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Alabama Tops Auburn 24-22 in 4 OT Iron Bowl Classic

by | Nov 28, 2021

The 86th Iron Bowl was not pretty by any stretch of the imagination.

Thanks to a mostly sluggish performance by the offensive line, the Alabama offense slopped through most of the day.

The Tide could manage only 71 yards rushing and quarterback Bryce Young was continually harassed. He was sacked by the aggressive Auburn defenders a total of seven times.

An inspired defense held Alabama in the game, holding Auburn to a total of 159 total yards, six sacks of its own, allowing just 10 points.

But those 10 points were enough to give the Tigers a one touchdown advantage with just 1:35 left in the game.

As it had done for much of the day, Auburn pinned Alabama deep in its own territory, this time with a punt that was downed on the three-yard line. All the Tide offense had to do was something it had not been able to do all day…..score a touchdown…..from 97 yards away…..with no timeouts.

That’s where Bryce Young and the Tide offense came alive, mounting a touchdown drive that will go down as one of the best in Iron Bowl history.

Let’s take a look at the highlights of the drive courtesy of the SEC Network and CBS:

The game-tying touchdown pass from Young to Ja’Corey Brooks with 24 seconds remaining was a thing of beauty. Will Reichard’s extra point sent the game to overtime.

Alabama was up first in the overtime period. Young connected with Slade Bolden on a third-down pass from the six-yard line to take its first lead of the day. Alabama 17 – Auburn 10

The Tigers matched the score with one of their own. TJ Finley’s rolled right and threw back left to tight end Landen King who ran into the end zone for the score. Alabama 17 – Auburn 17

Due to overtime rules, Auburn had first possession in the second overtime. The Alabama defense stiffened, pushing Auburn back seven yards. But Ben Patton converted a 49-yard field goal into 3 points to once again give the home team the lead. Auburn 20 – Alabama 17

Alabama could manage only a field goal of its own after gaining just five yards. Will Reichard was clutch from 38 yards. Alabama 20 – Auburn 20

Thanks to the masterminds at the NCAA, teams must attempt two-point conversions beginning with the third overtime period. Each team gets one play from the three-yard line.

Young connected with John Metchie for the score to give Alabama the lead once again. Alabama 22 – Auburn 20

The Tigers matched the score, with TJ Finley finding Samuel Shenker in the end zone. Alabama 22 – Auburn 22.

Overtime Number Four…

TJ Finley took the snap and looked for his receiver in the back of the end zone, but the pass was deflected by Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

From there, Bryce Young and the Alabama offense had the opportunity to make it a Crimson Iron Bowl. They had a chance to send the Auburn faithful home with tears in their eyes. They could exorcise some Jordan-Hare demons. They weren’t thinking about all that, of course. Those thoughts are for us, the fans.

They were thinking about executing a play. “Be where your feet are,” says Coach Saban.

Young’s feet were on the eight-yard line. He took the snap and dropped to the twelve. He quickly delivered a pass to Metchie who was on the two-yard line. But he wasn’t there for long.

His feet quicky took him into the end zone and gave Alabama the victory.

Alabama 24 – Auburn 22

And the State of Alabama was Crimson….