TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Following a challenging season opener, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer met with the media to analyze his team's 31-17 defeat to Florida State. During the press conference, he addressed several critical topics, including the factors contributing to the loss, the status of Ryan Williams, the performance of Ty Simpson, the effectiveness of the run game, and the team's defensive strategies.
In his opening remarks, DeBoer expressed his disappointment, noting, “We had some opportunities to get back in the game." He emphasized the importance of starting strong, stating, "We can't be hesitant early on. We got to start faster in all ways." Despite scoring on the first drive, he acknowledged that the following series were not up to par for both the offense and defense. "We got to do a better job," he reiterated, stressing the need for improvement.
DeBoer pointed out that the team had chances to regain momentum in the second half, but their mistakes gave Florida State "life" and "hope." He elaborated, “When you play from behind, you have to be perfect, and the stress on the guys to make every play becomes greater.” This increased pressure, according to DeBoer, hindered the team's ability to execute their game plan effectively.
Despite the setback, Coach DeBoer remains optimistic about the potential of his team, stating, “I choose to believe we got a good football team.” However, he cautioned against playing defensively, emphasizing that such a mindset would prevent them from reaching their full potential. “We can't play on our heels,” he remarked, underscoring the collective responsibility of both players and coaches in overcoming the challenges faced.
DeBoer acknowledged the transition with new coordinators and the importance of adapting quickly, saying, “There’s no excuses about what happened. We step on the football field, and we got to play our style of ball.” He highlighted that last year's performance does not dictate this season's outcomes, and urged everyone to concentrate on the present, stating, “You got to focus on the moment.”
As the team prepares for the next challenges ahead, DeBoer concluded by reiterating the significance of team chemistry. He believes that their hard work in building relationships will be tested in the upcoming games. “We’ll find out if that sticks,” he said, expressing confidence in his players' abilities to bounce back and improve.
