No. 13 Alabama Secures First Iron Bowl Win Of Kalen DeBoer Era

TUSCALOOSA, AL — No. 13 Alabama overcame four turnovers in Saturday's Iron Bowl to secure a 28-14 win over unranked Auburn at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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The win marks Kalen DeBoer's first Iron Bowl victory and improves Alabama's all-time record against its in-state rivals to 51-37-1 while extending its winning streak over the Tigers to five.

FIRST HALF

The first half was a neurotic one for the Crimson Tide, beginning with a Ryan Williams fumble at the 11:28 mark in the first quarter. Following a punt on its next offensive possession, Alabama got on the board first by way of a 19-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jalen Milroe.

After missing its first field goal attempt in the first quarter, Auburn answered in the second frame by hitting a 37-yard field goal with 8:27 left in the quarter.

Alabama's second turnover of the first half came through the air, when Milroe was picked off by Auburn's Caleb Wooden

As the second quarter winded down, Milroe led the Tide offense on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ate over five minutes of clock before culminating in Milroe's second rushing touchdown of the half.

Despite the efficient scoring drive, Milroe coughed up the ball on a strip sack on the following drive, which ultimately set up a 25-yard field goal by Auburn to end the half with Alabama up 14-6.

Milroe finished the first half 9-of-15 passing for 141 yards, while logging nine rushing attempts for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He would go on to log over 300 total yards, going 18-of-24 for 256 yards, while carrying the ball 17 times for 104 yards.

Germie Bernard led the way for the Tide receiving corps in the first half, snagging three catches for 59 yards. He finished the night with seven catches for 111 yards.

SECOND HALF

The Crimson Tide came out swinging on its opening drive of the second half, with big receptions by Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard and CJ Dippre to move the ball quickly down the field and deep into Auburn territory.

The pass-heavy opening drive was then capped off with a 2-yard touchdown run by Justice Haynes to extend Alabama's lead to 21-6.

Alabama's defense held firm on Auburn's first possession of the second half, forcing a punt from deep in Auburn territory to set up another scoring drive for the Crimson Tide.

Thanks once again to Bernard, whose 26-yard reception put Alabama in the red zone, Milroe then scampered 17 yards for his third rushing touchdown of the game.

Auburn might have been down but certainly wasn't out and showed signs of life with just under three minutes to go in the third quarter as Payton Thorne hit Cam Coleman for a 29-yard touchdown reception.

The Tigers followed their first touchdown of the game with a successful two-point conversion to close the gap and go into the fourth quarter down 28-14.

Auburn found more luck on the subsequent drive by the Tide, forcing Milroe's second fumble of the game, which represented Alabama's fourth turnover.

Alabama's defense responded quickly despite the short field and brief swing in momentum, with defensive back Bray Hubbard intercepting a flea-flicker pass around the 12-minute mark to put the Tide offense back on the field.

This marked Hubbard's third interception of the season after becoming a starter for the injured Keon Sabb.

The Tide ultimately slugged out the final few minutes, with the defense stepping up to keep Auburn from inflicting any more damage.

Alabama (9-3, 5-3 SEC) will now await its postseason fate, with some pundits still believing that the Crimson Tide could have a path to the College Football Playoff after a chaotic Saturday with three key upsets — Clemson, Ohio State and Miami.

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