By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The Auburn Tigers ended the Alabama Crimson Tide’s chances at a National Championship on Saturday. The Tigers won 48-45 over the Crimson Tide at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.
The Tigers improved to 9-3 on the season. With the loss, the Crimson Tide fell to 10-2.
“Big win for us,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. “So proud of our team. We hung in there, found a way to win at the end. Just an electric environment. So thankful for our fans. This is the best atmosphere in college football.”
According to ESPN’s Stats & Info, the Crimson Tide are now 0-7 on the road against the Tigers when both teams are ranked in the Associated Press poll. The Crimson Tide were fifth before this game, while the Tigers were 15th.
Before Saturday’s game, the Crimson Tide were 114-0 in the Associated Press poll area — dating back to 1936 — on the field when they scored at least 45 points. One of their wins was previously forfeited.
Also, according to ESPN’s Stats & Info, the miss by Joseph Bulovas was the 101st missed field goal under Nick Saban since the 2007 season. That is the most of any FBS team during that stretch.
It is eight more than any other FBS team. Plus, Bulovas is the only SEC kicker, who has several missed field goals from 30-yards or closer this season.
He missed the potentially game-tying field goal that could have tied the game at 48. As a result, the Tigers got the ball. But due to a penalty on fourth down late in the contest, it gave Auburn the win.
Tigers quarterback Buddy Nix went 15 of 30 for 173 yards. He had one touchdown pass.
JaTarvious Whitlow had 16 carries for 114 yards. Seth Williams had three receptions for 66 yards.
Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones went 26 of 39 for 335 yards. He had four touchdown passes and two interceptions.
Najee Harris had 27 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown. Henry Ruggs III had six receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Tigers outscored the Crimson Tide 21-14 in the second half. Shaun Shivers scored on an 11-yard rushing touchdown. Following the touchdown, Nix hit Shedrick Jackson for a two-point conversion.
“I made a big play at the end of the game,” Shivers said. “It’s a big thing because it’s the Iron Bowl, the best rivalry in college football. This goes down in the book. Everybody will be talking about this for years.”
Zakoby McClain scored on an 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. Anders Carlson also made two field goals.
He first made a 43-yard field goal. He then made a 44-yard field goal.
Tide’s Jones hit Jaylen Waddle for a 12-yard touchdown reception. Jones also connected with Waddle for a 28-yard touchdown reception.
Alabama led 31-27 at halftime. Harris scored on a six-yard rushing touchdown.
Waddle scored on a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Jones hit Ruggs III for a three-yard touchdown reception.
Jones also hit Waddle for a 58-yard touchdown reception. Bulovas made a 43-yard field goal.
Tigers’ Nix scored on a seven-yard rushing touchdown. Smoke Monday had a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Nix hit Sal Cannella for a 14-yard touchdown reception. Carlson also made two field goals.
He first made a 43-yard field goal. Carlson then made a 52-yard field goal.
“We’ve got a chance to win 10 games,” Malzahn said. “That’s a really good accomplishment, especially with the schedule we’ve played.”
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