Kalen DeBoer reacts to Alabama-Auburn brawl: ‘It goes both ways’

At the start of the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s Iron Bowl against Auburn, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about the emotions of the rivalry game.

“A play over there,” DeBoer told ABC. “It goes both ways.”

Alabama’s DeVonte Smith and Malachi Moore were both assessed personal fouls for the Crimson Tide after an incomplete pass from Auburn’s Payton Thorne to Malcolm Simmons was deflected. At this point, tempers were heating up on the Auburn side of the field.

Players from both teams were involved, with both teams shouting and shoving as officials and team staff tried to break things up.

“We just have to settle in here,” DeBoer said. “The next few possessions are going to be big on both sides of the ball.”

No Auburn player was tagged in the game.

“I think both players (Alabama’s Smith and Auburn’s Lambert-Smith) should have been involved in the penalty,” ABC rules analyst Bill LeMonnier said during the televised broadcast of the game. “It is also time to send the message that you need to be in control of your team and you may be disqualified.”

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.