Nick Saban calls Auburn's substitution 'unfair' on game-deciding play
Auburn’s substitution on a fourth down play with 1:06 remaining caught Alabama by surprise because the Tigers lined up their punter at wide receiver.
The idea was to keep Alabama punt returner Jaylen Waddle on the sideline, but when the Crimson Tide noticed it, they had a mass substitution, but ultimately they were flagged for too many men on the field. That allowed Auburn a first down because it was fourth down and 4, and the Tigers ran out the clock and won 48-45.
Saban on that last Alabama penalty: “I really feel it’s a pretty unfair play,” Matt Zenitz reported.
For his part, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn explained the events and admitted Auburn tried to goad Alabama into the substitution error, and it worked.
“We were trying to keep their punt returner off the field,” he said. “We put our punter at the X, and we were gonna shift to get a punt without him out there.”
Auburn lined up the punter at wide receiver to try to keep Waddle on the sideline. Bama noticed it late and took a penalty in the confusion. So simple, but so smart by Malzahn. Took the game straight out of Bama’s hands pic.twitter.com/u0g87fz7as
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) December 1, 2019
Did Auburn actually practice this kind of play?
Seems like they did…I wonder how long Gus has been holding on to this one.
Certainly seems like they did. Too intricate and deliberate for it to not be in the playbook
I was wondering the same thing. As bad as Gus Malzahn can be at times, he has just as many of these moments where it looks like he’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
Gus said they had been practicing this for a while, but saving it. Probably the best coaching decision of the season.
Unfair? Why? It seemed like a smart play to me.
Well because you don’t call illegal substitution on the defense till the ball is hiked and 2 if you look at the formation Auburn was in? It’s illegal. Wait and you’ll hear from the league office to try and explain it away. They need to hold officials accountable for missing calls. Officiating this year has been horrendous.
They didn’t call it until the snap.
You’d think the greatest coach since Vince Lombardi wouldn’t be fooled by this stuff.
Then it was an illegal formation. Too many men on the line of scrimmage (8). Go back and count them…
However, this didn’t lose the game. 2 picks for TDs surely didn’t help. Nor did giving Auburn basically the opportunity to run its kick team out and get into place prior to the ready for play whistle. This rule should be changed. If you have the offense on the field? They would have to stay. You would not be able to substitute to gain and advantage.
There is no such penalty as too many men on the line. You just have to have no more than four men in the backfield (at least seven on the line). A lot of teams run a power set with two tight ends and an extra offensive tackle on the line, with only two running backs and a qb in the backfield.
@bamadad941
Get over it
Looks like 7 men on the line
The man furthest out actually was on the line. If you are going off the photo? Then he’s moving towards the line of scrimmage
All I have is the photo-was at UT game.
Bamadad, as is started previously that isn’t a penalty. Teams run full empty sets and they are completely legal. It was a normal punt formation. It doesn’t matter the name of the player lined up in a certain place as far as the rules go.
Your comment was wrong in so many ways. A defense can be called for illegal substitution before the ball is snapped. If the ref feels the snap is inevitable he can flag the defense whether they are set or not. Also, you can line up as many people you want in the line of scrimmage.
Bamadad. Illegal formation because they had 8 on the line lol, even this old basketball guy knows you can have 10 on the line if you wish. The penalty is when you don’t have at least 7 on the line of scrimmage.
Nick pissed he didn’t come up with it first. That’s all. This will become a typical trick play going forward. Congrats to Gus for having it ready to take the W in an awesome game.
Go back and look. 7 men on line of scrimmage which is a legal formation. The WR at the top of the formation is off the line of scrimmage and doesnt cover up the WR next to him. Smart play by Auburn.
Also, If the receiver is covered up, it is not an illegal formation. It just means he is not an elligible receiver.
There are 7 men on the line not 8. Not illegal at all.
Did Bama really think they were going with a fake there? Put your returner on the field.
Alabama now knows how everyone else feels when they are allowed to get away with so much crap just because they are AL.
Think all that cheap hair dye has affected Saban’s brain.
No different than getting a defensive player to jump early for an off-sides penalty.
Unfair?? Come on man..
