Its defense is superb, and the only touchdown it allowed to Auburn was on the freak – albeit spectacular – juggled, bobbled pass reception. “Both teams were kicking field goals in the first half, and we were down six, so I felt pretty good”, Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said.
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Auburn answered on the ensuing possession. As Saban tells it, Alabama’s late surge is a testament to his players’ perseverance. That largely limited what Florida could do in the passing game.
This is the game between The University of Alabama and Auburn University in Alabama.
The circus play got Auburn to within 19-13 heading into the fourth quarter.
That said, the two could be on a short list of teams with 5-7 records that could make it to a bowl.
On the ensuing kickoff, Alabama returner Damien Harris lost the ball in the sun, and appeared to touch the football as it rolled past him. Alabama’s Richard Mullaney picked the ball up nine-yards deep in the end zone and rushed it out to the 10-yard-line to prevent a safety. The pass protection broke down, and Johnson was forced to scramble. The unexpected can happen and Alabama could be knocked off in the final game before the playoff field is determined.
Auburn managed just 11 yards of offense after that point, however.
He struck a similarly dismissive tone following a 55-44 loss to Alabama in last season’s Iron Bowl then fired defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson less than 24 hours later.
But since that loss, Alabama has been forced to play perfect-or at least, stay flawless in the win column.
UA pushed the advantage to 19-6 in the third quarter as Jake Coker made a remarkable escape from pressure and found ArDarius Stewart for a 34-yard touchdown.
Statistically, Henry was Alabama’s star to that point, but Coker truly impressed on that drive. Several times in the game, Kiffin seemed to outthink himself with his play calling despite Auburn never being able slow the massive running back up. Auburn’s biggest play of the game was the 77-yard touchdown catch by Jason Smith in the third quarter on a tipped pass that looked eerily similar to the 70+ yard TD catch Ole Miss managed on a tipped pass. That play went for 77 yards and a score.
Romond Deloatch caught a touchdown for the Owls, who will play at No. 21 Houston for the AAC title on Saturday with a New Year’s Six bowl bid possibly at stake.
The 30 yards in penalties set up another Adam Griffith field goal – the fifth on the day – and made it a two-score game. He owned the fourth quarter and the clock, carrying the football on 14 consecutive plays. The different is the UF defense and running back Kelvin Taylor (134 yards rushing) couldn’t bail him out this time.
The one I am talking about is the Alabama Crimson Tide v Auburn. Kelvin Taylor leads the Florida rushing attack with 977 yards and 13 touchdowns and Demarcus Robinson is the top receiver with 47 catches and two touchdowns but he was suspended from last week’s game.
Tide running back Derrick Henry may well have locked up the Heisman Trophy with a 46-carry, 271-yard rushing performance versus Auburn.
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Arkansas (7-5, 5-3) and LSU (8-3, 5-3) beat Missouri (5-7, 1-7) and Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4), respectively, to finish a game behind the Rebels (9-3, 6-2) and two games back of the Crimson Tide.
