Texas HC Steve Sarkisian dunks on Alabama, Nick Saban after upset
No. 11 Texas upset No. 3 Alabama 34-24 on Saturday, and Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian took the opportunity to dunk on the Crimson Tide and his old boss, Nick Saban.
"They were 52-1 in their last 53 (home) games, I guess they're 52-2 now." Sarkisian said with a grin on ESPN postgame.
Texas' win hands Saban only his ninth home loss over 17 years as Alabama's head coach and their first to Longhorns since 1982. Meanwhile, the loss snaps Alabama's 57-game regular season undefeated streak against non-conference opponents.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers led the Texas charge, finishing 24-of-38 for 349 yards and three touchdowns, but Saturday's victory didn't come easy.
Holding a slim 13-6 advantage at halftime, Texas saw their lead disappear ahead of the fourth quarter. However, trailing 16-13, the Longhorns would outscore Alabama 21-7 in the final stanza to secure the upset.
With 14:05 left in the fourth, Ewers found Adonai Mitchell on a seven-yard touchdown pass, putting Texas back in front. Later in the quarter, with Texas nursing a 27-24 lead, Ewers and Mitchell connected again, this time from 39 yards out, sealing the win.
Saturday's win is also a measure of revenge for Sarkisian and the Longhorns. Last season, Texas came close to knocking off Saban and Alabama, falling 20-19 on a 33-yard field goal from Will Reichard with 10 seconds left. Despite the victory, Sarkisian told reporters afterward that it won't "define" their season.
"We've got 10 more regular season games to play, but I think it does serve as a good benchmark for us of what we're capable of and what the potential of who we can be as a team moving forward," Sarkisian said via Joe Cook of Inside Texas.
Texas, now 2-0, will look to win their third in a row to start the year when they host Wyoming (2-0) next Saturday.
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