George Teague Asks Whether "The Strip" Counted

[tusks_n_raider]

Michael Rogers

Interview is at 1:08:20 on the video below:

There goes my faulty memory again..lol

I thought it was post game jubilation but the interview was actually mid game.

 

[dtgreg]

Michael Rogers

Interview is at 1:08:20 on the video below:

That's it! Got 'em confused. Thanks.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

There goes my faulty memory again..lol

I thought it was post game jubilation but the interview was actually mid game.

Here's what stood out about that interview to me:


That interview happened right after the controversial "unsportsmanlike conduct" call on Derrick Lassic (perhaps the most preposterous call in the entire game). We'd just taken a 13-3 lead in a game we supposedly had no chance.

Oh - and on December 29, I'd had my wisdom teeth all pulled, so I'm both on a lot of pain meds, in a lot of pain, eating crap that I can sort of liquify and pumped my team is leading Miami while angry we just got denied four points.

So I'm high on medication and adrenalin listening to Rogers talk while high on medication and adrenalin........it's the kind of thing that inspires symphonies (go look up "Symphonie Fantastique")

 

[TideEngineer08]

That play buried them.

And yes it was critical that Teague did what he did. Thomas was going to score easily, and it would have made it 27-13 with plenty of time for Miami to come back. And remember, Jay Barker did absolutely squat passing the the ball that game. It wasn't like we had the tools to get into a shootout with Miami and win.

Now it may have amounted to naught in the end; Kevin Williams did return a punt for a TD later in the game which did bring it to that same 27-13 score. But the damage had been done. Miami's offense was not going to score a TD all night, and Teague's rundown of Thomas was the final nail in that coffin.

 

[rolltide7854]

It made a HUGE difference in the game, it definitely counted.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

That play buried them.

And yes it was critical that Teague did what he did. Thomas was going to score easily, and it would have made it 27-13 with plenty of time for Miami to come back. And remember, Jay Barker did absolutely squat passing the the ball that game. It wasn't like we had the tools to get into a shootout with Miami and win.

Now it may have amounted to naught in the end; Kevin Williams did return a punt for a TD later in the game which did bring it to that same 27-13 score. But the damage had been done. Miami's offense was not going to score a TD all night, and Teague's rundown of Thomas was the final nail in that coffin.

In the Super Bowl, though, Jay Barker would have won the MVP.

You will notice I did not use the blue font.

 

[TNBama]

Has anyone heard where Teague said he messed up big time at the beginning of the play? Years ago I had bought my dad a series of DVDs on big moments in Alabama football history. One that they covered was this play. I'm going by memory here, but Teague said in the interview something along the line that he slacked when the play started. And as Thomas ran by him, he thought to himself that another Bama player (I can't remember which one) would have Thomas covered. When he looked and saw he DIDNT, all he could think of was "COACH IS GOING TO KILL ME!", which motivated him to chase down Thomas. I was laughing so hard watching that interview.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

That play buried them.

And yes it was critical that Teague did what he did. Thomas was going to score easily, and it would have made it 27-13 with plenty of time for Miami to come back. And remember, Jay Barker did absolutely squat passing the the ball that game. It wasn't like we had the tools to get into a shootout with Miami and win.

Now it may have amounted to naught in the end; Kevin Williams did return a punt for a TD later in the game which did bring it to that same 27-13 score. But the damage had been done. Miami's offense was not going to score a TD all night, and Teague's rundown of Thomas was the final nail in that coffin.

Ironic that Barker did nothing much in that game, but in a later game against UGA he outpassed Eric Zeier and made UGA look bad

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

Has anyone heard where Teague said he messed up big time at the beginning of the play? Years ago I had bought my dad a series of DVDs on big moments in Alabama football history. One that they covered was this play. I'm going by memory here, but Teague said in the interview something along the line that he slacked when the play started. And as Thomas ran by him, he thought to himself that another Bama player (I can't remember which one) would have Thomas covered. When he looked and saw he DIDNT, all he could think of was "COACH IS GOING TO KILL ME!", which motivated him to chase down Thomas. I was laughing so hard watching that interview.

