Studs and Duds in Alabama Football Iron Bowl win

Alabama Football had enough failures in the Iron Bowl to lose the game. When it counted the most, it had enough successes to win a great, come-from-behind, overtime victory.

The Auburn defense orchestrated by Defensive Coordinator, Derek Mason was outstanding. The Tigers played defense with toughness and passion. Too often for almost four quarters, the Auburn defensive front overwhelmed the Crimson Tide. When Bryce Young had time to throw in the first three-plus quarters, the Auburn secondary, led by Roger McCreary was all over Tide receivers.

Trailing 10-0 after three quarters, the Alabama Football offense had just 134, net yards. Going into the fourth quarter, the Crimson Tide had minus-4, net rushing yards. Most of the fourth quarter was not much better for the Tide offense, which managed just three points in its first 21, 4th quarter plays.

Thanks to an Alabama football defense that played solid throughout the game, the game was in reach with 1:35 left in regulation. Trailing 10-3, with no timeouts, the Crimson Tide needed a 97-yard drive to tie and send the game into overtime.

The drive was both a struggle and sensational. Bryce Young had improved pass protection with Seth McLaughlin at center, and Chris Owens at right tackle. Auburn DC, Derek Mason did not bring extra pressure on every snap, trying to close passing windows for Young. It was a good strategy but not good enough.

In the game-tying, 12-play drive, Young had six incompletions. Twice he scrambled to gain a total of 12 yards. In the four completions on the drive, Young connected with Metchie, Ja’Corey Brooks and on a 4th down, to Jahleel Billingsley. The fourth completion was a 28-yard touchdown pass to Brooks.

Overtime drama followed, but the 97-yard drive was the body blow from which Auburn could not recover.