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An oral history of the University of Alabama’s football season, as told by the people who lived it
Turning Point By D.C. Reeves Sports Writer
W ho would have thought an ugly performance in nasty weather against the SEC Western Division’s last-place team could become the University of Alabama’s tipping point? The setting — Fayetteville, Ark. — was unlikely for such inspiration, but a game-clinching interception by safety Landon Collins sealed a 14-13 victory for Alabama at Arkansas, helped the Crimson Tide overcome a road loss at Ole Miss and set up a run to the conference title. It lit the fuse for Alabama’s 59-0 drubbing of Texas A&M the next week, a victory so lopsided that it propelled Alabama back into the national title discussion just 14 days after a loss. Starting with Collins’ big play, Staff Photo | Erin Nelson here’s how two weeks swung Alabama’s season in an upward direc- Alabama players jump up and down in excitement after defensive back Landon Collins intertion: cepted a pass against Arkansas to help the Crimson Tide clinch a 14-13 win on Oct. 11, 2014. throw from Arkansas quarterback Landon Collins, Brandon Allen. junior safety: It was a spectacular moment Collins: in my life. It was on a play when I had the running back, so when I T.J. Yeldon, saw he was wider than usual, junior running back: It was a tough spot. Eventu- that means he’s coming out (as ally someone had to make a a receiver). So I was like, “Let’s play, and Landon made a play be on your P’s and Q’s and make sure you do what you’re and sealed the game for us. supposed to do.” With the defense buoying what Head coach Nick Saban: would be the Crimson Tide’s worst We had really good pressure offensive performance of the season – just 271 total yards – Collins’ on the quarterback, Landon signature play came with Arkansas had the back man-to-man, he facing a third-and-10 from its own picked him up, the quarterback 28 with two minutes left on a deep scrambled all the way to the
other side of the field and tried terback was running, but when to throw the ball way back you throw the ball across like across. that it’s in the air a long, long time. Collins: So the running back chipped When Collins intercepted the our defensive end and then pass, the Alabama sideline erupted tried to make it look like he was and Collins was mobbed before he going to block. When he could even get to the sideline. The popped out, I just chased him play put a glimmer on an otherand he was wide open and no wise ugly game, but the victory one else in sight. I looked up changed the team for good. On the and it was just floating in the exterior, a large contingent of the air gradually. I just went up Alabama fan base was concerned and came down with it. with two subpar performances in a row. Inside the locker room, Saban: however, there was a much Landon lost him for a second different feeling. because he thought the quarContinued
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2014
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THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS
Nick Perry, senior safety: I’ve been here for five years so the years in the past, beating Arkansas, it’s not like a huge excitement. It’s not like we just won a national championship. But if you were to go in the locker room after the game, you would have thought we won the national championship game. Austin Shepherd, senior offensive lineman: I think that set the tone for the rest of the season. I’ve never seen the fight in our team like that up to that point. It proved what we wanted in the long run. Perry: That was probably the hardest fought game since I’ve been here. We bonded. We all clicked and it just all came together at that time. I think that game changed our season and changed the way we feel about each other. Saban: We had a lot more enthusiasm and energy out there than we did (against Ole Miss). That’s what won the game. I think we played a lot harder in this game than we did (at Ole Miss). Collins: We just went out there and enjoyed the game. Just go out there and have fun, not worry about the circumstances, not worrying about what the outcome is, because if we’re having fun and balling out there, that’s what we’re going to get. Continued Staff photos
Above: Alabama tight end Brian Vogler (84) hugs wide receiver DeAndrew White after White scored a touchdown against Arkansas.
Below: Alabama celebrates a stop on fourth down in the fourth quarter.
Staff Photo | Robert Sutton
Eddie Jackson celebrates after Alabama beat Arkansas, 14-13.
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Photo | Stewart Gwin
Alabama players dance on the sideline against Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 18, 2014. There was a change in music with more current hip hop less classic rock. The players noticed and responded, showing more energy.
Saban defended the value of the Arkansas win in the days after the game. As for the newfound emotion? It came in spades as Alabama crushed Texas A&M the next week. Denzell Devall, junior linebacker: I remember coming in at halftime and a lot of guys just smiling, laughing and everybody was just having fun; and I can remember Trey DePriest making the statement, “Every game can be like this, you just got to go out there and have fun.” I remember that statement well. That’s the main thing I remember from that game.
the sideline went ballistic. And then from that day forward, it was just play the music and let them go. I just remember that game being full of energy. A’Shawn Robinson, sophomore defensive lineman: We’re already a fired up team. So, when you play music we like that we just jam out to it and get fired up. Ryan Anderson, sophomore linebacker: It was good feeling to see everybody with all that energy and intensity out there. You could definitely tell it means something to everybody.
There was also a change in music Devall: — more current hip hop and CThat’s probably the best I’ve Murder, less classic rock — at Bry- seen us play. Everything came ant-Denny Stadium. The players together: offense, defense, spenoticed and responded, showing cial teams. It was amazing. more energy on the sidelines than in any other game in the 2014 season. Kelly Ward and Sean Landry contributed to this report. Devall: Reach D.C. Reeves at 205-722I remember them playing 0196 or dc.reeves@tuscaloosanews. “Jump, Jump” and everyone on com.
staff photo | Robert Sutton
Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon (4) and quarterback Blake Sims (6) celebrate a second quarter touchdown against Texas A&M. A rejuvenated Alabama beat the Aggies by a score of 59-0.