I remember that................Teague said Stallings would kill him if he didn't catch Thomas, but I think the other player was supposed to cover

 

[dtgreg]

Ironic that Barker did nothing much in that game, but in a later game against UGA he outpassed Eric Zeier and made UGA look bad

That was when he was older and had Homer Smith coaching him. I loved Mal Moore and he did what he could (esp in '92 against Ole Miss) but here in Huntsville, the joke was Jay could do anything with a football but write his name on it.

 

[TideEngineer08]

Ironic that Barker did nothing much in that game, but in a later game against UGA he outpassed Eric Zeier and made UGA look bad

A few things.

First, Miami's defense was really good that year. Jay Barker was a soph that year, and he really did not come into his own until his senior year in 1994, under Homer Smith, as dtgreg pointed out. I've often wondered what might have in 1994, had Palmer returned for his senior season and played on that team.

So Miami had a great defense and they fairly easily shut down Alabama's passing game. Barker was 4/13 for something like 28 yards, and he threw 2 interceptions himself. What Miami could not account for was Derrick Lassic and Alabama's undersized OL's athleticism. Even so, without the heroics of Alabama's all-time great defense, the game is probably more along the lines of 20-13, or even worse.

We look back at that game as a blowout, and it was, but Miami outgained Alabama in total yardage. It's just that it turned out to fit the pattern of all Gene Stallings games. Run the ball, stop the other team from running the ball, and win the turnover battle. Miami couldn't run, Torretta threw 3 INTs (one pick 6), to Barker's 2 INTs (neither of which were consequential to the score), and Lassic et. al. were extremely effective running the ball.

Lassic won the MVP with 135 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs, but the real MVP was Teague. He had the pick 6, and the strip play this thread is about. But I guess the entire defense deserved it, and since they couldn't award them all, they gave it to Lassic. Sorry for the essay, but I do get nostalgic about those years.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Lassic won the MVP with 135 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs, but the real MVP was Teague. He had the pick 6, and the strip play this thread is about. But I guess the entire defense deserved it, and since they couldn't award them all, they gave it to Lassic. Sorry for the essay, but I do get nostalgic about those years.

I’m nostalgic about those early 90s teams too.

It’s funny to go back and watch highlights where so many players were a bit flashy compared to the Gruff CGS.

If you watch the Sugar Bowl highlights you see Lassic spin the ball and do the Fred Sanford heart attack celebration and later the Cartwheel.

Sherman does the Shake.

Teague does the high stepping.

They definitely had personality…lol

I agree that Teague could easily have been MVP too.

Both he and Lassic had a 2 TD effect on the game.

 

[uafan4life]

Has anyone heard where Teague said he messed up big time at the beginning of the play? Years ago I had bought my dad a series of DVDs on big moments in Alabama football history. One that they covered was this play. I'm going by memory here, but Teague said in the interview something along the line that he slacked when the play started. And as Thomas ran by him, he thought to himself that another Bama player (I can't remember which one) would have Thomas covered. When he looked and saw he DIDNT, all he could think of was "COACH IS GOING TO KILL ME!", which motivated him to chase down Thomas. I was laughing so hard watching that interview.

Yep, we played a couple of coverages against Miami with two receivers split out on the weak side and the TE on the strong side. When the weak LB took the flat, it was a zone scheme where the inside corner (usually Tommy Johnson) would bail and the outside corner (League or Langham) would play tight with either a single-high or cover-two safety responsible for deep routes. When the weak LB blitzed, it was man on both receivers - usually with a single-high safety covering the middle of the field.

On that play, Teague played tight like it was zone when it wasn't. Thomas was his responsibility. Willie Gaston doesn't get enough credit on this play as it was his recognition - seeing the bust or at least feeling the play and coming over from the middle of the field to help - that slowed up Thomas just enough to give Teague the possibility to catch Thomas.

Of course, based on Thomas' comments before the game, Teague probably would have needed a motorcycle to catch Thomas if Thomas had told him where he was going and given him a head start.

