\/strong>
\n Da’Ron Payne Ole Miss 3-yard fumble return<\/strong>
\n Jonathan Allen Ole Miss 75-yard fumble return<\/strong>
\n Xavian Marks Kent State 75-yard punt return<\/strong>
\n Ronnie Harrison Kentucky 55-yard fumble return<\/strong>
\n Tim Williams Arkansas 23-yard fumble return<\/strong>
\n Minkah Fitzpatrick Arkansas 100-yard interception return<\/strong>
\n Ronnie Harrison Tennessee 58-yard interception return<\/strong>
\n Eddie Jackson Tennessee 79-yard punt return<\/strong>
\n Jonathan Allen Texas A&M 29-yard fumble return<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n*Compare Wilson’s hit here<\/a> with Reuben Foster<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s hit on Leonard Fournette<\/a><\/strong> here<\/a> a few years ago.<\/p>\nBAMA Players Competing for NOTs<\/h3>\n
\n\u201cThe key to forcing a fumble is really just to go after the ball as many times as possible and hopefully you\u2019ll get it out.” Nick Saban said his defense emphasizes trying to strip the ball, \u201cIt\u2019s a point of emphasis and when players start to get them, (the others) start to think, \u2018I\u2019m going to get me one’.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\nImpact of NOTs on the Offense<\/h3>\n
\n\u201cMan, I don\u2019t like blocking, I\u2019m going to tell you that,\u201d outside linebacker Ryan Anderson joked recently. \u201cI really don\u2019t like running way down the field. Like when Minkah (Fitzpatrick) caught that 100-yard pick (against Arkansas), I was trying to tell him stay in (the end zone instead of running it out). I was tired.\u201d<\/p>\n