TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Alabama football team’s defense still seems to have a wall erected at the goal line, and Jalen Hurts remains unflappable enough to shrug off mistakes.
The combination has been good enough every time this season.
Hurts rebounded from two early interceptions to pass for 286 yards and the top-ranked Crimson Tide’s defense did the rest in a 30-12 victory against No. 16 Auburn on Saturday over No. 16 Auburn.
“We have bigger goals in mind,” Alabama tight end O.J. Howard said.
The victory helped Alabama (12-0, 8-0 Southeastern Conference, No. 1 College Football Playoff) finish an undefeated regular season. The Crimson Tide won despite leading only 13-9 at halftime after dominating the stat sheet. Alabama pulled away in the second half thanks to a defense that pushed its string of quarters without allowing a touchdown to 14-plus and shut down the league’s top running game.
Auburn (8-4, 5-3, No. 15) failed to muster much offense for the second straight SEC game. This time the Tigers were playing without injured quarterback Sean White and unable to reach the end zone despite starting several drives in Alabama territory.
“We had some really, really challenging field position situations in this game, and our players responded really well to it,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said.
Hurts displayed the same poise in overcoming two first-half interceptions that has helped him lead the Crimson Tide into the SEC championship game. He was 27 of 36 mostly short and mid-range passes and threw for two touchdowns. Alabama has won three-straight Iron Bowls for the first time since 1990-92.
“At halftime, I guess everybody thought I was going to throw a fit, but I told them, ‘Look guys, all we’ve got to do is go out there and play with some poise and confidence,'” Saban said.
Hurts also ran for 37 yards and a touchdown, leading two straight touchdown drives in the third quarter to all but put the game away after a mistake-filled first half.
He ran for a 4-yard score on a drive sparked by four Bo Scarbrough runs. On a fourth-and-4 play, he hit ArDarius Stewart, who spun away from a defender and made another move downfield en route to a 38-yard touchdown and a 27-9 lead.
Stewart gained 127 yards on 10 catches and completed a 12-yard pass. Scarbrough ran for 90 yards, including 83 after the half.
Auburn’s Jeremy Johnson, who started the second-straight game in White’s place, was 4 of 13 for 34 yards. John Franklin III connected on two downfield passes in the second half that totaled 85 yards. The Crimson Tide dominated in total yards, 501-182.
Daniel Carlson connected on four field goals for Auburn.
“Offensively, we just didn’t get first downs, we just didn’t get it done,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. “Two of 12 on third downs, I really think that caused the problem. Third downs, didn’t hit explosive plays, defense was on the field too long was really the story of the day.
“Obviously we’ve got players in there that are hurting, coaches that are hurting, this is a tough one.”
Auburn didn’t get a first down until nearly 25 minutes into the game and continues to have no passing game without a healthy White. Leading rusher Kamryn Pettway ran 12 times for just 17 yards after missing the past two games with a leg injury. The Tigers managed 66 rushing yards after coming in averaging a league best 298.
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