Kalen DeBoer reacts to Alabama's shocking loss to Vanderbilt: 'We're gonna find out how much we care'

Sarah Effress

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Kalen DeBoer reacts to Alabama's shocking loss to Vanderbilt: 'We're gonna find out how much we care' image

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer had big shoes to fill when he accepted the position after college football legend Nick Saban retired at the end of the 2023 season. He had been doing pretty well so far, meeting expectations by getting the Crimson Tide off to a 4-0 start and a No. 1 ranking after beating No. 2 Georgia 41-34 last Saturday.

Everything changed when DeBoer & Co. made the trip up to Nashville to face what has historically been the worst team in the SEC.

In Saban's 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa, Vanderbilt only scored 13 points in four games against the Tide. Against DeBoer, the Commodores scored 13 in the first quarter. Unable to get more than a touchdown in the first frame, Alabama played catch-up the entire game as Vanderbilt kept scoring, eventually dealing the Tide its first loss with a 40-35 victory.

BENDER: What Alabama's loss means in SEC, CFP races

The defeat is undoubtedly one of the worst for the SEC powerhouse in recent memory, and many are even calling it more disappointing than some of Saban's ugliest showings. After a season where DeBoer took Washington all the way to the FBS title game, Saturday's loss is out of character for the near 50-year-old who has won pretty much everywhere he has been.

Here's everything to know about what DeBoer said after No. 1 Alabama's shocking loss to Vanderbilt.

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What did Kalen DeBoer say after No. 1 Alabama's loss to Vanderbilt?

DeBoer was "disappointed" with the Crimson Tide's performance on Saturday, explaining that the result came down to a series of "what-ifs."

"I feel we've got a great football team," DeBoer said. "We weren't at our best today. We're gonna find out how much we care about each other, and what it looks like moving forward."

DeBoer praised Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia for his play-making chops and conceded that the Crimson Tide were too undisciplined, particularly on third-and-long situations.

MORE: Vandy QB has NSFW postgame interview on SEC Network

"Obviously, we expect to do good on third down too, because we've done great things on third-down and more fourth down," DeBoer said. "... But tip the hat to them. They made throws and big catches they needed to and got themselves into some manageable third downs early in the game."

"I see the time of possession, and that just continues to wear on your defense when you're out there that long."

MORE: Full Week 6 college football schedule

Reactions to No. 1 Alabama's loss to Vanderbilt

Of course, social media had a ton of fun with Vanderbilt's shocking upset of the No. 1 team in the country. The Commodore faithful even celebrated by taking down the goalposts in a classic old-timey college football move. Here are some of the best reactions to and posts from the game.

MORE: College football picks, predictions against the spread for Week 6

Alabama vs. Vanderbilt box score

Team1234F
Alabama7714735
Vanderbilt131071040

Sarah Effress

Sarah Effress Photo

Sarah Effress is an editorial intern for The Sporting News. She is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, and loves to talk soccer and women's college sports.