Seems fairly smart to me. Hate to hear Saban speak way: trickery and auburn are just part of the game.
Auburn swapped in the punter on 4th & 4, so Bama brought in its punt return team. When the punter then lined up as a WR, Bama decided to change personnel a second time. In his post-game press conference, Saban said it wasn’t fair that he didn’t get more time to make a second round of substitutions. Someone PLEASE defend that stance in an intelligent manner.
They can’t, because there isnt a legitimate argument to make.
No one can defend it……..
Unfair Tactics Rule 9-2-2
ARTICLE 2. a. No player shall conceal the ball in or beneath his clothing or equipment or substitute any other article for the ball.
b. No simulated replacements or substitutions may be used to confuse opponents. No tactic associated with substitutes or the substitution process may be used to confuse opponents (Rule 3-5-2-e) (A.R. 9-2-2-IVII).
c. No equipment may be used to confuse opponents (Rule 1-4-2-e).
PENALTY [a-c] 15 yards from the previous spot [S27]. Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified”
Love the clarification!!!!
Not sure why this is here. They didn’t simulate anything. This is no different than teams lining up their QB out wide and then bringing him back in under center or whatever. Completely legal play, Saban just got out-smarted.
Read it again. There is an “or” there. It’s not just about simulated replacements, it’s about “simulated replacements” OR “substitutions”. The entire process.
Also, as to your second half, the wide QB can be used in that position. I’ve seen many plays where a QB actually plays that position. The substitution process of getting the QB in place is not what makes that play work, it’s the personnel alignment. Auburn ran their punter onto the field (a substitution” knowing it would cause confusion for Alabama. Running your QB on the field, doesn’t cause the other team confusion due to your substitution because he’s expected on the field.
What was so confusing about Auburn running their punter onto the field on 4th down? Additionally earlier in the game didn’t Bama’s QB execute a punt? So perhaps Auburn was doing the same.
Nick got outcoached.
@Chuck.
Not sure how that applies. Most rulebooks I’ve seen give examples of the rules in action. Do you have one of those that is applicable?
The only people confused by this are the Gumps. By your logic trick plays and flea flickers should be banned
But it was fair when Auburn got called for the same thing TWICE? Ok.
Nick, life isn’t fair
Suck it up buttercup.
Y’all need some French cries to go with your waaamburger?
Oof, the terribly lame dad jokes are a-poppin’ here tonight.
Not as lame as the joke that was the Tide’s defense this year.
What’s worse: UGA’s offense or Bama’s defense? Focus on your own problems. Coming up next, another failed attempt at getting to the playoffs from UGA.
But wait, wait … let me hear Nick say “unfair” again . Time for the Bama whine.
I know they should still be in the playoffs, but it will be a little tougher to justify
I cannot believe Saban complains about a call… he obviously is so used to always getting them his way… Example- Tyler Simmons was NOT OFFSIDES in the 2018 National championship game. Did he mention poor officiating that game???
Be classy, you lost a game, do not spend your time complaining about a call.
Yeah, he’s the only coach that complains about refs, isn’t he? Get a life. You’re still whining about that L in 2018? And btw, check the stats, Bama is the most penalized team in the SEC so please explain how we always get our way.
Hahaha! U mad? Bama fans have turned into Florida fans… always talking about something that happened years ago. Just face it, Bama has lost the ability to win big ball games. 0-3 in 2019…. smoked by Clemson, smoked by LSU, out coached by Auburn. Deal with it.
Wow, reading comprehension not big at UGA? Your bro above mentioned the refs in 2018, not me. How about you deal with UGA’s inability to beat Bama. When’s the last time you guys were in the playoffs? When’s the last time you got a title? Deal with it.
No, they usually do exactly what he tells them to do. After the couldn’t penalize LSU out of the win the ref treated AL like any other team instead of soecial.
Clearly Auburn has 4 in the backfield. One wide out at the top of the formation and three backs. The punter is on the line of scrimmage.
Also Bama was given enough time to substitute, then once the punter moved out to wide receiver they tried to sub again rather then call timeout. Got out coached on that one
Saban had no timeouts left. That was the point of the play – stress and confuse Bama’s sub plan while being unable to stop the play clock.
