Click here for linkAUBURN, Ala. — They did everything they could do. The Alabama Crimson Tide put an emphatic exclamation point on their bid for another trip to the BCS Championship, and in the process exacted revenge on their biggest rival with a 42-14 win Saturday over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
It was one of the most dominating performances of the year, especially considering Auburn's two touchdowns were not against the Tide defense. One came at the end of the first quarter when Auburn defensive end Corey Lemonier blindsided Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron and forced a fumble that was recovered in the end zone. The second was an 87-yard kickoff return by Onterio McCalebb to start the third quarter.
Neither of those touchdowns mattered. Alabama never trailed and never appeared in danger. Nick Saban's relentless, pounding defense held the Tigers to 140 total yards of offense, the vast majority of those coming in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand.
To illustrate just how lopsided this was, through three quarters, Alabama had 309 total offensive yards, 130 of those coming on the legs of Heisman hopeful Trent Richardson. Auburn had 44 yards, and only 19 passing.
Richardson finished with 203 yards, many of those coming with multiple Auburn defenders hanging on for the ride. He looked like the reincarnation of Earl Campbell, at one point carrying nine Auburn defenders an extra five yards before finally going down.
"To me, Trent Richardson is the best football player in the country," Saban said.
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