Alabama football suffered a crushing loss to Georgia on Saturday. The Crimson Tide’s final drive was snuffed out after the referees ruled out what appeared to be a pretty obvious pass interference call against the Bulldogs. Dijon Lee then gave UGA the first winning attempt, when he hit a Georgia player after the whistle, resulting in a 15-yard penalty. The final score was 20-17 in favor of the Bulldogs, leaving Alabama 5-1 on the season. Crimson Tide fans threw trash on the field in the direction of Georgia referees and players after the loss. Alabama will face Tennessee next Saturday in Knoxville. After the game, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke with reporters in Tuscaloosa. Here are the highlights from his post-game press conference. Live updates from the press conference: DeBoer begins with an opening statement. He starts by praising Georgia and says the Crimson Tide missed too many chances.– DeBoer is asked about Dijon Lee’s penalty late in the game. He says emotional maturity is important and Lee needed to handle it better. DeBoer says Alabama needed to control what it can control and not put the game in the referees’ hands. He says he didn’t get a real explanation for why the play on Rico Scott at the end of the game wasn’t a Georgia penalty. — DeBoer praises Keelon Russell’s performance, but mentions that Russell can’t take a sack late in the game like he did against Georgia. — The question is about Alabama’s defense. DeBoer praises Georgia’s offense. He notes that the Crimson Tide needed to find more takeaways when the ball was on the ground. He says the team needed better execution. DeBoer is asked what response he expects from Russell. He says the team’s character will be tested going forward, but feels Alabama will get back to work to make sure the feelings of loss aren’t repeated.– DeBoer says Ryan Coleman-Williams has a head injury, Racin Delgatty has a lower leg injury and Terrance Green reaggravated an old injury.– DeBoer says Georgia put pressure on Russell, which disrupted the passing game for most of the game.
