Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer expressed his frustration after the No. 1 Crimson Tide suffered a shocking 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday. This defeat, the first against Vandy since 1984, clearly stands as inexcusable for ‘Bama fans. It also marked the Commodores’ first victory over a team ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25.
“Obviously, we feel extremely disappointed and frustrated. That’s how everyone feels in the locker room right now,” DeBoer said. “We will look back tomorrow and feel frustrated about certain moments. We don’t like discussing ‘what ifs,’ but that’s where we are.”
Just a week ago, Alabama triumphed over then-No. 2 Georgia, winning 41-34. However, Vanderbilt came out strong, quickly building a 14-0 lead with a touchdown and a pick-six off quarterback Jalen Milroe. Vandy QB Diego Pavia shined in the second half, completing 11 of 12 passes with two touchdowns. Vanderbilt’s 40 points against Alabama marked the highest in the series since 1906.
Defensive back Malachi Moore, a key leader in the program, showed visible frustration throughout the game. The fifth-year senior became a crucial retention for the coaching staff amid a youthful secondary.
As the clock wound down and Vanderbilt kneeled the ball, Moore yelled in frustration. He kicked the ball after the referee placed it down, resulting in a penalty. Moore reportedly refused to be substituted, although DeBoer said he was unsure about that situation during the press conference.
“There are many guys feeling frustrated,” DeBoer noted. “The key is to turn that frustration into positive energy moving forward. We need to remember this feeling tonight and carry it into the rest of the week. I am confident Malachi will do that. We will continue to believe in him as he gives his all on the field.”
This unexpected loss complicates Alabama’s path to SEC and College Football Playoff contention. The Tide still face three top-15 opponents and a challenging matchup against Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Read more about Vanderbilt’s historic win against Alabama here: https://newsworldsports.com/vanderbilt-upsets-alabama/