Alabama football's DeBoer explains failed fourth-down decision vs IU
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PASADENA, Calif. — In a 38-3 loss, the outcome can’t be pinned on a single decision.
But Kalen DeBoer nevertheless made a questionable one early in Alabama football’s disastrous performance against Indiana in the Rose Bowl’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, DeBoer opted to go for a fourth-and-1 from Alabama‘s own 34-yard line. UA first tried to pull Indiana offside for a first down by penalty, but when the Hoosiers didn’t take the bait, DeBoer decided to take a chance.
“We felt like it was one of those games where you’ve got to take advantage of possessions. Obviously when you fall short, it’s the wrong decision, right? We don’t get the first down, we give them a short field, they make a nice play on third down, a nice throw and catch,” DeBoer said. “It’s a belief in the guys on offense and a belief in the guys on defense that in a worst-case scenario, (we) can hold them to a field goal.
“It obviously didn’t work out that way. I try not to be reckless, but I try to be aggressive.”
From the wildcat formation, Alabama snapped the ball to running back Daniel Hill, who delivered a jet-sweep pass to WR Germie Bernard around the end. Bernard was stuffed for no gain, however, giving Indiana a first down on the Alabama 34.
A few plays later, the Hoosiers were in the end zone for a 10-0 lead.
“We put a group out there to punt/hard count, just to give me a little more time to think about what my decision would be,” DeBoer added. “I got some of the guys on the sideline to talk through the play call. I felt like after getting to that point, I was committed to going for it.”
Alabama was among the most aggressive teams in the SEC this year in terms of fourth-down attempts, leading the league with 34 entering play on Thursday. It converted 64.7% of those for the fifth-best rate in the SEC.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football’s DeBoer explains failed fourth-down decision vs IU
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