GIF recap: Reliving Alabama’s end-of-half drive against Vanderbilt

Oct 4, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws for a touchdown to Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) against Vanderbilt at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Alabama needed a response, and it needed one fast. After allowing Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt to march down the field for a go-ahead touchdown with 1:33 left in the second quarter, the Crimson Tide faced the prospect of heading into the half trailing before kicking to the Commodores after the break. 

Momentum had swung in the visitors’ favor, and Alabama was desperate to rejuvenate an anxious crowd inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

That’s when Ty Simpson and the Tide offense turned the game on its head. 

Starting at his own 22-yard line without any timeouts, Simpson led Alabama’s offense 78 yards on six plays, tying the game with 22 seconds to spare on a 27-yard touchdown pass to Germie Bernard. Simpson was 5 of 5 for 80 yards and a touchdown on the drive, with his only blip in perfection coming on a 2-yard sack. The score helped Alabama recapture momentum and ultimately sparked a string of 23 unanswered points, as the Tide secured a 30-14 victory. 

Here’s a breakdown of all five of Simpson’s completions during the game-changing drive.