WOMMACK POINTS TO 2015 DEFENSE AS ALABAMA LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK

Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack knows Saturday’s performance against Florida State fell far short of the standard the Crimson Tide defense has set over the last two seasons. But he also pointed to Alabama’s 2015 defense as an example of how quickly things can change.

After allowing 36 points and nine explosive plays against the Seminoles, Wommack said it was the worst performance he has seen since arriving in Tuscaloosa. However, he noted that the 2015 Crimson Tide defense faced a similar early-season setback.

“You look back over the last decade, and really the 2015 and 16 defense are probably the last two truly dominating defenses that we have had here,” Wommack said. “And the 2015 defense in the first three games gave up 10 points and 17 points, just exactly like we did. And then the third game of the season, they gave up 43 points at home and lost the football game.”

That 2015 defense responded to the early setback and went on to become one of the nation's best, helping Alabama win a national championship.

For Wommack, the comparison is less about what happened Saturday and more about how the Crimson Tide responds moving forward.

“So everything is ahead of us, but we gotta have a sense of urgency to get it fixed,” Wommack said. “Starts with me as the coordinator.”

Wommack said Alabama did a good job limiting Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels as a runner, but acknowledged that the Crimson Tide will have to be prepared for Sellers’ ability to create plays with both his arm and his legs.

Alabama will have another challenge Saturday against South Carolina and quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who Wommack called one of the biggest challenges the Crimson Tide has faced this season.

“LaNorris Sellers is running the ball as good as I have seen him in three years,” Wommack said. “And he is also creating a lot of explosives in the passing game with a very athletic receiving core.”

No. 8 Alabama will host South Carolina on Saturday, September 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on ESPN.