Young, No. 1 Alabama Escape Texas on Late FG 20–19

Bryce Young (9) of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass from the end zone under pressure by Vernon Broughton (45) of the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Tex., September 10, 2022. Tim Warner/Getty Images

AUSTIN, Texas—Will Reichard kicked a 33-yard field goal with 10 seconds left, and Bryce Young and No. 1 Alabama overcame a stifling defensive effort by Texas to earn a hard-fought 20–19 victory Saturday.

Young was hit and harassed by the Texas defense most of the game, but the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback put together a big fourth quarter.

He had a twisting, off-balance touchdown pass, and then a 20-yard scramble in the final minute to set up Reichard’s winning kick. Young easily dodged a blitzing defender, then had wide open field ahead of him to scamper.

Young’s clutch play rescued Alabama on an uncharacteristically sloppy day when the Crimson Tide (2–0) struggled with penalties and dropped passes and was forced into six consecutive punts in one stretch. Texas (1–1) stuffed Alabama on fourth-and-inches late to set up a go-ahead field goal by Bert Auburn with 1:39 remaining.

Young also spoiled what could have been a program-defining victory for Texas and second-year coach Steve Sarkisian.

Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers was knocked out with a shoulder injury at the end of the first quarter.

Hudson Card (1) of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the third quarter as Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) blocks Will Anderson Jr. (31) of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Tex., September 10, 2022. Tim Warner/Getty Images

The steady hand of backup Hudson Card and an inspired defense helped Texas build a 16–10 lead early in the fourth, and then drive for the lead again on Auburn’s fourth field goal of the day.

Young was 27–of–39 passing for 213 yards with the scrambling TD throw to Jahmyr Gibbs that gave Alabama a 17–16 lead.

Jase McLellan had an 81-yard touchdown run for Alabama in the first quarter.

Alabama avoided its first nonconference loss since 2007 against Louisiana-Monroe in coach Nick Saban’s first season.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns talks with head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide before the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Tex., September 10, 2022. Tim Warner/Getty Images

The Takeaway

Alabama: The Tide was all out of sorts. Eleven first-half penalties and dropped passes showed a level of sloppy play seldom seen by Saban teams.

Last season’s Bronco Nagurski Award winner Will Anderson struggled to make plays against an inexperience Texas offensive line.

Texas: The Longhorns let a huge win get away. Now they also have questions at quarterback if Ewers is out for an extended period.

He was electric early against the Tide and had already passed for 134 yards in the first quarter before he was hurt when linebacker Dallas Turner drove him into the ground.

Up Next

Alabama hosts Louisiana-Monroe.

Texas hosts UTSA next Saturday.

By Jim Vertuno