The sidelines next to Spieker Field at the Rose Bowl tightened. Alabama versus Michigan was one of the most watched games in the College Football Playoff era and it reflected as much behind the team benches. A swarm of bodies snuggling in for the final minutes of regulation.

University of Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne shifted the weight between his feet. Nearby, in the southside endzone, was UA President Stuart Bell, craning his neck around the stands, a celebration appearing imminent. As Michigan got the ball down needing a touchdown with 4:41 left, the Million Dollar Band spent their last hurrah trying to distract the Wolverines.

On the other end of the field, the Saban family, led by Miss Terry, made their usual late-game trek from a suite down toward the sideline. They’d be there for a bit while the crisp, Pasadena chill settled beneath the San Gabriel Mountains. A thrilling CFP semifinal had at least 25 more minutes left.

From a defensive collapse to a bungled fourth down, here’s a glimpse at the emotional final moments of the 2023 Alabama football team, which fell to U-M, 27-20, in overtime.

“One thing that I told them in the locker room after the game, this is one of the most amazing seasons in Alabama football history in terms of where this team came from, what they were able to accomplish and what they were able to do, winning the SEC Championship,” head coach Nick Saban said postgame.

“Really, really proud of this group. I just wish that I could have done more as a coach to help them be successful and help them finish, and all we can do now is learn from the lessons that sometimes failings bring to us.”

The Wolverines, led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy, found a trailing Blake Corum for 27 yards four plays into their drive. When a penalty for an illegal block brought the ball back, Alabama walk-ons and mid-year enrollees waved their arms backward. But then McCarthy rushed for a chunk and threw for another, bringing Michigan into the red zone.

UA guard Tyler Booker had watched McCarthy deliver a championship-caliber performance before, playing with McCarthy at IMG (Florida) Academy. Booker tried to wave the crowd on as Saban stayed by the official between plays, calling timeouts to preserve time.

Miss Terry shuffled between her daughter, Kristen, and granddaughter, trying to get a better angle of the field. She managed to get an angle of her husband watching McCarthy hit Roman Wilson from 4 yards out, Miss Terry yelping as Michigan tied it. On the field, linebacker Dallas Turner ripped his chinstraps, turning toward the Alabama secondary screaming while the Wolverine’s motion continued to confound Saban’s defense.

“We didn’t finish in the end. We just didn’t finish,” said freshman safety Caleb Downs.

However, an error-filled slop of a game didn’t relent in the final minutes when Michigan nearly muffed a punt and pinned the offense back at the 1-yard line. Jameer Grimsley, who was a four-star high schooler at Tampa (Florida) Catholic last month, kept shaking his head, muttering to himself how he couldn’t believe how close UA came to Houston via safety.

Senior Justin Eboigbe — in possibly the waning moments of his college run — didn’t want it to end. He had his career threatened with a neck injury in 2022, working his way back for moments like this. Before Alabama’s last defensive drive, Eboigbe stalked the sideline, looking for players who were sitting. He found Damon Payne Jr., a Michigan native, near the medical staff. Eboigbe grabbed Payne by the shoulder pad and lugged him along.

When the head official announced the game would finish in the northwest corner of the stadium, a group of reporters sprinted behind the Alabama players, trying to get ready for the best angle as workers yelled to make room, hauling a camera rig in the same direction.

Within two plays, Corum cut past a group of white jerseys for the deciding touchdown. Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe brought Alabama to an eventual fourth-and-goal from 3 yards away, leading to an alternating set of timeouts as each team tried to decipher the play call. Alabama’s offense grouped near the 20-yard-line, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees relaying the call from the booth.

“We were telling each other we just need one play, one opportunity. We’ve been there before where we just need a play and just bt on us. We believed in us,” Tide wideout Malik Benson said.

Some UA players shut their eyes and appeared to pray as the teams lined up. The Seth McLaughlin snap almost rolled back to Milroe, the Wolverine defense blew up the line and the tears that had been bubbling burst just as Michigan’s sideline stormed the field.

Second-year player Kobe Prentice walked away “frustrated” at the play call, which he later said featured a bubble-screen option to running back Roydell Williams, who would’ve had a decent shot to score. Wide reciever coach Holmon Wiggins, reportedly leaving for another SEC job, met Kendrick Law on the field for a hug. Milroe quickly made his way to the locker room, swinging his helmet high and to his shins.

Milroe confirmed in December it wouldn’t be his final year with the Tide, but he still had a dream campaign end one game away from a home-state return to Texas.

“Y’all can’t down Jalen at all,” offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, playing with a torn ligament in his right ankle, said. “… I don’t think anybody leads the team like he does. We’ve all got bashed. The whole offensive line, he has, the running backs, every position has gotten bashed this whole season. We prevailed after that, showing people we really are a good team.”

But Michigan was the better one on Monday. Defensive back Terrion Arnold, a potential first-round NFL Draft pick, stared at the rose-filled celebration while Jaeden Roberts whispered something in his ear.

Eventually, Nick Saban, Milroe and a despondent Deontae Lawson walked across the Rose Bowl complex to the media tent. Miss Terry had reappeared by Saban following the press conference and reportedly planned a football-free night after hugging her husband.

Soon after, the questions came regarding their futures. 2023 was over.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].