Alabama DC feels Tide’s defense took steps in the right direction in 2 key areas vs. ECU

Alabama football’s defense flashed an ability to be among the best in college football by the end of the season in the Crimson Tide’s 48-10 win over East Carolina.

The Tide only gave up 10 points against the Pirates and limited East Carolina to 0.1 yards per carry on the ground and 160 passing yards in the victory. The Alabama defense also put points on the board with Yhonzae Pierre reeling in an interception and taking it back for six.

Alabama’s defensive coordinator Kane Wommack feels the Tide defense showed major improvement in two key areas on Saturday. One of those areas was run fits.

“We probably didn’t feel like we were where we needed to be, or at least consistent enough a year ago in terms of consistent run defensive fits, D-line being in the right position, linebackers supporting,” Wommack said. “I thought that we took a step in the right direction on Saturday. There were a lot of positives there, and just the simple execution, not necessarily the result of the play, but just the execution of guys being in the right place.  And then you look up at the end of the game, and obviously, the overall result was a pretty good rushing defensive day.”

East Carolina finished the game with two rushing yards.

The other area Wommack feels the Tide showed they were getting better at was third-down defense.

“Then O for 9 on 3rd downs, which was a major emphasis for us coming out of last year,” Wommack told reporters. “We took a step in the right direction.”

The Alabama defense was expected to be a strength of the Crimson Tide’s defense, and the unit started the season looking as if they can live up to the hype.

The Tide’s defense will be tasked with stopping Will Stein and the Kentucky offense on Saturday in Lexington.