No. 9 Alabama suffered a heavy 38–3 defeat to top-ranked Indiana in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal on January 1 in Pasadena. Following the loss, head coach Kalen DeBoer, wide receiver Germie Bernard and defensive tackle Tim Keenan III addressed the media, reflecting on the performance, the season and lessons for the future.
DeBoer began by crediting Indiana for its execution and preparation, acknowledging the emotional weight of the loss in Alabama’s locker room. While frustrated and disappointed, he said those feelings must serve as motivation moving forward. He emphasized pride in his players’ commitment and effort throughout the year, noting that their dedication dated back to early January, not just the fall season. Though Alabama fell short of its ultimate goal, DeBoer stressed the importance of learning from adversity and moving on.
Bernard spoke positively about his decision to follow DeBoer from Washington to Alabama, calling it one of the best choices of his life. He praised DeBoer’s leadership and impact on his growth both as a player and as a person. On the field, Bernard admitted Alabama failed to execute its game plan, allowing Indiana to capitalize on mistakes.
Keenan echoed those sentiments, taking responsibility for defensive shortcomings and crediting Indiana for executing its plan effectively, particularly up front.
When asked if Indiana did anything unexpected, both Bernard and Keenan said the Hoosiers largely did what Alabama had prepared for, but execution made the difference. Indiana simply played better and took advantage of errors.
Reflecting on the season, Bernard highlighted the team’s “unbreakable” identity, resilience and strong brotherhood. Keenan agreed, praising how the team handled adversity and describing the locker room as a true family. Bernard also expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to play together and finish the season healthy, despite the disappointing outcome.
DeBoer said losses like this help shape the future, especially as some players move on and others prepare to take on bigger roles. He emphasized how thin the margin is between competing and reaching the top, stressing the need for belief, discipline, consistency and hard work going forward.
Explaining a key fourth-down decision, DeBoer said he felt Alabama had to be aggressive to stay competitive. Although the call backfired, he stood by the process, noting that maximizing possessions was essential given the game situation.
DeBoer also praised Indiana’s overall quality, citing strong quarterback play, third-down efficiency and a run game that wore Alabama down. He credited head coach Curt Cignetti for having his team aligned and executing at a high level.
Finally, DeBoer addressed the quarterback change, explaining that Ty Simpson was dealing with an injury but insisted Simpson did not let the team down. He commended Austin Mack for stepping in under difficult circumstances and reiterated his pride in the entire team despite the disappointing finish.
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