Alabama's defensive struggles were apparent in the Crimson Tide's stunning Week 6 loss to Vanderbilt. The Commodores possessed the football for over 42 minutes, converted 12 of 18 third downs and scored on six of their eight possessions before running out the clock on their ninth and final series.
Ahead of the Crimson Tide's home game against South Carolina, Alabama safety Malachi Moore identified slow play-calling is one of the reasons for the team's struggles on that side of the ball.
"I think sometimes we get the call in a little late, so it gives us a little anxiety of not knowing what the offense is fixing to run, or adjusting to their formations," Moore said. "Coach Wo (defensive coordinator Kane Wommack), that's kind of his style, of wanting to put us in the perfect positions."
Moore was visibly frustrated on the field during the Tide's loss to Vanderbilt. He grabbed Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia's helmet and slammed it to the ground after the Tide allowed a game-sealing first down. Moore later yelled and threw his mouthpiece across the field before kicking the ball after the officials placed it. The latter drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for which he later apologized.
"I want to apologize to my teammates, our coaches, the fans, our alumni and my family for the way I acted on Saturday," Moore wrote in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter). "I let the emotions of the game get the best of me and put myself before the team. As a two-time captain and a fifth-year player, I understand the standard that we are expected to live up to at Alabama, and I failed to do so by acting in a selfish and unacceptable manner.
"I came back this season to represent myself, this team and this university because it means something to me. I am blessed to be able to wear the 'A' on my chest, and I know all that comes with the responsibility of representing this program. I will do better to uphold the Alabama standard moving forward, and I will continue to work and improve while conducting myself in a first-class manner."
One reason why Wommack may have been slow in relaying the defensive calls against Vanderbilt was because of the Commodores' methodical pace. Vanderbilt routinely let the play clock run below five seconds before snapping the football. Consequently, there shouldn't have been much urgency to align the defense, so long Wommack was making his calls before the helmet communications system automatically cut off when the play clock hit 15 seconds.
Nonetheless, the slow transmission of Wommack's defensive wishes were a source of concern throughout the defensive unit, according to Moore.
"I think that was the feedback I've gotten from the D-line all the way back to the secondary," Moore said. "We feel like if we get the call in just a little bit quicker, it'll give us time to just line up and go whip the man in front of us."
Playing against South Carolina should provide Alabama's defense a chance to get right. The Gamecocks failed to reach the end zone in a 27-3 loss to Ole Miss last week and rank 110th nationally in passing offense.