Tide too much for Tigers

Auburn failed to capitalize on four turnovers at Alabama to score six points while the Tigers lost 28-14 to the No. 13 Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.

The Tigers recovered a fumble on Alabama’s first possession when Caleb Harris stripped Ryan Williams. Eugene Asante recovered at the Tigers’ 46-yard line. Auburn drove down the field to the Tide’s 21-yard line before Ian Vachon missed a 39-yard field goal attempt.

After a punt exchange on the next two drives, Alabama started scoring as Jalen Milroe rushed 19 yards for a touchdown, giving the Tide a 7-0 lead.

Auburn responded with a 21-yard run by Jarquez Hunter. The Tigers drove to the Alabama 19-yard line before being stopped on fourth down due to an incomplete pass from Thorne. Alabama appeared to score when Milroe threw a pass to an open Williams, but the freshman dropped it. Auburn took advantage of the mistake as Caleb Wooden picked off Milroe to give the ball back to the Tigers.

Once again the Tigers pushed back down the field but stalled on the 19. This time, Vachon made the field goal, cutting the lead to 7-3.

The Tide came right back, gaining 75 yards in 12 plays capped by a Milroe quarterback from the 1-yard line for a 14-3 lead.

After Auburn went three-and-out, Jalen McLeod forced Alabama’s third turnover of the game by stripping Milroe to give the Tigers the ball at the Tide’s 34-yard line. Auburn drove the ball to the Alabama 2-yard line and had three chances to put it in the end zone, but settled for another Vachon field goal just before halftime to close the deficit to 14-6 at the break reduce.

Alabama began the second half with a nine-play, 75-yard drive and ended with a two-yard touchdown by Justice Haynes. Auburn scored a three-and-out and gave the ball back to the Tide, who moved the ball with ease, driving 60 yards while Milroe managed 17 yards for his third rushing touchdown of the day.

Thanks to a personal foul penalty following an argument on the first play of Auburn’s drive, the Tigers were able to drive 87 yards, capped off by a 29-yard touchdown catch by Cam Coleman. Jarquez Hunter marched into the end zone for the two-point conversion.

On the next drive, Malik Blocton came from behind Milroe and took the ball away, with Auburn recovering the ball. The Tigers reached the Tide’s 30 before a trick play hit them in the face when Hunter took a return pass and then forced a pass that was intercepted.

Thorne finished the game 24 of 41 for 301 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Hunter rushed for 56 yards on 13 carries, while KeAndre Lambert-Smith led the Tigers with eight catches for 116 yards.

The Tigers finished the season 5-7.