Alabama locks up SEC West with Iron Bowl victory over Auburn
It'll be Alabama versus Florida for the SEC title next weekend in Atlanta, as the Crimson Tide punched their ticket to the conference championship with a 29-13 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Derrick Henry was the story once again, as the junior running back carried the ball a school-record 46 times for a whopping 271 yards, as the Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West for the third time in four years.
It was a record-breaking night all around for Henry as he became Alabama's single-season rushing leader, surpassing Trent Richardson's record of 1679 yards in the third quarter.
Here's what you need to know:
- Despite being a 14-point underdog, Auburn kept the game close through three quarters, trailing 19-13 heading to the final frame.
- Henry scored a late rushing touchdown, marking the 17th straight game he has found the end zone and extending his SEC record.
- The junior rusher also strengthened his Heisman Trophy case with his fourth 200-yard game of the season against a conference opponent.
- Adam Griffith exercised past demons at Jordan-Hare stadium, kicking five field goals in the win.
- Jason Smith's 77-yard touchdown in the third quarter supplied the highlights for Auburn, but the nation's 81st-ranked rush defense had no answer for Henry.
Play Of The Game
Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker, not exactly a noted scrambler, produces the highlight of the game for Alabama, evading multiple tacklers before connecting with ArDarius Stewart for a third quarter score.
Alabama will now face Florida for the SEC Championship next week in Atlanta, while bowl-eligible Auburn awaits an invite to a post-season matchup.