SEC officiating gifts Auburn free field goal in Iron Bowl, Nick Saban naturally irate
By John Buhler
SEC officiating gave Auburn one second to kick a field goal at the end of the half in the Iron Bowl vs. Alabama and Nick Saban was irate.
In a game that the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide absolutely have to have to keep its College Football Playoff dreams alive, the Crimson Tide held on to a four-point lead over the archrival Auburn Tigers in the 2019 Iron Bowl, thanks to a made 52-yard field goal off the leg of Anders Carlson one second before halftime.
It was easily the most controversial play in this installment of the SEC’s greatest football rivalry. Auburn was down 31-24 shortly before the end of the first half. True freshman quarterback Bo Nix would complete a 17-yard pass to running back JaTarvious Whitlow to set up a long field-goal attempt that Carlson would go on to make.
What made this completion so controversial is that Whitlow fought for extra yardage in the middle of the field instead of hitting the turf quickly enough for Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn to call a timeout with three or so seconds left on the clock. Alabama thought it had stopped Auburn and players were already heading towards the locker room. Too bad there was one more play left.
Naturally, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was understandably livid about Auburn getting one second left on the clock to attempt the 52-yard field goal. Saban said at halftime to CBS’ Allie LaForce that Auburn shouldn’t have been allowed to attempt the field-goal try. Knowing the way this rivalry series has unfolded before, what if those three points help Auburn pull off the upset?
That should’ve been a live clock. But for some reason the officials did what they did. I’m sure @SECOfficiating will have an explanation that will satisfy everyone. pic.twitter.com/7Z6GKYaSCX
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) November 30, 2019
Lemme holla at you for a second @SECOfficiating
— Some Dj From Birmingham🥋 (@trethedj) November 30, 2019
Why did Auburn get a second back and how it did get a play off? I didn't see it. Someone please explain
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 30, 2019
unbelievably piss poor officiating @SECOfficiating. it was a live play. you just gave them a FREE TIMEOUT and FREE PLAY. seriously, explain.
— threads - lacey.cencula (@dddrop_the_lace) November 30, 2019
@SECOfficiating @GregSankey This crew is absolutely useless. Can’t wait to see your memo on Monday where you acknowledge that these clowns gave a team an untimed down in field goal range.
— Alabama Pro Updates (@BamaProUpdates) November 30, 2019
Good to know who @SECOfficiating is cheering for in the #IronBowl. Refs giving Auburn extra timeouts so they can score field goals. #rigged #AntiBamaBias
— Bleeding Crimson (@RTR_CrimsonTide) November 30, 2019
Just when you think @SECOfficiating can’t get any worse... this is pathetic #IronBowl
— stacey ✝️❌🤞🏼 (@4lilmamas) November 30, 2019
No, this won’t be the greatest play in Auburn history with one second left on the clock vs. Alabama at home in the Iron Bowl. Who could ever forget the greatest play in college football history when Auburn returned a missed field goal try in 2013 to give us Kick Six? Saban and Malzahn were coaching in that game and we were all watching.
Given that Alabama is starting its backup quarterback in Mac Jones with Tua Tagovailoa out for the season, that might enough to give Auburn just enough wiggle room to pull off another shocking upset of the Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl. A win for Auburn might get the Tigers to a New Year’s Six bowl game. A loss for the Crimson Tide knocks them firmly out of the College Football Playoff.
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