Good point
Once the Punt return team had subbed into the game, the regular defense, by rule, have to remain out for one play unless there is a timeout. This is Section 5 Article 2 Section d of the NCAA 2019 Football Rule Book.
SECTION 5. Substitutions
Substitution Procedures
ARTICLE 1. Any number of legal substitutes for either team may enter the game between periods, after a score or try, or during the interval between downs only for the purpose of replacing a player(s) or filling a player vacancy(ies). Legal Substitutions
ARTICLE 2. A legal substitute may replace a player or fill a player vacancy provided none of the following restrictions is violated:
a. No incoming substitute shall enter the field of play or an end zone while the ball is in play.
b. No player, in excess of 11, shall leave the field of play or an end zone while the ball is in play (A.R. 3-5-2-I).
PENALTY [a-b] Live-ball foul. Five yards from the previous spot [S22].
c. 1. An incoming legal substitute must enter the field of play directly from his team area, and a substitute, player or departing player must depart at the sideline nearest his team area and proceed to his team area. 2. A departing player must immediately leave the field of play, including the end zones. A departing player who leaves the huddle or his position within three seconds, after a substitute becomes a player, is considered to have left immediately.
d. Substitutes who become players (Rule 2-27-9) must remain in the game for at least one play and replaced players must remain out of the game for at least one play, except during the interval between periods, after a score, or when a timeout is charged to a team or to the referee with the exception of a live-ball out of bounds or an incomplete forward pass (A.R. 3-5-2-III and VII).
PENALTY [c-d]—Dead-ball foul: Five yards from the succeeding spot
Therefore even if Alabama did not have 12 men on the field, they could have been penalized for illegal substitution for not leaving subbed players in for one play.
There is no penalty for having more than 7 men on the line of scrimmage as long as 5 of these players have numbers between 50 and 79. They can have 11 on the line, but it would be hard to retrieve the snap, but not illegal by rule.
AFLAC ark, ark, ark..
Certainly seems like they did. Too intricate and deliberate for it not to be in the playbook
Saban was out coached on this one plain and simple. No bad officiating just some really good trickery by Gus. Is the dynasty coming to an end??
I hope so!
That’s the 2nd time Malzahn has toasted Saban with smarter coaching at the end of a game. I don’t see the difference in this and a hard snap count, or any other maneuver to get the other team to commit a penalty.
There is no difference.
When Saban gets mad at officials, he tends to invent rules. Going into halftime he was complaining that the refs were wrong about how they handled the clock issue, but he didn’t have his facts straight.
Helluva game, though. I enjoyed it immensely.
This should not decide a game. Football has so many silly rules Defense should be given time to set. Gus does this all the time.
Or maybe if Bama doesn’t throw pick sixes they win, or even if they recruited a kicker…just saying
Why should the defense given extra time to set?
I was at our game in the swamp so have not seen the entirety of this game. But, in the replays I have seen, AU did not change personnel, only formation.
So why should the defense be given more time to substitute based on a formation change?
Saban just needs to realize that Gus out coached him on this play and stop whining when something doesn’t go his way. Just like when he was whining about up tempo years ago.
Do you need a Wambulance?
Defense has to react as quickly as the Offense. That is why teams will run hurry up offensive plays to catch the defense and draw a penalty- usually too many on the field. Saban does but whins when done to him.
Bama lost this game a couple of weeks ago when they played Tua against Mississippi State. Don’t risk your star qb in a game you’re already gonna win. The coaching staff’s pride killed their playoff chances just because they lost a really good LSU team.
This. He had been battling injuries for some time. Saban claimed it was to “Practice the 2 minute drill” Seriously? All the big situations he’d been in and he needs the practice against a worse defense than he plays in practice?
No, Bama needed “Style Points” and it bit them big time.
And sadly probably cost Tua a lot of money based on draft position.
Pretty sad when you get out coached by Gus Malzon
What’s even more sad is he’s been out-coached by him 3/7 times.
OMG…Had Saban ran this same play everyone would be calling it a brilliant move on his part. Instead…Saban calls it an ‘unfair’ play. Show me in the NCAA rules where this is detailed as an unfair play? Typical Saban…great winner, poor loser!!!!
