TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama can never erase the infamous “Kick Six” from anyone’s memory.
But the No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide did avoid dropping two straight to its biggest rival as it defeated No. 15 Auburn, 55-44, on Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
After taking a 26-21 lead into halftime, Auburn’s offense sputtered at times in the final 30 minutes. While the Tigers would add 18 more points, eight came on a late score with the game already out of reach.
After getting down 33-21, Alabama
More Top Picks Best Premium Pool Cue Cases For The Money
outscored Auburn 34 to 11 down the stretch.The contest turned after a Marshall pass was intercepted by Tide safety Nick Perry. From there,Alabama took over and punished the Tigers on the ground and through the air.
Tide quarterback Blake Sims, running back T.J. Yeldon and wide receiver Amari Cooper all turned it on in the second half. Sims, who had three interceptions on the day, was 20-of-27 for 312 yards and four touchdowns. On three of those, he found Cooper, who caught 13 passes for 224 yards and the three scores. On the ground, Yeldon powered his way for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
For Auburn, Marshall had a stellar outing. He threw for 456 yards and three scores while also rushing for 49 yards. Auburn’s receivers Duke Williams and Sammie Coates both had big days as well. Williams caught seven balls for 121 yards. Coates hauled in five passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. He was limited to just one catch in the second half.
After fumbling on its first possession, Auburn’s defense gave up a quick touchdown to the Tide, with Yeldon scoring from eight yards out.
Auburn’s next two drives produced only field goals while Alabama added another touchdown on its second drive — a 17-yard pass from Sims to Cooper.
With the score 14-9, Sims threw his first interception of the half. Two plays later, Marshall found Coates down the sideline for a 34-yard touchdown and a 16-14 lead for Auburn.
Led by Yeldon, the Tide‘s offense responded. Yeldon ran and caught the ball en route to a seven-play, 58-yard drive capped by his 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal. At that point, Alabama held a 21-16 lead with 1:23 left in the half.
But Auburn’s offense struck quickly, as Marshall found Coates for a 68-yard touchdown to finish a two-play, 75-yard drive.
On the ensuing possession, Sims threw his second interception of the day.
Marshall found Coates for a 40-yard gain down to the 1-yard line in the final seconds of the half. In position to score, Artis-Payne was stuffed in the backfield for a loss by Alabama defensive linemanJarran Reed
More Top Picks Best Extra Wide Shoes For Swollen Feet
.The play forced Auburn to settle for a field goal as time expired.