Kalen DeBoer is worried about this emerging Heisman Trophy contender entering Missouri matchup
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer didn’t mince words this week when discussing the challenge ahead. During his appearance on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast Monday, DeBoer made it clear he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from Missouri on film—especially their ground game.At the center of that attack is running back Ahmad Hardy, who […]
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer didn’t mince words this week when discussing the challenge ahead. During his appearance on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast Monday, DeBoer made it clear he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from Missouri on film—especially their ground game.
At the center of that attack is running back Ahmad Hardy, who has surged into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Hardy leads the nation with 730 rushing yards and averages 146 yards per game. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s forced 46 missed tackles on 103 carries—tied for the second-most in the FBS.
“Statistically, he has a missed tackle — and it shows up on film — every other carry,” DeBoer said. “He just keeps plays alive. People think they’ve got him down, and he’s still running. The yards after contact just blow your mind.”
Alabama is concerned about star Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy
Hardy’s 5.3 yards after contact per carry ranks ninth nationally among running backs with at least 6.25 carries per game. But while Missouri’s offense has been electric, Alabama’s defense—particularly against the run—has quietly built a strong résumé of its own.
Through five games, the Crimson Tide has allowed just 155.4 rushing yards per game, ranking in the top half nationally. Their opponents are averaging only 4.65 yards per carry, and Alabama has surrendered just seven rushing touchdowns all season.
The Tide’s run defense has been especially stout in wins, giving up just 92.5 rushing yards per game and allowing zero rushing touchdowns in those contests. Even in their lone loss to Florida State, Alabama held firm despite facing 49 rushing attempts.
DeBoer knows Missouri’s offensive scheme, led by head coach Eli Drinkwitz and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore, will test that discipline.
“We got to rally. We got to be there. The schemes they run and the things they run off the play — the plays off the plays,” DeBoer said. “Coach Drinkwitz and Kirby Moore, you can see their fingers all over it. I know those two well over the years. Coach Moore was with me four years together at Fresno State.”
Moore, who worked alongside DeBoer and current Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb at Fresno State, has helped engineer one of the most efficient offenses in the country. Missouri boasts a 76% completion rate and leads the nation in time of possession, averaging 37:29 per game.
“You can see that meshing their philosophies together,” DeBoer continued. “They’re extremely efficient. 76% completion percentage. It’s impressive what they’re doing. You can see what their philosophy is. And then defensively, they complement it, and get the ball back for them and then they just go do it again.
“They’re in it for the long haul. You don’t see them having to feel like they got to go score 25 points in the first quarter. They’re willing to just grind you out. They’re gonna take their shots when they want to and throw a trick play or play action down the field. They’re playing for the four quarters. They’ve won a lot of close games over the last few years with that type of philosophy — every team looks a little different, but they got a lot of pieces that are coming together right now when you take their skill mixed in with an offensive line that fits what they do.”
Missouri’s ability to control the clock and wear down defenses is a hallmark of their identity. But Alabama’s defense has shown it can hold up under pressure, even against top-tier competition like Georgia and Florida State.
“They are really good,” DeBoer told Bussin’ with the Boys. “They are dominating on the run game, both sides of the ball. The time of possession, if we’re not careful, you’re not gonna have the ball at all.”
With Missouri’s offense surging and Alabama’s defense rounding into form, Saturday’s matchup promises to be a physical, four-quarter battle in the trenches.
