Saban really wanted that last second on the clock. I said he’d better let it run out and go into overtime. I was thinking a pass could be intercepted. The player said “Coach Z” told him to be in the end zone in case there was a fake and Alabama passed the ball. He also told the kid he might be able to run it out if it’s short. He called it. And so did the Auburn radio play by play announcer. He said “If it’s short Auburn can run it out.”
For sure that comedy of errors will be in the next edition of College Football coaching for dummies.
I think Saban saw that in OT, Auburn had the advantage because of Bama’s atrocious FG kicker.
“Saban really wanted that last second on the clock. “
Remember the old saying “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, YOU MAY ACTUALLY GET IT”
The Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson suggested putting a returner back in case the kick was short. Originally #24 Ryan Smith was under the goalpost. Malzahn called time out to ice the kicker and they substituted Davis for Smith. Davis is the normal punt returner so he is used to run backs and has a couple of punt returns for TD’s this year. The kick was short and wide right and the rest is history. Good coaching moves by Auburn.