Kalen DeBoer reveals message to Keelon Russell entering another big road game
By Mark Kern
Published:
This week, the Alabama Crimson Tide travel to Death Valley to take on LSU in a huge game. Both of these teams have two losses, meaning the loser could be in serious jeopardy of missing the College Football Playoff.
At times this year, Alabama QB Keelon Russell has looked amazing. However, he’s also suffered some consistency issues on the road, and there aren’t many places tougher to play than in Baton Rouge.
On Monday, Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked by reporters to share his message to Russell heading into a crucial spot on Alabama’s schedule.
“I think it’s just learning from what you’ve been through. It’s not just a road environment that we’ve been in,” DeBoer said. “It’s all the experiences that you’ve been through to this point in the season. Understanding down-and-distance situation. Understanding how each game — there’s ebbs and flows. But you just got to stay steady and give yourself a chance to see the next play, right?
One thing that has hurt Russell at times has been trying to make the big plays. Against Tennessee, he was 19 of 29 for 147 yards and two interceptions, while also being sacked five times.
For DeBoer, he believes Russell will continue to grow in that regard, and live to fight another down.
“I think that’s, again, something that continues to improve at,” DeBoer said. “I think the number of plays that you see continue to drop when it comes to those times where he’s trying to do too much or trying to create but also balancing that out with the abilities that he has to go do some special things, but that will come to him because he’s that type of player.”
We are in November now, and this is the month that determines which teams will be going to the CFP. Kickoff between LSU and Alabama is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, and the game is on ABC.
