Alabama’s 49-18 win over South Carolina had plenty of offensive fireworks, but the play everyone will remember came from a tight end who had spent most of the season doing the dirty work.
Josh Ford, the Oklahoma State transfer, delivered a one-handed grab that looked more like something out of a superhero clip than a college football game. It was the kind of catch that instantly took over the night, and quarterback Keelon Russell didn’t hesitate to compare it to something comic-book worthy.
“It’s sick,” quarterback Keelon Russell said. “The guys are showing me pictures of the grab like he was Spider-Man…I mean it was an amazing catch.”
Ford has been a major part of Alabama’s run game through the first quarter of the season, mainly as a blocker helping the Tide’s ground attack take a big step forward from a year ago. Against South Carolina, though, he finally got his chance in the passing game and made it count with a three-yard reception that lit up social media.
Afterward, Ford said the moment felt bigger than just a highlight. He credited his faith first.
“That was unbelievable, I am so thankful," Ford said. "First of all, I want to start, I’ve been talking to the Lord, you know, and we had a lot of sermons this week about where our sources are coming from, and it was solely from him man. I’m just so thankful every play.”
He said the play even had him calling out in the moment.
“I remember going down and I was like, ‘Lord, let me make this play,” he said.
For Ford, the catch was proof he can do more than clear a path in the run game.
“I know when I first got here, they needed me to help with the run game,” he said. “But no, I can do it all.”
Ford also found himself in the middle of another notable moment when South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart was seen throwing a punch in his direction. After the game, Ford kept the tone light.
“Man, he’s a great player,” Ford said. “We had a lot of fun today. I think he punched me three times.”
Asked what he told Stewart during those exchanges, Ford replied with what sounded like a touch of sarcasm.
“I was just like, ‘Man, you’re good. You’re a great, great guy.'”
The tight end room wasn’t finished making noise. Marshall Pritchett and Kaleb Edwards both turned in productive nights as Alabama’s tight ends became a real part of the passing attack.
Before Saturday, Alabama tight ends had combined for 101 receiving yards. In one game, that total more than doubled, with Pritchett finishing with 60 yards on two catches and Edwards adding 44 yards on four grabs.
“When you’re running routes and getting tight ends involved that far down the field, usually you think of receivers running some of those routes, that shows the confidence and ability level that those guys have, and that we have in them,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said postgame.
Ford said the group’s emergence makes Alabama tougher to sort out.
“Everybody’s making plays,” Ford said. “And it’s just hard to defend all these different types of personnel groups.”
Looking ahead, Ford said he’s eager to see what the unit can do next weekend at Mississippi State.
“We’re getting more dangerous,” he said. “I’m excited to test what we’ve got on the road now.”
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