Florida State dominated Alabama in a 31-17 victory for the Seminoles on Saturday, but Alabama beat itself as much as Florida State beat them with a lack of effort and energy by the Crimson Tide’s defense.
Download the WTBCAM Mobile App Now
On Monday, Alabama’s coaching staff was asked about the lack of effort by the Crimson Tide’s defense, and the coaching staff said it was “shocking” and “disappointing.”
“We were certainly disappointed in some effort situations that happened. I think they came in different ways. Some of it’s just flat out gotta pursue, gotta get there,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “It surprises you sometimes when it happens, especially with certain guys, because of the effort that they put in day in and day out. But I think there were some other things that come across as hesitancy. That’s the way I kind of put it. I think after the game, probably would follow that up and say that there was a couple times where we just gotta be quicker to get to a spot and do our job.”
“Highly disappointed in the way we played the game the other day,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. “I thought in the midst of adversity, we played hesitant. Which is not the identity of this defense. I think we’ve got a group of young men that take a lot of pride in the way they play, the effort they play with, and I thought we played too much on our heels on the road. With adversity as a coaching staff, we have to do a better job on the road of creating a sideline environment of making sure our guys are ready to go respond. That starts with me and our coaches and making sure our players know how to respond in a moment of adversity. I have great confidence in our players. I think the level of ownership I’ve seen from our guys has been really strong the last 48 hours here. I think we’re ready to go put a product together on the field on Saturday that our fans, this university can be very proud of. Look forward to doing that this week. “…