Nick Saban’s onside kick call turned Bama’s biggest weakness into a championship

Alabama losses during the Nick Saban era come so infrequently that they become famous. Dual-threat quarterbacks have given the Crimson Tide trouble for years, and those quarterbacks have become famous for beating Alabama. Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy for breaking Alabama’s defense, and pundits repeatedly questioned whether Saban had an answer for Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.

There is another signature of Alabama losses, one that is discussed less often but that had become a running joke of its own. The Tide have been victimized by special teams mistakes.

The Kick Six return of Bama’s fourth missed field goal by Auburn’s Chris Davis in the 2013 Iron Bowl is the most famous example. In 2011, an eventually avenged loss to LSU included another four missed FGs. In 2014, Ole Miss scored the go-ahead touchdown on then-No. 3 Alabama, which missed two field goals, after Christion Jones fumbled a kickoff to the Rebels. Bama did the same during this season’s Ole Miss game, setting up crucial scores that gave the Rebels a halftime lead (and eventual six-point victory).

And early Monday night against Clemson, Alabama’s Adam Griffith missed a 44-yard field goal in a game that would remain within one score for almost all of 60 minutes.

With a national championship on the line, Nick Saban finally flipped the script. After three series in which his offense had generated 26 yards and three punts, the Crimson Tide broke through the Clemson defense for a game-tying field goal drive. Momentum was still with the surging Tigers, though, and Saban wanted to save his defense.

Saban reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out a surprise onside kick, something you’d expect to see out of Saban’s rival Les Miles, but never from the man known for the mantra of The Process.

Typical of a Saban team, the play was executed flawlessly. Clemson’s first line of blockers was aligned narrowly across the middle of the field, leaving an open gap on the sideline. Freshman Marlon Humphrey would have a free run to a pooch kick, if Griffith could place it.

Griffith nailed it, later saying, “Right when I kicked it, I knew it was gonna be a good one.”

The play stunned Clemson. Dabo Swinney complained to the officials, though there was no sign of any offside Alabama players or any other violations.

“Coach Saban has some big-ass balls,” said Bama linebacker Dillon Lee, who was on the field.

The Tigers sent a defense that had just buckled during an eight-play, 64-yard drive back onto the field. It had no chance.

Two plays later, Jake Coker connected with O.J. Howard on a 51-yard touchdown pass, and Alabama had a lead it would never again relinquish. The good special teams vibes continued, with Kenyan Drake breaking a 95-yard kickoff return shortly after.

After the surprise onside worked, all Saban could do was smile.

There was reason. Monday was the night Saban won his fifth national championship and fourth at Alabama. But it was also the night Alabama finally turned the tables and used one of its oldest liabilities as an asset.