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Alabama football sets up 'traps' in nod to Nick Saban's iconic 'rat poison' line

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•09/30/24•

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Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

It looks like the “rat poison” messaging didn’t end at Alabama despite Kalen DeBoer taking over for Nick Saban as head coach.

Saban always made sure to tell his players to avoid “rat poison,” which could be positive or negative news about players and the team. Ignore all praise and don’t worry about outside criticism.

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Following a win over Georgia and vaulting to No. 1 in the AP Poll, the Alabama messaging remained. There were mouse traps around the facility Monday afternoon.

It was a monumental win for Alabama under DeBoer. It certainly seems like the Crimson Tide didn’t lose a a step despite the transition from a legendary head coach.

“Heck of a game,” DeBoer said postgame, via BamaOnline. “Lost my voice a little bit there, obviously. A lot happening there, all game long. A lot of energy that was put out there by coaches and players and proud of the way we played. It took four quarters, and obviously there’s some times where they made a run there — in the second half, in particular. Just proud of the way our guys kept fighting, kept playing …

“We expect to win games, these games. Of course, the locker room is full of excitement. I also want to make sure that we understand that’s the expectation. There’s a lot of season left. I want to make sure we don’t blow all of our energy into this win, and make sure we can handle success, and get ready for next week.”

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The messaging was in the objects with “rat poison” and “mouse traps,” if you will. But DeBoer echoed those sentiments in his own words.

“We talked about it Sunday,” DeBoer said after the game. “There were some games last week where our guys had a bye week and they watched a lot of football. We talked about how there’s some last-second plays and you’ve got to keep fighting and keep playing. The game, with our talent, is gonna keep coming back to us, even when it feels like it’s running away from us.

“That belief from tonight is something we will certainly make sure and be intentional on remembering. Because those are the things that are gonna happen again. We’re gonna have to do the same thing at some point throughout the season. You never know, it might be sooner than later. Guys being ready for when their opportunity comes. We’ve talked a lot about that during fall camp and reminded them before the game. I thought guys were ready when their opportunity came and went and made a play. That’s what we’re going to need.”

Alabama takes on Vanderbilt this week at 4:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.