Alabama Wins the Iron Bowl 24-22 in Quadruple Overtime

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Hunter De Siver

Sports impact millions of people around the world every day. There’s always that one game that fans circle on their calendars. For Alabama, that’s the Iron Bowl. And this year, the Crimson Tide squeaked by with a 24-22 win over the Auburn Tigers after not one, but four overtimes.

Rivalry week is arguably the best week of the season. No matter the win-loss records for the season, it’s all tossed out the window.

The University of Alabama and Auburn University rivalry began in 1893. It’s dubbed the Iron Bowl because of Birmingham’s historic role in the steel industry. Since that very first game, Alabama leads the series 46-31-1.

Going into this year’s Iron Bowl, Alabama (10-1) was the No. 3 ranked team in the nation. Auburn was (6-5). Last season, No. 1 Alabama dominated Auburn 42-13 in Tuscaloosa.

At 2:30 p.m., the game kicked off with 87,451 blue and orange shakers surrounding the field of Jordan-Hare Stadium.

After an extremely slow start by both sides, Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams was ejected for targeting early in the second quarter for a targeting penalty. Williams role for the Tide is crucial, and his ejection made it an even more stressful night for scoreless Alabama.

Bama’s offensive line was abysmal throughout the game, as Auburn’s defensive line were able to tear right through and pressure/sack quarterback Bryce Young several times. Bama’s run-game was nonexistent as well, as Brian Robinson Jr. kept running into a wall of Tigers.

Robinson hurt his ankle multiple times in the game and was off the field for most of the fourth quarter. With only so much time remaining, the nation’s top offense was down two of its best players.

Up 10-3 with under five minutes remaining in regulation, Auburn punter Oscar Chapman pinned Alabama inside the five-yard line. Chapman celebrated by mocking the traditional celebration that Alabama receiver John Metchie III performs. Chapman would later regret doing that.

After a fourth-down stop, the win was in sights of every Auburn fan, coach and player at Jordan-Hare. Auburn running back Tank Bigsby ran out of bounds to make it third down and one with under two minutes left, but he stopped the clock. Alabama would then stop the Tigers, call timeout and would get one more shot to tie the game.

Alabama was able to get the ball back with a little over 100 seconds remaining. CBS commentator Gary Danielson said multiple times towards the beginning of the drive that had Bigsby not stepped out, the Tide would have less than a minute to go 97 yards.

After multiple long gains and fourth down conversions, Young made it to Auburn’s 28-yard line. Young connected with the Ja’Corey Brooks for an over-the-shoulder touchdown in the right edge of the end zone to tie the game with 24 seconds remaining in regulation.

For the first time in the history of the Iron Bowl, the game went to overtime

After each school scored touchdowns, hit field goals and converted on two-point conversions in the first three overtimes, it was time for the fourth overtime.

After a pass deflection by Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry, the Tide got the ball back and only needed three yards (on one attempt) to win the game.

Young connected with Metchie towards the left side of the field who glided in the end zone to win the Iron Bowl 24-22.

After the game, Metchie told the world what his thoughts were on Chapman mocking him.

“Imitation isn’t flattery, it’s just annoying to me,” Metchie said.

Alabama’s 47th victory in the Iron Bowl was one of its sweetest.

The very next day, the AP Poll announced that Alabama was now ranked No. 3 after Georgia, and Michigan, with Cincinnati at No. 4.

Alabama will face No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship on Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. on CBS.