Alabama coaches assess Jalen Milroe's tackling effort on pick-six

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Jalen Milroe threw three interceptions in Alabama’s 24-3 road loss at Oklahoma on Saturday night. His second was returned for a touchdown that gave the Sooners the 21-point edge, but Milroe seemed to have a shot at stopping what was a pick-six.

However, Milroe failed at knocking Kip Lewis out of bounds before he reached the end zone.

The Crimson Tide’s coaches were asked about the play on Monday, first about what they teach the quarterbacks to do in that situation and then for his thoughts on Milroe’s effort.

“The No. 1 priority anytime you turn the ball over is to get the guy down,” said Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. “There’s different things and fundamentals that you’re trying to teach the players. You’re always trying to front the ball up to try to make it change direction to try to help the pursuit. 

“But obviously, we didn’t do a good enough job in that moment.”

Kip doesn't like teams from Alabama…@KipLewis9 | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/jCLU5BjI6G

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 24, 2024

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer also shared his thoughts on the tackle that wasn’t.

“He’s got to find a way to get him out,” DeBoer said. “He’s a good enough athlete to where either using the sideline or forcing a cutback.

“It’s not something you spend a lot of time practicing. It’s not his position he’s in. He’s got to find a way to get him out of bounds. I trust Jalen to do a lot of things, and I trust that he can get him down. Find a way, find a way to get the defense out there, find some way possible. Hold them to a field goal. Those are things we want to try to do.”

Milroe finished the game 11-of-26 for 164 yards and zero passing touchdowns. He also carried the ball 15 times for seven yards. Oklahoma limited Alabama’s quarterback to his second-worst rushing performance of the year, bottling up him and the Tide tailbacks.

Sheridan assessed Alabama’s struggles running the ball, particularly with the quarterback.

“I think there was a little bit, at times, too much lateral running that occurred,” Sheridan said. “When you watch the tape, just encouraging him to be a little bit north-south in some of those moments. Just to have a little bit more production. There’s a fine line there. 

“Obviously, he’s making instinctual plays and trying to create plays. He’s trying to create explosive plays. But I think there were times in the game where I think he could have been a little more north-south and a little bit more decisive that way when he ran the ball.”

Milroe and the Crimson Tide offense will look to bounce back this week in the final game of the regular season against Auburn. His coaches liked the response from Milroe after the loss.

“He’s a very prideful player,” Sheridan said. “He takes accountability in the things that he can do better. Obviously everyone’s disappointed. Coaches, players, there’s a lot of pride, a lot of time that’s poured into each and every game, each and every season. 

“So I thought his response was to be expected. He takes a lot of pride in his performance. Like I said before, one thing I know about him and this group is the resiliency, the pride that they have. 

“They’re poured in the work, it’s a hardworking group. I know they’ll respond the right way.”

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