Kalen DeBoer credits Alabama for turnaround after brutal start in ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Michigan

The first quarter of the Reliaquest Bowl couldn’t have gone much worse for Alabama. The Crimson Tide turned the ball over three times, had -2 yards of offense and trailed Michigan 16-0 after 15 minutes of play.

Alabama got on track in the second quarter, though, and cut the Wolverines lead to 16-10 at the half. Kalen DeBoer spoke with ESPN at halftime about how the Crimson Tide were able to get back in the game.

“Well, you know, we spotted them the points early on and dug ourselves a pretty big hole,” Kalen DeBoer said. “Just executing, giving J Mil some time back there. And then guys making plays.”

Alabama outgained Michigan 163-109 in the first half, and the defense played well overall. As for Jalen Milroe and the offense, once the rain stopped and players stopped slipping, it got going, too.

As Alabama looks to complete the comeback, DeBoer said that his team will rely on past comebacks from earlier this year to do so.

“That’s what you try to do, right, is you always try to take the experiences you’ve been through, the fight that it took to come back and win,” DeBoer said. “And that’s where we’re at right now. Got a whole half to play.”

At one point Alabama turned the ball over three times in 10 plays, before settling in. Now the Crimson Tide are right back in the thick of the game.

Longtime Alabama trainer Dr. Ginger Gilmore to retire after bowl game

Longtime Alabama athletic training staffer Dr. Ginger Gilmore is retiring at the end of the 2024 college football season, the program announced on Monday.

Gilmore joined the Crimson Tide’s staff in January of 1996. She is credited with helping create the behavioral health program for the Alabama athletic department, which is now considered to be one of the premier programs in the country.

Her job focused on providing mental and behavioral health resources to athletes across all Alabama althetic programs. She worked closely with the football program for many years. Dr. Gilmore’s official title was of Assistant Athletic Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness for the Crimson Tide.

Gilmore released a statement to go along with her retirement announcement:

“For three decades I’ve had the honor of serving as an athetlic trainer and director of behavioral medicine at The University of Alabama. My journey comes to an end as we play our final game against Michigan. I will walk off the field for the last time, taking so many incredible memories, experiences, and friendships with me in my heart.

“To ALL the former student athletes and individuas I’ve been privileged to work with over the years – THANK YOU! My new journey begins now with a great opportunity in front of me thanks to the Bama Standard. Roll Tide Forever!”