Kalen DeBoer lays out different format for Alabama's 2024 spring game
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama’s 2024 A-Day Game will have a different format.
Rather than split the Crimson Tide roster into teams, it will be the offensive players against the defensive players, new head coach Kalen DeBoer announced after Thursday’s practice.
“Format for the spring game will be an offense versus defense,” DeBoer said. “We won’t have divided teams for a couple reasons. No. 1, I like to look at it as practice No. 15. We’ll see a lot of scrimmaging out there, but it’s a chance for us to get better.
“It’s a chance for us to take the next step. A chance for us to evaluate, as well. And so try to really get down to the bare bones of playing some football. It gives us a chance to really also celebrate what we’re doing and where we’re at and enjoy the moment with the fans.
“So excited to see a packed stadium there and looking forward to seeing everyone come and support our program.”
Before DeBoer stepped behind the lectern, Alabama shared game information with reporters, which stated both sides will be “able to score points in the scrimmage. The official score will be kept on the sidelines and communicated to the press box at the end of each drive.”
All official game stats will be kept by UA Athletics communications and be updated as often as possible. There will be a winner and a loser, with the winning team earning a traditional steak dinner while the losers will have to eat beans for dinner following the spring game.
That is one of several traditions the Crimson Tide’s veteran players told DeBoer they want to see stick around as the program shifts from the Nick Saban era to DeBoer’s UA tenure.
“I’m laughing because when I talked to the guys about the steak dinner, I referred to it as beanies and weenies. A slip of the tongue,” DeBoer said. “Of course, we had a good little laugh out there on the field.
“But there’s some traditions that the guys certainly bring up that have been important that they feel strong about. I’m still learning some of those. Things that haven’t maybe come up, you’re still learning some of those really neat things that are important to these guys because it’s happened in the program for many years.”
Alabama’s A-Day Game is set for Saturday, April 13, at 3 p.m. CT. It will air on ESPN.
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