Head coach Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide emphatically returned to the win column on Saturday with a 34-0 win over the Missouri Tigers.
While Missouri’s leading rusher Nate Noel missed the game and senior quarterback Brady Cook was hobbled by injury before leaving at halftime, it was one of Alabama’s best defensive efforts of the season.
Speaking to the media after the win, DeBoer praised his team for seemingly turning a corner on the defensive side of the ball.
“You’re only as good as your last play, right? And only as good as your last game. There are things you make sure that you know you do well, and that’s something that is certainly, there’s some good vibes when it comes to taking the football away defensively. They’re hunting it. They’re anticipating a little bit. So a little bit more of an attacking mindset and not so much on their heels and just making every yard count, DeBoer said.
The Tide held Missouri to 239 total yards in the win, a season-low for the Tigers. Alabama also feasted upon backup quarterback Drew Pyne, who finished the afternoon 6-for-12 for 42 yards and three interceptions, all of which went to different Alabama players.
DeBoer and Alabama now focus on a November 2 showdown with the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge. The losing team will likely be eliminated from SEC and College Football Playoff discussion.