December 25, 2024

Live Updates: Alabama 28, Auburn 6; Third Quarter

Auburn #Auburn

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 1 Alabama (7-0) will play host to the 22nd-ranked Auburn Tigers (5-2) this afternoon inside a socially-distanced Bryant-Denny Stadium (19,424 capacity). The Crimson Tide and Tigers will square off at 2:39 p.m. CT, and the game will air on CBS. 

For the first time since 2006, however, UA will play a game without head coach Nick Saban, who will watch today’s game from home after testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will make game-day decisions in Saban’s place. 

Alabama and Auburn will meet for the 85th time today. Alabama holds a 46-37-1 (.554) lead in a series that dates back to the 1893 season. The Crimson Tide and Tigers first met on Feb. 22, 1893, at Birmingham’s Lakeview Park with the Tigers claiming a 32-22 victory in the inaugural matchup. Alabama has had the upper hand in recent meetings, claiming eight of the last 12 contests. Saban is 10-8 all-time against Auburn, including an 8-5 mark in the Iron Bowl. Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn is 3-4 against Alabama in his eight years with the Tigers. 

Follow live updates and analysis in the space below by refreshing the page, and join the discussion in the connecting thread on the BamaOnLine Round Table by CLICKING HERE. 

PREGAME

— Alabama seniors that will be honored today include Deonte Brown, Logan Burnett, Ben Davis, Landon Dickerson, Joe Donald, Thomas Fletcher, Miller Forristall, Najee Harris, Joshua Lanier, Alex Leatherwood, Joshua McMillon, Dylan Moses, Chris Owens, Brian Robinson, Charlie Scott, DeVonta Smith and Carl Tucker.  

— Slade Bolden (ankle) is dressed out and fielding punts in warmups. 

— Wide receiver Xavier Williams is in street clothes and not going through pregame warmups. Also missing warmups are Jah-Marien Latham, Pierce Quick and Kristian Story.

— Alabama’s Game 8 captains are Miller Forristall, Alex Leatherwood and LaBryan Ray. 

FIRST QUARTER

— Auburn wins the toss and elects to receive the opening kickoff. 

— Christopher Allen sacks Bo Nix on third down to force an Auburn three-and-out to start the game.

— DeVonta Smith is back deep to return this first punt. He returns a 34-yard punt 11 yards to the AU 34. 

— Mac Jones misses on a couple of shots downfield, so Alabama and Auburn exchange punts to open the Iron Bowl. Charlie Scott pinned the Tigers at their own 11 with a 29-yard punt. 

— Christian Barmore records sack No. 2 for Alabama in the game’s first four minutes of play. 

— Alabama picks up its first first down of the game on a screen pass from Mac Jones to tight end Jahleel Billingsley (9 yards). 

TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 7, Auburn 0 (5:10)

— Mac Jones hits DeVonta Smith for a 66-yard score. 

— Christopher Allen, who looked to be favoring his shoulder, is now in the medical tent on the sideline. 

— With Christopher Allen in the tent, Ben Davis checks in at OLB. 

— Christopher Allen is out of the tent and back on the bench with the rest of Alabama’s defense. 

— DeVonta Smith picks up 26 yards on a screen. He’s up to 92 yards on two catches in the first quarter. 

SECOND QUARTER 

TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 14, Auburn 0 (14:04)

— Mac Jones to John Metchie for the 7-yard score. 

— Christopher Allen is back on the field to start this drive. 

— Josh Jobe forces a fumble, and Patrick Surtain II recovers it. If the play stands after review, Alabama will take over at midfield. 

— Official says Anthony Schwartz was down, so it will be Auburn ball at their own 49. 

FIELD GOAL: Alabama 14, Auburn 3 (8:51)

— Anders Carlson boots a 47-yarder through the uprights. 

— Najee Harris breaks free for a 19-yard gain, and Alabama is in AU territory at the Tigers’ 42-yard line. 

TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 21, Auburn 3 (6:24)

— Mac Jones to Jahleel Billingsley for the 24-yard score — the first of Billingsley’s career. 

— John Metchie drops a shot down the field from Jones on third down, and Alabama will punt. 

— Seth Williams drops a would-be touchdown. He was wide open. 

— Timeout, Auburn, with 0:20 left in the first half. Tigers will face 3rd and 10 at UA’s 37 after the break. 

— Malachi Moore picks off Bo Nix with 0:15 left until halftime. 

THIRD QUARTER

— Bo Nix hits Shedrick Jackson for a 37-yard gain to the Alabama 30. 

FIELD GOAL: Alabama 21, Auburn 6 (10:36)

— Anders Carlson boots a 45-yarder through the uprights. 

TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 28, Auburn 6 (9:08)

— Mac Jones hits DeVonta Smith for a 58-yard score. 

— Will Anderson is credited with his first sack — UA’s third of the day. 

— Christian Harris drops an INT on 3rd and long. Auburn will attempt a long field goal (56 yards).

— It was no good. 

— For those that were worried, Najee Harris is back in the game after visiting the medical tent. 

TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 35, Auburn 6 (4:28)

— Najee Harris with the 39-yard rushing score. 

FOURTH QUARTER

TOUCHDOWN: Alabama 42, Auburn 6 (13:27)

— Mac Jones hits John Metchie for a 24-yard score. 

— Brian Branch picked off Bo Nix and returned it 30 yards down to the Auburn 7-yard line. 

— On the next play, Brian Robinson fumbles and it’s recovered by Auburn, who will take over at their own 4-yard line. 

— Barmore and Dale collide with each other instead of downing Nix in the end zone for a safety. Nix gets out of it to pick up eight yards and a first down.

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Contact Charlie Potter by personal message or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).

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