DeBoer explains what happened on blocked punt in SEC Championship

Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Cole Speer (83) blocks a punt from Alabama Crimson Tide punter Blake Doud (38) during the first quarter during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

As the Tide found itself down 14-0 at the end of the first half, slowly working its way towards a 28-7 loss on Saturday, a blocked punt on Alabama’s second drive of the game played a crucial role in how the rest of the game unfolded.

After the game opened relatively slowly with three straight three-and-outs, the Crimson Tide received the ball, ready to make something of its second possession. That did not happen, however, as the Tide punted from its own 21-yard line.

Similar to the Tide’s first punt, the Georgia defenders managed to get dangerously close to punter Blake Doud. However, this time, Bulldog Cole Speer did get to Doud, blocking the punt and setting Georgia up at Alabama’s 25-yard line.

The Bulldogs scored just four plays later. After the game, head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke about what happened.

“We got a new face in that spot,” DeBoer said. “Obviously, that’s LT Overton’s position. So, I’ll just tell you what it is: there’s a check we got to make, and you got a new face in that spot, and that’s what happened. And so, again, getting guys more reps and getting guys back out there makes a big deal. You know, I don’t fault our guys that were in that spot doing everything they can, but there’s a check that we got to make, one we make all season long. We missed it, and they got an extra hat that we couldn’t block.”

This isn’t the first time that the Tide has had special teams struggles, though. Alabama has dealt with a punter who has shanked balls and just not gotten the distance on punts, all while dealing with a kicker who’s 65% on field goals for the season.

There was also a punt that was fumbled by Cole Adams; however, he was able to recover the ball, but it did back the Tide even further up against its own goal line. It’s the little things that have built up all season to hurt the Tide in the end.

But all Alabama can do now is sit back and hope that its resume speaks for itself when the College Football Playoff committee begins to make its final decision on who’s in the playoffs at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday.