Alabama makes statement, scores yet another defensive TD in 33-14 win over Texas A&M

Who is going to stop Alabama? It certainly wasn’t Texas A&M.

The Aggies hung around for the first 35 minutes against the Crimson Tide, and briefly took a 14-13 lead. But after A&M took its only lead of the game, Alabama suffocated the Aggies, scoring 20-straight points to win 33-14.

Hanging around is probably a bit of an overstatement too. Alabama’s 13-0 lead before A&M got on the scoreboard could’ve been a lot bigger. The Tide had to settle for short field goals on its first two drives and kicker Adam Griffith missed a third.

The Tide’s second-half close was, predictably, fueled by a defensive touchdown. Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen — who earlier in the game made an incredible sack of Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight — returned a fumbled exchange between Knight and running back Keith Ford 30 yards for a touchdown for a 26-14 Alabama lead.

It was the 12th Alabama defensive or special teams touchdown of 2016 and the 10th straight game the Tide had scored without the need of the offense. Though the streak’s chances of continuing — at least on the special teams side — took a hit with the news safety and punt returner Eddie Jackson would miss the rest of the season with a broken left leg.

Jackson was injured when he was hit hard on a punt return in the second half.

Eddie Jackson has a fractured leg and is out for the season. That ends his Alabama career. "We're certainly going to miss him," Saban said.

— TideSports.com (@TideSports) October 22, 2016

Alabama’s greatness this season is in large part to its ability to capitalize on others’ mistakes. But it’s not the only reason the Tide are No. 1 in the country through the first half of the season.

The offense has done its part, namely freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, who accounted for three touchdowns. Hurts did throw two interceptions, though one was a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half that came after a penalty knocked Alabama out of field goal range.

Hurts ran for 91 yards too, though the real damage was done by Damien Harris, who busted off multiple big runs in the first half against a Texas A&M front that’s one of the best in the country.

The Alabama defense sacked A&M quarterback Trevor Knight five times. Knight finished 14-31 passing for 163 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

TE O.J. Howard scores a touchdown against Texas A&M. (Getty)