Alabama wins Iron Bowl, to face Georgia for SEC title
AUBURN, Ala. – Ty Simpson and Isaiah Horton connected on three touchdowns, the last on a fourth down in the final minutes, and No. 10 Alabama escaped Auburn with a 27-20 victory in the Iron Bowl Saturday night.
Alabama advanced to face fourth-ranked Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game next week in Atlanta and improved its chances of making the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide (10-2, 7-1) beat Georgia 24-21 on the road in the regular season.
Alabama was on the ropes again at Jordan-Hare Stadium. After the Tide led 17-0 early in the second quarter, the score was tied until the end of the streak. But Simpson found Horton on a fourth-and-2 play from the Auburn 6 with 3:50 left.
“He didn’t panic at all,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said of Simpson. “The experiences we had throughout the season put him in this situation, and he took advantage of it.”
It was the third and most important meeting of the evening for Simpson and Horton. The duo also connected on scores of 6 and 3 yards in the first half. But instead of going for a safe field goal attempt, DeBoer played with his offense and then celebrated his first trip to the SEC title game.
“It starts with our head coach,” Simpson said. “It comes from him, from our resilience and it continues. What a great team victory.”
Simpson completed 19 of 35 passes for a season-low 122 yards. Horton finished with five catches for 35 yards, with all three scores coming in the red zone. Alabama won despite having a total of 280 yards.
“These guys, they give you everything they have every day,” DeBoer said, pausing to collect his emotions. “It’s been a long road, but I’m looking forward to doing more with them next weekend.”
Alabama’s Jam Miller ran for 83 yards before leaving due to injury.
Ashton Daniels led Auburn (5-7, 1-7) with 259 passing and 108 rushing yards. Malcolm Simmons completed two long passes, including a 64-yard pass for a touchdown and a 66-yard pass that set up a score. But Auburn, which had done such a solid job of limiting turnovers this season, coughed up the ball late and failed to become bowl eligible under interim coach DJ Durkin.
Daniels got the Tigers moving, taking advantage of a pass interference penalty and rushing for a first down on fourth-and-2, but star receiver Cam Coleman fumbled with 33 seconds remaining.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
