Alabama Football: The 30 Greatest Games in Alabama Football History

Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) celebrates after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

1979 Sugar Bowl – The Goal Line Stand

It’s not often that you got to see No.1 play No.2 in a bowl until the BCS era, it just didn’t seem to work out that way, but Alabama vs Penn State in the 1979 Sugar Bowl was an exception to that rule.

Bear Bryant’s No.2 Alabama Crimson Tide would face Joe Paterno’s No.1 Penn State Nittany Lions in the Sugar Bowl and the winner would probably be named national champion. A lot was on the line in this game and it ended up having everything to do with the line.

Alabama was up 14-7 in the fourth quarter and Penn State had the ball on the 1-yard line on third down. Alabama would have to stop the Nittany Lions from getting into the endzone from the one twice to win.

On third down, Penn State went up the middle and was denied, so it would all come down to fourth down. On fourth down Penn State’s Mike Gunman found a hole, but Alabama’s Barry Krauss saw it too. When the dust cleared after the hit Krauss was dazed on the field, but Gunman was short.

Alabama Football won the 1979 Sugar Bowl on its outstanding defense and earned Bear Bryant his fifth National Championship.

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