UL Monroe shockingly defeated Alabama in 2007 when Nick Saban was in his first season with the Crimson Tide and vying to get his footing with the program.
That victory remains the biggest in UL Monroe history. The Warhawks will attempt to pull off another shocker when they meet No. 21 Alabama on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
This time, second-year Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer is beginning to feel the heat after then-No. 8 Alabama (0-1) was outclassed 31-17 by Florida State in the season opener last week.
Some Crimson Tide players are calling on each other to step up their leadership, which isn’t a good look for DeBoer just one game into the season.
DeBoer said the enjoyment factor was missing and that the squad was not doing the things it takes to win.
“Play with an edge, too, right?” DeBoer said on Monday at his press conference. “We’ve got something to prove. There’s obviously a piece of it where, this weekend, we fell short of what we feel like we’re capable of doing, what our potential is. So, go out there and prove it, too. But don’t put added pressure on yourself. Have fun, get it done.”
Receiver Germie Bernard enjoyed a big outing with eight catches for 146 yards, but he did not like what he saw on the field.
“We all love each other,” Bernard said after practice on Tuesday. “We all want the best for each other, but we’re not going to allow one guy to stop us from getting to our goals. So, holding each other accountable, that’s what it’s going to take.
“Being able to be on your brother, yell at your brother if you need to. They know it’s all love at the end of the day.”
Bernard figures to be a top target against the Warhawks after star wideout Ryan Williams sustained a head injury in the fourth quarter against Florida State. Williams, who had five receptions for just 30 yards, was in concussion protocol, and his availability was due to be determined later in the week.
New starting quarterback Ty Simpson completed 23 of 43 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns against the Seminoles.
UL Monroe has played the Crimson Tide twice since its memorable win, and the results weren’t pretty.
Alabama recorded a 34-0 victory in 2015 and walloped the Warhawks 63-7 in 2022.
UL Monroe (1-0), which has just one winning season (8-5 in 2012) this century, again faces long odds when it takes the field Saturday.
Still, coach Bryant Vincent said there will be no tip-toeing into the clash.
“We know what we’re up against,” Vincent said at his Monday press conference. “We know this is one of the top five teams in the country. We’re not going to go in there scared, I can promise you.
“We’re not going to go in there and blink. We know this is a really good opponent that has a chance in my mind to rebound and still make the playoffs.”
The Warhawks recorded a 29-0 victory over FCS program Saint Francis (Pa.) in their opener. Braylon McReynolds rushed for 113 yards on 11 carries, and the defense registered the school’s first shutout since a 47-0 victory over FCS Nicholls in 2015.
The competition will be stiffer Saturday, and Vincent is looking forward to the challenge.
“We understand what kind of program Alabama is and the tradition they have and the program they’ve been for decades,” Vincent said. “We know we have a lot of work to do. The main thing is to focus on us.”
