Nick Saban breaks down what went right on 'historical' game-winning TD vs. Auburn

Alabama appeared to be on its way to a disappointing loss to rival Auburn this past Saturday, before Jalen Milroe connected with Isaiah Bond for a 31-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal in the final seconds.

The play not only lifted Alabama to a win in the Iron Bowl, but it also kept the Crimson Tide alive for the College Football Playoff.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban joined The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday and was asked about the play from his vantage point.

“It was a great play, no doubt. And it’s going to be one that’s historical in terms of people remembering that particular play,” Saban said.

Milroe had plenty of time to get a pass off with Auburn rushing only two on the play. Eventually, Bond broke open in the back corner of the end zone and Milroe threw a perfect pass for the touchdown.

The play gave Alabama a 27-24 lead, and the Crimson Tide were able to hold on.

“I was standing in a great view of right where the ball was heading and right where Isaiah was. And when I saw him have an opportunity to catch this ball, because he worked away from the defender, worked the back line and came back out, I said, ‘He’s got a chance to catch this,’” Saban recalled. “And when they’ve got all those guys in the end zone and there’s only two guys rushing, it’s tough to find an opening. But it was a great throw by the quarterback, it was a great catch. But it was a great job of Isaiah Bond working himself open, relative to the design of the play.”

Alabama has played some classic games at Auburn over the years, including the Kick Six a decade ago. Saban was thankful that his team came out on the right side of the craziness on Saturday.

“We’ve played some crazy games down there,” Saban said. “And a lot of them get decided on the last play of the game.”

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe shares mindset on game-winning touchdown pass

In addition to Nick Saban speaking about the final play, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe also shared his mindset on the dramatic touchdown pass.

“During that play, I just thought about fall back to your level of training,” Milroe said ahead of the SEC Championship Game. “What people don’t know is my dad and I, since we were little when we trained, we were always about repetition. Repetition, repetition, repetition. Whether it was an out route, a go ball, a post ball, a dig, we threw that ball probably 150 times. Constantly, constantly, constantly throwing the ball until I mess up, honestly. And I’m all about perfection, so that’s the biggest thing with my dad, quick story right there.”

“But with that play, it was all about the 11 guys. Start up front, they did a really good job being patient, being sound, fundamental, and taking care of the guys that rushed. And then with that play, the biggest thing about that play was we repeatedly work on that play every single week and it was an opportunity to take advantage of it and we were successful. But IB did a great job on his end getting open.”