Fourth-quarter drive lifts Tide to Iron Bowl victory

AUBURN - The Million Dollar Band belted out its rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' " as Alabama players skipped off Pat Dye Field with index fingers raised and a rare opportunity to smile Friday.

The No. 2 Crimson Tide had just survived an instant Iron Bowl classic, defeating Auburn 26-21 in a game in which Alabama struggled to stop big plays defensively, had Heisman Trophy hopeful running back Mark Ingram stymied and didn't lead until the final 2 minutes.

Still, the Crimson Tide left Jordan Hare Stadium believing it can compete for a national title after escaping with a second straight win against its instate rival. Alabama (12-0, 8-0 SEC) remained undefeated and might have built a little character heading into next Saturday's SEC Championship game against top-ranked Florida.

Alabama finished undefeated in SEC play for the second straight season, marking the second time since the adoption of divisional play in 1992 that a team has accomplished that.

"I've never probably been more proud of a football team than I was of our guys in this game," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "I said it would be a significant accomplishment to come here and win.

"To me this game is all about character, discipline and perseverance to overcome adversity. If there was one thing that our team hasn't been challenged by this year, it's that."

Trailing by a point in the fourth quarter, Alabama marched 79 yards in 15 plays, scoring on a 4-yard, play-action pass from Greg McElroy to Roy Upchurch that was the game-winner with 1:24 remaining. McElroy completed seven straight passes on the drive that ate up 7 minutes, connecting with Julio Jones four times and converting three third-down plays.

"That may have been one of the greatest drives I've even been associated with in the fourth quarter to win the game," Saban said.

Auburn (7-5, 3-5) jumped ahead 14-0 in the first quarter, striking it big with trick plays. Terrell Zachery scored on a 67-yard run on a reverse. The Tigers then recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff and scored on a 12-play, 58-yard touchdown drive to lead by two touchdowns after just three offensive plays for Alabama.

The Tigers also led 21-14 early in the third quarter after a 72-yard pass from Chris Todd to Darvin Adams. Auburn never scored again, failing to reach the end zone on its final, desperation drive, as Alabama's Justin Woodall batted down a Todd pass in the end zone as time expired.

"I just told (the team) that we are not walking out of here with heads down," Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. "We are a family when we win. We are a family when we lose.

"Nobody has to like the outcome of this game, but everybody in that locker room did what we asked them to do. They fought for 60 minutes in a game that was really tough, and I said that we were going to build on that from here."

Bryan App can be reached at 740-5730 or bryan.app@TimesDaily.com.