Will Anderson reminds teammates 'football is the most important thing'

Alabama linebacker Will Anderson has emerged as one of the best players and leaders on a team that’s reeling from its first loss in 20 games. As the Crimson Tide look to move on from a stunning loss to Texas A&M, a visibly frustrated Anderson had to remind his teammates what is most important.

“I mean…What I’ve said to you guys,” Anderson, who appeared to be still fuming with frustration from the loss, said. “We have to do a better job. Football has to be the most important thing. That’s the biggest thing when you come to Alabama, that’s the standard. Football is the most important thing and that’s what I expressed to the team and that’s what it has to be, and it’s going to be that.”

Texas A&M stunned Alabama, bouncing back from two straight losses with a 41-38 win over the top-ranked Crimson Tide on a walk-off field goal. Alabama outgained Texas A&M 522-379 total yards but the Aggies made plays in critical moment to pull off the upset.

The Crimson Tide defense held firm in the run game, as the Aggies finished with only 94 yards on 27 carries. Star running back Isaiah Spiller had just 46 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries, averaging 2.7 yards per carry. In the loss, Will Anderson had six tackles, but the Crimson Tide pass rush as a whole struggled to get home, failing to notch a sack on Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada.

Calzada, who took over in Week 2 after starter Haynes King went down with a foot injury, finished 21-of-31 for 285 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He looked comfortable all game, including on the final two drives, one of which he threw a touchdown to receiver Ainias Smith that tied the game. 

No player has thrown for more yards or touchdowns on the Crimson Tide all season, and no team has scored more points. It was unquestionably the worst defensive performance from Alabama in several games. 

Nick Saban credited Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher’s offensive gameplan, lining up in bunch formations and often using seven-man protections to stave off an Alabama pass rush that recorded 14 sacks in the previous five games.

Coming off the first loss of his, and multiple Alabama contributors, including Bryce Young’s, college career, Will Anderson and the Crimson Tide are moving on to Mississippi State.

“We know that feeling now and we have to move past that feeling and get ready for Mississippi State,” Anderson said. “Everyone’s holding their head up high and we’re just going to keep moving forward and keep getting better.”