DeBoer: 'Gray areas' that lead to penalties keeping Alabama from 'taking a big, big step'

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama defeated Missouri, 34-0, on Saturday afternoon at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium to advance to 6-2 on the year and keep its playoff hopes alive.

It was the Crimson Tide’s second shutout of the season and first against an SEC team since the 2020 season (Mississippi State, 41-0). But Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was not chipper after the decisive victory, one that was needed after an otherwise rocky October.

DeBoer saw some of the same mistakes that had plagued the Tide in road losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee and a 2-point win over South Carolina. Alabama was able to overcome them on Saturday, but consistent issues, like penalties, continue to be a problem for UA.

“There’s always areas we can correct and be better,” DeBoer said. “We’ve gotta have some better awareness with some things. Just living in the gray area on some stuff, it’s hurting us just from really taking a big, big step. And I feel like we’re just right on the edge. 

“And so we’ll get a chance to hash through those areas, those gray areas that a lot of times lead to penalties or just mis-execution. It just can’t be that every little thing that is new or happens to us is something we have to learn a hard lesson from.”

Alabama committed seven penalties for 85 yards in the win over the Tigers. Seven flags are tied for the fourth-most this season, while the 85 penalty yards were the fourth-most. Entering Week 9, the Tide ranked 130th out of 134 FBS programs in penalties per game (8.9).

The UA offense committed four of the seven penalties, and three of them were by offensive linemen. The lone penalty for the Alabama defense was a personal foul on LT Overton, which occurred during a delay of game on Missouri in which the defense seemingly did not hear a whistle from the officials. The Tide was also twice flagged on special teams.

Alabama’s penalties weren’t as costly as other games this season, but there were still far too many committed. Four of the seven were also of the 15-yard variety. Still, the Tide was able to overcome those to claim its first lopsided outcome since Week 4 of the season.

“Every win is important,” DeBoer said. “I liked the way the guys prepared all week long and got a chance to give them a chance to go out there and have success. Didn’t get a lot of points right away but kept applying pressure in different ways once we got the field position flipped, especially, I think, after the interception, the momentum swinging. 

“Some good team football there. Three takeaways, as I see it, and none as far as given up.”

Alabama scored a field goal on its opening drive but didn’t again until the second quarter after three stalled possessions, including two three-and-outs. The Tide then scored 10 points to close out the first half and then opened the third quarter with another scoring drive.

UA kept Missouri off the scoreboard, needing a fourth-down stop in the fourth quarter, but now enters its second and final bye week with some much-needed positivity. Up next for Alabama will be another ranked matchup, this one on the road at No. 8 LSU on Nov. 9.

“I know that where the guys’ heads are at with what they did this last week, with what happened today and a good time for us to have this week to get ready for LSU,” DeBoer said. “The bye, you can always find a reason for it to be a good time, and I feel it’s a good time just for our guys to recover physically, mentally and make the final run.”

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