Without defensive stops, no 17th Alabama football National Championship
By Ronald Evans
Looking back at the Alabama football offensive explosion against Georgia, it was only possible because of second half and overtime Tide defensive stops.
In the lore of Alabama football, the 17th national championship will always center on Tua to Smitty to glory. It was a great call, executed with glorious precision. The memory of that play will stir hearts for generations.
But it so easily might not have happened. What will be soon forgotten (if not already) are the defensive stops that preceded it. Without those second half and overtime stops, there is no 17th Alabama football National Championship.
Let’s review how well the Crimson Tide defense played in the last 20:15 and overtime of the championship game.
Third Quarter: Georgia 20 – Alabama 10
Georgia takes possession at 5:15 on its own 40-yard line. After six plays and net 22 yards gained, the Bulldogs punt. Key Defensive Plays: Nick Chubb for 1-yard loss, tackle by Rashaan Evans; Jake Fromm run for 1-yard loss, tackle by Mack Wilson; Jake Fromm incomplete to Riley Ridley, defended by Levi Wallace.
Third Quarter: Georgia 20 – Alabama 10
Georgia takes possession at :08 on its own 10-yard line. After seven plays and a net 28 yards the Bulldogs punt. Key Defensive Plays: on 2nd-and-3, Chubb for 1-yard loss, tackle by Mack Wilson; on 3rd-and-four, Fromm sacked for 9-yard loss by Raekwon Davis.
Fourth Quarter: Georgia 20 – Alabama 13
Georgia takes possession at 9:20 on its own 14-yard line. After three plays and a net nine yards the Bulldogs punt. Key Defensive Plays: on 1st-and-10, Chubb for 1-yard loss, tackle by Rashaan Evans and Quinnen Williams; on 3rd-and-2, Michel for 1-yard gain, tackle by Da’Ron Payne and Isaiah Buggs.
Fourth Quarter: Alabama 20 – Georgia 20
Georgia takes possession at 3:44 on its own 21-yard line. After three plays and seven yards the Bulldogs punt. Key Defensive Plays: incomplete passes to Riley Ridley and D’Andre Swift.
Overtime: Alabama 20 – Georgia 20; Georgia gets 1st possession
From the 25-yard line, Georgia runs three plays for a net loss of nine yards. Georgia kicks a field goal. Key Defensive Play: Jake Fromm sacked for 13-yard loss by Terrell Lewis.
The rest of overtime and the Tide’s 2nd-and-26 heroics will always be revered. The win was made possible because, on Georgia’s last five possessions in the game, the Bulldogs only scored an overtime field goal. The last three of those possessions were three-and-outs.
An Alabama defense, maligned for its play against Mississippi State and Auburn redeemed itself. First by holding Clemson to six points in the semi-final and last by holding Georgia to three points in over 20 minutes of play.
The 2018 Alabama football defense will require an uncharacteristic rebuild. How well that rebuild is accomplished will determine if 2018 will include championship dreams.
Next: 50 Greatest Alabama Football Players of All-Time
After a month of celebrating an Alabama football championship victory, it’s time to move on to 2018. The offseason is long but Bama Hammer will keep it filled with Crimson Tide information.