Saturday’s Alabama football loss to Texas wasn’t Jalen Milroe’s best game. The Crimson Tide quarterback threw two interceptions in the 34-24 defeat and Nick Saban said after the game that he had briefly considered making a change at the position.

That didn’t happen. Milroe put a drive together and Saban let him finish out the game.

Saban praised the quarterback’s response to adversity Monday when asked how important it was for Milroe to maintain his confidence.

“I think it’s important in all positions, but one thing you don’t want to do is get frustrated as a player,” Saban said. “You don’t want one play to affect the next play and to stay positive. But you can say stay positive but we all have self talk right? You got to believe it. You can’t just say ‘Okay, I’m gonna do this’ but don’t believe you can do it. You got to believe and trust in yourself, too.

“So I think the players stayed positive. They tried to keep the energy level up. They didn’t get frustrated in the game and Jalen didn’t either. But still, you got to trust and have faith and confidence in doing what you’re coached to do on a consistent basis and that’s going to help you be successful.”

Milroe had a strong game in the Crimson Tide’s season opener against MTSU, throwing for three touchdowns and running for two more. The effort was good enough to earn him co-SEC offensive player of the week honors.

It was a different story against Texas. But according to offensive guard Tyler Booker, Milroe never gave up.

“That’s what you love about Jalen,” Booker said. “Through the mistakes that he made, he never put his head down. He was always there for us. He always had a smile on his face. Even down to the last drive, he was like, ‘I love where we are. He still had that hope. He still had that drive. He still had that fight. That’s what I’m most proud of about our offense. Although we didn’t execute, we fought. Every guy.”

Saban was clear entering the season when Milroe was battling it out for the starting job with Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson that he would make a QB change if need be. On Monday, he made no reference to a possible switch at the position.

He did praise Buchner when asked.

“He played really well in the last scrimmage and he’s done well in practice,” Saban said. “So, we feel really good about sort of how he’s continued to improve and develop and the confidence in what he’s doing. And [having] a good feeling around the teammates and receivers and all that type of thing.”

For his part, Milroe came to the media room and spoke with reporters immediately following the loss. He remained upbeat, acknowledging that he had to play better, but not giving up hope.

“I’m just looking to improve and get better,” Milroe said Saturday. “I know I can trust in my coaching staff wanting me to get better and then giving me the right resources to improve.”

Alabama and USF are set to kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Tampa. The game will be broadcasted on ABC.

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