TUSCALOOSA, Ala.: No. 10 Alabama escaped Jordan-Hare Stadium with a 20-20 tie against Auburn on Saturday night in one of the most chaotic editions of the Iron Bowl in recent memory.
The Crimson Tide appeared in full control after building a 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter, but Auburn stormed back with 20 unanswered points and nearly pulled off the upset before a late interception sealed the draw.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson threw two touchdown passes, including a 3-yard strike to Isaiah Horton that capped a 90-yard drive and gave the Tide a three-score advantage. Auburn answered with a pair of field goals before halftime to trail 17-6 at the break.
The Tigers wasted no time in the third quarter. Freshman quarterback Ashton Daniels connected with wide receiver Malcolm Simmons on a 64-yard touchdown pass on Auburn’s opening possession of the second half. Alabama responded with a field goal, but Auburn kept coming.
Simmons struck again on a 66-yard catch-and-run that set up the tying score when running back Jeremiah Cobb punched it in from two yards out.
The fourth quarter brought controversy. Alabama defensive back Cam Calhoun was ejected for targeting on a helmet-to-helmet hit that gave Auburn first-and-goal at the 5-yard line. The Tigers reached the 1-yard line but turned the ball over on downs when Daniels’ fourth-down pass fell incomplete.
With under four minutes remaining and Auburn driving inside the Alabama 30, Daniels forced a throw over the middle that was tipped by receiver Omar Mabson and intercepted by Crimson Tide cornerback Bray Hubbard. Alabama ran out the clock to preserve the tie.
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The result keeps Alabama’s College Football Playoff hopes alive, though the Tide will need help to reach the SEC Championship Game. Auburn, playing with an interim coaching staff, showed fight throughout and nearly delivered the biggest upset of the rivalry since the 2019 Kick Six game.
Both teams combined for over 800 yards of total offense in a game that featured big plays, ejections, and several officiating decisions that will be debated across the state for months.
The Iron Bowl series now stands at 50-38-2 in favor of Alabama.