Hailey
In college football, defense wins games — especially when it comes to stopping the run. Alabama learned some tough lessons when they faced Vanderbilt, and now those lessons matter again as they get ready to take on Missouri.
This article shows what Alabama’s run-defense learned, how they fixed their mistakes, and what it means for their showdown with the Tigers.
How Alabama’s Defense Started vs. Vanderbilt
In the first 15 minutes of that game, things were rough. Vanderbilt ran for 113 yards and a touchdown on just five carries. That’s a huge start. But after those first minutes, Alabama made changes and tightened things up.
For the rest of the game, Vanderbilt managed just 22 rushing yards on 14 carries. That’s a big drop. Alabama’s coach, Kalen DeBoer, said they managed to keep Vanderbilt’s option plays “in control.”
What Went Wrong Early — And How They Fixed It
Lack of physicality and speed
Kane Wommack, Alabama’s defensive coach, felt that in the first quarter, their players weren’t playing fast or physical enough. He said:
“Put the iPads down, take the headset off, and let’s play fast and physical.”
They made that change — and it showed.
Discipline under option attack
Vanderbilt used a kind of offense called an option system, where the quarterback sometimes runs, sometimes hands off. That forces defenders to stay disciplined — to not overcommit or guess wrong. Early on, Alabama had some mistakes in that area.
After halftime, Wommack said they made schematic changes that helped them disrupt Vanderbilt’s runs much more.
What Missouri Brings — And How Alabama Must Respond
Missouri’s threat: Dual-threat QB + top running back
Missouri’s offense has some scary weapons. Their quarterback, Beau Pribula, is a dual-threat type, meaning he can pass and run in the option style.
He averages over 6 yards per touch when he carries the ball (excluding sacks). He has several big runs, but also some losses — a classic risk-reward player.
On top of that, Missouri has Ahmad Hardy, the top running back in the SEC so far this season. He has 730 rushing yards, which is more than any other back in the conference — and nine rushing touchdowns to boot. That’s a serious workload.
| Missouri Player | Strengths | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Beau Pribula (QB) | Option threat, can run | 6+ yards per carry (non-sack) |
| Ahmad Hardy (RB) | Pure running back power | 730 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns |
They also have Jamal Roberts, another running back who adds depth. So Alabama has to defend both the QB-run option and the strong backfield.
Key principle: Physicality from the start
Wommack emphasized: the physicality has to begin early, not after things go wrong. They can’t allow Missouri to get a big lead in the run game early and force reactive defense.
He said they will plan for Missouri’s style — but the real reason their run defense succeeded vs. Vanderbilt was violent, physical play and disruptive effort. That must continue into the next game.
What Alabama Must Do vs. Missouri
- Start physical, not passive. Don’t let Missouri pick up steam early.
- Discipline matters. Against option plays, defenders must stay in place, read their keys, and not overrun.
- Scheme adjustments during game. Alabama showed vs. Vanderbilt they can change midgame — and must be ready again.
- Let defenders play fast. No overthinking — trust instincts once assignments are locked.
Alabama’s experience against Vanderbilt was a test — a reminder that defending the run (especially against option attacks) isn’t easy. They started poorly but corrected course, and their lessons will be crucial against Missouri.
With Missouri’s dual-threat QB and stellar running back, Alabama must rely on physicality, discipline, and in-game adjustments from the very first whistle. If they succeed, their run defense will be a game changer in that matchup.