Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said after a disappointing 31-17 loss to Florida State on Saturday there are «no excuses» for what happened to a No. 8 Crimson Tide team that came into the season opener as a nearly two-touchdown favorite over the Seminoles.
— Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said after a disappointing 31-17 loss to Florida State on Saturday there are «no excuses» for what happened.
The Crimson Tide came into the game as a nearly two-touchdown favorite. But after a successful opening drive, they could not run the ball consistently, nor could they slow down Florida State and its new-look rushing game.
With two minutes left in the game, Florida State started celebrating on the field, while a Alabama was left searching for answers — particularly in a season the started with College Football Playoff hopes in Year 2 under DeBoer.
«I choose to believe we’ve got a good football team», DeBoer said. «But we can’t play on our heels. We’re not going to be what we think we can be, what we want to be, if that’s the case. And that falls on everyone. I don’t just put the point the finger at the players.»
Alabama started the game with a 16-play, 75-yard drive in which it set the tone up front, converted on third-and fourth-down and could seemingly do no wrong. Even without starting running back Jam Miller, Alabama used an effective rotation and new starting quarterback Ty Simpson made some clutch throws.
