Auburn is going to enjoy this. Big Time
Glendale, Ariz.—There was joy. There was relief. There were smiles of happiness. There were tears. There was incredible exhilaration. There was utter exhaustion.
You could see it all on the floor of University of Phoenix Stadium in the aftermath of Auburn’s 22-19 victory Oregon which gave the Tigers their first national championship since 1957.
Ted Roof, who took more than his fair share of criticism as Auburn’s defensive coordinator the past two seasons, had his arms around his two sons as confetti rained down around him. The former Georgia Tech captain could not be happier. For it was his defense that held the mighty Oregon offense to only 19 points, 30 points below its average.
Oregon’s offense had 12 possessions in the game and Auburn’s defense got nine stops: five punts, two interceptions, and what will become two very big plays in Auburn football history: In the second quarter Mike Blanc stuffed Oregon’s LaMichael James in the end zone for a safety. In the third quarter Auburn stopped Oregon on fourth and goal at the Tigers’ one-yard line.
Oregon came into this game averaging almost 245 rushing yards per game. Auburn held the Ducks to only 75.
“I am so proud of our guys. They stepped up and played the best when we needed it the most,” said Roof. “We didn’t do anything fancy. It was all about effort. All I know is that we’re the national champions. Nothing else matters.”
A lot of people wondered if Cameron Newton had one more great game left in him. He did. Yes, he had a late turnover that allowed Oregon to tie the score make a game-winning drive necessary. Still, it has been an extraordinary season for the Heisman Trophy winner in every sense of the word. He became the flash point of a great debate in college football and it was not pretty. There was a significant portion of the populace that believed that Newton should not be on the field but there were also those who believed in the presumption of innocence. The debate will never be resolved unless more facts in the case emerge down the road. That is another discussion for another day.
Regardless of where you came down on the Newton issue, there was no denying that he was one of the greatest college football players we have seen at the quarterback position. I say WAS because Newton will soon close the door on this controversial chapter of his life and declare for the NFL Draft. We may disagree about Newton’s legacy, but we will certainly never forget him.
“I have never seen a football player go what he went through and continue to perform so well on the field,” said former coach Pat Dye, who beamed during the post-game awards ceremony. “People said a lot of bad things about that kid but it never affected the way he played. He is something special.”
Then there was Gene Chizik, whose hiring in 2009 brought rounds of criticism from those who thought he was not dynamic enough or tough enough to stand up to what Nick Saban was building at Alabama. But when the sun rose this morning in the state of Alabama, the schools had the same number of national championships since Saban arrived in 2007. Chizik has proven to be a rock solid manager of the program who surrounds himself with very talented people.
“It was never about me and proving anybody wrong,” said Chizik, who was the defensive coordinator when Auburn went 13-0 in 2004 and did not get a chance to play for the national championship. “That’s not the way I live my life. From the day we arrived it was about doing what was best for Auburn. I am so proud to be a part of the Auburn family.”
It’s been a great season at Auburn but has also been a draining season for all concerned. The weekly scrutiny which came with the Newton case was not an easy burden to bear. The SEC has won its fifth straight national championship. But the conference had to routinely defend itself against the criticism that it did not exercise due diligence in the Newton case. Now that the SEC has won another championship, that criticism is not going to go away. Such is the nature of success. Off the field, it has been a tough season for college football as a whole.
And what about Auburn for 2011? As is our nature, we will quickly move on to next season. Auburn loses 24 seniors including Wes Byrum, who kicked the winning field goal at the buzzer. Newton will leave as will defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who is more than ready to play at the next level. If you had to guess you would say that Auburn will take a dip next season but such dips are easier to take when you have a crystal football in the trophy case.
Both those issues can wait at least a day or two. Auburn fans will celebrate and know that for the next year they are the national champions while Alabama is not. And if you don’t think that’s important, you do not know the state of Alabama. Auburn is going to enjoy this. Big time.
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811 comments Add your comment
Charlie Bama
January 11th, 2011
8:16 am
Palm City Dawg — To land all three is only a dream. Even one could make a difference, though. Good luck–it’s needed. (BTW- Crowel is headed for Bama)
Douglas
January 11th, 2011
8:16 am
Beast from the East: as long as we have Richt as our coach, we will never even win the SEC East much less the SEC. We will just have to bear another terrible season next year hoping Richt gets fired.
Beast from the East
January 11th, 2011
8:18 am
Buckeye,
I’ll take some of that action, if you’re putting your money on the ‘Dores.
AU National Champs
January 11th, 2011
8:18 am
To think there were “Dawg fans” on here yesterday trying to say Fairley is over-rated? Yes he had a personal foul, I wish he would quit with all the late-hit garbage but HE DOMINATED OREGON’S ENTIRE OL! Nice to see that “average defense” shut down the BEST OFFENSE IN THE COUNTRY!! LoL
Sandman053
January 11th, 2011
8:19 am
I was very impressed with Auburns defense. They showed up to play last night.
FalconUGAFan
January 11th, 2011
8:19 am
Beast…I’d like one but alas, I’m afraid in my lifetime I won’t see one. Not until we (Dawg Nation) continue to accept mediocrity. And I’m not necessarily talking about CMR, necessarily. I’m talking about arrests, mistakes, lack of preparation, lack of focus. Just a general air of complacency and acceptance of the status quo.
