Auburn, Ala. (EETV) - The 2017 edition of the Iron Bowl, a winner take all and loser go home scenario. No. 6 Auburn welcomed in-state rival No. 1 Alabama to the plains, hoping to make another national statement.
And the Tigers did exactly that, knocking off their second number one team this season 26-14.
"I couldn't be prouder of our team," said Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn. "I like where we're at and I'm excited for our team."
Auburn hasn't beaten the Tide since 2013 and came into the game as a true underdog, but they clearly met their task.
The Tigers turned to their trickery-style football to take an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter off of a 3-yard pass from Kerryon Johnson to Nate Craig-Myers.
Alabama would quickly answer the Tigers with quarterback Jalen Hurts finding Jerry Jeudy for the 36-yard score to tie the game.
Auburn's nationally known defense held the potent Alabama offense to a total of 377 yards and two touchdowns. Hurts would account for all but 109 yards for the Tide.
"Their quarterback is really special," said Malzahn about Jalen Hurt.
Despite the running game of Hurts, the Auburn defense would be able to hurry him 9 times and Deshaun Davis and Nick Coe would be the only two Tigers to sacks Hurts.
Alabama keyed on running back Kerryon Johnson the entire game holding him to 104 yards rushing and 20 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns.
Johnson would go down late in the game with an apparent shoulder injury, he did not return.
"KJ's as tough as it gets," stated Malzahn. "I mean he's got a shoulder issue, we'll see where we're at."
Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham helped balance the Auburn offense with the quarterback draw, using his legs most of the night, rushing for 60 yards and a touchdown.
"The draw was nice wasn't it," said Malzahn. "Got him in man, man and it opened up like a red sea."
Stidham would also finish with 237 passing yards, leading the Tigers to 408 total offensive yards.
"He is the best quarterback we have played against all year," said Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
This is Auburn's first SEC West title since the 2013 season, where they went on to win the SEC and go to the BCS National Championship.
"2013 was obviously a huge win for our program," said Malzahn. "But this is different, we're a little more stable right now."
The Tigers will now face their rival Georiga for the second time in 2017, but this time an SEC Championship will be on the line.
The game is set for Saturday, Dec. 2 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
