By Darin The December 5, 1992, SEC Championship game wasn’t just a contest between No. 2 Alabama and No. 12 Florida; it was the birth of modern college football. Undefeated Alabama, carrying a perfect 11-0 record and eyeing a national title, first had to clear the controversial hurdle of the inaugural conference championship game—a concept many felt was unnecessary for a top-ranked team. This contest, played at Legion Field in Birmingham, was destined to be defined by drama, setting the stage for a heart-stopping finale that would validate the very existence of the championship game format.
The Crimson Tide, led by head coach Gene Stallings, found themselves in a back-and-forth battle against Steve Spurrier’s scrappy Gators. The score remained deadlocked at 21-21 deep into the final quarter. With the ball and momentum seemingly shifting toward Florida, quarterback Shane Matthews dropped back, looking to engineer a game-winning drive that would derail Alabama’s national championship hopes.
However, Alabama cornerback Antonio Langham was ready. He expertly read Matthews’ throw—a seemingly routine out route—stepped in front of the pass, and snatched the interception. Langham had a clear path to the end zone, racing 27 yards for the game-winning touchdown. The “pick-six” immediately shattered the tie and cemented the 28-21 victory for the Crimson Tide.
Article from Dec 6, 1992 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida)
Langham’s interception secured the inaugural SEC Championship for Alabama, punching their ticket to the National Championship and instantly establishing the dramatic potential of the new conference format. This unforgettable, high-stakes defensive play not only won the title but also ensured the enduring and healthy future of conference championship games across all of college football.
Article from Dec 6, 1992 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida)
