DeBoer frustrated with Alabama’s run game after win over Texas A&M

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) - For the second week in a row, Alabama has failed to crack the 100-yard mark in rushing, something Kalen DeBoer knows has to change.

Despite beating Texas A&M 31-20 Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide managed just 68 rushing yards. That came a week after Alabama ran for 54 yards against Tennessee in Knoxville.

Speaking after the win over the Aggies, DeBoer expressed his disappointment in the running game, saying the offense needed more production on the ground to open things up for the rest of the offense.

“It’s okay for a couple of yards, but when we get some negative yards and have guys that are unblocked at the point of attack or falling off blocks, those are things that we’ve got to get back to the basics and we’ve got to get better at,” DeBoer said.

Alabama averaged 182.2 rushing yards per game through its first six games, including the loss to Georgia. Over the last two weeks, the Crimson Tide has averaged just 61 yards per game on the ground.

“We’ve got to get back to work and make sure we’re continuing to execute, first of all, and be able to stack some plays on top of each other,” DeBoer said.

While the Tide struggled to establish the run against Texas A&M , quarterback Keelon Russell helped pull Alabama ahead after entering the fourth quarter trailing 20-17.

Russell completed just over half his throws in the first three quarter of the game, including getting picked off in the first half. In the last 15 minutes, however, he was perfect, going five-for-five for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

“I thought he did a really good job of reeling himself back in, going out there and just to continue to focus on doing his job,” DeBoer said. “So, he’s made some really nice throws on some conversions there at the end of the game.”

The sophomore quarterback also accounted for 20 rushing yards on nine carries.

The Crimson Tide has a bye week to get ready for another road trip, this time into Death Valley to take on LSU in Baton Rouge.

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