Malzahn also watched his seed sprout into a giant Auburn oak with 1:06 remaining in the game. Auburn faced a crucial fourth-and-4, and the idea of punting to Jaylen Waddle, who already scored on a 98-yard kickoff return, seemed like a nightmare scenario.
So, the coach did something rather ingenious. Malzahn placed Nix in the Shotgun next to Whitlow in what appeared to be a punt formation, complete with an offensive line fanning toward the sidelines. The only tweak was the personnel: punter Arryn Siposs was lined up at "X" receiver on the left side of the formation.
Was Auburn faking a punt formation? Was Nix going to pooch kick the ball for a second time in the game? Was it a trick play for Nix to throw the ball down field to one of his two receivers at the top of the formation?
Alabama couldn't figure it out. The Tide placed their punt return team on the field, including Waddle at returner, when they saw Siposs run onto the field. Then, with about 15 seconds remaining in the play clock and Siposs remaining at receiver, they exchanged the punt-return unit with the defense.
But there was a problem: Waddle was still on the field as the returner. Alabama was flagged for 12 men on the field, Auburn was rewarded a first down and the game was effectively over. Alabama's Saban was angry. He called the play "unfair" after the game.
Turns out, the play is perfectly fair and lined out in the NCAA and SEC rulebook.
Malzahn not only got the best of Saban on the punt formation, but he also added a slight tweak to the Wildcat to score a touchdown. Both moves were crucial and won the game for the Tigers.
And you can thank Malzahn for planting questions in the head of Alabama's coaching staff throughout the season on game film and Saturday night on the field.
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