Deontae Lawson Talks Getting Onto Teammates, Tennessee Rushing Attack

Lawson has stepped into a leadership role on defense this season.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Love hurts.

Over the last two weeks, Alabama middle linebacker Deontae Lawson has had to give a talking to to two of his teammates. In College Station two weeks ago, Lawson was visibly upset with Dallas Turner after his penalty wiped a non-offensive touchdown by Chris Braswell off the board.

Last weekend against Arkansas, an unnecessary facemask penalty on Jaylen Key on third down started a downward spiral that eventually got the Razorbacks within just three points. Once again, Lawson was there to teach Key a lesson after the play.

Lawson has become one of the leaders on the defense this season, stepping into the signal-calling middle linebacker position.

"It's not really too much of a difference for me," Lawson said. "It's something I've always been doing. But I wouldn't say I was getting onto [Dallas Turner and Jaylen Key], I was just telling them next play, you can't do stuff like that — nothing too much."

The Crimson Tide (6-1, 4-0 SEC) hosts No. 17 Tennessee this weekend. Last year, the Volunteers upset Alabama at Neyland Stadium to break the long losing streak.

Tennessee threw for 385 yards on the Crimson Tide a season ago. This year, the Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 SEC) are a run-first offense — sitting at sixth in the nation in rushing offense.

"Just make sure we get on the same page, everyone get lined up," Lawson said. "[We] got to make sure we stop the run game, that'll be a big piece of the game. [...] It's a challenge but we have good interior defensive linemen that can hold their gaps. It makes it easier for me to flow in and make the tackle."

"I think [Tennessee's] offensive line blocks together well as a unit. They're physical up front, got two good running backs and they just I think they just play together."

Alabama and Tennessee meet in "The Third Saturday of October" on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.

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What Nick Saban Said on Monday of Tennessee Week