In a strategic move during their recent game, the University of Alabama employed two punt returners, Ryan Williams and Cole Adams, against the University of Oklahoma. This decision was explained by Alabama’s head coach, Kalen DeBoer, who highlighted the tactical reasoning behind the choice.
Cole Adams has been the team’s primary punt returner this season, successfully returning 11 punts for a total of 96 yards, with his longest return reaching 36 yards. In contrast, Ryan Williams made his debut as a punt returner this season against Oklahoma, returning two punts for 25 yards, though he did fumble one. DeBoer noted that the game situation called for a varied approach, stating, “He hit long ones and he hit short ones. And some of the short ones, what would happen is they would roll out and end up being longer kicks, because you play for the long game.”
The decision to use both returners was based on a desire to optimize field position. DeBoer emphasized the importance of fielding punts effectively, saying, “From a schematic standpoint, that was a lot of the reason for that. So you saw some of the ones that went longer, Ryan got his hands on those.” This approach was aimed at capitalizing on different types of punts, allowing Alabama to respond dynamically to Oklahoma’s kicking strategy.
Despite their efforts, Alabama faced a disappointing outcome, losing to Oklahoma 23-21. The game showcased Oklahoma’s strong defense, which capitalized on three Alabama turnovers, scoring 17 points off these mistakes. This result complicates the playoff picture for Alabama, currently ranked No. 10.
Looking ahead, Alabama will face Eastern Illinois on October 7, 2023, at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The team will aim to regroup and address the issues highlighted in their narrow defeat against Oklahoma, where both the offense and special teams will be under scrutiny.
In reflecting on the game, DeBoer acknowledged both the challenges and the opportunities presented by the dual return strategy, suggesting that while the outcome was not what they hoped for, the tactical decisions made were grounded in a thorough understanding of the game dynamics. As Alabama prepares for their next matchup, the coaching staff will continue to evaluate their strategies to enhance performance on the field.
