If not for All-America defensive tackle Terrence Cody getting in between two critical field goals — including a dramatic, last-second block — the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2009 national championship dream may have never materialized.
The moment unfolded on October 24, 2009, in a nail-biting matchup against SEC West rival Tennessee. No. 1-ranked Alabama clung to a narrow 12–10 lead at Bryant-Denny Stadium when Tennessee’s kicker, Daniel Lincoln, lined up for a 44-yard field goal with just seconds left.
What happened next became legend.
🛑 Cody’s Second Block Seals the Win
Terrence “Mount” Cody, a 6’5″, 365-pound defensive force, burst through the middle of the Volunteers’ line and got his massive hand on the kick, blocking it as time expired. It was Cody’s second blocked field goal of the game, the first coming earlier in the fourth quarter — a moment that kept Alabama from falling behind.
Without either block, Alabama likely would have lost, severely damaging their BCS National Championship bid.
🎙️ Coach Saban’s Reaction
Following the win, head coach Nick Saban didn’t mince words about the impact:
“That’s why we work on special teams every single day. Terrence Cody — that was an All-American play by an All-American player.”
🔄 What Was at Stake?
- Alabama entered the game undefeated (7–0), ranked No. 1.
- A loss to unranked Tennessee would have derailed their perfect season.
- The Crimson Tide went on to finish the regular season 12–0.
- They later defeated Florida in the SEC Championship and Texas in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game, completing a 14–0 season — their first national title under Saban.
🧱 Cody’s Legacy
Cody’s game-saving play not only preserved a perfect season but also helped lay the foundation for the Nick Saban dynasty. The 2009 championship was the first of six under Saban, but it arguably wouldn’t have happened without the efforts of one massive lineman on a single, unforgettable play.
In the years since, Alabama fans have referred to Cody’s performance that day as “The Block That Built the Dynasty.” His jersey, No. 62, remains one of the most revered by fans of that golden era.
📝 Final Word
Moments like Terrence Cody’s field goal blocks remind us that championships aren’t just won with touchdowns and big plays — sometimes, it’s a pair of outstretched hands at just the right moment.
Alabama’s 2009 national championship? It might not exist without that final second at Bryant-Denny.
