DeBoer tells why Alabama coaches put the ball in Germie Bernard’s hands on game-winning drive

Oct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) rushes against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

With 42 seconds left in the game, Alabama was in a third and long situation at South Carolina’s 25-yard line. Every person in the stadium and around the nation knew what a critical down it was, and the Alabama coaching staff turned to wide receiver Germie Bernard.

Bernard has been used in a variety of ways this season, but his number was called with the game on the line. Quarterback Ty Simpson lined up near the numbers as a wideout, and Bernard was alone in the backfield. In that moment, Kalen DeBoer had nothing but trust in Bernard, as well as offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, and ultimately, it led to the game-winning touchdown for Alabama.

“We got all the trust in the world,” DeBoer said. “You’ve seen us every week have different things that we do where he’s lined up in a wildcat, get him out of the backfield, throwing him the ball, double pass opportunities. So, guys who are disciplined, guys who the game slows down for them, you give them the opportunities as much as possible in critical moments to go make plays for you.”

It was a play that Bernard said Alabama has repped all week, and Grubb told Bernard that the play would be called in a crucial moment. He followed through on that promise, giving a snap to Bernard in wildcat formation.

Bernard ran to the right and followed the pulling offensive linemen. Simpson, who was split out wide on the right side, ran toward Bernard acting like he was about to catch a toss from Bernard, but he was a decoy. Bernard turned up field and burst into the end zone to put Alabama ahead of South Carolina with under 40 seconds to go in the SEC showdown.

“I think Coach Grubb dialed up a good play call,” Bernard said. “Like I said, we just executed to the best of our abilities, and Coach said we’re gonna make sure we score, so that’s what I was focused on.”

It’s a situation that relates to a story that’s been told a handful of times by legendary football coach Nick Saban. Saban was a high school quarterback, and his coach told him to call the final play of the game, something that Saban was a little nervous about doing. When he told his coach that he didn’t know what play to call, Saban learned a lesson from his coach that stuck with him throughout his career.

“When you’re in a critical situation in a game, don’t think of plays,” Saban’s coach told him. “Think of players.”

Bernard finished the game with five catches for 54 yards and a receiving touchdown. He also ran the ball three times for 23 yards and scored the final touchdown of the day on the ground.

Alabama will head into the bye week looking to get some players healthy before taking on LSU at home the week after.