Kalen DeBoer breaks down late aggressiveness before half that backfired for Alabama

Alabama led South Carolina 14-0 before a wild finish to the half saw the Gamecocks put 12 points on the board to claw back into the contest in Tuscaloosa.

Most of the mistakes were on Alabama’s end, self-inflicted wounds that led to South Carolina taking advantage.

First it was surrendering a 36-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-9, then a forced safety on a mistake by quarterback Jalen Milroe, then a Milroe interception that led to a last-second field goal. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer explained staying aggressive offensively, which backfired before the half.

“Yeah, I mean just I trust our guys. I want to attack,” DeBoer told ABC sideline reporter Katie George. “We’re going to play aggressive, try to be calculated in it. Obviously they’re an opportunistic defense and made a nice play there, but we’ve got to be smarter in a couple situations.”

Alabama controlled most of the first half before the late collapse in the final two minutes. But given the late push by South Carolina, the Gamecocks came away with a 167-142 edge in total yardage in the first 30 minutes.

“When we’re keeping them off-balance we’re in a good spot,” DeBoer said. “Last two possessions here we’re trying to get into a pass game, we tried to draw. And they’re doing a good job muddying it up.”

Alabama got onto the board first when Milroe capped the opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown, finishing off the nine-play, 75-yard march.

The Crimson Tide added another touchdown in the second quarter, when running back Justice Haynes plunged in from two yards out to cap a seven-play, 67-yard drive. That made it 14-0 through the bulk of the first half.

South Carolina got the ball looking to score before half and ran up into a fourth-and-9 situation from the 36-yard line. That’s when quarterback LaNorris Sellers found receiver Mazeo Bennett deep down the right sideline for a touchdown hookup.

Alabama tried to keep the pedal to the medal offensively after taking over with about a minute and a half left to play, but Milroe was pressured near the end zone and tried to throw a pass while he was fading back behind the goal line. It was ruled intentional grounding and a safety, making it 14-9 South Carolina.

Still the Crimson Tide tried to press for more points. Then Milroe turned it over with an interception into the hands of Jalon Kilgore, who returned it to the 19-yard line. Alex Herrera knocked through a 37-yard field goal to make it 14-12 Alabama at the half.