Jaylen Moody welcomes the challenge of games coming down to the final play

Alabama‘s latest 30-24 win over Ole Miss was there fifth game of the season decided bye one score or less. The Crimson Tide have played in various matchups where the game was decided on the final play or drive of the game, including this past Saturday where a fourth down pass breakup in the end zone by defensive back Brian Branch secured a victory for Alabama. His teammate linebacker Jaylen Moody spoke about playing in those moments this week following another close call victory.

“Environments like that is obviously what you’re coming for, me being a defensive player I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Moody said. “The game being on me having to be called on in a situation, that’s fun for me.”

Moody may have come to Tuscaloosa to play in big-time, game-deciding moments like Saturday, but he also understands that it’s better for the team to handle business at the beginning of ball games and secure wins sooner than the final possession of games.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“Us being in these situations, a lot of it we put on ourselves, with coach saying being with execution and executing the game plan. Being able to go out there and just whenever your job is called execute and all that, that’s what it’s all about,” Moody said.

Playing in big moments is nothing new for the Tide, but not winning them is, as their two narrow regular season losses to Tennessee and LSU are the most in a season for them since 2019. Their close win over the Rebels was big for them, but hopefully for Alabama, they can win more resoundingly, continue to improve off of that victory, and finish the season strong in their remaining games.

“We struggled with that a little bit in the beginning but going forward I think we’re making those improvements and coach has been on us about that all week, being able to prepare and analyze and be ready when your job is called,” Moody said. “So I think being in those tough situations at those last games was really really hard for us.”

The Crimson Tide shouldn’t have much trouble in their next matchup, as they face FCS Austin Peay at noon in Bryant-Denny Stadium before their season finale against Auburn, in the rivalry game notorious for being a close, hard-fought battle.