I'm pretty sure I'm remembering this correctly. This breakdown isn't from my own football knowledge. I tried rewatching the play to verify my memory but the quality is so poor it doesn't really help. I got this from some VHS tape celebrating that National Championship which had the comments from Teague and others that we've all seen online but also had a little breakdown from someone on the coaching staff (I want to say it was Ellis Johnson). I've looked for that video online in the past with no luck.

ETA:
After finishing this post and then rewatching the play a few times (trying to find the highest-quality version), I've decided that saying Willie Gaston slowed up Lamar Thomas might be a little misleading. It's more accurate to say he affected the throw. If he hadn't been there, Toretta could have led Thomas farther downfield - and Teague never would have caught him. The throw caused Thomas to slow up, but the throw was affected by #22.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

The play didn't count only in the sense that it didn't show up in the final box score (except as an accepted 5-yard penalty on the defense).

In every other conceivable way, it affected the outcome of the game. The score for sure, field position, and I think most importantly the psychology of both teams. I think it was the single most important play in a game full of important plays.

Given its impact, anyone who wants to say that because it didn't show up in the box score it didn't count is probably the proud owner of a Tim Brando bobblehead of their very own.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I remember 20+ years ago, I was talking about this play to a colleague, he had never seen it so I showed him the play on this new video website called YouTube.
After that he couldn't stop watching videos on it of old games.

He even said it looked like Teague was on fast-forward and everyone else was at regular speed.

 

[PacadermaTideUs]

Setting the whole TD vs. 5 yard walk-off part aside...it sure looked like it counted in the minds of every person on the field. It was pretty much the moment that the game went from "weird turn of events" to "no, that's just the better team". It was a direct and decisive response to the Miami pre-game disparagement of Alabama defense. The impact on the field was significant, and the impact in terms of the psychology of the game was immense. It was particularly significant in that that Miami team thrived on intimidation and beating opponents psychologically, and it was a decisive response that said "You can't win. Even when you should have us beaten, we're going to get you." It broke them.

If I remember correctly, it was after that play, that we started walking all 11 up to the line, confidently daring Torretta to put the ball in the air. Yes, that play swung the whole game psychologically. We knew we were better. They knew we were better. The game was essentially over after that.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

A few things.

First, Miami's defense was really good that year. Jay Barker was a soph that year, and he really did not come into his own until his senior year in 1994, under Homer Smith, as dtgreg pointed out. I've often wondered what might have in 1994, had Palmer returned for his senior season and played on that team.

So Miami had a great defense and they fairly easily shut down Alabama's passing game. Barker was 4/13 for something like 28 yards, and he threw 2 interceptions himself. What Miami could not account for was Derrick Lassic and Alabama's undersized OL's athleticism. Even so, without the heroics of Alabama's all-time great defense, the game is probably more along the lines of 20-13, or even worse.

We look back at that game as a blowout, and it was, but Miami outgained Alabama in total yardage. It's just that it turned out to fit the pattern of all Gene Stallings games. Run the ball, stop the other team from running the ball, and win the turnover battle. Miami couldn't run, Torretta threw 3 INTs (one pick 6), to Barker's 2 INTs (neither of which were consequential to the score), and Lassic et. al. were extremely effective running the ball.

Lassic won the MVP with 135 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs, but the real MVP was Teague. He had the pick 6, and the strip play this thread is about. But I guess the entire defense deserved it, and since they couldn't award them all, they gave it to Lassic. Sorry for the essay, but I do get nostalgic about those years.

Here's the thing, though: that game had to make everyone question how good Miami ever REALLY was, too.

You correctly note (statistically I would say) that Miami's defense was "great," and on the postgame video celebration narrated by Keith Jackson, even Gene Stallings pointed out Miami's great strength was their DEFENSE. And far be it for me to argue but how good were they really?

How good is your defense when you KNOW the opposition cannot do anything but run the ball up the middle and yet you still lose the game pretty handily? No team could "turn the corner" on Miami with side-to-side running, and Alabama certainly couldn't pass against them. We were a one-dimensional running team where we could have told Miami what play was coming - and they still wouldn't have been able to stop it.

