Alabama Football’s 10 Most Defining Plays of the Past 25 Years That Changed the Course of College Football History.
Alabama football has long been synonymous with dominance, discipline, and dynasty. Over the past 25 years, the Crimson Tide has not only been a perennial powerhouse but has also delivered some of the most iconic moments in college football history. These aren’t just exciting plays—they are the defining moments that changed the trajectory of games, seasons, coaching legacies, and the college football landscape as a whole. From last-second miracles to momentum-swinging heroics, Alabama’s playbook of historic moments is stacked with unforgettable brilliance. Here’s a deep dive into the ten most impactful plays Alabama has produced in the last quarter-century, each serving as a pillar of a modern dynasty.
Perhaps no play symbolizes the Nick Saban era and Alabama’s re-emergence more vividly than the now-legendary “2nd and 26” in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Georgia. After trailing 13-0 at halftime, true freshman Tua Tagovailoa was inserted into the game and brought new life to the Tide. Facing 2nd and 26 in overtime after taking a sack, Tua unleashed a perfectly thrown 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith, sealing a 26-23 victory and igniting one of the most dominant quarterback careers in Alabama history. It was a moment that not only won a national title but also marked the beginning of a new offensive era in Tuscaloosa.
Go back a few years earlier, and you’ll find another play of seismic magnitude—Terrence Cody’s blocked field goal against Tennessee in 2009. With Alabama leading 12-10 and just seconds left on the clock, Tennessee lined up for a potential game-winning field goal. Cody, nicknamed “Mount Cody” for his sheer size, broke through the line and blocked the kick. It was his second block of the game, and it preserved Alabama’s perfect season. The Tide would go on to win the SEC Championship and ultimately the national title, their first under Nick Saban. That blocked field goal may well have been the moment that kept the dynasty alive before it even fully took off.
Of course, not all game-changing plays came in national championship settings. In 2011, Alabama was locked in a defensive battle with LSU in what was dubbed the “Game of the Century.” Although the Tide would lose the regular season contest in overtime, they got a rematch in the BCS National Championship. Early in that game, Dre Kirkpatrick’s crushing hit on Rueben Randle not only set the tone but forced LSU to become one-dimensional. That defensive dominance, punctuated by a blocked field goal by Courtney Upshaw and suffocating pressure, gave Alabama a 21-0 win and cemented their defensive identity in the Saban era.
Alabama’s dominance under Saban has been defined by execution, but sometimes a little luck—or divine timing—steps in. In 2009, Alabama faced Auburn in the Iron Bowl, and the Tigers were leading 21-20 late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Greg McElroy led the Tide on a methodical, pressure-packed drive that culminated in a short touchdown pass to Roy Upchurch with just over a minute left. That drive not only salvaged Alabama’s undefeated season but helped propel them toward a national title. It was a moment of mental toughness and clock management that showcased Saban’s process in its purest form.
Another unforgettable Iron Bowl moment came in 2021, in a game Alabama had no business winning. Down 10-3 with just over a minute left and pinned deep in their own territory, Bryce Young engineered a 97-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Ja’Corey Brooks with 24 seconds remaining. That drive sent the game to overtime, where Alabama eventually prevailed in four overtimes, 24-22. The win preserved Alabama’s path to the SEC Championship and ultimately the College Football Playoff, once again showcasing how the Crimson Tide never fold under pressure.
Sometimes one play becomes the visual symbol of an entire defensive generation. In the 2016 National Championship Game against Clemson, linebacker Reuben Foster delivered a bone-jarring hit that immediately shifted the game’s momentum. While Clemson would eventually win the rematch in 2017, that hit reminded everyone that Alabama’s defense was as punishing as ever. The image of Foster launching into a Tigers player mid-air encapsulated the physicality that had become synonymous with Alabama football.
No list of impactful Alabama plays would be complete without mentioning “The Kick Six.” While it went against Alabama, the 2013 Iron Bowl ending deserves inclusion due to the ripple effects it caused. With one second left in a tied game, Alabama attempted a 57-yard field goal. Auburn’s Chris Davis returned the missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown, winning the game in stunning fashion. That play knocked Alabama out of national championship contention and forced Saban to reevaluate special teams and game-ending strategy. The aftermath led to Alabama adjusting its roster to include more athleticism and speed in special teams, helping build even more dominant rosters in the years to come.
In 2012, in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, the Bulldogs were threatening to knock off Alabama and take their place in the BCS title game. With just seconds left, Georgia opted not to spike the ball and instead ran a play that resulted in a tipped pass being caught in bounds by Chris Conley. The clock ran out, and Alabama survived, going on to win the national title against Notre Dame. That single play not only changed who got to play for the championship but preserved Alabama’s quest for back-to-back titles.
Back in 2008, the signature win that declared Alabama’s arrival under Nick Saban came in the Georgia Dome against the No. 3-ranked Bulldogs. Alabama exploded to a 31-0 halftime lead, thanks in part to a long punt return touchdown by Javier Arenas. That return stunned the Georgia crowd, which had shown up dressed in black for a “blackout” game. Arenas’ return killed that atmosphere instantly and set the tone for Alabama’s future dominance in the SEC. It was one of those moments when the rest of college football took notice: Alabama was back.
One more game-changing play deserves recognition, and that’s Mark Ingram’s fourth-quarter touchdown run against Florida in the 2009 SEC Championship. With the Gators trying to mount a comeback, Ingram’s 28-yard touchdown run through a sea of defenders sealed Alabama’s win. The image of him powering through the Florida defense helped win him the Heisman Trophy and also symbolized the end of Tim Tebow’s reign and Urban Meyer’s Florida dynasty. It marked a torch-passing moment and Alabama’s arrival as college football’s new ruling power.
Together, these ten plays form the spine of Alabama’s football legacy over the past 25 years. They include heroic efforts, heart-stopping moments, and championship-clinching brilliance. But beyond the highlight reels, they tell a deeper story—a story of a program that redefined itself, reshaped the SEC, and rewrote the rules of what it means to be a dynasty in college football. From Saban’s process to the players who executed on the biggest stages, Alabama’s most impactful plays are not just moments—they’re chapters in a legacy that continues to grow with every season.
