Alabama Recap: Bama tops Auburn for 5th straight Iron Bowl victory
After an up and down season, Tide still remain the kings of Alabama defeating Auburn 28-14.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Alabama’s playoff chances were hanging by a thread, but that did not stop the Tide from taking care of business against their bitter rival. A week after a disastrous loss at Oklahoma ended their quest to defend a conference title and left a possible playoff appearance teetering on the edge, 13th ranked Alabama topped Auburn for a fifth straight win in the series 28-14 in Tuscaloosa. The win marked the longest win streak in the series for the Tide since the Bear beat the Tigers nine straight times between 1973 and 1982. In addition, in the last 10 games between their foes, Alabama improved to an impressive 8-2. Even better for Bama, key losses by Miami and Clemson opened the door, ever slightly, for a possible at-large bid into the playoffs.
This edition of the Iron Bowl was far from perfect, let alone pretty. Turnovers and missed opportunities plagued both teams, and there was even a scuffle on the sidelines mid-third quarter. Such action has been a rarity in the series, yet this one was heated right from the start. For the game, Alabama dominated the statistics, out gaining Auburn 459 to 399, had a slight 25 to 24 edge in first downs, and converted on 12 of 18 third downs compared to the Tiger’s 4 of 12. Bama quarterback Jalen Milroe played well, completing 18 of 24 passes for 256 yards and one interception. In addition, he was once again dangerous on the ground, scoring 3 touchdowns and gaining 104 yards on 17 carries. Tailback Jam Miller touted the ball a season-high 28 times for 84 yards, and Germie Bernard continued his late-season surge with 7 receptions for 111 yards. Freshman Ryan Williams had a mixed day, catching 3 passes for 53 yards, however he fumbled for the first time in his Bama career and dropped a sure touchdown in the second quarter. The Tide used their tight ends effectively as CJ Dippre, Josh Cuevas, and Robbie Ouzts combined for 8 catches for 89 yards. On the other side, quarterback Payton Thorne ended his Auburn career completing 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Tiger rushing attack was held in check as the team picked up only 98 total yards. Dangerous back Jarquez Hunter gained 56 yards on 13 carries. KeAndre Lambert-Smith led the Tiger receiving corps with 8 catches for 116 yards while freshman Cam Coleman caught 7 passes for 78 yards and Auburn’s only touchdown.
The first half was downright sloppy, especially for the Crimson Tide. Bama committed 3 turnovers, which included a Milroe interception and fumble as well as William’s fumble on the Tide’s opening drive. Despite their errors, Alabama entered halftime up 14-6 thanks to two touchdown runs from Milroe. Partly due to a strong effort from Kane Wommack’s Bama defense, Auburn failed to take full advantage of the Tide turnovers and only had a pair of field goals to show. With Bama up 14-3 late in the second quarter, Auburn took advantage of Milroe’s first fumble of the day on his own 34-yard line and had a first and goal at the Tide 2. Three plays later, Auburn was still on the Bama 2 and instead of going for the touchdown, Hugh Freeze opted for a short field goal which may have deflated the Tiger offense. Meanwhile, the Tide offense cleaned things up in the third quarter, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half. Jam Miller topped off a 9 play, 75-yard drive to put the Tide ahead 21-6. After an Auburn three and out, Bama marched 60 yards in 6 plays and stretched their lead to 28-6 on Milroe’s third rushing touchdown of the day, this one from 17 yards out. Auburn would answer, driving 87 yards in 10 plays capped off with a Thorne to Cam Coleman 29-yard touchdown pass. A successful 2-point conversion cut the lead to 28-14.
At the 12:36 mark of the 4th quarter, Milroe fumbled for the second time and Auburn took possession on the Tide 49 with the chance to cut the lead to a single score. Yet three plays later, a trick play backfired as Jarquez Hunter’s errant halfback pass was picked off by the Tide’s Bray Hubbard at the Alabama 5-yard line. The ensuing drive ended with a Bama punt, yet it chewed up 7:45 and left Auburn with just 3:57 to get two scores. When Bama freshman Zabien Brown picked off Thorne at the Tide 38 with 2:29 to go, the result was no longer in doubt. Auburn would end the season with a 5-7 mark, their fourth straight losing season. The Tiger fanbase has quickly grown restless and Freeze will enter 2025 squarely on the hot seat. Bama coach Kaylen DeBoer has taken heat this season for three losses, yet his 9 wins are the most for a first-year coach in Bama history and he is one of only three other Tide coaches to beat Auburn in their first season. It is far from a given, but even after all the struggles this season, Alabama sits right on the edge of a playoff berth. If the Tide get in and can muster the version of the team that dominated Georgia in the first half, defeated South Carolina, shut out Missouri, and dominated LSU in Tiger Stadium, they could be a very difficult out. Time will tell whether Alabama gets the chance to prove itself on the sport’s new biggest stage. Stay tuned.
