Alabama football lost to Vanderbilt 40-35.
It was the Crimson Tide’s first loss to Vanderbilt since 1984 when Ray Perkins was Alabama’s coach.
The Commodores took a quick lead and never relinquished the lead. Alabama battled back, but couldn’t overcome the mistakes and issues to stop Vanderbilt.
After the loss, Alabama coach Cullen DeBoer held his postgame press conference. Here are some things DeBoer had to say.
LIVE UPDATES: Kalen DeBoer press conference after No. 1 Alabama’s loss to Vanderbilt
- “Very disappointed. Frustrated.”
- DeBoer thought his guys prepared hard. “You don’t like what you talk about, that’s the way it is,” Alabama will have during the film tomorrow.
- “We’re going to find out how much we care for each other.”
- DeBoer on third-down defense: “We have to do a better job of being disciplined.” DeBoer said Vanderbilt attacked Alabama in a few different ways on those plays. “They continued to wear on us.”
- DeBoer asked about considering an onside kick after scoring late: “A lot of consideration.” DeBoer said Alabama felt it would be in a good spot even if Vanderbilt landed first. “When it doesn’t go the way you want it to, you always look back and second-guess … I felt good about the decision at the time.”
- DeBoer asked about the turnover penalty in the first half, saying Alabama didn’t communicate properly before that play. “That was the hump we couldn’t get over.”
- Malachi Moore’s DeBoer has been heating up of late. “When he came into the locker room he was really good.” “I think the key is to turn that frustration into something positive.” But DeBoer noted that it’s not okay when Alabama doesn’t represent itself in a first-rate way.
- DeBoer asked about possession time. “We have to go down the field on third down.”
- “There are things we can get better at in all stages … we’re going to own it as a team and keep moving forward.”
- DeBoer asked if he was surprised to see Vanderbilt go wild. “That’s their style. That is what they are doing”. DeBoer says it’s assignment sound.
