Nick Saban dissects Alabama's play of the game after Middle Tennessee State victory
Nick Saban took his first chance at breaking down Alabama’s “Play of the Game” after the Crimson Tide’s lopsided win on Saturday over Middle Tennessee State.
Saban suggested that Amari Niblack was the key to the play, but Saban had his eyes on the MTSU safeties during a play-action slider. One safety stepped forward, which Saban said is the “kiss of death” for a defensive back.
Saban then pointed to Alabama’s outside wide receiver, Kendrick Law, who he hoped could occupy the cornerback.
“We’re going to try to get (Niblack) on top of the deep 3rd corner and have the safety, who’s supposed to be spoken to the middle of the field, be able to chase him down,” Saban said, as the play rolled. “Now you see (Law) occupy the corner, and then the guy runs in the deep 3rd where the corner’s supposed to be. But most corners are not taught to worry about a guy coming from the other side of the field. They’re supposed to squeeze the guy in their zone as long as there’s not another guy on their side of the field to worry about getting in their zone. So this is a really well-designed play, well-executed, good throw, good catch.”
All of that resulted in a 29-yard touchdown by Niblack with 10:25 remaining in the 3rd quarter of the 56-7 win.
We’re back with a fan favorite! Coach Saban maps out the Play of the Game. #RollTide | @cbsbank pic.twitter.com/gtnWP9LeNt
— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) September 3, 2023