Auburn Tigers 19, Oregon Ducks 11. Hey, that’s a pretty weird score! How in the world did we arrive at such a total? Let’s recount the BCS Championship Game’s very odd first 40 minutes.

The Oregon Ducks put up three points early in the second quarter, followed by a Cam Newton touchdown pass. Nothing weird so far. Then after a LaMichael James touchdown, the Ducks elected to go for two for incalculable reasons, converting to make it 11-7. But that wasn’t James’ only two-point play!

Mike Blanc brought down James in Oregon’s end zone for a safety, with another Newton touchdown pass on the way shortly after. 16-11, and an Auburn field goal brought us to 19-11. High hopes for an Oregon touchdown here with another two-point conversion, giving us perhaps the world’s first 19-19 football game.

Tables have turned on the yardage front — Oregon held a 100-yard advantage throughout the first half, but Auburn has now outgained the Ducks 343 to 282. That plus a turnover margin and that safety means the Ducks are mighty fortunate to only be down by eight points, no matter how weird it is to be down by eight points.