Nick Saban's kryptonite? Joe Tiller
No dispute: Nick Saban is a coaching icon. But Joe Tiller was his kryptonite.
The Alabama coaching legend faced Tiller three times. And Saban lost each time. Tiller is the only college coach to topple Saban three seasons in succession.
Saban announced he is retiring on Wednesday after a legendary career that saw him win seven national titles. Before he became the king of college football in the SEC at LSU and Alabama, Saban was head coach at Michigan State from 1995-1999.
“Took an unofficial (to Michigan State) when my sister was a freshman there,” said former Purdue tight end Tim Stratton. “Seemed alright when I met him.”
Saban faced Purdue each season he was in East Lansing, beating Jim Colletto and the Boilers in 1995 and 1996 before squaring off—and losing—his final three games vs. Purdue after Tiller had taken over the Boilermaker program in 1997.
None of Tiller’s three victories vs. Saban were more memorable than the first on a November day in West Lafayette.
“I think you know the story,” said Brock Spack in reference to one of the most improbable wins in one of the most improbable seasons in Purdue annals. Back then, Spack was in his first season as defensive coordinator under the late Tiller.
Purdue trailed Michigan State, 21-10, with 2:13 remaining. That’s when it happened. Purdue’s Leo Perez blocked a field goal and Rosevelt Colvin returned it for a touchdown. The Boilers then recovered an onside kick and drove 55 yards in seven plays for the clinching touchdown in a stupefying 22-21 come-from-behind victory.
“This is about as disappointed as I’ve ever been as a football coach,” said Saban after the game.
Said Purdue QB Billy Dicken: “I didn’t play very well most of the game (17-of-32 for 150 yards with an interception), but will never forgot that game!”
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The next year at Michigan State, Purdue pulled off another stunning rally from 11 points down in the fourth quarter. This time, the Boilers trailed 24-13 with under seven minutes to go. That’s when Boiler special teams ace Todd Stelma broke in to block a MSU punt to give the Boilermakers the ball at the Spartans’ 20. Drew Brees quickly tossed a TD pass to Randall Lane to cut the MSU lead to 24-19.
Purdue forced another punt, and Brees responded with another TD pass–this one to Isaac Jones–to give the Boilermakers a 25-24 lead. And they hung on from there.
In 1999, MSU came to Ross-Ade unbeaten and ranked No. 5. The Boilers didn’t flinch, ripping off a 52-28 victory despite four interceptions by Brees—two of which were returned for TDs.
“It’s one of the best games I’ve seen in Ross-Ade, that’s for sure,” said Tiller. “Certainly, we played our best game of the season. It’s hard to be better than we were, quite frankly, in the first half.”
Chris Daniels set Big Ten standards with 21 receptions for 301 yards, as Brees hit 40-of-74 passes for 509 yards and five TDs.
“Purdue played outstanding,” said Saban. “Brees and Daniels played very well, and they just beat us. This was a very humbling game. This game can slam you in a hurry and it did to us today.”
