Kalen DeBoer Reflects on Alabama’s Thrilling Win Over South Carolina

In a heart-pounding game that went down to the wire, No. 7 Alabama emerged victorious against South Carolina, thanks to a late-game touchdown by Germie Bernard. Head Coach Kalen DeBoer addressed the media after the game, offering insights into the team’s preparation, execution, and areas for improvement.

“Another game down the wire. We’re getting accustomed to those. There are things we can do to make sure it doesn’t get to that point,” DeBoer began. He praised his team’s resilience and their ability to find ways to win, even when the odds seemed against them. “As many times as it looked like we weren’t, we did. The biggest thing I’m proud of is the response, starting early in the week,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of preparation and mindset.

DeBoer detailed the strategic aspects of the game, particularly the critical moments leading to Bernard’s 34-yard touchdown catch. “We knew we had to get the first down, just with how much time was on the clock. We didn’t have the timeout, so there’s a risk-reward on those calls,” DeBoer explained. He praised quarterback Jalen’s vision and decision-making, which led to the game-winning play. “That’s finding ways to get it done, and I’m proud of those guys for that execution,” he added.

The coach also reflected on key decisions and moments that shaped the game. Discussing the fourth-and-1 call on the first drive, DeBoer said, “The analytics say any fourth-and-1 you should go for it. We felt confident with the tempo, and we really hadn’t done much of that.” This aggressive approach set the tone early and demonstrated DeBoer’s trust in his players’ abilities to execute under pressure.

Defensively, Alabama showed its strength with three sacks and three takeaways, which DeBoer highlighted as critical to the team’s success. “Defensively, we got to the quarterback with three or four sacks and three takeaways. That’s always an emphasis, and I’m proud of the way the guys came through,” he said. DeBoer also addressed penalties and their impact, stressing the need for smarter play and better situational awareness.

Overall, DeBoer’s press conference underscored his pride in the team’s effort and his commitment to continuous improvement. “A unified group that knows there’s still so much more we can get better at,” he concluded, confident that Alabama will build on this victory as they continue their quest for the championship.