Nick Saban Details 2-Point Conversion Decision Against Rebels

The Alabama Crimson Tide went for two after taking an 8-point lead in SEC opener.
Nick Saban Details 2-Point Conversion Decision Against Rebels
Nick Saban Details 2-Point Conversion Decision Against Rebels

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The Alabama Crimson Tide scored a dramatic touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels to not only get into the endzone for the first time on the afternoon, but also to take an 8-point lead. 

Head coach Nick Saban was faced with a choice after Jalen Milroe's 33-yard completion to Jalen Hale, kick an extra-point to take a 9-point lead, or go for two to stretch the lead to 10?

Senior kicker Will Reichard has been extremely consistent this season and throughout his career putting the ball through the uprights, making the extra-point a high percentage option for the Tide.

However, despite Milroe leaving the game momentarily as he recovered from a Suntarine Perkins hit, Saban decided to press his luck and go for two.

"Well some people think it's unusual. Some people don't," said Saban on the SEC Coaches Teleconference on Wednesday. "We always make a decision before the game starts at what point in the game would we go for two. Middle to late in the third quarter and fourth quarter was kind of what our philosophy was going into that game, so that's exactly what we did.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ty Simpson entered the ballgame for his first snap of the game and, ironically enough, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees called his number.

Simpson took a shotgun snap off the chest, gathered the ball after a quick bobble and scored on a quarterback draw, despite being facemasked on the play.

Simpson and Milroe celebrated effusively on the sidelines as the Crimson Tide went up by 10-points in the game, ultimately serving as the game's winning score.

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Joe Gaither
JOE GAITHER

Joe Gaither oversees videos and podcasts for Alabama Crimson Tide On SI/BamaCentral. He began his sports media career in radio in 2019, working for three years in Tuscaloosa covering the University of Alabama and other local high school sports. In 2023 he joined BamaCentral to cover a variety of Crimson Tide sports and recruiting, in addition to hosting the “Joe Gaither Show” podcast. His work has also appeared on the Boston College, Missouri and Vanderbilt web sites.

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