I've said many a time that Miami's schedules were strategically made in ways that could never happen nowadays because everyone is a member of a conference. Go look at their previous schedules and notice that they RARELY played more than 1-2 decent foes in the years they won national titles and more often than not they had a bye week just prior to the toughest games. Jimmy Johnson perfected the fake schedule technique. Schedule your toughest opponent when he has two tough games in a row and you take a week off or schedule a team you cannot possibly lose to with your third string.

Their 1987 title is totally legit.

Their 1991 title....well, the reason they lost 1/2 of it is because they chickened out of a Sugar Bowl game against a Florida team that had blasted "we all think they're the best" FSU far easier than Miami did. I've said previously "they're skeered" is usually a bad argument - but Miami cowered at the notion of having to face Florida in 1991 on turf. They basically drew a line and said, "We're playing in our home stadium", which was code for, "Go look at what happens to us in bowl games outside of Miami" (blown out by the Vols in 1985, lost to Penn State in 1986, more of a challenge than they expected from upstart Alabama in 1989 - and later the 1992 blowout to one-dimensional Alabama in New Orleans).

 

[uafan4life]

Here's the thing, though: that game had to make everyone question how good Miami ever REALLY was, too...

Don't let the final score fool you...

Was it a dominant win by Alabama? Yes. Was the scoreboard more lopsided than the game? Also yes...

And Miami's defense was their strength. Their biggest strength was their mystique, of course, having won 29 straight games before playing in that Sugar Bowl. They had already played four ranked teams in 1992, including three Top-10 teams, before facing #2 Alabama.

Coming into that game, Miami was only allowing 11.5 points per game. They held three of the four ranked teams they had played to their lowest point totals of the season and held their biggest rival, FSU, to their second-lowest point total of the season. They were allowing their opponents only 2.8 yards per rush, less than a 50% pass completion rate, and only 270.8 total yards per game.

Miami's rushing attack wasn't much to write home about - averaging only 3.5 yards per rush themselves. However, in an era where 250 yards passing in a game was considered a large number, Miami was averaging 316 yards per game through the air. They also got a lot of big plays through the air, averaging 13.4 yards per completion. They were a top-5 scoring offense (I've seen 2nd and 4th), averaging 32.4 points per game in the regular season.

There were lots of valid reasons why Miami was so heavily favored going into the game...

But even for that game, much of the box score does not show Alabama's domination. For example, Miami led in all of these categories:
- Total Plays: 75 - 74
- First Downs: 16 - 15
- Total Yards: 326 - 285
- Yards Per Play: 4.3 - 3.8
- Passing Yards: 278 - 18
- Penalties: 6(37) - 7(46)

Where Alabama led in the box score doesn't look as impressive or seem as important as it was:
- Rushing Yards: 267 - 48
- Yards Per Rush: 4.45 - 2.67
- Time Of Possession: 36:04 - 23:56
- Turnovers: 2 - 4
- Yards Per Punt: 44.5 - 41.6

Alabama's offense only managed one offensive drive in the entire game longer than 50 yards, and that was the final touchdown of the game - long after the outcome was known.

More than halfway through the second quarter, Miami had the ball and Alabama was only leading 6 to 3 - having kicked two field goals and thrown two interceptions. The game was very much still in doubt. Re-watching that game, even knowing the outcome, it's a bit surprising how close we were to falling apart in the first half.

Where Alabama dominated this game was, first and foremost, on the defensive line of scrimmage - which didn't really show up in the box score as each team only registered one sack - but also in turnovers and timing, aka being opportunistic.

Alabama's defense completely negated any threat from Miami's run game. While they finished with 48 yards rushing, they were still in the single digits well into the second half.

And while Alabama won the turnover battle 4-2, it - effectively - wasn't that close. Both of Alabama's turnovers came in the first half, sandwiched around a Miami turnover and followed by a three-and-out with a punt - so no real harm done. The same can't be said for three of Miami's turnovers...

