Alabama cornerback Deion Belue deflecting a pass against Virginia Tech. (UA photo)
– Alabama had six players make their first career starts in the win over the Hokies: two on defense, three on offense and one on special teams. Junior defensive back Jarrick Williams and junior Jeoffrey Pagan started defensively while sophomore Ryan Kelly, junior Arie Kouandjio and junior Austin Shepherd all started on the offensive line. The final first-time starter, long snapper Cole Mazza, is a true freshman.
– Alabama scored three non-offensive touchdowns in a game for the first time since the 1995 season, in which Alabama beat Georgia 31-0. Against the Hokies, Christion Jones returned a punt for 72 yards and a kick for 94 yards both for touchdowns (click here to read more on Jones’ night-to-remember) to go along with Vinnie Sunseri’s 38-yard pick-six.
– More on the non-offensive touchdowns, Jones is the first player in school history (or at least in the school’s record book that dates back to 1944) to have three touchdowns, two non-offensive, in one game. Also, this was the first time Alabama has started a game with a nonoffensive touchdown since former safety Mark Barron started the 2009 South Carolina game with a pick-six.
– The win made Alabama 15-5-1 in domed stadiums, including 6-0 since 2009 and 7-2 under Nick Saban. The Tide has now won its last 15 games on the road or in neutral sites. Alabama’s last loss away from Bryant-Denny Stadium was the Sugar Bowl against Utah following the 2010 Sugar Bowl.
– Alabama is now 12-1 against the Hokies, with the only loss coming in
1998 Music City Bowl. Here is a list of every game in the series.
– Under Saban, Alabama has now outscored its opponents in season-opening games 292-74.
