Greg McElroy didn’t need long to get a rise out of the Alabama-Kentucky broadcast.
After Alabama coughed up the ball on its first two possessions Saturday at Kentucky, Sean McDonough noted on the ABC telecast that it was the first time the Crimson Tide had done that since 2009 against South Carolina. McElroy, who was on the call with McDonough, immediately jumped in with a line that connected the moment to his own past.
“Thanks for bringing it up. I threw both those interceptions, by the way”
McDonough then asked McElroy what Nick Saban said to him after those back-to-back turnovers back in 2009.
“He told to go stand next to coach (Steve) Spurrier on the other sideline because I was the best player on their team.”
That 2009 Alabama team still won 20-6, though McElroy’s day was rough: he finished 10 of 20 for 92 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns.
Saturday’s sequence quickly swung back Alabama’s way. Three plays later, Luke Metz intercepted a Kenny Minchey pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7.
The exchange didn’t stay confined to the booth. McElroy’s old struggles against South Carolina drew attention on social media as viewers picked up on the parallel between the two games.
Sean McDonough said today is the first time Alabama has turned the football over on its first two drives since the 2009 game vs South Carolina.
The QB that did that in 2009, Greg McElroy, is calling this Alabama-Kentucky game on ABC.
“Thanks for reminding me,” he said.
- Matthew Mason (@MatthewMason__) September 12, 2026
When Alabama had back to back turnover series against South Carolina in 2009, Greg McElroy shared that Nick Saban told him to go stand by Steve Spurrier on the SC sideline since he (McElroy) was South Carolina's best player, hahahaha. #RollTide
- Hannah Stephens (@TheUASignGirl) September 12, 2026
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