Fans have not held back on social media following the Crimson Tide’s loss.
Kalen DeBoer knows there will be a backlash after Alabama’s Rose Bowl performance originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Kalen DeBoer is facing heavy criticism following Alabama’s loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl. There was one first-half decision drawing particular scrutiny.
Trailing 3-0 in the first quarter, Alabama faced a fourth and one at its own 34-yard line. Following consecutive timeouts, DeBoer dialed up an end-around pass from Daniel Hill to Germie Bernard. Indiana blew up the play for no gain, taking over on downs. Four plays later, the Hoosiers scored the game’s first touchdown to seize momentum and a 10-0 lead.
The Alabama Crimson Tide tried to rally from a 17 point deficit, but this was not the kind of opponent Alabama has grown accustomed to overwhelming. When Kalen DeBoer’s early gamble failed against Indiana, any sense of calm vanished, giving way to visible frustration throughout the fan base.
The decision became point of emphasis online and summed up what many fans have criticized as overly aggressive and ineffective offensive choices under DeBoer. To make matters worse, late in the half when Indiana forced a fumble from quarterback Ty Simpson, extending the lead to 17-0 at the break.
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No. 9 Alabama never recovered. Indiana dominated en route to a 38-3 victory in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, outgaining the Tide 407-193 and opening the game on a 24-0 run. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns, leading an offense that converted 9-of-13 third downs.
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“They’re very good,” DeBoer said, crediting Mendoza and Indiana coach Curt Cignetti. “You’ve got to tip your cap. They executed at a high level.”
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DeBoer also owned the pivotal call. “You’ve got to be careful as a head coach,” he said. “Worst case, you want to hold them to a field goal. It didn’t work out that way.”
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