Things you don't do as a veteran leader of the No. 1 team in the nation at the end of a shocking upset loss at historically woebegone Vanderbilt:
Slam the head of the Vandy quarterback into the turf after he's already down. Toss your mouthpiece in anger. Kick the ball in disgust after the official sets it ready for the Commodores to run a snap in victory formation. Refuse to leave the field when your coaches try to sub you out to cool you down.
Alabama safety Malachi Moore, in an unbecoming and uncharacteristic display, did all of those things in the waning moments last Saturday in Nashville. He did not do them to fire up his team or ignite a comeback because the game was already lost, the goalposts already doomed.
Those were the actions of a sore loser. The late hit should've been flagged but wasn't. The unsportsmanlike squib kick should've been flagged and was. The full meltdown should've merited a strong disciplinary response from his head coach.
Kalen DeBoer responded Monday. He said the fifth-year senior's unacceptable behavior had been addressed internally, but he used his strongest words in defense of Moore's well-established character as a team leader. DeBoer said Moore will not be suspended for any portion of this Saturday's game against South Carolina.
In short, DeBoer acted a lot like Nick Saban.
There's been an outbreak of amnesia among Alabama fans since the Vanderbilt goalposts went night swimming. One sentence sums up the collective outrage: This wouldn't have happened if Coach Saban were still here.
Oh, really? Who said elephants never forget? ...

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