Alabama's scoring drives started at the Miami 24 (FG), the Alabama 48 (FG), the Miami 31 (TD), the Miami 20 (TD), and the Alabama 41 (TD). The first was set up by a 38-yard punt return by David Palmer, the second by a minus-8-yard three-and-out forced by the defense, the third by a 33-yard interception return by Sam Shade, the fourth by a 23-yard interception return by Tommy Johnson, and the final one by a forced three-and-out at the Miami 11-yard line. And then you add the 31-yard interception return for a touchdown by George Teague, where the offense didn't have to touch the ball.

This was a 13-6 Alabama lead at the half and, at that point, still could have been either team's game. This game was decided between the 13:20 and 9:26 marks in the third quarter. Less than four minutes of game time turned a close football game into a blowout...

- At 13:20 with Alabama leading 13-6, Tommy Johnson intercepted Torretta and returned the ball to Miami's 20-yard line.
- At 10:12 - after six straight runs - Derrick Lassic scored from the one to make it a 20-6 game.
- At 9:56 - on Miami's first play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive - George Teague intercepted Toretta and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown.
- At 9:26 - on Miami's second play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive - George Teague runs down Lamar Thomas and strips the ball, turning a would-be touchdown into a deflating moment for the Hurricanes.

That drive ended, officially, as a three-and-out with a punt. That drive ended, unofficially, any chance Miami had left to get back into the game. Even Kevin Williams' 78-yard punt return for a touchdown, early in the fourth quarter, wasn't enough to give Miami any real hope.

Miami was an elite team and an elite program; you don't win 29 straight games without being elite. That 1992 Alabama defense was just as elite as elite can get...

 

[uafan4life]

BTW, here's the official stats sheet for that game:

1993 Sugar Bowl Stats - Alabama vs. Miami (PDF) - Sugar Bowl

1993 Sugar Bowl Stats - Alabama vs. Miami (PDF)

allstatesugarbowl.org

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Don't let the final score fool you...

Was it a dominant win by Alabama? Yes. Was the scoreboard more lopsided than the game? Also yes...

And Miami's defense was their strength. Their biggest strength was their mystique, of course, having won 29 straight games before playing in that Sugar Bowl. They had already played four ranked teams in 1992, including three Top-10 teams, before facing #2 Alabama.

Coming into that game, Miami was only allowing 11.5 points per game. They held three of the four ranked teams they had played to their lowest point totals of the season and held their biggest rival, FSU, to their second-lowest point total of the season. They were allowing their opponents only 2.8 yards per rush, less than a 50% pass completion rate, and only 270.8 total yards per game.

Miami's rushing attack wasn't much to write home about - averaging only 3.5 yards per rush themselves. However, in an era where 250 yards passing in a game was considered a large number, Miami was averaging 316 yards per game through the air. They also got a lot of big plays through the air, averaging 13.4 yards per completion. They were a top-5 scoring offense (I've seen 2nd and 4th), averaging 32.4 points per game in the regular season.

There were lots of valid reasons why Miami was so heavily favored going into the game...

Miami was favored for - basically - three reasons:
1) their reputation
2) the simple fact none of the pundits actually watched Alabama until late November and their point of reference was the Florida and Auburn games
3) the fact the seniors on Miami had beaten what appeared to be a more powerhouse Alabama offense when they were freshmen in the 1990 Sugar Bowl

But even for that game, much of the box score does not show Alabama's domination. For example, Miami led in all of these categories:
- Total Plays: 75 - 74
- First Downs: 16 - 15
- Total Yards: 326 - 285
- Yards Per Play: 4.3 - 3.8
- Passing Yards: 278 - 18
- Penalties: 6(37) - 7(46)

Where Alabama led in the box score doesn't look as impressive or seem as important as it was:
- Rushing Yards: 267 - 48
- Yards Per Rush: 4.45 - 2.67
- Time Of Possession: 36:04 - 23:56
- Turnovers: 2 - 4
- Yards Per Punt: 44.5 - 41.6

Alabama's offense only managed one offensive drive in the entire game longer than 50 yards, and that was the final touchdown of the game - long after the outcome was known.

