In a recent press conference, Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack detailed the defensive breakdown that allowed South Carolina to score a pivotal fourth-down touchdown pass during their recent game. The play, occurring just before halftime, saw South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers connect with Mazeo Bennett Jr. for a 36-yard touchdown, narrowing Alabama’s lead to 14-7. Wommack attributed the lapse to a “domino effect” of errors among Alabama defenders, highlighting the importance of each player’s responsibility within the defense.
Wommack explained that when one defender fails to execute their assignment, it often forces others to compensate, leading to misalignments and open opportunities for the offense. In this case, Zay Mincey, a true freshman cornerback, found himself trailing Bennett, who was left wide open in the end zone. The breakdown stemmed from a combination of factors, including improper coverage and a lack of effective communication among the defenders.
“Doing our job, our 1/11th of the defense, is critical,” Wommack emphasized, stressing the need for players to focus on their individual responsibilities and trust that their teammates will do the same. He elaborated that the missteps on the play were not limited to Mincey; various players failed to position themselves correctly, which compromised the defensive structure.
Analyzing the specifics of the play, Wommack noted that South Carolina utilized a three-receiver set to the right. Nyck Harbor ran a post route, while the middle receiver, Vandrevius Jacobs, executed a five-yard curl. Bennett, running a wheel route, found himself unmarked due to a breakdown in coverage as Malachi Moore and DeVonta Smith were misaligned. The failure to maintain proper spacing and leverage left Bennett with a clear path to the end zone.
Wommack also pointed out that Alabama’s pass rush, which had shown improvement throughout the season, was ineffective on that play. The defensive line rushed only three players, allowing Sellers ample time to find Bennett. “When you’re not getting pressure and you’re giving time for those long-developing plays on third down, that makes it challenging,” Wommack stated. This lack of pressure has been a recurring theme for Alabama, contributing to defensive struggles in recent games.
This particular breakdown was part of a troubling trend for Alabama, as they have now allowed long touchdown passes in three consecutive games. Previous examples include a 67-yard touchdown pass from Georgia’s Carson Beck and a 36-yard completion from Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. Wommack acknowledged the necessity of consistent execution from all 11 players on the field to avoid such critical mistakes.
Despite the challenges, Alabama managed to rally and win the game 27-25, improving their record to 5-1. They will face a significant challenge this weekend against No. 11 Tennessee, where maintaining defensive integrity will be crucial. As Wommack continues to address these issues, the focus remains on instilling discipline and accountability within the defensive unit to prevent further breakdowns in crucial moments.