I didn’t care who won or if the play is technically legal, just think it was a junior high school call on Malzahn’s part.
From your name I assume you’re an Arky fan. I’d think you’d be used to seeing jr high school plays by now seeing as that’s been your teams goto guidebook for 3 seasons now.
Sick Burn!
Please, for all of us Razorback fans stay out of this conversation. We have zero room to talk…for the next decade we should sit over here in the bench and just watch great SEC football. Your just throwing salt on the bacon
Whah it was unfair I wasn’t allowed to make a hundred different substitutions because I am old and didn’t see what they did. Whah….face it Nick, if your QB doesn’t throw two pick sixes you guys win, if you recruited a kicker once in a while, you guys might win….but to whine the play was unfair is just more Bama whining garbage.
Think its funny that Bama has had the refs in their back pocket for years and one play doesnt go their way, then Saban throws a tantrum. Thats why everyone is laughing is because they know Bama always, always get the calls and this time they didnt. Karma is a mother….lol. Cry Nicky cry…lol.
I don’t totally disagree with you because fk Bama, but Bama doesn’t always get their way. They lead the league in penalties dude.
“They lead the league in penalties dude.”
Again, Saban seems to have gotten lazy. Lack of discipline, Weak for the Pac-12 even Defense, getting outcoached by Ed and Gus…It is like they went into this season assuming Tua and their receivers would hang 60 on everyone so none of that mattered. Football happens.
I will rescind all of this if he and his staff take that long hard look in the mirror this offseason and make some changes. The way he runs a program changed college football. But the league has caught up and he has got to start earning that check again.
I completely agree. Everyone spent years trying to replicate what he was doing at Alabama, and no one ever could until Saban finally gave in to the Spread offense. Now Clemson has mirrored what Alabama had previously under Saban and may even be better, and many other programs have also started to catch up after finally realizing they didn’t need to beat Bama at their own game, they just needed to find an identity for their own programs.
There shouldn’t be a time limit for Alabama. Wouldn’t Auburn have to snap the ball to catch Alabama in an illegal reaction to their substitution. And couldn’t a pre-mature snap of the ball be penalized against Auburn. I’m not convinced the officials got this anywhere close to right.
Need to research the rules man. Ball doesn’t have to be snapped for the illegal formation to be called. They just have to be set for the snap on the count. It was a brilliant trick tactic on Malzhans part that caught Bama sleeping.
But if I were you, I’d be more worried and your team than what happened in the IB. Y’all have a road ahead of you with no bowl game and trying to find a 3rd rate jr college coach to lead whatever you want to call a team.
Lol…Lots of talk for a 3 loss team that got beat by the top 2 in the East this year.
Lol, well we lost to the #1 team in the SEC IN BATON ROUGE by 3 points. UGA will lose to that same LSU team by 14+ in their own backyard.
Maybe, but they still beat Auburn at Jordan Hare and beat Florida, who also beat you guys. Not sure why you think they wouldn’t post similar results against LSU. Georgia was better on Defense than Auburn this season and Jake Fromm typically won’t lose you a game.
LSU may win, but all of this “They will blow them out” talk completely ignores the actual results of the games played. Georgia will be the best Defense they have faced this season.
Sure does suck when every call does not go your way, huh Nickie?
I’m trying to stay out of it but one thing I did notice was Saban completely getting unhinged. That definitely is not good for someone his age. Never seen It before or noticed till this game.
the Spurrier Effect
Nick just needs to start wearing a visor like SOS did, so he can throw it on the ground to vent. Great in-game stress reliever.
That would be much cheaper than the headsets he keeps breaking.
brilliant
Really Nick, you are going whine about a bad call or getting out coached? Considering the number of calls bama has had go their way the last few years you aren’t getting any sympathy from the rest of the SEC!
Maybe if Saban had coached a better game, he wouldn’t have to be trying to think up lame excuses to explain his failure.
This game proves that without Alabama’s bagmen bringing in consecutive #1 recruiting classes, Nick Saban would be an above average coach.
