Nick Saban raises concerns about field stormings, reveals how he fared Saturday night

Nick Saban is no stranger to opposing teams storming the field after pulling off an upset against Alabama. In the past six losses on the road, the Crimson Tide have seen fans flood onto the field to celebrate. While it’s fun for the home team, others can be put in danger.

After last year’s loss to Texas A&M at Kyle Field, Saban was rushed off the field but was not able to avoid minor injuries. He had a few bruises on his arm leaving College Station, trying to navigate Aggie fans and get back to the locker room.

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Saban luckily came out unscathed Saturday night in Knoxville but still called it a “difficult situation.”

“Yeah, I did,” Saban said during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference when asked if he left Neyland Stadium healthy. “It was a pretty difficult situation. I had about three bruises (after Texas A&M) and I don’t have any after this one.”

Alabama has six losses on the road since 2010, starting with the infamous Kick Six against Auburn. Add in Iron Bowl losses during the 2017 and 2019 seasons, the previous two mentioned, and then Ole Miss in 2014. There have been nearly half a million fans on the field, surrounding the Crimson Tide seconds after a football game.

Nick Saban comments on Jermaine Burton, field storming in general

Videos have begun to emerge of Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton allegedly striking a Tennessee fan as they stormed the field. Saban said that’s not something they condone, whether they should have been on the field or not.

Saban also talked about fans storming the field in general, by once again saying it’s a “difficult situation” for everyone involved. He didn’t give a definitive stance on whether or not he thinks the SEC should find a way to manage them better.

“I think it’s a difficult situation,” said Saban. “It’s a difficult situation for the league, it’s a difficult situation for all of us that are in this situation. We certainly don’t condone any mistreatment of anybody whether they should or shouldn’t be there. I think you got to have respect for other people. At the same time, it’s a difficult time for all of us.”

Alabama will certainly have more opportunities this season to see opposing fans storm the field. Road games against LSU and Ole Miss remain on the schedule, where a lot could be on the line. Especially against the Rebels, where the SEC West could be on the line in a top-10 matchup.