The mighty and undefeated No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide football program came calling to the Home of the 12th Man — the Texas A&M Aggies’ stomping ground — this past Saturday night. Bama’s evening ended with a big fat “L” inside the uber-friendly confines of Kyle Field in College Station, TX.
Unranked after unfortunate and disappointing losses to the Arkansas Razorbacks and Mississippi State Bulldogs in successive weeks, Head Coach Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies found themselves 3-2 (0-2 SEC) with zero expectations from the college football universe of thwarting the Crimson Tide in front of the second-largest crowd in Kyle Field history with 106,815 frenzied fans in Aggieland.
As for the Aggies themselves, they came into the clash knowing that they could push Alabama and Head Coach Nick Saban by the wayside. Why not? Texas A&M does have size, strength, and speed all over the field — the kind of talent galore good enough to earn a “W” against Bama. Plus, the frustration that had been their first two games in the SEC West sparked a wildfire inside of Aggie players and coaches.
Before Saturday night’s conclusion, Coach Saban owned an otherworldly mark of 24-0 versus his former assistant coaches. Can I get a goodness gracious, and an ouch, babe? Yes, please.
Jimbo Fisher & Texas A&M broke the streak!
Nick Saban was 24-0 vs former assistants heading into tonight. pic.twitter.com/9LXWyKGTPv
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 10, 2021
Coach Fisher wasn’t about to see that number change to 25-0 with yet another loss to the Tide. Instead, he was hyper-focused on seeing that number read 24-1. At the culmination of the game, with a shocking 41-38 win in the books thanks to a 28-yard field goal from placekicker Seth Small as time expired, the Aggies had done what in everyone else’s mind was impossible.
In their minds, it was inevitable.
Seth Small's family was in attendance to see him kick the game-winning field goal against Alabama.
Their reaction is everything ❤️
(via @cameron_worthy)pic.twitter.com/7Ee9bje8FU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 11, 2021
After owning a 24-10 lead at halftime, Texas A&M was now in the position to drop Coach Saban to 0-4 in games that Alabama had trailed by 14 points or more at the break. That almost didn’t come to fruition as the Crimson Tide rallied behind the sensational performance of 6-foot-0 and 194-pound sophomore quarterback Bryce Young in the second half.
In seemingly a blink of an eye, Alabama had captured total control of the battle after going up 38-31 with exactly 5:00 remaining on the fourth-quarter clock. Enter the 6-foot-4 and 210-pound sophomore backup QB Zach Calzada from Sugar Hill, GA, to the party. Mr. Calzada isn’t exactly A&M’s backup QB anymore. Since redshirt freshman QB Haynes King went down with a lower right leg injury (distal tibia fracture) in the first quarter of their second game of the season at the Colorado Buffaloes, it’s been all Zach.
Calzada’s wicked-strong arm led the Aggie troops down the field for an eventual game-tying touchdown. A gorgeous, baby from the sky pigskin dime to the all-purpose Ainias Smith in the right corner of the end zone had Kyle Field shaking.
Zach Calzada's 25 yard TD strike to Ainias Smith, caps a six play, 65 yard and 2:00 drive to tie the game.
Calzada's third TD pass of the game marked the 10th of his career. #GigEm https://t.co/WrH15cPVus
— Texas A&M Athletics Communications (@12thmanPR) October 10, 2021
During the play after Mr. Calzada had let the football loose, he took a shot to the knee area that saw him receive help to the sideline. At first, it looked to be a potentially season-ending injury. However, with God smiling down on Aggieland, it wasn’t.
Zach & Co. sealed Bama’s fate with that aforementioned game-winning FG by Mr. Small that had Texas A&M faithful going berserk, bananas, and bonkers over the 41-38 victory. Due to fans storming the field after the miraculous win, Texas A&M was fined $100,000.
Six-figures they were most happy to pay considering the outcome.
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Randy we really enjoyed your article as you detailed the hard fought battle between two great teams in which my alma mater took the victory in the waning seconds of the game. Your article detailed the will of Texas A&M to muster up that 12th Man devotion to topple the Alabama team that no one thought could lose. Great article
Great article on such a momentous victory!
Good to see and read writings once again by Mr. Drautz. Thorough enjoyed video clips as well!