Football vs. Kent State Postgame Quotes

Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban

Opening statement:

"The goal going into this game was to play a complete game. We started fast and finished. I think we probably did that as well as we've done all year. The players were focused. We had three straight scoring drives right off the bat. The first play on defense, we didn't execute exactly right, and they made a big play, but we got a stop. We were pleased with the fact that we got to play a lot of players. We almost played a whole quarter and a half of a lot of different players. Maybe there were a few more we wish we could have played as well. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the way we played.

"It was the plan to play Blake (Barnett) some in the second quarter regardless of how it was going in the game for his development as a quarterback. He may have to play at some point in time down the road. He did some good things when he was in there. I thought Jalen (Hurts) did well.

"The only injury that we really have is Damien Harris. He has an ankle sprain, so he'll be day to day. I don't know what his status will be. ArDarius Stewart will probably start doing some work this week. It's still questionable as to whether he'll be ready for this game this week. Robert Foster will be questionable as well. That's basically the injury report. I know we had a couple other guys come out of the game, but they all went back in the game and really didn't have a problem."

On the execution of the offense:

"It was better. Much better. That's what we've been trying to emphasize. I think we only had one false start today, which was monumental. I thought we did a nice job of controlling the line of scrimmage, had good balance on offense and did a pretty good job executing overall."

On Mack Wilson's touchdown catch:

"Mack Wilson has been playing in goal line and short yardage situations all season in that formation. That's his position. That's what he plays. That was not really a play that was necessarily for him, but it was for whoever was in that position to complement the other things that we did. He made a nice catch, and I'm happy that he was able to score a touchdown. I'm also happy that he was able to play a significant amount on defense as well, which will certainly help his development."

On the performance of Joshua Jacobs and the rest of the running backs:

"He (Joshua Jacobs) did a nice job today. B.J. Emmons got to play a little bit more. We would have played Bo (Scarbrough) a little bit more, but he got a little banged up and could have gone back in and played but we just left him out. He's got a thigh bruise and could have gone back in the game, but we would have liked to play him more as well. Those three guys will be the guys that have to get the reps if Damien (Harris) is unable to go, but they have all played a significant amount and I think they can do a good job for us."

#88 O.J. Howard, TE

On how it seemed like the team was ready from the start:

"We came out, and wanted to get it going early. We needed good tempo going into it early. Everyone did their assignment and came out here to dominate."

On if the game against Ole Miss had any effect on today's game:

"I think it helped a lot. Our team knew after last week that we needed a lot of determination and a lot of grit in this locker room. Everybody put it all together today and got it going early."

#42 Keith Holcombe, LB

On how they played as a team:

"I think we played extremely well. Like Coach Saban said, our goal today was to get that complete game. I know we still have some stuff to fix on Monday, but we are getting closer to being there at that overall and complete game that Alabama is built on, so I think it went extremely well for us."

On this weeks practice:

"It was tough. I'm not going to lie. It was tough. Every week here, like Coach Saban says, every day, it's not the opponent we are playing, it's for the best team in the league and playing against ourselves. We just have to keep getting better and better and challenging ourselves."

Kent State Head Coach Paul Haynes

Opening Statement:

"Well, we are disappointed with our performance. I thought that we would actually play better. There were a lot of times we kind of gave them plays and weren't being very disciplined. There are things that we have to work on and we have to make sure to work on them this week and get ready for Akron. I commend Alabama, they are a good football team, a great football team, and they are kind of what we expected."