Auburn Chokes Against Alabama!
Auburn choked against Alabama today in the Iron Bowl. The unranked Tigers were leading the 8th ranked Crimson Tide late in the 4th quarter and looked on course to a staggering upset victory.
Auburn was leading 24-20 and had just forced Alabama into a 3 and out. Things were going great. But when Alabama punted the ball, Auburn’s returner muffed the catch. Alabama recovered the ball inside Auburn’s 25 yard line. But even after this setback, Auburn had a great chance to win, with Alabama needing to convert a 3rd and 20.
Now, the 3rd and 20 meant that Alabama had 2 plays to gain 20 yards, as they were obviously not settling for a field goal in this situation. On the play, Auburn had only 3 rushing the quarterback. Nobody was open, but the Alabama Quarterback was able to take advantage of a completely absent Auburn secondary, and rush for 19.5 yards.
A 3rd and 20 became a 4th and inches, which Alabama promptly converted on. This resulted in a first and goal for Alabama. On 2nd and goal, Alabama messed up their snap and the Alabama quarterback had to run to get the ball and lost 10-15 yards.
On 3rd and goal from the 25, Alabama had nothing. Their Quarterback even was penalized for running past the line of scrimmage, running back behind it, and attempting a pass. So we are now at 4th and goal from near Auburn’s 30 yard line. Just don’t give up a touchdown and Auburn gets the upset. Surely Auburn can’t mess this up, right?
Wrong. Either Auburn’s defensive coordinator, their cornerback, or both, forgot their brain for that play, and they allowed a touchdown, via throw and catch in the back corner of their end zone. 27-24. Auburn had about 30 seconds left, but we all knew it was over by then.
To say Auburn choked today against Auburn would be an understatement of epic proportions. How then 5-6 Auburn was able to put themselves in position to beat #8 in the country Alabama, but choked away their opportunity, is beyond me. Auburn will have this on their mind for at least another year, until the next Iron Bowl.