DeBoer: Coleman-Williams’ return brought renewed energy to Alabama offense against LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. (WBRC) - Though he only had two catches for 14 yards against LSU Saturday, Kalen DeBoer said Ryan Coleman-Williams’ return to the field was a game-changer for the Crimson Tide’s offense.

Coleman-Williams had not seen action since Alabama’s game against Georgia back on Oct. 10, missing the Tennessee and Texas A&M games.

Despite the junior wide receiver accounting for fewer than 30 offensive yards, DeBoer praised the intangibles that Coleman-Williams brings to the team.

“I just think that Ryan brings a lot to us that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. He brings just an energy to us throughout the course of the week,” DeBoer said. “It’s just there’s a little better flow. It just seems like everything’s in sync. He’s been around, he’s taken a lot of snaps in the system.”

Coleman-Williams, who was wearing a Guardian Cap after suffering a “head injury” against Georgia, gave Alabama its first lead of the day with a one-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter.

Through the first six games of the season, Coleman-Williams accounted for 415 yards and four touchdowns.

Even with the modest numbers against the Tigers, DeBoer said having Coleman-Williams back on the field puts defenses on alert.

“Anytime he touches the football, it can be electric. And so, the other team’s probably holding their breath any time he does,” DeBoer said. “He worked really hard to get back. You know, there’s always more behind it than what you actually see when you show up on a Saturday.”

The man throwing the ball to Coleman-Williams had another strong fourth quarter Saturday to put the game out of reach and seal the much-needed win for No. 5 Alabama.

Keelon Russell completed 17-of-24 passes for 206 yards. All of his touchdowns came in the third and fourth quarters, with scoring throws to Josh Ford, Kaleb Edwards and freshman Cederian Morgan.

One of Russell’s touchdowns came after a 32-yard punt return by Coleman-Williams to the LSU 25-yard line as the wide receiver showed yet another threat he brings to the Crimson Tide’s offense.

“When you can get that field position that we got there and then take advantage of it immediately, that’s what you got to do,” DeBoer said. “That’s team football. And our guys got those short fields and took advantage of it.”

Coleman-Williams’ return comes at an opportune time for the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide, who now are in a position to make a run into the College Football Playoff.

No. 5 Alabama will travel to Nashville next week to take on Nashville in their final road game of the season.

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