Kalen DeBoer: Alabama's Response to Vanderbilt Loss Will Be 'Different Type of Test'

Kalen DeBoer was focused on the road ahead after No. 1 Alabama suffered a shocking 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday night.

"We're going to find out really how much we care about each other and what it looks like moving forward," the Crimson Tide head coach said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "We've been tested in different ways, really, a lot of the games here this season, and this is a different type of test now in our response."

The victory represented Vanderbilt's first-ever win over an AP top-five team as well as the Commodores first defeat of Alabama since 1984.

It was a sloppy performance from a Crimson Tide squad that was coming off an impressive win over No. 5 Georgia.

Vanderbilt was able to control the clock and keep Alabama's offense off the field, possessing the ball for over 42 minutes of game time. DeBoer's team committed two turnovers and converted just three of seven third-down attempts.

The Tide were also called for six penalties compared to just three for the Commodores. This included an illegal numbering violation after two players wearing No. 2 were both on the field during a Vanderbilt punt.

"Those are the things that really hurt you, because they kept the drive alive and then ended up scoring a touchdown," DeBoer said, via Colin Gay of the Tuscaloosa News. "Just that hump that we couldn't get over with a lot of the game. And that was the early one."

The Commodores jumped out to an early 23-7 lead in the second quarter. Alabama was able to climb back and pull to within one score several times after the first half, but Vanderbilt ultimately ran out the clock on the final possession of the game.

After leading Washington to an appearance in the national championship game last season, DeBoer joined Alabama on an eight-year contract worth $87 million to succeed legendary former head coach Nick Saban.

The Crimson Tide will attempt to bounce back on Oct. 12 as they host South Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium.