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Alabama is taking some criticism after a defensive player faked an injury to slow down Tennessee’s offense during the second half on Saturday night.
There appeared to be some confusion on Alabama’s sideline as it attempted to substitute in-between plays during a third-quarter sequence. Ultimately, an Alabama defensive back was pushed onto the field by coaches and immediately hit the turf while grabbing his leg.
Officials stopped the game, but Alabama was penalized on the play for illegal substitution.
Here’s a clip from the ESPN broadcast, which included some commentary from play-by-play man and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy:
“King Mack, number 5, goes in and then, all the sudden, goes down,” McElroy said. “That’s a fake injury. I mean, he’s not hurt. He goes down to save Alabama some time.”
alabama fake injury/illegal substitution pic.twitter.com/brIYeEDaEc
— ◇ (@HOODH3RO) October 19, 2024
Head coach Kalen DeBoer appeared to be frustrated after the play as he felt Alabama should have been given more time to substitute.
Fake injuries has been a frequent topic in college football this season, particularly in the SEC. Oklahoma was criticized for using the technique earlier this season in a game against the Vols. Ole Miss went as far as to release a statement on the subject before its game against LSU last weekend.
Here’s some of the reaction from fans and media to this attempt by Alabama:
crowd going INSANE after bama player throws himself on the ground like a toddler learning to walk. fake injuries need to be STOPPED.
— anthebaker (@anthebaker) October 19, 2024
Lmaoooooo unreal fake injury from Alabama. Generational.
— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) October 19, 2024
An Alabama coached just pushed his player down to fake an Injury….
This is getting embarrassing
— SullenSerf (@SullenSerf) October 19, 2024
Pushing a substitute player into the field for a fake injury was not on my bingo card. #bama
— Jodi James (@Jodi_L_James) October 19, 2024
A Bama player dove onto the field pretending to be injured in order to avoid a 12 men penalty.
Fine the school. Enough.
— Wes Boling (@WesBolingTN) October 19, 2024
Alabama becomes the first team in history to be penalized for a fake injury
— Michael (@Mike4172) October 19, 2024
Alabama just faked an injury and I better hear about it 24/7 too
— Sidelines – Ole Miss (@SSN_OleMiss) October 19, 2024
https://twitter.com/NBATIGAHBOY/status/1847769223939899801
Bama should be embarrassed by that fake injury. Lane Kiffin level insanity.
— (brandon) (@bkpres1828) October 19, 2024
Gross fake injury by Bama. Will the @NCAA fix this next week too?
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) October 19, 2024
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
