As the College Football regular season draws to a close, it looks like it is saving the best for last. Friday opened up with the Iron Bowl and closed out in a chilly Rene, Nevada.
In a flurry of fireworks yesterday, it is very apparent this season is not over by a long shot.
Up first The Iron Bowl -
Alabama looked to be in complete control, with smothering defense and efficient offensive production early in the game. The domination was apparent early on as offensive total yards were severely titled with Alabama tallying 162 yards of total offense to Auburn's measly 2. Early on it looked like Bama could do no wrong and Auburn could do nothing right.
At the end of the first quarter it was Alabama 21 - Auburn 0.
There were a number of key plays that led to the comeback, but one that stands out among the best is when Mark Ingram caught a screen pass, then bolted across midfield. Auburn's Antoine Carter did not give up, stayed with the play, and popped the ball loose which went tumbling out the back of the end zone. TOUCHBACK.
This did not mark the complete turnaround in the game, but looking back it was the beginning of the end. Auburn got the ball and ended up punting. Alabama got the ball and marched down the goal line, but Trent Richardson ended up dropping a no-brainer. This led to a field goal, and there we were at 24-0. Bama in control.
But Auburn's defense and offense led by Cam Newton settled down and pulled out the sweetest victory in Iron Bowl History. Credit Gene Chizik, Malzahn, Newton, and Fairley. Their half time adjustments were the difference here in this instant classic. Cam Newton was not going to be denied, and the Auburn fans sitting upstairs got a very sweet WAR EAGLE!
Auburn 28 - Alabama 27
Up next Arizona at Oregon -
This one looked close, but Chip Kelly's team is too good. Sound on both sides of the ball Oregon ended up pulling away in the second half. The Ducks found themselves down at 14-19, but like the great teams proper halftime adjustments proved crucial.
Arizona 29 - Oregon 48
And the nightcap, Boise State at Nevada -
These things have a way of working themselves out, and unfortunately Boise State ran into team in Reno that played like it had nothing to loose. It was a hard fought game in which Nevada found itself down 17-0, but the Wolfpack did not give up. It was not until 5:47 to go before the half that Nevada saw points on the board for them as Vai Taua rushed in for a 5 yard TD run. The pats on the back were short lived as Boise quickly answered with a 51 yard run by Doug Martin.
Fast forward to 5 minutes to go in the 3rd Quarter. Boise State is up 24-7, and after a crucial pass interference call against Boise State's James Taylor thing began to slowly unravel for the Broncos. A couple plays later Colin Kaepernick runs 18 yards of the left side for a gutsy QB touchdown run in which he went airborne to touch the pylon. And with that score the Wolfpack were in business down by 10 (24-14).
The 4th Quarter started off with a bang. Rishard Matthews on an end around ended up bobbing a weaving for 44 yard TD to cut it to 3. Boise gets the ball next, punts, and Nevada is in business. They drive down kick a field goal and with about 5 minutes left in the game we have tied ball game folks (24-24).
What happens next will go down in history as some of the most exciting in WAC history. After Nevada finally tied the game, the kick off to Boise State, and the first play on the drive Kellen Moore throws it to Doug Martin who was not going to be denied. He took the pass 79 yards for the go ahead TD. Nevada gets the kick down by 7 and drive down the field. Kaepernick drills a TD pass to Rishard Matthews with seconds to go in the game to tie it up. Boise State comes back with a deep ball prayer that is hauled in by Titus Young. It was a 54 yard play that setup the kicker for the game winner.
In a page taken from FSU's history books...Kyle Brotzman's kick is Wide Right.
On to Overtime and Brotzman's kick misses another. This time Wide Left. Nevada gets the ball and Anthony Martiznez drilled it right down the middle. Nevada snags a piece of the WAC title with the win.
Boise State 31 - Nevada 34
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