Kalen DeBoer reacts to Ty Simpson throwing 2 interceptions vs. Eastern Illinois

The final play of the first half was a deep throw to the end zone as time expired, and that led to the second interception of the day for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

Eastern Illinois defender Dillon Conway intercepted the pass, and that was the last of Simpson for the day. Simpson finished with 147 yards and 2 picks.

Kalen DeBoer shared that he is not too disappointed about that last interception because it showed that Simpson cares more about doing what he is coached to do rather than caring about the stat sheet and checking the ball down to avoid a risk.

“The last one, he has to throw it in the end zone at the end of the half,” DeBoer said. “In fact, I told him ‘I’m glad you threw it in the end zone’ because that means the stats don’t matter, right? That would be one where a lot of quarterbacks would have checked it down. You’re 28-0 I think it was at the time, and we don’t want that. I appreciate that about Ty. That’s gonna do no good. Your goal is to try to score.”

Prior to the interception before halftime, Simpson threw a pick in the middle of the second quarter that was seemingly an attempt to “force one in there” to wideout Ryan Williams.

“He [Simpson] had a good week of practice,” DeBoer said. “Probably forced the one in there. I’ll have to see the film a little bit. I haven’t checked that play but probably forced that one in there. I think sometimes that happens in these games. You try to force the ball down the field. You know, he didn’t get as many opportunities. Probably knew it was going to be a shortened game, but you got to be disciplined. I really feel like he’ll do that moving forward just like he’s done all season.”

On the bright side, Simpson broke his fumbling streak, but his turnover streak extends to seven-straight games.

Next week is the Iron Bowl, and the turnover issues need to be fixed if Alabama is going to get past Auburn’s tough defense.