Auburn had seemed to stop Alabama's offense twice as the Crimson Tide were driving down the field in the fourth quarter. But, as it seemed with every critical moment during the Tigers' 5-7 season, officiating came in and ruined the Tigers' momentum.
On 3rd-and-4 from Alabama's 31-yard line, Sylvester Smith made a play on Alabama's wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks. It looked to be a clean play, but a flag came in for pass interference that helped the Tide keep possession.
On 3rd-and-8 from Alabama's 28-yard line, the Tigers were certain to force a field goal attempt by Alabama, but in what will be looked at as the most crucial and pathetic call in the 90th edition of the Iron Bowl, Xavier Atkins was somehow flagged for roughing the passer on Ty Simpson.