Everything Kalen DeBoer said after Alabama's 73-0 win over ULM

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 21 Alabama bounced back to defeat the ULM Warhawks, 73-0, on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. After the win, coach Kalen DeBoer spoke to reporters.

Here is everything DeBoer said after the Crimson Tide’s home opener.

DeBoer’s opening statement…

“I thought the guys just did a good job moving with some purpose with everything they did. Got to the stadium, just the movement — I think it represented what they did this week. Just — it’s one game and we got to continue to sustain the intensity and the focus, but I thought the guys did a good job playing from snap to whistle, and did it over and over again for 60 minutes. That was the challenge to the guys, and that’s what we got to build on. I liked that I really didn’t feel like they looked at the scoreboard, ever, and just focused on being their best and bringing it. I also really like that they’re happy for each other. They celebrated each other’s successes, and I think that’s what this team has. Just that chemistry coming out and them appreciating the work that each guy puts in.”

DeBoer on Ty Simpson’s game; playing Austin Mack in the second quarter…

“Ty doing what he did, I just thought that the game was slower for him. He was just able to go through progressions that first week to second week, that’s what you needed to see. That’s what you really needed to see out of Ty. I’m proud of how he went to work. There’s some times when he scrambled this week where it just felt like he had it under control. Saw the field, knew where guys were at, understood the situation and then made the throw. To get completions like that — 17-for-17 — the guys got to make the catch, too. They got to make those plays. Just focused on making the fundamental play, and then I thought a lot of guys then made explosives after the catch, but they didn’t get ahead of themselves. They just, again, game was slower for a lot of them.

“As far as the series early on with Austin getting in, it was just something we wanted to do. It wouldn’t have mattered this week, next week, who we’re playing. We just really got with the quarterbacks on Monday and we shared with them we want to get Austin in for a series. We want to be really intentional. There’s a lot of competition going on at all spots. I loved what that brought out in all of those guys. I think it brought out another level of work. They stayed the course, and it started with those guys. We just let them know, and I thought Austin had a good week of practice. Ty had a great week of practice — especially as the week went on. And just it was good to see Keelon get out there, too.”

DeBoer on an increased fire from the defense after it received criticism…

“I just think they did a better job of every guy pursuing to the ball. The week of practice was a good week, and it showed. It carried over. Got off to a fast start, faster start than what we did last week. That was what we needed to have. A lot to build off. Especially as the game went on today, having those takeaways. Because that’s a contagious thing. Doesn’t matter who you’re playing. It’s just contagious and they’re just hunting the ball and coming in and punching it loose, or putting your helmet on the ball carrier with another level of violence. That was certainly something I saw in practice, so happy to see that to carry over.”

DeBoer on Kevin Riley starting…

“I mean, I think from the running back position, it’s a group effort. We just liked that play with Kevin, so that’s how he got in there right away. I don’t have stats in front of me, but I think he had most carries on the team. I’m not sure on that. But he’s done a good job, the last probably three weeks — four weeks. Middle of camp, he really kind of turned it up. There’s some things that he can do that are a little different from the rest of the group there. I like the way he picks up his knees and runs hard. Inside, outside. Got a little burst. Does a nice job catching the ball out of the backfield. I think he’s really picked up the understanding and responsibility when it comes to pass protection, too.”

DeBoer on freshmen London Simmons, Lotzeir Brooks starting…

“London got some action last week, and then forced into more action with Jeremiah (Beaman) and just kind of the rotation there, with he and (Tim Keenan) out.

“I think offensively, with Lotzeir, just loved what I saw. Maybe it wasn’t offensive snaps last week, but kickoff, there was some things Lotty was doing. And he’s had a build-up — much like a lot of the younger guys. We talk about Kevin. He’s done a good job here the last two or three weeks really elevating, elevating, elevating his game and understanding what it takes. We saw it last week on the football field. Had his way to make an impact on some kickoffs. You can see there’s a violence he has. He got his opportunities. I really liked the third-down catch in their territory — going up and getting it. I think that’s something he does really well. I’ve seen that quite a bit in practice. He plays bigger than he is, and got good catch radius. Guys have a lot of confidence going to him. I thought the bubble screen and there’s details I liked as well with ball security. I thought he was very intentional in taking care of the football. A good step for him with this game and the experience he got today.”

DeBoer on rotating offensive linemen…

“Just competition. Just competition. We did that last year, too. It’s just something I think brings out the best in you. I think that was something that was the case throughout the week of practice, and that’s — I think that led to better execution. I think there was some times, still, where we certainly got to be better. That drive where we had to kick the field goal, I know there was some things — I know we missed a throw down the sideline. But there was some things that were too hard because we weren’t executing at the level we needed to. Just a little miss here and there, and ball could have been cut loose. Got a guy at your ankles that shouldn’t be there. Again, just trying to bring out the best in all these guys and much like the quarterback competition, these other competitions, it’s a healthy competition. They all are working and pushing each other.”

DeBoer on if Alabama suffered any injuries vs. ULM…

“I think you’re right. I think we did get through healthy, for the most part. Just hopefully, we’ll see some of these guys getting back. We might have an update or two on Monday. I think it will be probably be more mid-week where we see Ryan and Jam and TK, and some of those guys, and kind of see where we’re at. But I think you’re right. I think we got through for the most part healthy.”

DeBoer on what this game says about the team’s response to adversity…

“Yeah, I think the game is one thing. I think the response, whether it’s on the plane ride or the locker room last Saturday, you know? And just really upset, you know? Just not happy. Just obsessed with understanding we have to be better. We can be better. Knowing that it only comes through work. They made their minds up at some point that led into Sunday, because by Sunday, they were ready to roll and get on the football field. That carried through the whole week of practice. The challenge now is, can you sustain it, can you move forward and continue to take steps to get better and better? We have some upperclassmen, but we have a lot of younger guys, as we mentioned, and we have to just keep improving every single play. Not just each week, but every single play.”

DeBoer on sustaining Saturday’s success…

“Everybody’s just got to do their part, do their job. I think the guys are understanding that everyone is just counting on them. You’re counting on the staff. The staff is counting on them and their teammates are counting on them to bring their best. I wouldn’t expect anything less. It’s a high-character group. It’s a group that’s shown me all along they really want it bad, and they’re willing to sacrifice and make and have action that represents the goals that they have. Obviously last week was a disappointment but they move forward and now they got to continue to move forward going into next week, as well.”

Deboer on the importance of getting a dominant win/flushing last week…

“It’s definitely important. It’s all we could control was what we had in front of us. Sucks to learn lessons, or whatever you want to call it. It is what it is. These guys did it, now they got to do it again. They got to have the discipline to do it over and over again. Just the resiliency is probably the thing I’ll take from them because their response was not timid in any way. It was with power, it was with aggression and with pride. They were certainly — that took a hit last week and again, all that was something that really came into play as far as what you saw tonight and how they responded.”

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