Alabama defense 'hungry' for a non-offensive TD amid turnover-fest

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama’s defense steadily improved over the course of October, going from a lackluster showing at Vanderbilt to pitching a shutout last time out against Missouri.

The Crimson Tide will need a strong defensive showing when it plays at LSU on Saturday, Nov. 9, in a must-win matchup for both teams’ College Football Playoff hopes. And head coach Kalen DeBoer’s message stuck with the defensive players after Tuesday’s practice.

“Non-stop violent, non-stop physicalness, non-stop execution,” said Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. “You’ve gotta keep on running, keep on going and make the other team quit.”

In its last three games, the Alabama defense has forced 10 turnovers, and on the season, the Crimson Tide has gained 18 takeaways. That’s tied for the most in the SEC and the sixth-most in the country entering the 11th week of the college football season. For comparison, Alabama forced 19 turnovers in 14 games in 2023 and just 14 the year before in 2022.

Although the offense is taking better advantage of those turnovers, turning them into points on the scoreboard, the defense has yet to score a touchdown this season. Campbell, who scored last year against Tennessee, said the defense is itching to get into the end zone.

“I’m not gonna lie, we’re hungry,” Campbell said. “We try to take the ball away, whether that’s a strip, whether that’s forced fumbles, whether that’s interceptions, whatever. Whatever we can do to get the ball out of the offense’s hands and in our hands and, obviously, score a touchdown on defense, it’s gonna be great for us. We’re starving, starving bad.”

Not only for more turnovers and a non-offensive score, the Alabama defense has a hunger as it exits the bye week and gets set for a pivotal game in Tiger Stadium (6:30 p.m. on ABC).

“I like the demeanor of our players right now,” said Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. “I think they’re in a really good position. I think they’re very hungry to get back out on the field.”

LSU has lost 10 turnovers this season, which is the fifth-fewest in the SEC, but nine have been interceptions by starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, including three in the Tigers’ last game against Texas A&M. It will be important for Alabama to create takeaways in its upcoming trip to Baton Rouge, but applying pressure on Nussmeier is easier said than done.

LSU has only allowed four sacks this season, which has helped the Tigers field the nation’s No. 6 passing offense with 332.8 yards per game through the air. LSU hasn’t been as great on the ground, averaging a league-worst 115.25 yards per game, but the Crimson Tide defenders know they will need to play well against both the run and pass on Saturday night.

“They’re a good passing O-line,” Campbell said. “I think they’ve got trouble sometimes in the run game, but on our end, we’ve gotta make sure we execute the run game and the passing game so we come out with a victory.”

The Tigers have two of the top offensive tackle prospects who could enter the 2025 NFL Draft in Will Campbell and Emery Jones. LSU will be without starting left guard Garrett Dellinger, who recently had tightrope surgery on his ankle, but the tackles are two elite players.

Does that give rushers like Campbell any extra motivation ahead of the top-15 matchup?

“If you say so,” Campbell said. “For us, I think our main job is, we’re at Alabama for a reason. Those guys gotta play us. So if we go out there and do our job and execute, we’re gonna come out with a good outcome.”

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