Alabama’s season ended Monday on a failed quarterback run up the middle. Head coach Nick Saban later explained the decision to opt for a QB run at the most critical juncture of his team’s season.
The Crimson Tide faced 4th-and-goal on Michigan’s 3-yard line in what turned out to be the decisive play at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Michigan led 27-20 in overtime, which meant that Alabama needed a touchdown to keep their hopes alive. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe ended up getting stuffed right at the line of scrimmage. Maize and blue jubilation swept the field soon after.
JALEN MILROE IS STOPPED ON 4TH DOWN😱
THE WOLVERINES ARE HEADED TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆 #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/X2x3tPzwqr
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
Saban was asked about the polarizing play call during his postgame press conference. The 72-year-old coach stated that his team had three plays prepared. However, two consecutive timeouts — one called by Michigan, the other by Alabama — complicated their sideline’s plans.
Each stoppage led Alabama to change up their play, which led to Milroe’s failed rush attempt.
“We called three plays. One, they called timeout. One, we called timeout. And the last one that didn’t work. The fact that it didn’t work made it a really bad call,” Saban said.
The Alabama coach added that his team approached the situation like an extended two-point conversion.
“Tommy (Rees) just felt like the best thing that we could do was have a quarterback, which was one of our two-point plays for this game. And the ball was on the three-yard line, which is just like a 2-point play, but we didn’t get a block, so it didn’t work. We didn’t execute it well, and it didn’t work. They pressured — and we thought they would pressure. But we thought we could block them and make it work. And it didn’t,” Saban said.
"The fact that it didn't work made it a really bad call." – Nick Saban on the Jalen Milroe QB draw on the final play of Alabama's Rose Bowl loss to Michigan. #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/UnNYJHiBrT
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) January 2, 2024
Saban knew that Michigan would still get pressure, but the idea was to use some trap blocking to open a hole for Milroe. It sure didn’t help that the snap was off on the play.
The Crimson Tide averaged 4.1 rushing yards on 42 carries during the game before Monday’s final play. Runs by Milroe had been one of their most successful plays all game. It just didn’t work that time, and it cost them.
