#1 Alabama holds off Texas 20-19

Late field goal helps Crimson Tide overcome uncharacteristically sloppy game against Longhorns

Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash

San Angelo, Texas - Nick Saban and his Alabama Crimson Tide held off an upstart, unranked Texas Longhorn team in front of a raucous crowd at Darrell K. Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Saturday afternoon.

Texas held its own with the top ranked team from Tuscaloosa even leading late, 19-16.

However, Heisman winner Bryce Young led the Crimson Tide on a two minute drive that ended with a Will Reichard field goal with eleven seconds left.

First Year quarterback Quinn Ewers started out strong going 9-12 for 134 yards before exiting with a shoulder injury.

Sophomore Hudson Card filled in admirably for Ewers and went 14-22 for 158 yards in a game reminiscent of the 2010 BCS National Championship Game when Garrett Gilbert stepped in after an early Colt McCoy injury.

Alabama tied a record high in penalties with 15 totaling 100 yards while Texas had 5 totaling 30 yards.

The game turned on special teams as Alabama kicker Will Reichard went 2/2 including a tie for career long in a 52 yarder along with the eventual game winner. Texas’ first-year Bert Auburn went 4/5 but missed a field goal at the end of the first half.

Texas won the time of possession with 30:44 while Alabama held the ball with 29:16.

Ewers’ status is unclear at this time but was shown with a sling on at end of the game.

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