ESPN explains why Kick-Six was the top play of the 2000s so far
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The Kick-Six was one of a kind. More than a decade after Auburn defeated Alabama in the most dramatic fashion to win the 2013 Iron Bowl, Chris Davis’ 109-yard return of Adam Griffith’s missed field goal in the final seconds is still talked about and replayed to this day.
Ahead of the 2025 college football season, many are reflecting on the first 25 seasons (2000-24) of the 2000s. When it came time to name the top 25 college football plays of the millennium so far, ESPN went with the Kick-Six at No. 1. Chris Low explained why the Kick-Six is on top:
The play was stunning, one of the most improbable endings in college football history, as Auburn’s Chris Davis raced 109 yards for a touchdown after Alabama kicker Adam Griffith was short on a 57-yard field goal attempt with one second remaining in the 2013 Iron Bowl. Alabama coach Nick Saban argued to have one second put back on the clock after Tide running back T.J. Yeldon was knocked out of bounds. Griffith was sent in to try the long field goal with the score tied 28-28 after Cade Foster had already missed three field goals. After fielding the kick deep in the end zone, Davis tiptoed down the left sideline before breaking into the open field and into the end zone, where he was mobbed by teammates, cameramen and fans.
The loss kept Saban and the previously unbeaten Crimson Tide from playing for what would have been their third straight national championship. Auburn advanced to the final BCS national championship game, where the Tigers in Gus Malzahn’s first season as coach lost to Florida State in the final seconds.
It’s a play that will live in the hearts of Auburn fans, who can still hear the school’s radio play-by-play announcer, the late Rod Bramblett, screaming “Auburn’s going to win the football game!” as Davis crossed the goal line
ESPN’s list is a fun trip down memory lane for football fans, with the Kick-Six topping moments like Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl trick plays, Tim Tebow’s first jump pass, 2nd-and-26, Jadeveon Clowney’s big hit and more. Will anything in the 2025 season top the Kick-Six? We’ll find out this fall!
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
