AUBURN, Ala. — When it ended, Alabama football players galloped across the field, gesturing mockingly at the stunned Auburn fans at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Auburn players trudged toward the locker room. Some took a knee and bowed their heads. Others stood still, staring up at the sky.
The Tigers had contained No. 3 Alabama for nearly four quarters. They generated pressure on Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young. They gave up few yards on the ground. They held the Alabama offense to just 68 yards in the first half.
And yet, Alabama, with a Heisman Trophy favorite at the helm of its offense and one of the most successful coaches in college football history on its sideline, overcame a horrendous 59 minutes of offense, coming from behind to defeat Auburn, 24-22, in quadruple overtime.