Kalen DeBoer shares halftime thoughts on Alabama offense, defense as Crimson Tide trail Tennessee
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The Alabama defense has managed to keep the Tennessee offense from finding the end zone. The Alabama offense, though, is having its own trouble scoring.
At the half on Rocky Top, No. 14 Tennessee has a 12-10 lead on No. 6 Alabama, thanks to 4 field goals by Vols kicker Cooper Ranvier. UA head coach Kalen DeBoer talked to the Crimson Tide Sports Network before heading into the locker room. Mike Rodak of 247Sports shared DeBoer’s thoughts on the offense and the defense.
Kalen DeBoer at halftime to @UA_CTSN on offense: "Just staying within yourself, not trying to do too much. It starts with Keelon and just helping us stay ahead of the chains, making good decisions. The turnovers definitely hurt us, but we got them back. We know it’s gonna be a four-quarter game, and that’s what this is going to be about. We got to continue to be physical and be great in the big moments. "Offensively, we know against the front that they have, it’s a slugfest. You just got to keep playing."
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) October 17, 2026
Keelon Russell has been responsible for 2 of Alabama’s 3 turnovers. Russell is 6-of-12 passing for 40 yards with an interception. He is also charged with 1 of the Tide’s 2 fumbles, both of which were lost and recovered by the Volunteers. Russell does have Alabama’s lone touchdown, a rushing score.
Despite Russell and the offense’s struggles, the Alabama defense has kept things close by keeping the Volunteers to 4 field goals even as they’ve outgained the Tide 163-95 yards of total offense.
DeBoer on defense: "That’s what we have to do when we’re in those spots: keep putting pressure on them as a defense. Make them earn it, make them snap the ball again. Sooner or later, like we saw, the ball will end up in our lap. Keep making those plays."
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) October 17, 2026
The game is airing on ESPN.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
