Ty Simpson throws three touchdowns to Isaiah Horton, while Alabama’s defense steps up late to seal a sixth straight rivalry win and secure a trip to Atlanta.
In the 90th edition of college football’s fiercest rivalry, No. 10 Alabama (10–2, 7–1 SEC) held off a feisty Auburn squad 27–20 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, capturing its sixth straight victory over the Tigers and earning a spot in the 2025 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.
The win also made history: for the first time ever, the Crimson Tide has won three straight Iron Bowls at Jordan-Hare, anchoring a milestone night for head coach Kalen DeBoer, who improved to 2–0 against Auburn.
Simpson–Horton Connection Defines the Night
Quarterback Ty Simpson was steady when it mattered most, finishing 19-of-35 for 122 yards and three touchdowns, all to rising star Isaiah Horton, who posted:
- 5 receptions
- 35 yards
- 3 TDs (career high)
Horton became the first Alabama receiver since Jameson Williams in 2021 to catch three touchdowns in a single game.
Simpson added 31 rushing yards, extending plays and navigating Auburn pressure at key moments — most notably on a late 4th-and-2 strike to Horton that served as the game-winning touchdown with 3:50 remaining.
Alabama Builds Early Cushion, Auburn Rallies Late
Alabama jumped out to a 17–0 lead, powered by:
- A 45-yard field goal from Conor Talty
- A 6-yard TD pass to Horton in the first quarter
- A 3-yard TD to Horton early in the second
The Tide controlled the line of scrimmage early, but Auburn countered with a surge of its own.
After cutting the deficit to 17–13 with a 64-yard catch-and-run out of halftime, the Tigers tied the game at 20–20 in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard rushing score, igniting a raucous Jordan-Hare Stadium crowd.
But the Tide didn’t blink.
Defense Delivers in the Final Minutes
When Alabama needed stops, its defense delivered.
- Deontae Lawson led the Tide with 7 tackles, a TFL, and a crucial fourth-quarter fumble recovery.
- Keon Sabb broke up two passes and made multiple drive-altering plays.
- Bray Hubbard produced the game’s lone interception and forced another fumble.
With the game tied late, Alabama’s defense forced back-to-back empty Auburn possessions, setting the stage for Simpson and Horton’s go-ahead touchdown.
Crimson Tide Milestones and Notes
- Six straight Iron Bowl wins (2020–25) — second-longest Tide streak in rivalry history.
- 10+ wins for the 17th time in 18 seasons.
- First three-game road streak at Auburn in program history.
- Alabama is now 52–37–1 all-time vs. Auburn.
- Largest halftime lead at Jordan-Hare since 2011 (17–6).
Jam Miller provided balance offensively, rushing 15 times for 83 yards and adding short-yardage receptions that kept Alabama ahead in possession time.
How It Happened — Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
- 7:29 – UA | Talty 45-yard FG (3–0)
- 1:14 – UA | Simpson → Horton, 6-yard TD (10–0)
2nd Quarter
- 11:28 – UA | Horton 3-yard TD off play-action (17–0)
- 4:06 – AU | 26-yard FG (17–3)
- 0:00 – AU | 43-yard FG (17–6)
3rd Quarter
- 14:00 – AU | 64-yard TD catch-and-run (17–13)
- 7:31 – UA | Talty 29-yard FG (20–13)
4th Quarter
- 11:43 – AU | 2-yard rushing TD (20–20)
- 3:50 – UA | Simpson → Horton for 6-yard TD (27–20)
Up Next: SEC Championship Showdown
Alabama advances to face Georgia on Dec. 6 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT on ABC, with the Crimson Tide aiming for another SEC crown in DeBoer’s debut season.
PHOTOS:
======
-- By Amelia Nettles
© Copyright 2025 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
No comments:
Post a Comment