The improbable 1-second miracle that rewrote college football history
In short: In 2013, Alabama was the heavy favorite to secure a national title. But a single missed kick and a frantic video review led to one of the most shocking finishes in sports history. It wasn't just a lucky bounce; it was a collapse of a dynasty in real-time.
The 2013 Iron Bowl featured a clash of extremes. Alabama entered as the No. 1 ranked team, a dynasty under Nick Saban seeking a third consecutive national title. Auburn, conversely, had suffered its worst season in 60 years just two years prior. Despite Alabama's dominance, Auburn staged a massive comeback to tie the game at 28–28 with only 32 seconds left. When the clock appeared to hit zero, Alabama coach Nick Saban challenged the timekeeping, successfully gaining one second back for a 57-yard field goal attempt.
The kick fell short, giving Auburn's Chris Davis a chance to recover the ball. Positioned near the goal line, Davis managed to navigate through players from both sides, sprinting the entire length of the field to score a touchdown on the final play. This 'Kick Six' became a cultural phenomenon, drawing over 13 million viewers during the final half-hour of the broadcast. It was later named the best play and best game of the year at the 2014 ESPY Awards.
The game's significance was rooted in the rivalry's history. While Alabama held a 42–34–1 series lead, this was only the second time two Top 5 teams met in the Iron Bowl. The stakes were massive: a berth to the SEC Championship and potentially the BCS National Championship. While Alabama eventually fell in the Sugar Bowl, Auburn's miracle run led them to the national title game, where they ultimately lost to Florida State.
The play remains a study in high-pressure psychology. Alabama, which had won the previous three Iron Bowls, faced a series of missed field goals by Cade Foster—three in total. The 'Kick Six' serves as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in elite sports, turning a statistical favorite into a historical footnote in a matter of seconds.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kick Six
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-kick-six.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
