Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack explained why freshman linebacker Xavier Griffin did not play much against Georgia on Saturday after having a stellar game versus Mississippi State in Week 5.
Griffin had nine total tackles against Mississippi State and one sack, but he played only five snaps against Georgia.
Wommack was asked if that was a gameplan decision or if Griffin was dinged up.
“More of a gameplan,” Wommack said. “Different variations of what you’re gonna see, so the way the game was going from a run fit standpoint, all the different run variations that they were showing, we felt like that Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson were the hot hand. They were playing really well and were really physical. They were really dialed in to all the pictures and variations, and so we didn’t get a chance to get him [Griffin] in as much in that situation. We did get him in on a number of third downs whenever I could because his value has shown up there, and there’s going to be games like that as a freshman where one game may fit and suit you a little bit better than the next one, but X will continue to grow his role in what we’re doing … We didn’t feel like we needed to sub a lot of people in that game, especially being in a cooler night. We just felt like those two older backers had the hot hand.”
Wommack made sure to confirm nothing is wrong with Griffin. This decision was strictly a gameplan thing. It is worth noting what he said about the game being played at night with a cooler temperature. That led to less substituting because starters played more snaps.
Metz and Woodson combined for 16 total tackles in the game against Georgia.
The Bulldogs ran for 206 yards against the Crimson Tide. Quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for 249 yards, a touchdown and a pick. Overall, Alabama’s 20-17 loss to Georgia was a close battle, and even though a couple of controversial things happened, there is room for improvement on each side of the ball for Alabama.
Alabama football will travel to Rocky Top to face Tennessee. The game will be at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
