Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer criticize his team uncharacteristic mistakes in aftermath of 24-3 defeat to Oklahoma on Saturday night that halts its progress to the Crimson Tide College Football Playoff hopes.
The defeat leaves the Tide postseason hopes in position entering final week of regular season.
With those playoff candidates no longer in Alabama control ahead of Iron Bowl visit from the Tigers its quarterback was focused on moving forward.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe threw three interceptions and Crimson Tide never shook off slow begin against an Oklahoma defense that held them to season low 70 rushing yards.
The Sooners 6-5, 2-5 relying on legs of quarterback Jackson Arnold and freshman running back Xavier Robinson gashed Alabama for 257 rushing yards on their method to sealing bowl eligibility for 26th season.
Alabama start Week 13 in line to reach SEC title game on Dec 7 with wins over Oklahoma then Auburn during final two weeks of regular season.
The Crimson Tides road stumble helped No 10 Georgia clinch a spot in conference championship and left Alabama path into cFP on ground.
Tide defeat the Tigers in Iron Bowl next weekend Alabama need lot of help in order to land a position in 12 team playoff field.
Milroe said “Its all about finish”
“We have got to finish. There is so much left for football season. We have got to get everyone together to have a like mindedness and just keep on competing. Every chance that we have we have just got to seize it”.
“It was rough night for Milroe. The Junior went 11 for 26 for 164 yards passing and managed 7 yards rushing on 15 attempts.
Alabama trailed 10-3 early in third quarter when Oklahoma cornerback Eli Bowen intercepted Milroe setting up Robinson second touchdown run of the match four plays later.
It was rough night for Milroe.
The junior went 11 for 26 for 164 yards passing and manage just 7 yards rushing on 15 attempts.
Alabama trailed 10-3 early in third quarter when Oklahoma cornerback Eli Bowen intercepted Milroe setting up Robinson second touchdown run of match four plays later.
The lead grew to 24-3 on possession after linebacker Kip Lewis jumped Milroe throw to tight end Robbie Ouzts and returned it 49 yards for score.
Oklahoma 21 point advantage marked Alabama largest deficit against unranked team since 2003.
The Tide picked up only five first downs and 80 yards total after Milroe back to back picks.
He became first Alabama quarterback to throw three interceptions in a match since 2015 on Woodi Washington game sealing pick with 6:53 remaining in contest.
DeBoes said “Anytime you lose a great player like Deontae it going to affect you”.
“We got to be better in all ways” DeBoer said
“Some simple thing uncharacteristic things happened early in the game where we did not get the momentum on our side. And really it comes down to end of first half them scoring a touchdown and the turnovers really kind of changing the momentum of the game there”