Alabama slips past Texas on late field goal

Alabama escapes Austin thanks to a late field goal against Texas

Bryce Young made a couple of Heisman Trophy-worthy plays and it resulted in Alabama exiting Austin with a thrilling 20-19 win over Texas on Saturday.

The winning points came off the foot of Will Reichard, who kicked a field goal from 33 yards with 10 seconds left to give the Crimson Tide the winning margin.

Reichard’s kick came after Young directed a 61-yard drive over 1:19.

Young, the reigning Heisman winner, threw a touchdown pass with 7 yards left after a dazzling play to give Alabama a 17-16 lead earlier in the fourth quarter.

He then led another Tide drive that came up short on a fourth-down play.

The Longhorns took over and backup quarterback Hudson Card, who was hobbling due to a leg injury suffered after start Quinn Ewers went out, led Texas to a field goal.

The march set up one of Bert Auburn’s four field goals — from 49 yards — with 1:29 left as the Longhorns took a 2-point lead.

Young was 27-of-39 for 214 yards as Texas’ defense frustrated him until a couple of big plays in the final quarter. Young was 15-of-19 passing for 136 yards and a touchdown in the final quarter.

One was the TD pass, the other was a run of 20 yards that set the stage for Alabama’s game-winning field goal.

Nick Saban’s team won despite being called for a stunning 15 penalties for 100 yards.

The Crimson Tide’s status as the No. 1 team is shaky. It will be fascinating to see if Texas is for real or if this was a one-off as Steve Sarkisian had his team ready for a huge opponent.

Time will tell.