Kalen DeBoer points to stalled offense after Alabama’s 26-10 loss at Tennessee

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said his team struggled to sustain drives in a 26-10 loss to Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, October 17. The defeat was Alabama’s second in two weeks and left the Crimson Tide facing questions about its offense before its next game.

Why Alabama’s offense stalled against Tennessee

In a postgame transcript published by On3, DeBoer cited early turnovers that gave Tennessee favorable field position, penalties and two failed fourth-down attempts. He said Alabama had trouble creating explosive plays and struggled to put drives together after coming out of the locker room in each half.

Tennessee made its early opportunities count, although DeBoer credited Alabama’s defense with holding the Volunteers to field goals on key possessions. He also said Tennessee’s efficient rushing attack helped it drain the clock in the second half, limiting Alabama’s chances to answer.

DeBoer’s message after a second straight loss

DeBoer told his players the road ahead would be ‘really uncomfortable,’ according to Roll Tide Wire’s account of his postgame remarks. He said they had practiced with motivation after the previous defeat, but would need to respond at another level. ‘This is the team that can do it,’ he said, while also pointing to the need to stay healthy.

Alabama fell to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in Southeastern Conference play, Roll Tide Wire reported. The team is due to face Texas A&M on Saturday, October 24, before its bye week, giving DeBoer one game to address the offensive problems he described before that break.

Injuries reported after the Tennessee game

Starting cornerback Zabien Brown suffered what DeBoer called a lower-extremity injury and would be evaluated during the coming week, 247Sports reported. Brown went to the locker room in the first half and returned to the sideline in sweatpants for the second. Freshman running back EJ Crowell also left in the first half with a lower-extremity injury and did not return, according to the outlet. Their availability for Texas A&M was not yet clear.