Texas Players Relive Historic Win Over Alabama at NFL Combine
In hindsight, Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns made even more history than we thought in Saban's last game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The Horns 10-point win marked Saban's worst loss at the stadium during his last season coaching at Alabama.
“Just doing something nobody’s done in 20 years, going to Tuscaloosa and beating them by double digits,” tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders told AL.com this week during the NFL scouting combine. “Having the opportunity to do that and the last team that’ll ever do that. It was a great experience.”
Sanders' timeline is just about spot on. Before Texas' win, Alabama hadn't lost by 10 points at home since 2004. In the 34-24 victory, Sanders led with five catches and 114 yards as a tight end.
Ewers, Mitchell, and Worthy executed Sarkisian's plan, dismantling the secondary and countering Alabama's pass rush effectively.
Byron Murphy also weighed in on the historical game, “It means a lot getting a win down there cause not too many people win in Bama. It’s hard to win. Beating Alabama and Nick Saban, you know, I’ll say that was a big win for me and something I’ll never forget.”
Players reminisce on the historical victory that not only showcased Sarkisian's coaching expertise but also marked a defining moment in his career, demonstrating his growth since his time under Saban's mentorship.