Alabama report card: How the Tide graded out in its win over Auburn
Here’s a look at how Alabama graded out in all three aspects of its Iron Bowl win over Auburn.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 13 Alabama salvaged its season — and perhaps its playoff hopes — by securing its fifth straight Iron Bowl win Saturday afternoon inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Backed by a strong defensive performance, the Crimson Tide held off Auburn, 28-14.
The Tide’s victory paired with some chaos around college football will give the playoff committee something to think about during next week’s rankings. Alabama moved to 9-3 (5-3 in the SEC), while Auburn (5-7, 2-6) will miss out on bowl eligibility for the second time in three years.
Kalen DeBoer made history by equaling Alabama’s record for wins by a first-year head coach with nine. Frank Thomas is the only other Alabama head coach to record nine wins in his first season, posting a 9-1 record in 1931.
Here’s a look at how Alabama graded out in all three aspects of the game.
Offense — C-
The four turnovers weren’t pretty, but Alabama still managed to post a passing grade during its time with the ball.After turning the ball over three times in the first half, the Tide’s offense began to roll following the break.
Justice Haynes punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to cap off a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive to put the Tide up by two scores to start the third quarter. Alabama then put the game away for good on its following possession, as Jalen Milroe shot through a hole in the left side of the line for a 17-yard touchdown.
The score was Milroe’s third of the game and 20th of the season. He joins Derrick Henry (28 touchdowns, in 2015), Najee Harris (26 touchdowns in 2020) and Trent Richardson (21 touchdowns in 2011) as the only Alabama players to run in 20 touchdowns in a single season.
Milroe completed 18 of 24 passes for 256 yards and an interception. He carried the ball for 104 yards to go with his three touchdowns on the ground. Milroe was also stripped on a sack in the second quarter and fumbled in the fourth quarter, marking his second three-turnover game in a row.
Running back Jam Miller received his biggest workload of the season, carrying the ball 28 times for 84 yards. Like Alabama, the junior came alive after the break, recording 71 of his rushing yards in the third quarter alone.
Germie Bernard saved his best Alabama performance for the Iron Bowl. The Washington transfer led all receivers with seven catches for 111 yards. Five of his catches receptions came on third down, while three of them went for 20 yards or more. Ryan Williams had three catches for 53 yards but fumbled on Alabama's opening drive of the game.
Defense — A-
Malachi Moore said farewell to Bryant-Denny Stadium in heroic fashion. The graduate safety tallied a team-high three pass deflections, all coming on third downs. He also registered four tackles and a quarterback hurry. Moore is now the only Alabama player to play in and win five Iron Bowls.Playing without his usual midfield deputy, Deontae Lawson, beside him, linebacker Jihaad Campbell registered a team-high nine tackles, including a stop for a loss, to go with two quarterback hurries. The junior made a key stop in the second quarter, bursting through the line to blow up Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter for a 1-yard loss on third-and-goal from the Alabama 1. The Tigers ultimately settled for a field goal.
Justin Jefferson did a solid job of filling in for injured Deontae Lawson, tallying six tackles, including 0.5 for a loss. Bray Hubbard recorded his team-high third interception of the season, while Zabien Brown tallied his second pick of the year.
Alabama held Hunter to just 56 yards on 13 carries and limited the Tigers to 4 of 12 on third down.
Special teams — A-
James Burnip made a good final impression in Bryant-Denny Stadium, pinning Auburn inside the 20-yard line on all three of his punts. Two of those forced the Tigers to start inside their 10-yard line. Meanwhile, Graham Nicholson connected on all four of his extra-point tries.Alabama gets docked a bit due to a holding penalty by Danny Lewis Jr. that negated a 32-yard kick return by Kendrick Law in the third quarter.
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