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Alabama vs. Vanderbilt delay: Game paused as official carted off the field following collision

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh7 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium
Bryant-Denny Stadium (Courtesy of Alabama Athletics)

Late in the second quarter, an injury stopped the game in Tuscaloosa. But neither an Alabama nor Vanderbilt player was the one down. An SEC official on the sideline took a massive tumble after getting hit in the back end of a play.

Deigo Pavia was facing a tough 3rd and 7 deep in Alabama territory, connecting with Richie Hoskins for the first down. Hoskins then flew into the Crimson Tide sideline and, unfortunately, ran into Kirby Michaels. In a video attached below, you can see there was some whiplash in the neck area.

SEC officials stopped the on-field play to get Michaels some medical attention. Trainers quickly put a brace around his neck before calling for a cart. Michaels hopped on the back of it and left the field.

At the time of posting, there was no immediate update on Michaels’ status. The ABC broadcast did show him moving his extremities before getting carted off. Michaels was able to walk a few steps before being helped onto the cart.

“There’s so many people that do this job and contribute to the gameday experience for the players and the fans,” ESPN play-by-play commentator Greg McElroy said during the pause. “You just hate to see a situation like this. A guy giving back to the game and there in front of the action, taking a hit on the sideline. Just hope he’s okay.”

Vanderbilt tied with Alabama after promises with Diego Pavia

This one in not your typical Alabama-Vanderbilt game, providing more juice than the matchup has in a long, long time. Last season’s upset in Nashville meant Alabama is out for revenge, while Vanderbilt is looking to prove the result was no fluke.

In fact, the talking from the Commodores only increased due to confidence on their sideline. Pavia sat down with On3’s Chris Low leading into the game, saying he expects to do a little more than roll into Bryant-Denny Stadium and win.

“The crowd, I think, is going to be a big factor in the game,” Pavia said. “But we just gotta play within the white lines. If we do that, if we play our game, it won’t be close.”

As of now, the game is close. Vanderbilt took an early 7-0 lead before Alabama capitalized on a turnover, converting a 92-yard drive into a touchdown. Clark Lea‘s bunch currently has a great opportunity to put more points on the board with their current field position.