More than halfway through the second quarter, Miami had the ball and Alabama was only leading 6 to 3 - having kicked two field goals and thrown two interceptions. The game was very much still in doubt. Re-watching that game, even knowing the outcome, it's a bit surprising how close we were to falling apart in the first half.

Yes, the game was close was part of why Tide fans blew their stacks on that pathetic unsportsmanlike conduct call that cost us 15 yards (and in all probability four points) on Lassic. Even blowout games are usually close for awhile.

Where Alabama dominated this game was, first and foremost, on the defensive line of scrimmage - which didn't really show up in the box score as each team only registered one sack - but also in turnovers and timing, aka being opportunistic.

Alabama's defense completely negated any threat from Miami's run game. While they finished with 48 yards rushing, they were still in the single digits well into the second half.

And while Alabama won the turnover battle 4-2, it - effectively - wasn't that close. Both of Alabama's turnovers came in the first half, sandwiched around a Miami turnover and followed by a three-and-out with a punt - so no real harm done. The same can't be said for three of Miami's turnovers...

Alabama's scoring drives started at the Miami 24 (FG), the Alabama 48 (FG), the Miami 31 (TD), the Miami 20 (TD), and the Alabama 41 (TD). The first was set up by a 38-yard punt return by David Palmer, the second by a minus-8-yard three-and-out forced by the defense, the third by a 33-yard interception return by Sam Shade, the fourth by a 23-yard interception return by Tommy Johnson, and the final one by a forced three-and-out at the Miami 11-yard line. And then you add the 31-yard interception return for a touchdown by George Teague, where the offense didn't have to touch the ball.

This was a 13-6 Alabama lead at the half and, at that point, still could have been either team's game. This game was decided between the 13:20 and 9:26 marks in the third quarter. Less than four minutes of game time turned a close football game into a blowout...

- At 13:20 with Alabama leading 13-6, Tommy Johnson intercepted Torretta and returned the ball to Miami's 20-yard line.
- At 10:12 - after six straight runs - Derrick Lassic scored from the one to make it a 20-6 game.
- At 9:56 - on Miami's first play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive - George Teague intercepted Toretta and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown.
- At 9:26 - on Miami's second play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive - George Teague runs down Lamar Thomas and strips the ball, turning a would-be touchdown into a deflating moment for the Hurricanes.

That drive ended, officially, as a three-and-out with a punt. That drive ended, unofficially, any chance Miami had left to get back into the game. Even Kevin Williams' 78-yard punt return for a touchdown, early in the fourth quarter, wasn't enough to give Miami any real hope.

Miami was an elite team and an elite program; you don't win 29 straight games without being elite. That 1992 Alabama defense was just as elite as elite can get...

Meh, I don't buy that.

Clemson won 29 games in a row and half this board kept whining about they hadn't played anybody. Florida State won 29 games in a row (2012-14), and we heard the same thing.
Georgia went 45-1 in a 46-game span between mid-2020 and the end of 2023, and we heard the same dismissals here.

And Georgia, in particular, played a much tougher slate of games than Miami did in 1990-92.

I'm not saying Miami was a lousy team or anything like that. They were a good team, they just weren't nearly as good as their reputation from fans who didn't actually watch any but their "big draw" games like Florida State.

Miami only beat 6-5-1 Arizona because of a missed FG on the last play of the game. The Canes had TWO RUSHING YARDS. Even one of Arizona's players said that if Miami was as good as they thought they were, they'd have blown the Wildcats out (the game was in Miami). They beat FSU on Wide Right 2, and what was funny was that when Alabama had close calls with ranked teams (like MSU and Florida), it was proof they were no good - but when Miami did it, it was somehow proof of their "ability to rise to the occasion."

To be clear, I don't want to diminish the accomplishment of Alabama slamming the mouths of Miami shut the way they did. It was probably the most satisfying win of my 48 years as a Tide fan. But there's also a difference in how good Miami was and how good the press and their mouths thought they were, too.