Five years ago today, Blake Sims gutted out a win over Dak Prescott

The 2014 college football season was an odd one. On October 20 of that year, two of the top three poll spots were occupied by the Mississippi schools, and eventual national champion Ohio State was outside of the top ten. While Ole Miss lacked staying power, the Mississippi State Bulldogs rode a stout defense and do-it-all QB Dak Prescott to a perfect record in its first nine games, and on November 15 rolled into Tuscaloosa ranked #1 in the CFP rankings to face #5 Alabama. College GameDay was in town on a freezing cold Saturday morning, and the home crowd was as loud as you’ll ever hear it.

As expected for two squads built to run the ball and stop the run, the game itself was a slobberknocker. Alabama’s defense came out determined to snuff out Prescott’s running game and, while he was able to hook up with Da’Runnya Wilson a few times to put up some passing yards, picked him off three times. At the end of the first quarter, the Tide led 5-0 on a safety followed by a field goal on the ensuing short field courtesy of a nice return by Christion Jones. Alabama would control the second quarter and head into the half leading 19-3, only to watch Prescott dominate the third and pull within six with 14 minutes to play.

Much to the delight of the Crimson clad partisans, fan favorite QB Blake Sims dug in at that point and gutted out an impressive 15 play, six minute drive that included three third downs. Blake flashed his moves while converting two third-and-long opportunities with his legs, and when he hit Amari Cooper for the dagger in the end zone with a shade over eight minutes to play, the place erupted. That drive epitomized Sims, a player whose heart always outshined his skillset. The Tide ultimately prevailed 25-20 and went on to win the SEC, punching a ticket to the inaugural College Football Playoff.

Sims already had plenty of fans, but he officially writ his name in Crimson flame with that final, iconic touchdown drive. Coach Kyle Morris broke it down for posterity that season, and you can relive it below. Enjoy.

Roll Tide.