Longhorns Ryan Watts' Near Sack vs. Alabama 'Hard to Forget,' Admits Jaylan Ford

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Longhorns did what few thought possible last season by taking the No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide to the brink. Up 19-17 with 1:29 left, the Longhorns had to make a stop to secure the upset.

Texas cornerback Ryan Watts nearly completed the upset after having Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young wrapped up for what would've likely been the game-winning sack as the Tide were driving with under 40 seconds left. A sack would've taken Alabama out of field-goal and

Instead, Young broke free of Watts' grasp and pulled off a 20-yard run that all but sealed a win for Alabama. Will Reichard nailed a 33-yard field goal to take the lead for good just a few plays later.

WHAT A PLAY BRYCE YOUNG 😤

cc: @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/LZgACXQlmI
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 10, 2022

In the weeks to follow that game, Watts' near heroics played constantly in the minds of Texas fans who were wondering how the Longhorns let such a massive win slip away.

Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford even admitted himself that plays like that can often be hard to forget, regardless of what the coaches instill in you.

"I definitely think (he’s got) a bitter taste in his mouth," Ford said. "They say you got to have a short memory but you know, things like that are kind of hard to forget about, and you use it as motivation at the end of the day."

Ford is right. Coming up short on a play to potentially win the game is something that all competitors will remember and think about, regardless of whether or not they want to.

As if the Longhorns didn't already have tons of motivation for this (current) non-conference rematch, then factoring in the angst of Watts' near sack should definitely do the trick.

But how Watts approaches his own "sour taste" could define how impactful he is on Saturday. If anything, maybe he should watch that play on loop right before kickoff to make sure he's extra motivated.

Watts and the Longhorns will look to seal the upset this time around when Texas and Alabama kickoff at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday from Bryant-Denny Stadium.