Alabama fans enjoy celebrating special moments in football history for its program.
We are in the 26th day of the second month of 2024 and an iconic moment comes to mind. The 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game was played on Jan. 8 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.) between Alabama and Georgia.
RELATED: 30 Alabama players to watch this spring: Jaylen Mbakwe
Tua Tagovailoa, a freshman quarterback then, came off the bench in the second half and turned the game around.
Alabama trailed by 13 points (0-13) at halftime when Nick Saban made the switch from Jalen Hurts to Tagovailoa.
He tossed three touchdown passes, including one in overtime to win the game. His 41-yard, game-winning strike to wide receiver DeVonta Smith came on second down with 26 yards to go. Tagovailoa fired a rainbow to his receiver and Smith did the rest.
It’s a day of celebration, Alabama Nation‼️ 🥳🙌
For over a decade “WE WANT BAMA” echoed from peewee teams to fans of other sports in foreign lands. This date will never be forgotten. Auburn should be thankful there are only 30 days in April. 😂 Happy 2nd and 26‼️ pic.twitter.com/4OrycUzgAn
— The Alabama Nation #GumpCertified 🥋 (@AlabamaNati0n) February 26, 2024
The play, dubbed “2nd and 26,” lives on in Crimson Tide folklore.
Two freshmen broke Georgia hearts as Saban claimed his fifth national championship at Alabama and sixth for his career.
It will forever be a shining moment, and Tide fans will celebrate it every chance it gets.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
