Kalen DeBoer explains decision to insert Austin Mack in second quarter, how Ty Simpson reacted

The Alabama Crimson Tide bounced back in Week 2 and took care of business to the tune of a 73-0 win over ULM. Within that game, head coach Kalen DeBoer was able to play three different quarterbacks. That included getting backup Austin Mack into the game early, jumping in during the second quarter for Ty Simpson.

That’s a tactic that DeBoer has used before, going back to his time at Fresno State. It often worked there, and in doing so now at Alabama, he was looking to add some competition, get Mack some playing time, and make sure Simpson responded well.

“Yeah, it’s something I’ve done a number of times over the years,” Kalen DeBoer said. “Going way back. That’s one of the more recent ones. Jake [Haener] bowed up. He bowed up, and I thought Ty responded pretty well, too. It’s one of those that they kind of question, probably, at first — why? But I think competition is just going to bring out the best in everyone, and I think that did that for Ty in his week of preparation.”

Ty Simpson played extremely well in the win. He’d finish the day, completing 17 of 17 passes for 226 yards and three interceptions. Given the blowout, the backups were always going to get in the game. Still, Austin Mack played well in his opportunity. He’d complete eight of 10 passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. On top of that, Keelon Russell got in and completed four of six passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns of his own.

This type of rotation is something that, as Kalen DeBoer noted, Alabama does all over the field. It’s just not something that people notice as much outside of the quarterback position.

“Obviously, it helps Austin. It gives him some energy to really go out there, and we’re looking at him, got some quality snaps in the game. And across the board, we did that. We do that at other positions and don’t really think twice about it. We got a rotation,” DeBoer said. “Rotating in at defensive positions. We do that at the offensive line, receiver personnel groupings. We’re doing a lot of that. So, again, competition, helping bring out the best, and that’s what Jake did, and I think that’s what Ty did here this last week.”

It will be interesting to see if this is a tactic that Kalen DeBoer continues to deploy at Alabama. In particular, if he continues this as the level of competition increases, starting next week with a non-conference game against Wisconsin.