This weekend’s Iron Bowl will be doubly important for 23 seniors on the Alabama football team, all of whom will be playing their final game inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Late in the game, Alabama quarterback Ken “The Snake” Stabler scrambled 47 yards through the mud for the contest’s sole touchdown.
Advertisement
“Physical back, you know, plays downhill”, Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen said of Pettway. “And he does often”.
Here’s the thing: For as good as Malzahn has been with his more stealthy, zig-zagging rushing attacks in the past, Pettway has added a more rough-and-tumble element that has been essential this season. That’s pretty standard operating procedure. It is highly atmospheric, a must for a game with as much intrigue and mystique as this one.
Sixteenth ranked Auburn will try to end a two game losing streak against Alabama in the Iron Bowl. The Gators have clinched back-to-back SEC East titles under Jim McElwain the last two seasons but the bad news is that they will have to play Alabama in the SEC Championship game once again this season.
“Really, if you go back, they’re always going to be one of the best, if not the best, against the run in the country”, Malzahn said. “I really feel like Rhett, (offensive line coach) Herb (Hand) and the rest of the offensive staff really did a good job with that”. That wasn’t surprising as all three of Auburn’s quarterbacks are close. That’s a big plus against Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, who averages 73.3 rushing yards per game, is second on the team with 803 net rushing yards and leads the team with 11 rushing touchdowns. “A lot of people don’t run the ball on them very well, but we’ve been fortunate enough to do it year in and year out, so that definitely gives us something to think about”. Some quarterbacks we want to keep in the pocket because he’s risky with his legs and he can make throws on the run. But for a quarterback who hadn’t taken an offensive snap since September 3 and hadn’t started a game in almost a calendar year, Jeremy Johnson looked very solid against Alabama A&M.
According to analysis by Pro Football Focus, Hurts has completed 75.5 percent of his passes with 17 touchdowns and two interceptions when he’s protected compared to a 29.9 completion percentage with two touchdowns and five interceptions when he’s under pressure.
However, there are three very big reasons why Auburn fans should still care about this game. Calvin Ridley led in receiving with 94 yards and a touchdown in seven receptions while Cam Sims had 34 yards in four receptions. Both have defensive fronts that can punish runners and quarterbacks alike, with playmakers in the secondary and linebackers who can cover some ground.
“The other two guys are very athletic and very capable of running at any time, scrambling at any time, making plays with their feet at any time”. Auburn’s Carl Lawson actually clocks in as the Iron Bowl leader with nine sacks, pairing with tackle Montravius Adams to lead a defensive front that is talented and fairly deep.
“I think this is one of the greatest rivalry games in the country”, Saban said. I’m glad we got last night’s game over with. We saw what happened in Athens when Sean failed to tell the coaches just how hampered he was by his shoulder injury.
Advertisement
Success! An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup.
