Alabama’s Adam Griffith kicked an Iron Bowl-record and career-high five field goals, including four in a touchdown-free first half as the Crimson Tide led 12-6 at the break. LSU fans might point out that Leonard Fournette had a better per-carry average than Henry against Auburn’s defense, but the way the Heisman Trophy process works, Henry has cemented his status as the front-runner for the award from the SEC, if not the nation.
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Henry has run the ball 295 times this season for school records of 1,797 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Two months and nine straight wins later, Alabama is one victory away from a return trip to the Playoff after a 29-13 win over Auburn Saturday.
Auburn’s touchdown in the third quarter was equal parts athleticism and luck when Jason Smith tipped a ball to himself and split two Alabama defensive backs for a 77-yard score.
The Alabama Crimson Tide travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl Saturday afternoon. However, the Tide’s red zone defense forced a 24-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson to tie the score at three.
Players like Reggie Ragland, Cyrus Jones and Derrick Henry spoke, telling teammates that the Tide could still reach the Playoff and that there isn’t any team in the country that can beat Alabama if Tide players do what they’re supposed to do. One more touchdown on the ground for Henry will set a new school record for rushing touchdowns in a season. Rivalry games are anything but a certainty though.
“Coach Malzahn has a good system and he says to us “believe in us and we’ll believe in you”, Smith said.
AUBURN | There was no late magic this time, no particular play that will be discussed into dust two years from now. With running back Peyton Barber leading the way, Auburn drove inside the Alabama ten-yard-line.
In addition to Henry’s heroics, Alabama’s offense was keyed by an accurate passing performance by quarterback Jake Coker, who completed 17 of 26 attempts for 179 yards and a touchdown. Defense is the name of the game for Alabama. If they’re to repeat last year’s run and make it to the Championship game, they’ll need to win out from this point forward when we watch the Alabama football game live streaming or on TV today. Had Alabama lost, even its spot in the SEC title game wouldn’t have been guaranteed; Ole Miss would’ve gone to Atlanta in its place with a win against Mississippi State on Saturday.
“He’s the go-to guy”, Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “This team’s gained a lot of confidence in each other, mainly because we figured out how to play with each other”. After Henry gained three on a rush up the middle, two incompletions forced a 50-yard field goal try by Griffith. The joke was on her because I only went to Auburn because I received something thing the mail that said, “You have been accepted to Auburn University” and I had never applied. The team combined for six field goals.
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On a first down at the Tide 35, Coker was flushed from the pocket and rushed to the sidelines for a one-yard gain. With the extra point, Alabama took a 19-6 lead.
