The kick six date represents one of the most dramatic and consequential moments in college football history. This singular play, occurring at the end of the 2013 Iron Bowl, redefined the trajectory of two programs and remains a masterclass in high-pressure execution. Understanding this moment requires looking beyond the final score and examining the strategic setup, the immense pressure on the kicker, and the sheer improbability of the outcome.
The Setup: A Game on the Line
Context is everything when analyzing the kick six date. With 0:51 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Auburn Tigers clung to a precarious 34-28 lead over the equally formidable Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama, facing a fourth-and-18 from their own 37-yard line, needed a miracle to keep their national championship hopes alive. Coach Nick Saban’s decision to attempt a long pass, rather than run out the clock or attempt a field goal, immediately signaled the high-risk nature of the situation. The stage was set for a moment that would test nerves, strategy, and athleticism like few others in the sport.
The Play: Defiance in the Final Seconds
As the clock bled away, Alabama found themselves staring down a near-impossible conversion. Quarterback A.J. McCarron, known for his poise, surveyed the chaos with calm determination. Tight end Michael Williams broke free of his defender, creating a sliver of daylight for what was intended to be a game-icing pass. The play worked perfectly; McCarron delivered a strike directly into the waiting arms of Williams at the Auburn 21-yard line. The stadium held its breath, knowing a touchdown would all but seal the victory for the Crimson Tide and effectively end the game for Auburn.
The Critical Moment
What unfolded next remains the stuff of legend. Instead of taking a knee to secure the win, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn made a bold and unconventional call. He instructed his special teams to line up as if preparing for a game-tying field goal attempt, a classic “alley-oop” fake designed to trick the Alabama unit. The ruse worked flawlessly. As Alabama players froze, anticipating the snap, Auburn’s kicker Cody Parkey exploded forward, breaking through the defensive wall with a burst of speed. He launched a desperate, high-arcing kick toward the uprights, a play that demanded perfection under the most extreme duress.
The Kick Six: History in Motion
The term “kick six” is born from moments like this, where a kick returner secures the ball in the end zone for a defensive touchdown. Parkey’s kick, wobbling slightly and drifting wide, hung long enough for Auburn’s Tre Mason to leap high above the outstretched hands of Alabama defenders. Mason secured the ball, descended into the end zone, and slammed it to the turf for the go-ahead score. The atmosphere in Tuscaloosa erupted in pandemonium as Auburn players swarmed the field, fully aware they had just snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The kick six date was cemented in lore not just for the win, but for the manner of it.
Immediate Aftermath and Lasting Impact
The fallout from the play was immediate and far-reaching. For Alabama, the loss was a devastating blow to their national championship aspirations, exposing a rare moment of strategic misjudgment and sheer bad luck. For Auburn, the kick six became the defining symbol of an entire season’s worth of grit and belief, propelling them to an appearance in the National Championship Game. The play transcended the box score, becoming a cultural touchstone that is still analyzed and debated by fans and experts years later. It served as a powerful reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in sport.
