Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer on South Carolina rally: ‘We have to make our own breaks’

South Carolina scored three goals in the final 97 seconds of the first half to erase a 14-0 deficit to get within 14-12 of No. 7 Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

“We have to make our own breaks,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer told the Crimson Tide Sports Network at halftime. “There were some unfortunate things there. Boys play hard. There is no whistle or they don’t hear a whistle. … I trust our guys to be aggressive, make plays and take calculated risks. A few of them backfired on us.”

That might be the understatement of the year.

On fourth-and-9, LaNorris Sellers hit Mazeo Bennett Jr. for a 36-yard touchdown with 1:37 left in the half. Jalen Milroe was sacked in the end zone on Alabama’s ensuing possession and warned for intentional grounding, making the score 14-9.

After Alabama forced a turnover, Milroe immediately gave it back as his pass was intercepted by Jalon Kilgore at the 50-yard line and returned 31 yards to the Alabama 19. Alex Herrera ended the half with a 37-yard field goal as time expired.

“I trust our guys,” DeBoer told ABC at halftime. “I want to attack. We will play aggressively. Try to be calculated in it. Obviously they are an opportunistic defense and played a good game there. In some situations we have to be smarter.”

Milroe was sacked four times in the first half and the Tide were penalized five times for 36 yards.

Mark Heim is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard daily from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile app.