There aren't many conferences as competitive from top to bottom in college football than the Southeastern Conference. Those high standards ring especially true for the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs. Tthese two historic programs own 40 SEC titles between them, most recently meeting in Atlanta, Georgia for the title back in 2018.
One of the University of Alabama's most memorable titles, though, came back during the 1999 SEC Championship game against the Florida Gators. That game featured several future NFL players, and one play that stands out as one of the greatest in SEC title game history.
That 1999 Bama team was lead by quarterback Andrew Zow and All-American running back Shaun Alexander. The team had a year that was full of close games, including losses to Louisiana Tech and Tennessee, and a huge Iron Bowl victory over Auburn. Earlier that season, the Tide scored a victory over then-No. 3 Florida, which snapped the Gators 31-game home winning streak under head coach Steve Spurrier.
Two months later, Florida and Alabama would matchup again in the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome, this time as top-10 schools. The game would be tight until the fourth quarter when Alabama broke the game wide open thanks to one of the most iconic plays in SEC Championship Game history.
Leading 15-7 in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Freddie Milons lined up a wildcat formation from Alabama's 22-yard line, scrambled around, and ended up breaking loose for a 78-yard touchdown run that started off a legendary finish to that game.
Alabama Wins 1999 SEC Championship Game
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6sGyQAEYt0?start=857&w=560&h=315%5D
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The 19-point fourth quarter included a defensive touchdown by Reggie Grimes after picking off Florida quarterback Jesse Palmer, one of four Alabama INTs on the day, and a seven-yard touchdown run by Shaun Alexander to seal the deal.
The Tide would then go on to steamroll the Gators, 34-7, as they captured the program's only conference title under head coach Mike DuBose. Milons was named the game's MVP by racking up 116 rushing yards on the day.
Alabama would go on to face the Tom Brady-led Michigan Wolverines in the Orange Bowl, where they would lose in overtime, 35-34, after kicker Ryan Pflugner missed the extra-point to extend the game.
The 1999 SEC Championship was one of the most memorable in Alabama football history as Freddie Milons etched his name into the Crimson Tide history books.
This article was originally published November 27, 2018.
