Bryce Young’s heroics, late field goal save Alabama from stunning Texas upset

This was more about survival than victory for top-ranked Alabama.

It was outplayed for most of Saturday’s visit to Texas. It couldn’t block. It couldn’t protect defending Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. It was overpowered up front and it committed 15 penalties, the most in the Nick Saban era at Alabama.

But the Crimson Tide found a way, prevailing 20-19, in large part due to what looked like a left shoulder injury suffered by Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers in the first half.

Will Reichard’s 33-yard field goal with 10 seconds left was the game-winner, a play made possible by Young squeezing out of a sack and running for 19 yards to set up the kick. Before he was hurt, Ewers led the Longhorns on two scoring drives, completing 9-of-12 passes for 134 yards.

Two key plays loomed large. Bert Auburn missed a 20-yard field goal at the end of the first half for Texas and what looked like a safety was ruled an incomplete pass in the second half. The two plays cost the Longhorns five crucial points.