Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer shared with reporters what his message was to Alabama players after the 26-10 loss to Tennessee.
The Crimson Tide’s margin for error is significantly smaller now that they have lost two games, and DeBoer told the team what the next couple of weeks are going to be like.
“I just said it’s going to be really uncomfortable,” DeBoer said. “Again, everything I said to those guys, it’s not like I didn’t feel like they practiced. We had a lot of motivation to come back and have a great week and prepare for this game, but moving forward, it’s going to be another level of uncomfortable. A lot of guys haven’t been through the last year or the last two. I know they feel it, and our older guys mentioned that even a couple weeks ago and what it’s going to be like on this stretch. The key is that you just hone in on one game. Don’t look at the big picture. Just hone in on one game and believe that you have a team that can get it done.”
DeBoer described what he saw in his players’ eyes after the game.
“I thought just looking at the guys in the eyes and stuff; they were scraping until the end, and that’s what this is going to be about moving forward is continuing to believe that we’re going to find a way,” DeBoer said. “You got to pick up and come to work. We just mentioned the SEC and all the teams. Everyone is going through it, so whose gonna respond and get it done? We’ve been through this before, and we’ve gotten it done. So, we have to make sure we get it done here moving forward. I told the guys that this is a team that can do it. You got to catch some breaks. You got to stay healthy, but that’s everyone across the board.”
There are a few notable things to highlight after this loss. Alabama allowed Tennessee running back Desean Bishop to run for 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Also, quarterback Keelon Russell turned the ball over three times and only threw for 147 yards.
Alabama will look to bounce back next Saturday when Texas A&M comes to Tuscaloosa.
