This could have been a good play. It could have been a wildly wacky play. Instead, it was a terribly sad play that summarizes what FCS teams must feel like playing one of the best in the FBS.
The Western Carolina Catamounts took on Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, and it went exactly as you might expect. The Crimson Tide had a 38-0 lead at the half, and in the first 10 minutes, they kicked a field goal, scored a 57-yard touchdown when quarterback Mac Jones connected with wide receiver DeVonta Smith and had an 81-yard pick six against Catamounts quarterback Tyrie Adams thanks to defensive back Xavier McKinney.
But to its credit, Western Carolina had a couple solid moments but just couldn’t come close to sustaining them. And even if their fans got their hopes up watching the beginning of this play from Adams, their excitement was quickly crushed.
Early in the second quarter on 3rd-and-9 from Alabama’s 37-yard line as pressure closed in, Adams threw the ball, which was then batted down by McKinney. But rather than hitting the ground, it landed right back in Adams’ hands, and he took off running toward the left sideline.
But as McKinney tackled him, Adams fumbled, and it was recovered by defensive back Patrick Surtain II. The Crimson Tide scored on their next drive to take a 24-0 lead, capitalizing on one of three Western Carolina turnovers. Adams also threw two interceptions on back-to-back drives.
This game is in no way fair with Alabama being a 58-point favorite against a 3-8 team that’s eighth among nine Southern Conference squads.
But still, Adams’ accidental pass to himself looked like it could have evolved into something awesome, until it didn’t.
