Where would you rank the onside kick among the best plays in Alabama history?
- Thread starter PA Tide Fan
- Start date
Exactly....makes a difference here. It was a fantastic call.
But, when I think of Top 10 crucial plays...I think of a game on the line and a player or two making the difference in the game.
Like:
"Rocky block"
Screen to Yeldon at LSU
The pass to Cooper in the SECCG in 2012
Tip by Mosley of the pass by UGA near the end zone.
The INT return by Sunseri at A&M.....etc
Yes, with the margin of error from the kick placement, to catching a flipping ball, it is the epitome of sound execution under coach Saban. As the media understands, it was not fluke, and was only done through repetition in practice. I doubt we will ever see an onside kick performed to that level again in college football. It was signature Saban, just like the goal line stand.
It was a huge coaching call. It was executed to perfection. It was the perfect play in that situation. However, if we don't score on the ensuing drive, it is just a footnote in the game. It became a total game changer when Coker hit Howard two plays later for the TD.
But it did. And the plays called and execution were driven from the energy resulting from that kick, so you can't put it in a vacuum imo. Same as with the Jackson int, it sucked air out of Clemson. Those two TD's were built off momentum of soundly executed plays.
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I agree it was a fantasist call and well executed. But without the TD after we recovered it we would not consider it the pivotal moment of the game.
As far as top Bama plays. One of my favorite was George Teague stripping the ball from Lamar Thomas in the 93 Sugar Bowl. Talk about an incredible individual effort.
As far as top Bama plays. One of my favorite was George Teague stripping the ball from Lamar Thomas in the 93 Sugar Bowl. Talk about an incredible individual effort.
Perspective is so hard to achieve when the play is so fresh. I think it may be the singularly most iconic play in the Saban era because of the stakes and how the game was playing out up to that moment. The three prior championships lack that singular moment because they were mostly suffocating romps.
I'd say the most iconic moments of the Saban era are:
1. The Onside Kick
2. Rocky Block
3. Cody 5
4. AJ to Cooper
5. McElroy Hop
Honorable Mention:
- The Blackout (2008 UGA) *This one may have more meaning to this program than we give it credit.
- Ingram drives the team down the field out of wildcat (2009 USCe)
- AJ to TJ (2012 LSU)
- Sims 1-minute heroics (2014 LSU)
- Cooper v. Auburn secondary (2014 Auburn)
I'd say the most iconic moments of the Saban era are:
1. The Onside Kick
2. Rocky Block
3. Cody 5
4. AJ to Cooper
5. McElroy Hop
Honorable Mention:
- The Blackout (2008 UGA) *This one may have more meaning to this program than we give it credit.
- Ingram drives the team down the field out of wildcat (2009 USCe)
- AJ to TJ (2012 LSU)
- Sims 1-minute heroics (2014 LSU)
- Cooper v. Auburn secondary (2014 Auburn)
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For the pure 'GUTS' of play calling, I'd go for #1...!
BUT even in the same game I'd go for Coker's 3rd down roll-out run for the 1st down as tops for sheer guts and fortitude on a player's part!
If he had missed that 1st down, Saban would have gone for a FG and a tie game possibility!
BUT even in the same game I'd go for Coker's 3rd down roll-out run for the 1st down as tops for sheer guts and fortitude on a player's part!
If he had missed that 1st down, Saban would have gone for a FG and a tie game possibility!
I think it was the actual name of the play that Roy Upchurch, #5, and Terrance Cody were in the same backfield against Auburn in 2009. We faked run and sent Upchurch out in the flat and threw the TD pass to him. I think it was Trent at TB, Cody at FB, and Upchurch at WB.
How about:
the run in the mud against Auburn
Van Tiffin's kick against AU in '85
block of the Penn State field goal in '89, I think
I know these were game clinching plays. There were probably many, many, many better plays that nobody has listed that didn't directly affect the outcome of the game. Bennet's sack of Beurlein in "86 comes to mind.
the run in the mud against Auburn
Van Tiffin's kick against AU in '85
block of the Penn State field goal in '89, I think
I know these were game clinching plays. There were probably many, many, many better plays that nobody has listed that didn't directly affect the outcome of the game. Bennet's sack of Beurlein in "86 comes to mind.
Cody 5 is what the name of the Roy Upchurch flat pass out of heavy was called in 2009 Auburn. By the way, Upchurch is starting to move into the coaching ranks after a few years as a GTA at FSU. He may be an assistant we should look at in a few years.
By the way, I was only trying to distill what are the hallmark plays of the Saban era. I don't think it is quite as important to place it relative to the highlights of prior eras. The Run in the Mud or The Kick shouldn't have to be looking over their shoulders over their spot in the pregame videos, you know what I'm saying? 
I agree with others that it was a great call, but I don't know about the best. IMO, it's not even the best or most important play in the game. Others have mentioned Drake's kick return. I would even say Jake's scramble for the first down was bigger than the onside kick. In terms of history, I don't know that I can rate it up there with some others because it didn't win the game. It played a big role in us winning the game but wasn't the ultimate winning play. Without the goalie stand, we lose the game. Without Cody's block, we lose the game. The onside is up there, but not as key as these and a few other plays.
The 4th quarter was a pure "Rising Tide" that swept Clemson away, I think The Onside Kick just exemplifies the greater moment. Kinda like how AJ to Cooper in the SECCG was the hallmark to an impressive physical domination to respond to a 21-10 deficit in the 3rd quarter. The quick drive, all run, and the 2pt conversion run may have meant more to winning that game...but that singular play just highlights the action.
Would LOVE for Roy Upchurch to be a successful coach, especially at Alabama. One of the guys who went through the hard times, and got to experience a championship before he graduated. Also, I think he was very talented, and just suffered some bad injury luck. Kind of like Drake in that regard.
I think he's at IMG Academy right now...considering his proximity to a whole bunch of bluechip talent, he's bound to get seen by a head coach sooner or later.
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