Tigers win sixth consecutive Iron Bowl

AUBURN - Part of the reason Alabama hired head coach Nick Saban at $4 million per season was to stop the losing streak to Auburn.

Instead, the Tigers can count their Iron Bowl win streak on two hands.

Behind a stout performance from its defense and an offense that did just enough, Auburn beat Alabama 17-10 on Saturday night in front of 87,451 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The sixth consecutive victory over Alabama marked the longest winning streak the Tigers have ever enjoyed against the Crimson Tide.

"I can't say enough about the seniors," Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville said. "They weren't going to be denied of that sixth in a row. They set a record in beating their in-state rivals six times in a row. This is truly a fan game, and this is for you."

As Tuberville indicated, it was also for the seniors - a group that never lost to Alabama during their careers. Defensive end Quentin Groves, a senior and the vocal leader of the team, sprinted straight to the bandstand to direct the band. Other players piled into the student section.

It was madness and history at the same time - it's not always pretty.

While Auburn seemed in control for much of the game, Alabama still trailed just 10-7 until late in the fourth quarter.

Then Auburn got a key special teams play - a 31-yard punt return from Robert Dunn.

"Coach Gran told me to hit the middle," Dunn said. "When I caught it, I just had a seam and I hit it."

With great field position, the Tigers' offensive line and running game went to work.

Auburn worked the ball down the field and quarterback Brandon Cox found the end zone on a 1-yard sneak with 3:58 remaining in regulation.

"When it comes down to it, the Iron Bowl is about who wins in the trenches," Tuberville said. "(Offensive line coach) Hugh Nall made some big adjustments at halftime. I thought the offensive line was the key in the second half."

Really, the offensive line, starting three true freshmen, was a key for much of the game.

Brad Lester ran for 98 yards on 22 carries and Ben Tate added 77 yards and a touchdown on 11 more.

Auburn's running game allowed the Tigers to dictate the tempo of the final quarter and finally put a stranglehold on Alabama - with a big assist to the defense.

While Auburn's offense stalled for the entire second and third quarters, the Tigers came up with big stand after big stand.

Auburn held Glen Coffee to 60 yards on 20 rushes and found ways to pressure John Parker Wilson.

"We had to get pressure on him," said Auburn defensive tackle Pat Sims, who had two sacks. "If we didn't he would tear us apart. I feel really great right now."

Wilson completed just 12-of-26 passes for 113 yards.

Wilson was also the victim of bad luck.

With less than a minute remaining in the first half, Wilson found receiver D.J. Hall in a one-on-one matchup against Auburn cornerback Jerraud Powers.

Wilson lobbed a pass to Hall, who bobbled the ball into the air and into Powers' hands for a momentum-changing interception.

"We missed a field goal and we had a third-and-1 and we took a shot," Saban said. "D.J. had a shot and the guy made an interception. We had two scoring chances and got no points out of them."

Instead of at least a tied game at halftime, the Tigers were able to cling to their 10-7 lead.

The defense made that stand until the offense could get back on the scoreboard.

Senior defensive tackle Josh Thompson led the charge, registering 12 tackles in his final home game.

"Josh gave a good speech to the team," Tuberville said. "He got up and was very serious about how much Auburn means to him. He's not tall and he doesn't look like a Division I football player, but playing like he did tonight, he was an instrumental part of the win tonight. He was unbelievable."

Wilson led Alabama down the field for a 49-yard field by Leigh Tiffing after the Tigers extended their lead to 17-7, but Auburn's Cole Bennett came down with the onside kick try.

Still, the Crimson Tide could have gotten the ball back.

After Auburn gained nine yards on three plays and less than a minute remaining, Tuberville decided to go for a fourth-down conversion.

"(Offensive coordinator Al) Borges said, 'You have a foot to go to beat Alabama,' and that got everybody fired up," Cox said. "Everyone said 'I will,' which was our slogan in this game."

That decision resulted in a 12-yard run from Lester and clinched Auburn's win.

Alabama wasted an outstanding Iron Bowl debut from freshman linebacker Rolando McClain, who finished the game with 15 tackles and an interception.