No ‘Kick-Six’ motivation for Alabama, some players say they’ve never even seen the replay

It is the most memorable ending to a college football game — maybe ever.

It’s been played and replayed thousands of times. It won an ESPY Award. Verne Lundquist ranked it the best sporting event he’s ever called.

But a year removed from the now (in)famous Kick-Six Iron Bowl, Alabama is No. 1 again, and ready to rid itself of the specter of last year’s game.

This year’s Alabama team has many new faces in new places — at quarterback and offensive coordinator to name a couple — but they still remember the ending. How could they not?

However, if their comments to the media this week are any indication, most of the Tide won’t be watching the Kick-Six before game time, even for an extra dose motivation.

Quarterback Blake Sims says he turns it off any time it’s played. Cornerback Cyrus Jones claims to have never seen the replay of it — not even once. Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen doesn’t seek it out on purpose, but concedes he has used it to his advantage in the past.

“I just view it as more motivation for me throughout the whole offseason,” Allen said. “There is no more extra emphasis on this game than last game, but it’s definitely motivation for us.”

The teams are in different places than they were last season. With a win, Alabama is headed to the SEC Championship game. Auburn’s best hope to salvage its season is to play spoiler to its arch-rival’s title aspirations.

So every time they’re asked about last year’s game, the players quickly shift the focus to what’s ahead, rather then rehashing the past.

“I could care less about last year. It was a completely different team,” Alabama offensive lineman Austin Shepherd quipped. “It’s a new a team, and I think we have a great opportunity. We’ve set ourselves up for success, so we’ve just got to go out there and finish the season off.”

But it’s hard to fathom the Kick-Six not at least being in the back of their minds. Shepherd, for example, was on the field for the return and probably doesn’t need to see it to remember the shock. But going into his final Iron Bowl and final game in Bryant-Denny Stadium, he also doesn’t believe lightning will strike twice.

“A lot of people are lucky and they got lucky,” Shepherd said. “Luck happens.”