Kalen DeBoer identifies area of improvement for Alabama after blowout win vs. Wisconsin
By David Wasson
Published:
Although the headlines and bold-faced graphics will point to the passing success that No. 18 Alabama enjoyed in its 38-14 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, there was one facet of the Crimson Tide offense that coach Kalen DeBoer met with concern.
Alabama’s rushing attack mustered only 72 yards against the Badgers on 22 carries – with quarterback Ty Simpson leading the way by gaining just 25 yards on 6 carries.
“There’s certainly an area where we can improve in the run game, and we have to,” DeBoer told reporters after the game – Alabama’s 83rd straight non-conference home victory.
Freshman Kevin Riley was Alabama’s best running back Saturday against Wisconsin, gaining just 20 yards on 7 carries with a long of 11 yards. Although Alabama’s rushing game was below expectations, Simpson and the Tide passing attack lit up the Badgers for 382 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Alabama is likely to be helped in its next outing, a high-profile road test against Georgia in Athens on Sept. 27, when running back Jam Miller is expected to make his season debut. Miller dislocated his collarbone during fall workouts, leaving the Crimson Tide without a clear-cut RB1 for the first 3 games of the 2025 campaign.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
