Auburn comes out on top

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Instant analysis: Auburn comes out on top in back-and-forth Iron Bowl

Updated 6:50 PM;Today 6:49 PM

AP

Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) reacts after a stop against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

 

 

 

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By Giana Han

The Iron Bowl started off like any other Auburn game. Auburn got two quick first downs and then stalled and had to punt. Its defense held Alabama to three points and a punt.

Then the Iron Bowl magic started. The two teams traded leads, and they tied the game three times before halftime. In the last 1:06, Auburn and Alabama scored 17 points, including an Auburn field goal with just one second left to play. Auburn went into halftime down 31-27.

Auburn came out of the half and made a field goal to bring the game within one point. The craziness of the first half continued when Auburn gained the lead after Zakoby McClain returned an interception 100 yards but then lost it when Jaylen Waddle caught a touchdown pass just over a minute later.

Iron Bowl: Watch Alabama and Auburn score 14 points in 14 seconds

A pick six by Auburn and a kickoff return for a touchdown by Alabama highlight wild second quarter of the Iron Bowl.

Alabama scored again and went for two, but changed its mind after it was penalized. Then Auburn scored and went for two and was successful. It took a 48-45 lead, which held until the clock ran out.

Here are some takeaways from the wild, back-and-forth Iron Bowl:

Momentum, what’s that?

Pick six? Kickoff return for a touchdown? 100-yard pick six? None of them were enough to give either team the advantage of momentum. With the game tied 10-10, Smoke Monday intercepted Mac Jones’ pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown, sending Jordan-Hare Stadium into a frenzy. Auburn and its fans were feeling good as Anders Carlson kicked it off. Then Jaylen Waddle caught the kick and took it all the way, silencing the Tigers. Alabama was able to ride that momentum to score another touchdown before Auburn answered with a drive where three receivers made big plays to get Auburn in the end zone. The game continued to go back and forth as the teams continued to trade leads. Momentum made no difference. Over and over, both teams either came up big or failed to stop the other from coming up big, however you prefer to look at it.

Hold onto the ball, Auburn:

On the very first play Auburn attempted, Anthony Schwartz showed off his speed with a first-down run. But as he was tackled, the ball slipped loose and flew back into the field. Schwartz got lucky because Shedrick Jackson recovered it for Auburn, but Boobee Whitlow wasn’t so lucky one quarter later. On second-and-10, Whitlow rushed for five yards before losing hold of the ball. It went straight to an Alabama player, giving Alabama prime field position at the Auburn 25. The Crimson Tide scored four plays later. Auburn then muffed a kick to start the third quarter. It kept possession, but the Tigers will have to work on ball security moving forward into the bowl game and offseason.

Auburn confident it can find success on ground against defense that’s not ‘the old Alabama’

Auburn is 26th nationally in rushing offense, but the Tigers have struggled on the ground in losses and against ranked teams this year.

Auburn has some weapons in its receivers:

Gus Malzahn said he realized what his receivers could do after seeing the fourth quarter against Georgia. They once again came in clutch for Auburn in the Iron Bowl. While the Tigers had just 68 rushing yards at the half, they had 145 passing yards. Right after Alabama scored a go-ahead touchdown, Auburn was facing third-and-7 in its own territory. Then Nix launched a deep ball to Seth Williams, who reeled it in for a 37-yard first down catch. On the next play, while Nix was scrambling, Will Hastings came out of nowhere to catch Nix’s throw as he was headed out of bounds. To finish off the drive, Sal Cannella had a toe-tap touchdown to tie the game. Auburn finished with 173 passing yards, including several key catches.

Alabama’s line is good but not Derrick Brown good:

Derrick Brown’s teammates always feel sorry for people who have to line up across from Brown. Marlon Davidson said there’s really no advice to give to anyone trying to block him. Alabama’s offensive line wasn’t daunted. After each snap, the Alabama linemen stood their ground against Brown. Even so, Brown managed to have Heisman moments. After being injured early in the game, Brown came back and was disruptive. He spun around linemen and just missed sacking Mac Jones, forcing him to try to get rid of the ball quickly. He booked it out to the sidelines to tackle rushers. Finally, on third down at the Auburn 10, Brown got to Jones. As Jones took off for the goal line, Brown landed on him, forcing Alabama to kick a field goal. It might have been enough to catch up with Davidson...

Derrick Brown has 1 last chance in Iron Bowl to catch Marlon Davidson

The two roommates and close friends have competed throughout the season to see who can win most SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.

Key play of the game:

On third down with just over 2 minutes left, Jones looked around for an open receiver before tucking the ball and running. Before he could go anywhere, he was stopped by Brown for a loss of one. The third down stop forced Alabama to kick a tying field goal instead of go for a winning touchdown. The Crimson Tide missed the field goal, securing the Auburn win.

Key player of the game: Zakoby McClain

Jones’ pass bounced off of an Alabama receiver into McClain’s arms. He secured the ball and then started running. McClain broke free and led the way down the field. As he got to the 20, he started to slow down, but his teammates surrounded him, protecting him as he finished the return. He crossed into the end zone, exhausted, but victorious. His 100-yard return gave Auburn the 37-31 lead. McClain also contributed one tackle for loss and lead the team with 11 tackles.