(Video) Things get ugly in rivalry week as Alabama players get into a heated brawl on Auburn’s sidelines
The Iron Rivalry was a hot mess because both Alabama and Auburn players fought each other frequently on the final day of the college football season.
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Bama and Auburn players fight (Image via IMAGO/X)
Before the latest edition of the Iron Rivalry, retired head coach Nick Saban revealed that someone born around Tuscaloosa would either support Alabama or Auburn and no other team. It’s always a heated affair between the local rivals for the bragging rights, and the final day of the 2024 regular season had some fireworks.
Fight for the SEC Championship was wide open, and as many as six teams (including Alabama) wanted to be in it, which is a guaranteed path into the college football playoffs. Auburn, on the other hand, was playing for pride.
Regardless of the end goal, both teams were in it for the win. However, #13 Bama proved to be good for the Tigers, and by the third quarter, they were trailing 6-28.
The pressure got the better of the Auburn players. Around the seven-minute mark, Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne hit one of his receivers who dropped the ball. Right next to them, Auburn receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Bama’s defensive back DeVonta Smith (not to be confused with former Bama and current Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver) kept on tugging onto their jerseys.
Lambert-Smith pushed the Bama corner out of bounds and into the Auburn dugout. Neither was ready to let go, which led to others joining in. The small spark became a massive fire, with players shoving each other.
Bama quarterback Jalen Milroe tried his best to mitigate the situation, but he too found himself exchanging words with Auburn players. Eventually, staff from the Bama bench rushed to the area and dragged some of their players away to end the skirmish.
Tensions are high between Alabama and Auburn ? pic.twitter.com/YAPVTdb8UU
— ESPN (@espn) November 30, 2024
The referee only penalized Alabama players
Bama head coach Kalen DeBoer was unhappy with how the brawl transpired, but he was about to lose his cool completely after hearing the official verdict.
The referees huddled together to discuss a verdict. Multiple penalty flags were on the ground following the skirmish. Referee penalized Bama’s defensive back, Malachi Moore and Lambert-Smith for unsportsmanlike conduct, enforcing a 15-yard penalty.
Surprisingly, none of the Auburn players faced similar treatment. Four minutes later, Throne completed a 29-yard pass to Cam Coleman to reduce the deficit to fourteen points. The game ended 14-28 in favor of Bama, as there were no scores in the final quarter.
Thorne finished the game with 24 completions for 301 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, along with 10 carries for 42 yards. Milroe had 18 completions for 256 yards and one interception to go with 17 carries for 104 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.
The win improved Bama’s record to 9-3, but it wasn’t enough for them to qualify for the SEC Championship game; instead, it will be the Texas Longhorns taking on the Georgia Bulldogs.
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Ishan Misra
(3023 Articles Published)