The South is the pinnacle of college football, one of the best places being the state of Alabama. The civil war going on between sports fans yearly is the Iron Bowl which is The University of Alabama versus Auburn University.
This year there was an epic ending to this chapter of their rivalry. In the beginning however, the Crimson Tide were favored to have a two touchdown victory over the Tigers. But as everyone always does against the big A, Auburn came hungry and ready to step their game up, which they did.
At halftime, the score was 17-14 with Alabama up. Auburn took the lead in the third quarter 21-20. Both teams were neck and neck throughout the entire stretch of the game with the Tigers even leading down the backstretch of the fourth quarter. Auburn had the upper hand on the Tide 24-20 with 58 seconds in the game. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe was not ready for a snap that pushed ‘Bama back past the 25-yard line making an extremely long third and goal. The following play resulted in a five yard penalty making the final play of the game fourth and 31 for the Crimson Tide.
The Auburn fans were electric, screaming War Eagle and down with the Tide thinking they had this game sealed. For the final play, the Auburn Tigers get in a drop nine coverage and only rush two defenders to spy on the dual threat QB Milroe. With excellent protection, the next nine seconds was a Tiger fan’s worst nightmare. Milroe directs traffic and throws to a covered Isaiah Bond, with everyone holding their breath as the ball spirals toward its target. The wide receiver made an excellent adjustment catching a 50/50 ball in the back left corner of the endzone putting Alabama on top 26-24 with 32 seconds left on the clock.
Kicker Will Reichard completed the extra point giving the tide a 3-point lead. On the final play of the game, Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne was intercepted for a pick-six by cornerback Terrion Arnold, which ended up not counting, as the clock struck triple zero.
It was a certified heartbreaker in Jordan-Hare while simultaneously being a time for celebration if you support the red and white. With this close victory and joyful moment proposed a big question, is Alabama head coach Nick Saban and his team ready for the SEC championship against the undefeated number one nationally ranked team and the reigning national champions, the Georgia Bulldogs?
