Unlikely hero emerges for Alabama in late-game flurry saves Crimson Tide in unexpected trap game
The definition of a trap game in the SEC is usually a bottom-feeding presence that outplays its talent level, and it’s rarely the case with the conference loaded. Even as Alabama entered this week knowing that South Carolina was playing below its talent level and was a relatively decent team with high-end athletes all over, […]
The definition of a trap game in the SEC is usually a bottom-feeding presence that outplays its talent level, and it’s rarely the case with the conference loaded. Even as Alabama entered this week knowing that South Carolina was playing below its talent level and was a relatively decent team with high-end athletes all over, the Tide nearly succumbed to the moment. They needed a miracle performance from their offense.
With 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Alabama was down eight points to the Gamecocks. The Crimson Tide’s offense was sluggish and saw its explosiveness zapped by a long and fast South Carolina defense. It wasn’t until the 2:16 mark in the game that Alabama scored, but then it was a flurry.
Wide receiver Germie Bernard scored twice in a 1:42 span, giving the Tide the decisive winning score, 29-22. When so much went wrong for Alabama, it was a gritty performance that had more twists and turns than anyone could’ve predicted.
Alabama survives road-game scare to stay in SEC Championship Game race
The final month of the season is already on the horizon, and Alabama is heading into a bye week with a huge sigh of relief. The Tide saw huge benefits from giving Daniel Hill more playing time, and the second-year running back led the team in receiving. He was outgained by Bernard as a rusher, furthering a confusing set of stats from this matchup.
It wasn’t a game head coach Kalen DeBoer will be overly proud of since Alabama was a decent favorite, but there’s something to be said about clawing out a win on the road when all else goes wrong. South Carolina tried to get cute at the end, allowing Bernard to score with 35 seconds left so they’d get one more offensive drive, but Alabama held tight.
Alabama bottled up LaNorris Sellers well enough, but the Gamecocks almost grinded out a win. The Tide will need to learn from this one, but it can walk out with its head high.
The race to the end of November is now on. LSU and Oklahoma await before Georgia State and Auburn close out the season. Alabama will be favored in each matchup. Winning out would guarantee the Crimson Tide a spot in the conference title game.
