Nick Saban recalls The Bluegrass Miracle ahead of matchup at Kentucky

Nick Saban hasn’t made too many trips to Lexington over the course of his 28-year career. However, one sticks out like a sore thumb from the rest as far as an improbable victory that broke the hearts of many in the blue and white.

Ahead of Alabama’s trip to Kentucky this weekend, Saban recalled The Bluegrass Miracle, the miraculous, Hail Mary touchdown catch that saved his 2002 LSU Tigers inside of Commonwealth Stadium for a last-second 33-30 victory. He remembered that UK was already ecstatic about the upset win before WR Devery Henderson, who was surrounded by four Wildcats, caught a tipped pass from Marcus Randall for the the game winner.

“Look, I remember we didn’t play very well,” said Saban. “I remember they poured Gatorade on the coach already.”

“I remember there was about a 30 mile an hour wind that we had at our back. The guy threw the ball and it just kept going and going and going. Their guys misjudged the ball, tipped it, and Devery Henderson caught it and ran it for a touchdown,” Saban said. “That’s basically what I remember.”

Kentucky had already started to celebrate with Guy Morriss getting a Gatorade bath in one of his final games as head coach. With mere seconds left, though, the fans that were present, some of whom were already storming the field, went home stunned by the inexplicable moment for LSU.

Now, as the Crimson Tide head to Kroger Field on Saturday, Saban will be hoping that his latest team won’t need such a prayer to be answered in order to leave with a win.

Saban gives latest update on Deontae Lawson, Jaylen Key

Nick Saban provided an additional update on injured Alabama defenders Deontae Lawson and Jaylen Key after getting through the weekend.

Alabama beat LSU 42-28 at home but lost two key defenders in the process. Both players appear to be banged up but likely won’t be out long-term.

Saban cautioned the team’s approach as “day-to-day” with Lawson and Key.

“No, I don’t (have an update),” Saban said during his Monday presser. “I think we prepare to play in this game because, you know, both guys have injuries that you know, are day-to-day in terms of what they’re going to be able to do. So it’s not just a matter of whether they would be ready to play in the game. But can they practice enough to be ready to play in the game?”

“That’s going to be day-to-day. So, you know, both guys, I would have to say, if you have to say would be questionable. Because it is questionable. I don’t know what they’re going to be able to do day-to-day.”