Isaiah Bond’s Heroic Catch Flips Iron Bowl Fortune in Alabama’s Favor
AUBURN, Ala. — Things get weird when the Iron Bowl is played in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The greatest rivalry in college football has produced some legendary games and iconic finales, particularly in this venue
On the 10-year anniversary of one of the craziest endings in college football history, Alabama may have just topped that moment in the 2023 Iron Bowl with a touchdown from Jalen Milroe to Isaiah Bond on fourth-and-31 with seconds to go to give No. 8 Alabama the 27-24 victory.
"I guess if you’re in it long enough, sometime it goes against you in the last play of the game," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said after the game. "And sometimes you’re fortunate, and it goes for you.”
In the very end zone where Chris Davis returned a missed kick 109 yards for a game-winning Auburn touchdown as time expired, Bond got sweet revenge 10 years later.
In 2013, the Kick Six ripped the opportunity at a three-peat national championship away from Alabama. In 2019, it was the doink off the uprights heard around the Yellowhammer State as Auburn held on for the three-point win. Two years ago, Bryce Young led Alabama on a masterful fourth-quarter drive and four-overtime victory, 24-22. Saturday night, the moment belonged to Milroe, Bond and the Crimson Tide.
"I’ll never forget this play," Milroe said."I’ll never forget this game ever in my life.”
Alabama's season and College Football Playoff chances had all but gone up in smoke after a rough second half. The offense couldn't finish drives in the red zone, and the Crimson Tide defense was getting gashed on the ground by an Auburn offense that looked lifeless a week ago in a loss to New Mexico State.
The Crimson Tide trailed by four points late in the fourth quarter and punted the ball away after another three-and-out. A muffed punt by the Auburn returner gave Alabama life with the ball at the Auburn 30 with just under five minutes to go.
Five plays later, things were looking even better as couple successful runners had Alabama set up at first-and-goal from the Auburn seven. However, one of the offense's old vices from early in the season came back to haunt them. Center Seth McLaughlin snapped the ball before Milroe was ready for an 18-yard loss. Milroe threw an illegal forward pass on third down.
After facing a promising first-and-goal from inside the 10, Alabama was down to its literal last hope with fourth-and-goal behind the 30. That's when a little Milroe magic happened, but according to Saban, it's a scenario the Tide offense prepares for each week.
"Believe it or not, we actually practice that play every Friday when we do walk through when we do special situations," Saban said. "We get in that formation and everyone runs down the field and runs varying routes in the end zone. And Jalen made a great throw, but IB [Isaiah Bond] really kind of got himself in position where there was room to throw it.”
Bond knew as the ball was sailing through the air that it was a catchable ball. He was also aware that he had at least one foot down for the game-winning touchdown.
"I'm definitely going to remember that play for the rest of my life," Bond said. "Just knowing I helped my teammates out to another win. It's also great in Alabama program history. You know, the Auburn/Alabama game is a big game in the state of Alabama, so just knowing I was able to go out there and make a play for our team and win– it's a great feeling."
It was just Bond's fourth touchdown of the season and first since Oct. 21 against Tennessee. But it couldn't have come in a bigger moment. He was Milroe's favorite target on the night and finished with five catches for 75 yards.
Auburn has successfully played the role of spoiler for Alabama three times in the last decade. Even though the 2017 Iron Bowl victory kept the Tide out of the 2017 SEC Championship, Alabama went on to win the CFP title that season. The Tigers nearly succeeded again during Alabama's last two trips to the Plains, but the Crimson Tide has found a way to win with its back against the wall both times.
The victory not only kept Alabama's CFP hopes alive, but ensured the Crimson Tide's first four-game winning streak over the Tigers since winning nine in a row from 1973-1981. For the seniors like Malachi Moore, they become the first senior class with a perfect record against Auburn in more than four decades.
"It feels great, man," Moore said. "It means everything in the world. We were this close to losing, but it just feels great to get that win and get out of this place victorious.
Saban has lost to Auburn more than any other opponent during his time in Tuscaloosa. Before Saturday, he had a .500 record in Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2007. Now, Saban is 5-4 at Auburn and 12-5 overall against the Tigers as the Alabama head coach.
Alabama has things it will have to clean up before facing No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship next weekend, and Saban acknowledged as such. That he also expressed his pride in the team and said he felt good. And why shouldn't he after his team finishes the season with an 11-1 overall record, undefeated in SEC play and a fourth straight Iron Bowl victory.
"We've been on both sides of the good fortune and the misfortune," Saban said. "I gotta admit, we had good fortune. It still comes down to ability to execute. Somebody had an opportunity to make a play, whether it was their punt returner or IB in the end zone and whoever was guarding him. So that’s why you play the game.”
