Alabama's DeBoer points to missed chances in 20-17 home loss to Georgia

Kalen DeBoer said No. 6 Alabama let chances get away on Saturday night. No. 2 Georgia won 20-17 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, handing the Crimson Tide their first loss of the season.

DeBoer spoke after the game, and On3 published his full press conference. He opened by giving Georgia credit and called the game a fine line. Alabama, he said, did not finish drives for points and did not get stops when it needed them. He said this week would show the character of his team.

The most pointed moment came when he was asked about a costly penalty on Dijon Lee. DeBoer said the program preaches emotional maturity and that he never expected that kind of lapse. He compared it to a play from last year's meeting that went the other way at about the same point in the game. Then he admitted that when the moment came, Alabama did not respond the right way.

He also took questions about a deep ball to Rico Scott that drew no pass interference flag. DeBoer did not argue the call. He said Alabama cannot let a game get to the point where the officials decide it. Asked whether he got an explanation, he kept it short: "The officials didn't feel, I guess, it was pass interference. That's all you're gonna get," he told reporters, per On3.

DeBoer stood by quarterback Keelon Russell. He praised the drive at the end of the first half that led to a touchdown as time ran down, and he credited Russell for picking up third downs with his legs. He said Russell would want back the turnover late in the game and a sack in scoring range near the end. DeBoer added that he would not put all of that on the quarterback, since the protection up front can be better too. In his view, Alabama spent too much time behind the chains, and that became one-dimensional play near the goal line from start to finish, including the last drive.

On defense, DeBoer said Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton was efficient and came through in big moments. He said Georgia's second-half running hurt Alabama most. He also noted that the ball was on the ground several times without Alabama coming up with it.

DeBoer gave updates on three starters. Ryan Coleman-Williams has a head injury. Racin Delgatty has a lower-leg injury and will be evaluated in the coming days. Terrance Green re-aggravated, in the first half, an injury he picked up a week earlier.

Alabama (5-1) has no time to regroup. The Tide visit Tennessee next Saturday, and they are favored at -300 on Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, with the total at 55.5. FanDuel has the best sportsbook price on Alabama at -235. Full prices are on the game page.

Georgia moves to 6-0 and hosts Auburn. The Bulldogs are favored at -953 on Novig, and Hard Rock Bet has them at -1400. See the Auburn-Georgia page for the latest numbers.