Malachi Moore, a captain for Alabama, issued an apology on Monday for his outburst following Saturday’s 40-35 defeat to Vanderbilt. Alabama’s coach, Kalen DeBoer, confirmed that Moore would not face suspension for his actions.
In a statement on X, Moore acknowledged that he was “completely out of line.” He expressed regret for allowing his emotions to overshadow the team’s interests, stating, “As a two-time captain and fifth-year player, I recognize the standards we are held to at Alabama, and I failed by acting selfishly and unacceptably. I will strive to better uphold the Alabama standard in the future.”
During the game, Moore, a veteran safety, was penalized for shoving Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s head into the ground, throwing his mouthpiece, and kicking the football, resulting in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. At the end of the game, the Alabama coaching staff attempted to substitute him, but he appeared to resist leaving the field.
DeBoer praised Moore for taking responsibility for his actions, which had gone viral and drawn criticism from many in the college football community, including former Alabama running back Damien Harris, who noted that during his time at Alabama, such behavior would have resulted in serious backlash from coaches and teammates.
DeBoer defended Moore, acknowledging his contributions to the program while emphasizing that his behavior was still unacceptable. “He has supported us since day one,” DeBoer said. “But we must recognize that we all make mistakes and need to take responsibility for them.”
DeBoer further emphasized Moore’s importance to the team, stating, “This guy has been vital in keeping the team united since January, especially when many players opted to leave. He is dedicated to Alabama football.”
In January, Moore had been a leading voice encouraging players to commit to DeBoer and the new coaching staff after Nick Saban’s retirement, expressing confidence in DeBoer’s winning history and shared aspirations for success.
Meanwhile, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian anticipates that quarterback Quinn Ewers will be ready to start in the upcoming matchup against No. 18 Oklahoma. Ewers, who suffered an oblique injury, was replaced by Arch Manning during the game against UTSA on September 14. Manning has since led the team to victories against UL Monroe and Mississippi State.
Sarkisian noted that Ewers practiced well last week and again on Monday, stating, “He looked good coming off the bye. If anyone benefited from the time off, it was him. We will continue to monitor his recovery, but I feel confident about how he looked today.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, Sarkisian acknowledged the unpredictability of matchups against Oklahoma, especially with the Sooners starting new quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. Hawkins performed well in his first start, throwing for 161 yards and a touchdown while adding rushing yards and a two-point conversion.
Sarkisian remarked on the intensity of the rivalry, noting that nine of the last ten games have been decided by a single score, including last year’s thrilling finish when Oklahoma defeated Texas 34-30 with a last-minute touchdown. This game marks the 44th time both teams have been ranked when facing each other, a record second only to Ohio State-Michigan.
Sarkisian expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the matchup, indicating that the stakes and atmosphere at the State Fair of Texas provide all the motivation they need, without requiring elaborate speeches to inspire the players.
