After a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl, Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban gave his explanation on the team's final play that ultimately cost them a shot at another national championship game.
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Following a dramatic touchdown run from Michigan running back Blake Corum on the opening drive of overtime, Alabama drove down to the goal line before facing a fourth and goal situation. After timeouts were called by both sides, Alabama ran what appeared to be a quarterback draw with Jalen Milroe that was stopped short, ending the game.
JALEN MILROE IS STOPPED ON 4TH DOWN😱
THE WOLVERINES ARE HEADED TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆 #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/X2x3tPzwqr
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
Alabama fans were upset with the play call given the fact the Crimson Tide were still a few yards away from the end zone, and Saban explained the decision in the postgame press conference.
"The fact that it didn't work made it a really bad call." - Nick Saban on the Jalen Milroe QB draw on the final play of Alabama's Rose Bowl loss to Michigan. #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/UnNYJHiBrT
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) January 2, 2024
"We called three plays," Saban said. "One they called timeout, one we called timeout, and the last one didn't work. So the fact that it didn't work made it a really bad call, you know what I mean? But we called timeout because we had a bad look. We had a good look on the first one. They must have known it."
Milroe was visibly upset following the end of the game, potentially because of how rough the final play went for him, but also the Rose Bowl as a whole. The sophomore quarterback threw for just 116 yards and was sacked six times, struggling to find any kind of rhythm in the passing game.
Saban has won seven national titles over his coaching career, including six with Alabama. Although he didn't win another national title this year, Saban made it clear that he thought this was one of the best seasons in program history.
"But one thing that I told them in the locker room after the game, this is one of the most amazing seasons in Alabama football history in terms of where this team came from, what they were able to accomplish and what they were able to do, winning the SEC Championship, and really, really proud of this group," Saban said after the game.
