Alabama Game Recap
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers celebrates the Longhorns’ 34-24 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Photo: Vasha Hunt, Associated Press
We did it. We actually did it. The Texas Longhorns went into Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night and beat the Alabama Crimson Tide. At their home stadium. By double digits. No, you’re not dreaming. The Horns have arrived.
With a final score of 34-24, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian vanquished his mentor Nick Saban and former school Alabama, with whom he helped lead to a national title only 3 years ago. And this was no fluke game, either. The Horns won by 10 points on the back of a 21-point fourth quarter scoring barrage. And even before that, Texas held a steady lead for most of the game. It seemed like every time the Tide kept coming back, even taking a 16-13 lead at one point in the 3rd quarter, Texas immediately responded. A quick 3-play scoring drive put us back in the lead after a Quinn Ewers slant pass to Adonai Mitchell, highlighted by a monster catch and run by tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders on the previous play. On the next offensive play for Alabama, Jerrin Thompson intercepted quarterback and former Texas commit Jalen Milroe. Texas punched it in on the very next play on the ground with Jonathon Brooks to take a two-score lead. In 3 plays, and just 15 seconds, the Horns had put themselves back in control of the game.
Jonathon Brooks’ 5 yard TD run put the Longhorns up 27-16 in the 4th quarter. Photo: Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images
More adversity followed, as Alabama went right down the field to answer on a beautiful strike from Milroe. The converted two-point try made it just a 3 point ballgame, with still over 8 minutes to go. Texas, once again, had the response. Ewers led another lightning quick scoring drive capped off by possibly the moment of the night, a moon ball deep into the Tuscaloosa sky caught by Mitchell for his second touchdown of the night. Texas back up by 10.
Another huge moment followed when on the ensuing drive, freshman Anthony Hill, Jr. sacked Milroe on 3rd down, forcing an Alabama punt. I’m pretty sure Hill ran down to the endzone and told the Alabama crowd, “We’re here.”
True freshman Anthony Hill, Jr. finished the game with 6 tackles including 2 sacks. Photo: Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images
With over 7 minutes left in the game, and Saban left with all 3 of his timeouts, the Texas offense did the unthinkable. They handed off the ball and iced the game away. Our O line pushed around Bama’s D line when they knew what was coming! The middle of the field parted like the Red Sea for Brooks on a 3rd down handoff, and a few plays later after the Texas offensive line drew Alabama offsides, the game was officially over. Texas had won. In Tuscaloosa. Snapping the Tide’s 21-game home winning streak and countless other streaks. A moment of redemption, validation, relief, vindication, and exuberance for Texas players, coaches, and fans alike.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian soaks in the Longhorns’ victory over his former team. Photo: USA Today
This feels like a true turning point for a program that has suffered through 13 years of mediocrity.
We did it, y’all. What a night!!
Final score: 34-24 Texas
Hook ‘em
