Nick Saban hammers team for first-half mistakes despite lead

Alabama head coach Nick Saban hammered his team for mistakes they had made during the first half during his halftime interview as they left the field. The Crimson Tide led Tennessee 21-14 at the half, despite several key mistakes that were a cause for frustration for their coach.

Nick Saban upset with team mistakes

“Well we busted two coverages for two touchdowns. We had them stopped and gave them an opportunity by roughing the kicker when it was third down and about 30. Turned the ball over on the nine-yard line — so we’ve done a lot of shooting ourselves in the foot which we need to get fixed, because these guys are capable of moving the ball and scoring points,” Saban told ESPN’s Katie George when asked about Alabama’s misalignment in coverage.

“Well, we gotta continue to do that. I think we need to run it a little better and have a little better balance too, but they’re mixing it up well on defense. Bryce [Young] has done a good job of taking advantage.”

Saban’s praise for Young follows another impressive performance by the young quarterback in the first half. Young went to halftime after throwing 20 completions on 26 attempts for 207 yards and a touchdown. Young also contributed a touchdown on the ground as well.

Roughing the kicker penalty

The roughing the kicker penalty that Saban referred to was when Tennessee took the lead against Alabama with a 57-yard touchdown catch by JaVonta Payton after an Alabama penalty extended their drive. On a Tennessee punt attempt on 4th-and-23, Alabama received a roughing the kicker penalty that kept Tennessee’s drive alive.

Tennessee ended the first quarter with a 14-7 lead after a huge touchdown reception by Payton on a simple deep post route. The Alabama defense was caught with their safety playing too shallow in the field. When the defense attempted to recover and tackle Payton after the catch, Payton shook the tackle and ran to the open field for the easy score.

The huge play came just two plays after an Alabama mistake gave Tennessee a second chance. On a 4th-and-23 punt attempt, the Crimson Tide committed a roughing the kicker penalty that saved the drive. Two plays later, Hooker found Payton for the big play.

After the touchdown, Alabama head coach Nick Saban could be seen discussing the play in an animated fashion on the sideline. Between the disastrous penalty and the second touchdown given up in the first quarter, Saban’s frustration became evident as Tennessee looks to defeat Saban’s Crimson Tide team for the first time ever.