I guess Alabama will need to step up their payments if they want to stay at the top.
If that play was unfair, God forbid that anyone does the fumblerooski or try a fake punt against Bama.
That’s a very “Les Miles” type of play. Unfortunately for AU fans, they are finding out that while coaches like Les and Gus might seem like geniuses, you might win games with trick plays, but they won’t sustain a season. LSU went trough a few years of this, as well.
The only appropriate response to saban is “Ok boomer”.
Ha how does Saban look after getting outsmarted by the guy who apparently, has run out of tricks?
Nick Saban was right to say “I really feel it’s a pretty unfair play,” because a game of that caliber and importance should not be determined by cowardice on the part of Auburn and more so by Auburn coach Gus Malzahn! In my book he is a coward and a cheat and has to depend on cheap sandlot immature ways to “legally cheat” instead of depending on talent and good sportsmanship!
I for one will never again have any respect for Gus Malzahn or Auburn Coward Football! on the other hand, I have the utmost respect for the best college Football Coach that ever lived and that coach is Nick Saban, and before your go off half cocked saying that I am a bitter Alabama Fan, I am NOT an Alabama Fan, I am a fan of College Football Fan and a fan of good sportsmanship, pride and honor none of which the joke of a coach Gus Malzahn or the Auburn Football program possesses!
Gosh…I do remember Auburn scoring TWO PICK-SIXES, right ? Maybe that had a little-bit to do with their winning the game…maybe ? Most casual fans lock in on one play…”the play that won the game”…but guys, we all know that a football game lasts 60 minutes and a lot of plays are run…and “the play” is rarely what really WINS THE GAME.
2 CENTS
I am not a rules expert but I expect that Coach Saban knows them very well. I don’t blame the Referees for Alabama losing the game …. but I do agree with Coach Saban on this play. The term “unfair” Coach Saban was not unintentional and was most likely a reference to the following.
NCAA Rule 9 – Conduct of Players and Others Subject to the Rules
Approved ruling 9-2-1
SECTION 2. Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls
ARTICLE 2. Unfair Tactics
No player shall conceal the ball in or beneath his clothing or equipment or substitute any other article for the ball.
No simulated replacements or substitutions may be used to confuse opponents. No tactic associated with substitutes or the substitution process may be used to confuse opponents (Rule 3-5-2-e). (A.R. 9-2-2:I-V)
No equipment may be used to confuse opponents (Rule 1-4-2-d).
PENALTY –
[a-c] — Live-ball foul. 15 yards from the previous spot [S27]. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified [S47].
PENALTY – [c-d] Dead-ball foul. Five yards from the succeeding spot [S22].
When Team A sends in its substitutes, the officials will not allow the ball to be snapped until Team B has been given an opportunity to substitute. While in the process of substitution or simulated substitution, Team A is prohibited from rushing quickly to the line of scrimmage with the obvious attempt of creating a defensive disadvantage. If the ball is ready for play, the game officials will not permit the ball to be snapped until Team B has placed substitutes in position and replaced players have left the field of play. Team B must react promptly with its substitutes.
PENALTY – (First offence) Dead-ball foul. Delay of game on Team B for not completing its substitutions promptly, or delay of game on Team A for causing the play clock to expire. Five yards from the succeeding spot [S21]. The referee will then notify the head coach that any further use of this tactic will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct foul.
PENALTY – (Second or more offence) Dead-ball foul, team unsportsmanlike conduct. An official will sound his whistle immediately. 15 yards from the succeeding spot. [S27].
Approved ruling 3-5 This scenario can be applied to the play.
9. Late in the first half Team A is out of timeouts. A pass play on third down ends inbounds at the B-25 short of the line to gain with the game clock showing 0:30. Facing fourth down and three, Team A gives no indication as to its next play until the game clock reads 0:10. They then rush their field goal unit onto the field, and Team B then hurries to respond. RULING: The umpire moves to the ball to prevent the snap until Team B has had a reasonable opportunity to get its field-goal defense unit onto the field. The umpire will step away when he judges that the defense has had enough time. If the game clock reads 0:00 before the ball is snapped after the umpire steps away, the half is over.