Notebook: Two Touchdowns Called Back Stings for Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama scored two crazy touchdowns against Texas, both scored by Jermaine Burton, but neither counted. And both resulted in Alabama settling for field goals.
In the waning seconds of the first half, Jalen Milroe scrambled out of the pocket and threw a pass, which Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford should have intercepted. Instead, the ball went off his hands and Burton made the catch for the score. But offensive lineman Darrian Dalcourt was flagged for ineligible man down field, negating the touchdown. Will Reichard kicked a 30-yard field goal to make it a 13-6 Texas lead instead of 13-10 lead.
Early in the third quarter, Milroe scrambled again and found Burton in the middle of the field. Burton juked a man and ran for a 32-yard score. This time, lineman Kadyn Proctor was called for holding. Instead of tying the score 13-13, Alabama settled for a 51-yard field goal from Reichard and a 13-9 score.
Loving the spotlight
Alabama made its 55th appearance overall on ESPN’s College GameDay. Alabama has a 35-20 mark when its been a featured game on the program.
Saturday was the 17th time Alabama has hosted GameDay. Saturday also marks Alabama’s 46th appearance under head coach Nick Saban (32-14).
The 46 appearances in the Saban era are eight better than Ohio State (38) for the most GameDay appearances since the 2007 season.
Former Alabama legend Joe Namath was the guest picker for Saturday’s GameDay show. He chose Alabama to win. He said, “If Alabama were playing the Kansas City Chiefs I’d take Alabama. I’m taking Alabama every day of my life.”
Still got it
Former Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus and linebacker Donta’ Hightower served as honorary captains.
During his introduction, Dareus performed a spin move, reenacting his play against Texas in the 2010 Rose Bowl. Dareus intercepted a shovel pass, spun past a defender and raced 28 yards for a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half to put Alabama ahead 24-3 at halftime. Alabama won the game 37-21 for its 12th national title.
Dareus played nine seasons in the NFL from 2011 to 2019. Hightower was in the NFL for 10 seasons, all with the New England Patriots, from 2012-21
Back in action
Defensive backs Jalen Key and Malachi Moore got the start. Both left last week’s season opener with injuries. Moore made his presence felt early with a big hit on a receiver, forcing an incompletion. He also broke up a pass in the end zone in the first quarter.
A night to forget
It was a brutal night for the offensive line. Two Alabama touchdowns were called back because of penalties and the Texas defensive line broke through multiple times to pressure Jalen Milroe out of the pocket and he was sacked five times and pressured all night. The Texas defense also had nine tackles for loss.
Falling asleep
Texas got a 50-yard gain on a pass from Quinn Ewers to Ja’Tavion Sanders at the start of the fourth quarter. It was aided by Alabama’s defense not being ready before the snap. Texas lined up for the play while Alabama was still looking toward the sideline for the call. Ewers snapped the ball just as the Crimson Tide scurried to the line and hit Sanders for the big play. Texas scored on the next play.
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