Alabama left Lexington with a 45-17 win over Kentucky, but Kalen DeBoer didn’t pretend it was a clean one.
Speaking after the game, the Crimson Tide coach made it clear the performance had plenty of rough edges before Alabama settled in and took control. He called the victory “far from perfect,” but said he was proud of the way his team pushed through its problems to finish strong. DeBoer also revealed that Alabama lost comms between coordinators and quarterback during the third quarter.
The second half was where Alabama finally found its footing. DeBoer said there wasn’t anything dramatic at halftime, just a group that locked in once it came back out. He pointed to Daniel Hill’s 100-yard rushing day as a bright spot and said Jireh Edwards played well only 19 days after surgery for a broken arm.
One of the biggest issues early was the run game, and DeBoer said Alabama had the ability to run the ball throughout the afternoon. Still, getting behind the chains in the first half made that much harder to sustain. He also said Keelon Russell needs to hand off more on RPOs than he did against Kentucky.
Even with the uneven showing, DeBoer said Russell kept his composure. He described the quarterback as cool and calm even when things weren’t going his way, and said he doesn’t want to take Russell’s aggressiveness away. At the same time, DeBoer said Alabama has to help him continue to develop.
Defensively, Alabama tightened the screws as the game went on. DeBoer said the Tide did a good job keeping Kentucky under wraps for most of the night, and once Alabama grabbed the lead it took the Wildcats away from the style of offense they wanted to play.
DeBoer also addressed the challenge of playing on the road, saying Alabama knows every fan base gives the Tide its best shot away from home. He said most of his players were able to handle that because of past experience, and he did not believe the crowd in Lexington caused any dip in confidence.
In the locker room at halftime, DeBoer said Zabien Brown and Ryan Coleman-Williams showed solid leadership. He also mentioned Bray Hubbard and said Keelon Russell owned his mistakes.
In Other News...
Florida State's Latest Shakeup Comes Right Before Alabama
Florida State made a notable administrative change just as Alabama is preparing to see the Seminoles on the schedule, announcing that Michael Alford is out after four years as athletics director. Bruce Warwick will step in on an interim basis while the school searches for a permanent replacement, adding another layer of uncertainty around a program already under pressure.
The move comes with concerns growing around Florida State footballs recent results under Mike Norvell, and the timing only sharpens the focus on what the Seminoles look like heading into a high-profile matchup with Alabama. For a game that already carried plenty of attention, the off-field shakeup gives it an even more unsettled backdrop. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Top 10 Return Puts One Big FSU Question On Offense
Alabamas climb back into the AP top 10 came with the kind of finishing kick the program wanted to show after the opener. The Tide pulled away from Kentucky 45-17, and the second half offered a cleaner look at what is starting to take shape on both sides of the ball. Jackson Lloyd has settled in well at left tackle, not allowing a pressure through two games, while inside linebackers Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson have been active pieces in a defense that is settling into its identity.
The next test is less about ranking movement and more about the kind of roadblock Alabama needs to clear against Florida State. Keelon Russell has already said his own play has to improve, and that kind of self-assessment matters with a matchup like this looming. Alabama is also carrying the memory of a previous loss to the Seminoles, which adds a little extra edge to a game that already feels like an early measuring stick for where this offense really is. [Read more 🡒]
Keelon Russells Early Alabama Issue Is Harder To Ignore Now
Keelon Russells first major bump in an Alabama uniform came with a little extra visibility Saturday, when the quarterback was flagged multiple times for intentional grounding in the win over Kentucky. It was the kind of outing that can happen to a young passer still settling into the speed and pressure of SEC football, but it also put a spotlight on the parts of his game Alabama will need cleaned up quickly as the schedule keeps moving.
Kalen DeBoer pointed to execution and decision-making when addressing the penalties, a reminder that the Tide are still looking for more comfort and control from Russell in those moments when a play breaks down. Russell, for his part, said he got off to a slow start and said he is committed to improving in the games ahead, which is the right response even if the bigger question now is how fast that progress shows up. [Read more 🡒]