Isaiah Horton Powers Alabama with Three Touchdowns in Iron Bowl Victory

AUBURN, Ala. - No. 10 Alabama needed to defeat the unranked Auburn Tigers to accomplish one of several goals the Crimson Tide had this season: reach the SEC Championship game. The only thing that stood in the way of the Crimson Tide and its first appearance in the SEC Championship under Kalen DeBoer was an unranked team fighting for bowl eligibility in a rivalry game at night.

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The game started out with both the Crimson Tide and the Tigers feeling each other out, with the defenses for these two teams commanding the style of play early. Alabama's defense was flying around and making Ashton Daniels, in his fourth career game with the Tigers, uncomfortable through the first 15 minutes of the contest. Alabama's offense looked uncomfortable to begin the quarter, but settled into the matchup with a couple of big plays. The Crimson Tide struck first blood with a 45-yard field goal by Conor Talty, before finding the endzone on a six-yard pass from quarterback Ty Simpson to wide receiver Isaiah Horton.

Alabama continued to pour it on early in the second quarter, with Dijon Lee setting up the Tide's offense in favorable field position following a fourth-down incompletion by the Auburn Tigers. Ty Simpson and Alabama capitalized on the moment, running a six-play, 64-yard touchdown drive that took just three minutes and change off the clock, before Ty Simpson capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown to Isaiah Horton, the second time the two Tennessee natives connected in the game.

Auburn got on the board with a field goal after forcing a three-and-out by the Tide's offense with a sack by Xavier Atkins. The Tigers marched as close as the three-yard line against the Crimson Tide, but Alabama's defense swarmed, preventing the touchdown. Alex McPherson connected on a 26-yard field goal to draw the Tigers within 14. Auburn would add another field goal just before halftime to cut into the Crimson Tide's lead again. Alabama held an 11-point lead at halftime, with Auburn getting the chance to cut into the lead again with the second-half kickoff.

The Tigers struck quickly to start the second half, breathing life into a dead stadium, as Ashton Daniels rolled to his right before connecting with wide receiver Malcolm Simmons for a 64-yard touchdown, cutting the Tigers' deficit to four points after just one minute of play in the second half. Alabama would need its offense to step back on Auburn's throat to quiet the Jordan-Hare crowd.

Alabama got points, but it wasn't the way Crimson Tide fans had hoped. Instead of taking another 11-point lead and quieting the Tiger crowd, Alabama could only muster a field goal, giving itself a touchdown lead after taking 6:29 off the clock against Auburn on Alabama's first drive of the second half.

The Tigers' offense drove deep into Alabama territory, and the Crimson Tide needed something to slow the offensive momentum of the Tigers. Bray Hubbard delivered when Ashton Daniels' pass was tipped, then intercepted by Bray Hubbard, his fourth on the season. The Tide's offense could really help out its defense if Ty Simpson could lead another scoring drive. The 90th edition of the Iron Bowl would come down to the fourth quarter.

Alabama added no points on its drive, giving the ball back to Auburn with a slim seven-point lead. The Tigers did what Auburn does best: Make the Iron Bowl interesting. A six-play, 88-yard touchdown drive, capped by a two-yard touchdown run from Jeremiah Cobb, tied the Iron Bowl at 20 apiece after Alabama held a 17-0 lead earlier in the game. Auburn was outscoring Alabama 20-3 after the Tide jumped out to a big lead.

The Crimson Tide could not be denied, as Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson found wide receiver Isaiah Horton for their third touchdown connection of the night, giving Alabama what would eventually be the final score of 27-20.

To cap it off, senior linebacker Deontae Lawson called the game for the Crimson Tide, recovering a forced fumble to end the final meaningful drive for the Auburn Tigers.

No. 10 Alabama improves to 10-2 (7-1) on the season, and clinches its spot in the SEC Championship game. The Crimson Tide will face No. 4 Georgia in the SEC Championship next Saturday, December 6, at 3:00 p.m. CT.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.