DeBoer tells why Alabama had faith in wide receiver during big moments against Auburn

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The Crimson Tide beat the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl on Saturday night, and Isaiah Horton had one of his biggest performances of the season, even though the stats don’t exactly show it.

Horton, who transferred from Miami after recording over 600 receiving yards there last season, was Alabama’s go-to receiver during the Iron Bowl, while Ryan Williams never received a target, and Germie Bernard saw just three receptions.

The wide receiver was dominant and reliable throughout the game for the Tide, stepping up in the big moments with five receptions for 35 yards and three touchdowns, all of which led the team. No other receiver managed to haul in a touchdown,

Kalen Deboer discussed Horton’s performance after the game.

“I told Isaiah a long time ago, ‘when we got into SEC play, that is where the ball will find you in the big moments,” DeBoer said. “You know, we’ve got so many guys that we rotate in, four or five guys that are really part of the rotation most weeks. And sometimes it doesn’t end up going his way, but tonight, he found opportunities, and he took advantage of them.”

Horton definitely found opportunities to take advantage of, as his presence was felt in Alabama’s passing game the entire night, especially in the red zone, where he was responsible for all three of the Tide’s touchdowns. He also tied his season-high in receptions with five for the second time this season, and although his 35 receiving yards weren’t record-breaking, he was able to pick up meaningful receptions, which helped keep the Crimson Tide’s drives alive all game.

With the Tide now earning its spot in the SEC Championship against Georgia on Saturday, it will be interesting to see if Horton can use his performance against Auburn as motivation for another impressive performance against the Bulldogs.

When the Crimson Tide faced Georgia earlier in the season, Horton recorded five receptions and 65 yards. The five receptions then tied his season-high for the first time, while his 65 receiving yards are his second-best all season.