Alabama LB tells why Tide defense ‘gotta be better’ after loss to Oklahoma

Nov 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) tries to break free from a tackle by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama football’s linebacker, Deontae Lawson feels the Crimson Tide’s defense has got to play better despite them limiting Oklahoma to 212 total yards and 16 points in their last outing.

There were a variety of reasons why the Tide lost to the Sooners on Saturday. One can point at the Tide’s offense’s lack of explosive plays, turnovers committed by the offense or a lack of execution on special teams. Either way, Alabama’s defense should be the last unit to take blame for the loss.

However, it is a team game, and the leaders of this Alabama team are going to inevitably look within to see how they can improve to help Alabama get back in the win column. Lawson took this route while talking to reporters on Saturday night after the Sooners defeated the Tide 23-21.

The linebacker feels Alabama’s defense fell short in the matchup because they did not create any turnovers.

“The turnover margin and you know when you turn the ball over three times you really can’t expect to win in this league,” Lawson said. “So, like I said we’re just going to get back to the practice field tomorrow. We’re going to watch the film and you know we gotta be better. As a defense, we gotta take the ball. We gotta give our offense a short field or you know some field position or something like that or extra possession or anything like that. So, not our best game I would say.”

Alabama goes back to the drawing board and prepares for Eastern Illinois. Their College Football Playoff hopes remain intact.