Nick Saban John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Radio-caller may have inspired hilarious Nick Saban analogy about Arkansas QB

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/14/23

Following No. 11 Alabama's 24-21 victory over Arkansas Saturday, head coach Nick Saban called Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson "a handful" before sharing a hilarious analogy to describe his skillset.

"When a quarterback can take a major college football player and sling him off like a gnat on a cow's ass, I mean, that was one of the most impressive plays I've ever seen a player make," Saban said via Chris McCulley of ABC 33. The play in question saw Jefferson turn a no-doubt sack into a huge gain early in the fourth quarter. On a second-and-10 play near midfield, Alabama edge rusher Terrion Arnold ran unabetted to the quarterback, wrapping Jefferson up instantly. However, Jefferson wouldn't go down, shrugging Arnold off before finding open tight end Var'Keyes Gumms for a 25-yard catch and run.

KJ Jefferson is a monster. pic.twitter.com/FiZmLelF5G
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) October 14, 2023

Saban initially goofed on the joke about Jefferson, saying, "gnat off a fly's" backside before correcting himself. However, the slip-up is understandable since it's likely that the inspiration for the line came from a recent caller to Saban's weekly radio show "Hey Coach."

Identified as "Chris," the caller talked up Jefferson and discussed how dangerous an opponent Arkansas was before busting out a similar analogy to the one Saban used on Saturday. Saban even expressed how much he liked it.

"I agree with you. And I like your gnat's ass analogy."

- Coach Nick Saban to Chris after a Hall of Fame call in to Hey Coach#RollTide | @Alfa_Insurance pic.twitter.com/iyoVx7p9ai
— Crimson Tide Sports Network (@UA_CTSN) October 13, 2023

Saban may have butchered Chris's picture-painting words, but the point behind them came true.

Jefferson was a pain in the Crimson Tide's side on Saturday, finishing 14-of-24 for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks were also more challenging to handle than their 2-4 (0-3) record coming in may have indicated. Alabama built a 21-6 lead at halftime, but they were outscored 15-3 in the second half by Arkansas, holding on for a slim three-point win.

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