The 2018 Alabama Game

The 7 and 4 Tigers are a huge 24 point underdog in Tuscaloosa for a 2:30 broadcast on CBS.  The favorite usually wins this game particularly with this big of a line.  I don't know what else to say.

FIRST QUARTER

On Auburn's second possession Shaun Shivers goes 75 yards for the touchdown but it's called back for holding.   Bad break for sure.

6:38 left Alabama runs 12 yards for the score after Auburn's 75 yard run was called back for holding and a roughing penalty on Auburn on the punt receiver gave Alabama good starting field position at the AU 34.

Auburn 0  Alabama 7

Auburn drives masterly for the touchdown from its 27 mainly running between the tackles.  One of our best drives of the year.  Schwartz sweeps around right end for 9 yards for the score.  Great uptempo on that drive.  Our offensive line is getting a push.

Auburn 7  Alabama 7

SECOND QUARTER

The quarter begins with UA first and ten at the Auburn 15 after a face guard penalty and after Carlson kicked of out-of-bounds to start the possession.  Auburn has almost 50 yards in penalties.  Our biggest liability so far.

Touchdown on a 4 yard screen pass.

Auburn 7  Alabama 14

Alabama drives for a 30 yard field goal after our offense goes three and out.  It seems that we need a good play on first down to get a drive going.  We continue to be plagued by penalties.

Auburn 7  Alabama 17

8:59 to go.  After one first down from a face guard penalty Auburn punts to the UA 16 after Stidham overthrows Slayton which would have been a first down.

On 4th and one Auburn blocks the punt.  First down at the UA 23.

TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!

A double pass from Ryan Davis to a wide-open Malik Miller at the 5 and into the end one.
2 plays 23 yards set up by the blocked punt and UA's three and out.

Auburn 14  Alabama 17

Our defense holds UA to another three and out.  Auburn makes one first down and lets the clock expire.  At the half we have a ballgame.

THIRD QUARTER

Alabama receives, crosses midfield, and gets a 46 yd. TD pass.  We are defensing their rushing but they are always dangerous with their passing attack.  First big play we've given up.  We avoided giving up big plays in the first half.  Our DBs have to be good to win this game.

Auburn 14  Alabama 24

It seems like we have not been very good in the second halves this year.
After our three and out UA starts from their 31 and after a face guard penalty there is a TD pass from the AU 35.  We are in dangerous territory now.  With 9:49 to go Alabama leads by 17.

Auburn 14  Alabama 31

Auburn mounts a drive but is stopped a yard short on fourth down to the 20 needing the 19.  We could not take advantage of two PF penalties on Alabama.  The fourth down was a trick play, a pass from Malik Willis to kicker Carlson.

5:06 to go in the quarter  as Auburn forces a three and out.  Auburn starts at their 40.

On third and two Stidham hits Slayton for a 52 yd. touchdown!  We have a game again.

Auburn 21  Alabama 31

Alabama responds quickly.  From their 25 they get a 40 yd. touchdown pass.  We get behind and it's just about impossible to catch up.  That took 69 seconds.

Auburn 21  Alabama 38

The Tigers go three and out pushed back to the 10.  Stidham can't get it done.  He can't step up in the pocket.  The punt goes out of bounds at the Auburn 43 with 45 seconds to go in the quarter.  We got back to within 10 but it's getting away now.  The quarter ends UA up by 17.

FOURTH QUARTER

Alabama scores again on a pass into the end zone to Ruggs.

Auburn 21  Alabama 45

Auburn slowly drives across midfield but then Stidham lobs up an interception.

First play a TD pass to Waddle.

Auburn 21  Alabama 52

The game slogs to an end as Auburn tries to run the clock by staying on the ground.

FINAL SCORE

52 to 21 Alabama.