Nick Saban’s Postgame Press Conference After Blowout Win Over Texas A&M [VIDEO]

Alabama coach Nick Saban gave his nod of approval after Alabama dominated Texas A&M in all facets of the game in a 59-0 blowout win Saturday.

Below are postgame quotes from Saban, Alabama players and Texas A&M:

Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban

Opening statement

I was really proud of the way our players played today. I think this is as close to the Alabama football that we want to try to get from our players in terms of effort, toughness, emotional excitement and execution that we got throughout the game. Our approach to this game was that we wanted to find what exactly every position and player has to do and see if you can go out there and dominate your box and do you job. I don’t think we had many penalties; we played with a lot of discipline. Our quarterback (Blake Sims) executed the system extremely well and lots of guys made plays. Defensively, this is the best we’ve played against this kind of offense. We had to make some adjustments in the game but the players did a really good job. I thought being physical and breaking on the ball really had an effect on the game. I think we affected the quarterback with our pass rush. I thought special teams was a real positive for us. We had lots of guys out there in the end with a chance to play. They had a kickoff return against us but there was a lot of opportunity for lots of guys to play. I was really proud of the way our guys responded. I think a lot of this started last week with guys turning it loose, playing hard and physical, being more disciplined to execute and playing within the system. I really was very, very proud of the way our team played today. This was a really good game in a big game for us. We have a lot of respect for the kind of team they have, so to do it against a very good team is all the more reason to be proud.

On how the offensive line established the tone of the game:

I don’t think there’s any question about it. We had a little gathering with the offensive line this week and said, ‘look guys, you guys are starting to feel pressure and you’re being criticized. You’re not being the sergeant-at-arms that we need you to be in terms of how you control the line of scrimmage and how you dominate the line of scrimmage. Really, our guys aren’t going to make plays unless you do that. I believe in you, and I trust in you.’ Other than the center, we had the same offensive line that had great production early in the season. I believe we can do it again. Everyone just has to finish better and do a better job of preparing and getting to play. Not being confident and not believing you can do it is not acceptable, and not affecting other people on our offense because you guys are the guys that are going to make everyone go. I’m really proud of the way they did that today.

On how important pressuring the quarterback was to setting the initial tone of the game:

They went a lot of empty [formations] early in the game. They had some pretty crazy formations [that we had] to try and adjust to. I think the thing that saved us early on before we could adjust was that we did get good pass rush. They only had five guys to block and we hit them with a couple of pressures. I think that the best thing that we did, one of the keys in the game, was affecting the quarterback with four guys rushing. I think that was a real key to the game. I think the secondary did a good job of disguising, better than we ever have before when we’ve played these guys. We didn’t have to put an extra guy in the box to stop the run. That certainly helped the pass defense.

#6 Blake Sims, Quarterback

On both the offensive effort and the total team effort:

As an offense, we practiced hard, and we had one motto, be better than we were last week. That’s something that happened for us. As a team, we listened to our leaders. Our leaders are starting to be more outspoken and we also listened to Coach (Nick) Saban.

On the play of the offensive line:

They played very well. I’m glad to have them up front, and I trust every guy that’s there.  Grant Hill did a great job coming in for Austin Shepherd. I’m just happy to see the way they fought today.

#93 Jonathan Allen, Defensive End

On the defensive effort:

We’ve been working on it all week, Coach Bo (Davis), Coach Saban and Coach (Lance) Thompson all put a big emphasis on playing defense the Alabama way.  I’m glad that we did what we’ve been taught and coached to do.  It was just a great team effort.

On if he’s ever seen the defensive play so well against the up-tempo offense:

Probably not.  I have to give all the credit to the coaching staff and all of my teammates.  They did a great job of coming together and playing for one another.

Texas A&M Head Coach Kevin Sumlin

Opening Statement:

It’s hard to say where we are, and I think bye week comes at a good time. Our message was similar to last week – we do need to look within and examine what we’re doing schematically. Personnel saw a bunch of new faces out there in the second half defensively. Those guys didn’t do too poorly. We need to evaluate where we are so from a timing standpoint. The bye week, I think, is much needed and will also give an opportunity to really evaluate a lot of different things going on.

On whether he has lost control of the team:

No, I don’t think I’ve lost them. But, however you cut it, that performance was unacceptable and embarrassing. I think Alabama had a lot to do with that, but we’ve got to get back to work and examine where we are right now.

On the performance of Alabama:

I thought Alabama played very well today. They played like Alabama plays. They were better physically, particularly in the first half. We came into this game knowing that if we could do what we wanted to do, we could win the game, including not giving up big plays over the top, and if we could move the ball offensively. We really didn’t generate too much, until the end, from a special teams standpoint. Alabama was the superior team in all three phases.

On the quarterback play:

We put Kyle (Allen) in the fourth to try to get a spark, but our problem was getting first downs. A quarterback gets credit when we win and a lot of blame when we lose. There are 10 other guys out there on offense that make his job easier.

#7 Kenny Hill, Quarterback

On Texas A&M’s struggles:

I wish I could tell you. It’s something we’re trying to figure out. We have a bye week coming up; that’s good for us. We have got to regroup, and then we play a game against Louisiana-Monroe.

On what’s changed since the South Carolina game:

Our confidence has changed; they don’t have the same confidence anymore. That’s something we need to get back. The whole offensive unit needs confidence. We need to start rolling.

On Sumlin’s message after the game:

Coach Sumlin just said, ‘Nobody get down on each other. We’re going to need everybody. You can’t point a finger at one person. It’s a group effort.’ We just have to come out after this bye week and do what we’ve been doing.

#84 Malcome Kennedy, Wide Receiver

On Texas A&M’s confidence:

I wouldn’t say confidence is the issue. We’re in a bad mindset right now, and that’s something we need to work on. When offense, defense and special teams are going against you, it’s hard to win a game.

On Texas A&M’s losing streak:

It’s the game of football, things happen. If we were meant to win every game, we wouldn’t play any one game. We’re just going through things right now, which happens. This is going to bring us closer together as a team.

Coach Sumlin handles these situations well. He says, ‘Stay together. It doesn’t matter what anyone says. What we do as a team matters.’