Alabama Crimson Tide QB Greg McElroy is already having the best game of his college career, and Auburn Tigers QB Cam Newton might be having his worst. McElroy has thrown for two touchdowns and a career-high 335 yards in only 23 attempts. Newton has 87 total yards in 19 touches.
The second quarter went much better for the Tigers than did the first. They got on the board late in the second on a 36-yard pass from Newton to WR Emory Blake, and they forced two red zone turnovers. DT Nick Fairley barreled through a Bama guard and running back, driving several individuals McElroy’s way and falling on the loose football.
The 24-point deficit Auburn faced before Newton’s touchdown was the largest it had seen all season by ten points. They had a chance to put a last-minute drive together following Fairley’s fumble recovery, but an apparent Darvin Adams one-handed sideline catch went unreviewed. It would’ve put the Tigers near midfield with just under a minute to go.