Nick Saban almost got clipped in the Iron Bowl but Alabama fought back in the final seconds to force overtime and then win in the fourth extra period.
Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide were favored by nearly three touchdowns in the Iron Bowl. Even in one of college football’s wildest rivalry games, there shouldn’t have been much of a contest between the No. 3-ranked Tide and the 6-5 Auburn Tigers. But that’s why they play the games.
Frankly, Auburn has to be kicking themselves. Due to poor clock management while up 10-3 late in the fourth quarter, the Tigers gave the ball back and allowed a phenomenal Bryce Young touchdown pass to tie it up. That forced overtime and, after four overtimes, the Crimson Tide emerged with a harrowing 24-22 win in the Iron Bowl.
It was certainly not the game that Saban, Alabam fans, or most of the college football world expected to see. So all eyes were on the head coach after the victory to see what he had to say.
Nick Saban post game quotes after Alabama survives Auburn in Iron Bowl
When Saban was asked about the resiliency and execution his team showed in the clutch, the head coach could only giggle before saying he couldn’t find the words to describe it. He then said he couldn’t be prouder of what Alabama showed down the stretch.
"I can't put it into words ... I told them to just go have fun."
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 28, 2021
- Nick Saban to our @JamieErdahl after an incredible @AlabamaFTBL Iron Bowl win pic.twitter.com/dihaMgjUGc
Perhaps the best insight into the genius of Nick Saban was what he said at halftime, telling his team — a group that was scoreless and trailing at the time — to just go have fun. His assessment was right; his team was clearly pressing and getting caught up in the moment. And, obviously, his advice worked, at least in the moments that mattered the most.
Regardless of this result, Alabama was heading into the SEC Championship Game against Georgia next week. However, it certainly has a different feeling as they enter that matchup against the best team in the country coming off a win in the Iron Bowl rather than a debilitating loss.
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