Auburn Tigers Let Victory Over Crimson Tide Slip Away

By MikeBullock  |   Monday, November 30, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

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Auburn Tigers Let Iron Bowl Victory Over Crimson Tide Slip Away

The Iron Bowl began as it ended, with a disappointing play by the Auburn Tigers, who remembered last year’s 36-0 blowout loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. While the opening kickoff bounced out of bounds inside the Tide’s five yard line, Auburn’s defense came out and made up for it. The stout Tigers’ defense shut down the Alabama offense, forced a quick punt and prevented the Tide from capitalizing on their great opening field position.

Moments later, the Tigers dialed up a run reverse to wide receiver, Terrell Zachery who went around the end and charged sixty seven yards for a touchdown putting the Tigers on top 7-0 early in the first quarter.

But, the Tigers’ trickery didn’t end there. On the ensuing kickoff, placekicker Wes Byrum turned around from a fake huddle and performed a beautiful onside kick, which he recovered, putting the Tigers back in business on their own 42-yard line. Just under six minutes later the Tigers punched in another score and led 14-0 going into the second quarter.

At this point, Auburn seemed well in control of the game and on their way to victory over the rival Crimson Tide, but the #2 ranked Alabama team wasn’t out of it yet. Failing to score again until the third quarter, while giving up fourteen points in the second, the Tigers came out in the second half to a brand new ballgame, one they unfortunately let slip through their fingers, finally falling 26-21.

The loss marked Alabama’s first two game win-streak against Auburn since the 1998-99 season and their second straight Iron Bowl victory.

While the Tigers lost, they can take solace in the fact that they played the second best team in the nation tough, giving ‘Bama one of their biggest scares of the season by scoring more points than the Tide had allowed since facing Virginia Tech in the opening week. Another moral victory for the Tigers was their ability to hold Heisman hopeful running back Mark Ingram to thirty yards and a 1.8-yards-per-carry average.

One more bright spot was Auburn quarterback Chris Todd, who set a Tiger single season record with his 21st passing touchdown. Had Todd been able to throw his 22nd, victory would have been theirs, effectively flushing the Crimson Tide’s National Championship hopes down the drain. Unfortunately for Todd, Zachery and the rest of the Tigers “valiant efforts” don’t always equal wins.

While there’s still a chance Auburn will land in a somewhat meaningless bowl game, their hopes to salvage this season ended Saturday. However, don’t let that spoil the promise of brighter tomorrows, as first year head coach Gene Chizik did a solid job with the Tigers this season, and by doing so, gave a glimpse of what’s to come in 2010.
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