Texas A&M stuns Alabama, first loss to unranked opponent since 2007

by:Austin Brezina•10/09/21•

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Unranked Texas A&M defeated top ranked Alabama 41-38 on a last second field goal, handing Alabama head coach Nick Saban his first ever loss to a former assistant coach of his in Jimbo Fisher. With the loss, Saban is now 24-1 in his career against his former assistant coaches.

Texas A&M hands Alabama first loss

Despite a strong second half from the Crimson Tide, the Aggies held on to defeat the No. 1 ranked visiting Alabama. Down a touchdown with five minutes left in the game the Aggies scored a touchdown, forced an Alabama punt and drove 54 yards in the final minutes to kick the game-winning field goal.

Quarterback Zach Calzada led the Aggies to a quick 17-7 lead in the first quarter that would slip away in the second half. The Aggies responded to the challenge and secured a signature win for Jimbo Fisher and his program.

The loss to an unranked team was Alabama’s first since 2007 when they lost to UL-Monroe.

Texas A&M pulled off their upset victory in front of the second-largest crowd ever at Kyle Field. 106,815 fans were in attendance for the victory, a strong showing for the famed 12th Man tradition celebrating it’s centennial anniversary.

Dominant streak snapped by Texas A&M

Coming into the game against the Aggies on Saturday, Alabama had led their opponents for 59 straight quarters. Their streak was the longest since 1950 for any FBS team. Since the 2020 season only two teams had a lead against Alabama at all, with Georgia and Ole Miss accomplishing the feat on Oct. 17 and Oct. 10 of 2020.

The last time Alabama trailed in a football game was the third quarter against Georgia last year, where the Crimson Tide would regain the lead and win 41-24.

The Aggies scored a field goal to take the lead on their first drive of the game, and scored two touchdowns to end the first quarter with a 17-7 lead.

The ten point deficit is also notable for being the largest losing margin that Alabama has faced since 2019 against LSU. The Crimson Tide had not been down to their opponent by ten points in 23 consecutive games.