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The Tuscaloosa News
Why Chris Kapilovic shuts down 'rat poison' praise of Alabama football offensive line
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Why Chris Kapilovic shuts down 'rat poison' praise of Alabama football offensive line
This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.
Chris Kapilovic couldn't lie. The Alabama football offensive line coach said postgame after Saturday's win against Wisconsin "felt a heck of a lot better" than the weeks prior for his unit.
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With the return of Kadyn Proctor at left tackle and Elijah Pritchett starting at right tackle along with left guard Tyler Booker , center Parker Brailsford , right guard Jaeden Roberts , the Crimson Tide offense clicked in a way it hadn't all season.
Alabama allowed two second-half sacks and generated two false start penalties and no holding calls, while leading an offense that averaged 7.3 yards per play against the Badgers. When untouched, quarterback Jalen Milroe shined with 196 yards passing yards, 75 yards rushing and five total touchdowns.
While Kapilovic couldn't lie, he couldn't stay in that space of praise for Alabama's offensive line room.
"We're still not where we need to be," Kapilovic said. "The minute you start feeling good about yourself, you've heard the rat poison word around here, you've got problems. A lot of the same people that were telling them they weren't any good are patting them on the back right now. None of that means anything. They know and we know what we have to do on a daily basis."
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The Alabama starting offensive line of Proctor, Booker, Brailsford, Roberts and Pritchett were named Outland Trophy National Players of the Week. The entire unit was also recognized as Alabama's "offense/power" players of the week.
"I thought the production was outstanding in the game last week," Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said. "And I think that certainly showed. I think when you look at the pocket and the space that Jalen had to throw the football, I thought it was excellent, and I thought they dominated the line of scrimmage in the run game as well."
Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) rushes with the football during the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
To open SEC play, Alabama will face a Georgia defense that has recorded eight sacks in three games by seven different players along with 21 tackles-for-loss. The Bulldogs defense has also allowed 3.1 yards to opposing running backs.
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"It always starts up front," Sheridan said. "I think being able to control the line of scrimmage certainly allows you to do more things. You stay in better down-and-distance situations. To say it's not important, you know, I think it certainly is. Our ability to block is the foundation of every good offense."
After its off week, Alabama will host Georgia at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What Chris Kapilovic thinks about Alabama football offensive line praise
