A Block Party in Tuscaloosa

Going into the Tennessee game, I have to be honest in admitting that I didn't think UA would have any problems. I woke up, tailgated on the quad and went into the stadium without a worry in the world. I knew the Tide would pull through and make me proud. Then the kickoff...

The game was played so sloppy. I screamed myself hoarse. You would have thought our offense had lost their brains and bathed themselves in butter--and, in the words of Katie Fay, "SPECIAL TEAMS!!!!!!???!!!". They weren't catching or reading anything. And Mark Ingram fumbled?!? What was happening in the world? This was the first game I had been to in which Alabama did not score a single touchdown. Thank goodness Tiffin showed up and gave us four field goals, two of which were from 49+ yards away. The game became a serious matter of survival rather than previously assumed domination.

A glimmer of hope returned when Tennessee missed a field goal at the end of the half and then, miraculously, Terrence Cody blocked a field goal at the beginning of the fourth. I knew the Tide would win, but this win wouldn't be as sweet. Singing Rammer Jammer would not be as satisfying. Then, the unthinkable occurred. Our defense was totally failing against UT. They scored a touchdown in the fourth with 1:16 to go--after recovering one of our fumbles. When we were finally going to receive a kick, UT sent on on-side kick---UT also recovered the onside kick. The faces of the student section were filled with despair and agony. 48 seconds to go and UT was penalized for a false start. The clock ran down as UT gained yards and got within field goal distance.

It was in this moment that we all realized how much Alabama football really meant to us. We were mentally preparing ourselves for the loss. Some students were on the verge of tears. Hearts were pounding. Eyes were unblinking. With four seconds left in the game, UT set up for a field goal. Our hopes of an undefeated season and a trip to the Rose Bowl were quickly fading before our eyes. We cringed away almost unable to watch the inevitable heartbreak that was to follow. (Katie Fay literally could not, and would not, watch. She instead buried her face in a jacket.) The stadium roared in an attempt to distract the kicker, but at the moment of play, the stadium became silent. The ball was passed back, kicked.....and BLOCKED BY MOUNT CODY!

The chaos that ensued was an incredible eruption of emotion. People were screaming, jumping and hugging strangers. Within 48 seconds, we had all experienced extreme feelings from opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. It was entirely too much to process. The overwhelming adrenaline took over as we yelled Rammer Jammer at the top of our lungs. We walked out of the stadium filled with the electricity of our victory.

The best way to describe the immediate reaction after the game is, "It was like when you're filming something and the camera is crazy shaky"...."but really, it was God holding the world and using it as a shaker screaming, 'ROOOOLLL TIIIDDDEEEE'" (Conversation between Brass and I)

Though UA has a lot of work to do and should never, ever, EVER play a game like that again, I can't help but be proud and excited about today's game. The energy was so contagious and exciting. I have never felt so energized within 4 seconds. I love UA even more.

This is Alabama football.

P.S. I got the block on camera. How awesome is that?