JB at home
January 11th, 2011
8:19 am
the game last night proves that all teams in that wide open, no defense Pac Type teams do not see NFL type defenses week in and week out, and when faced with a good,seasoned SEC team, will lose every time. When I read that Oregon beats New Mexico 76-55, I’m not impressed.
AU defense was good, but not great, and they shut that arena team down.
Later Vacated
January 11th, 2011
8:20 am
Don’t bother choosing a permanent place to put the trophy.
Buckeye
January 11th, 2011
8:20 am
So, Ohio State beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl last season and Auburn just beat Oregon in the NC. Does that mean to PAC 10 sucks and that Oregon cannot win the big one? Just asking.
Murphy
January 11th, 2011
8:20 am
Kenn Dawg,
Daddy Cam was in town but not at the game-Herbstriet said he was watching on TV
PatHaden
January 11th, 2011
8:21 am
Tis a sad day for college football.
JB at home
January 11th, 2011
8:23 am
FalconUGAFan……………..We are one Chip Kelly type away from being back in the hunt. Too much talent and too much money not to be. We have the wrong guy AT THIS TIME running our program. Can you imagine Saban telling the press after losing 7 games that he’s gotten the AD to take over his paper work so he can study football to get better? Come on 2012……..
FalconUGAFan
January 11th, 2011
8:23 am
Wow I need some coffee..my last post was gibberish….As long as we accept mediocrity, we won’t see a MNC.
Sandman053
January 11th, 2011
8:24 am
Well i thought after going undefeated a few years ago, it would be a cold day in hell when AU won a NC. I guess looking out the window that day has arrived. Congrats Auburn. You played a good game last night.
JB at home
January 11th, 2011
8:26 am
Sandman….you are correct….with all the stuff about this team, they strapped it on and won last night.
FalconUGAFan
January 11th, 2011
8:26 am
@JB…no I can’t fathom those words coming out of Saban’s mouth. It boggles my mind.
AU National Champs
January 11th, 2011
8:27 am
Oregon averaged 49 points per game: We held them to 19. Oregon averaged a WHOPPING 300+ yards a game on the ground and they only had 75 yards rushing for the ENTIRE NIGHT! Shut down the country’s leading rusher too, held James to under 50 yards. Still think Auburn’s Defense is “average at best”?
Buckeye
January 11th, 2011
8:29 am
Beast,
No more money on Vanderbilt or to Vanderbilt. Our kid graduates from Vandy come May. Made the last tuition payment – thank God.
As a matter of fact, we enjoyed the ‘Dores victory over Auburn in Nashville a couple years back!
Charlie Bama
January 11th, 2011
8:29 am
@ JB at Home: Point well-taken re UGA program. It’s time to ratchet-up every aspect of the Dawgs approach. Money, talent, fan support, it’s all there if the right person grabs it. Just sayin’…
Gold and White
January 11th, 2011
8:29 am
Best team money can buy! Enjoy the spoils while you can before the probations hit!
War Jacket
January 11th, 2011
8:30 am
UGA five good years since 1980. The most underachieving football program in the nation. Hey, Georgia high school ballers come play for championship contenders in Alabama, not some joke pretenders in Athens.
RxDawg
January 11th, 2011
8:30 am
I can honestly say I’m not happy for college football today.
Regular Guys
January 11th, 2011
8:30 am
When I have talked to regular guys over the last few months (aka: not Auburn fans or media types who have a personal interest in pumping up internet/radio ad sales or TV ratings) there have been two common themes: 1) Cam Newton is a heck of a player 2) He still should have been found ineligible. This comes from tons of different conversations with tons of different regular fans from various different schools. Most people have a ton of respect for Cam Newton as a player, but don’t respect at all what is happening in letting him still play. It goes beyond jealousy to justice. Most of your regular guys out there are not respecting this championship as counting anymore than Mark McGwire’s record counted. Common sense was thrown out the window, and the NCAA has proven yet again to be sorely inconsistent. This deal went down on the tail of lawyer speak in the long line of deals where good old fasioned common sense knows better: a) Bill Clinton – I did not have sexual relations with that woman b) OJ Simpson – If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit c) Barry Bonds – I thought it was just the “clear” d) Auburn/NCAA – Cecil Newton solicited the money, but didn’t agree to take the money.
JB at home
January 11th, 2011
8:30 am
AU National Champs…………………They don’t see ANY defense week after week. Me thinks 6 or 7 SEC teams could have beat them last night. Good game though. Hope it sticks.
Sandman053
January 11th, 2011
8:30 am
we have a RB that has all the tools to be as special as Lattimore and Dyer. Looking forward to September 3rd in the Dome.
Top Dawg
January 11th, 2011
8:31 am
Co-Champions: TCU and Auburn
Straight Jacket
January 11th, 2011
8:32 am
Two biggest college jerks on the telecast…Meyer and Saban !
JB at home
January 11th, 2011
8:33 am
War Jacket……………..And ya’ll have a history we can all be proud of in the SEC. Shall I list them on your Special Day?
Asterisk
January 11th, 2011
8:34 am
2010 National Champions *
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January 11th, 2011
8:35 am
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AU National Champs
January 11th, 2011
8:35 am
I was impressed by Oregon’s defense last night too. They shut Newton down Big-Time in the rushing game. It was a pass-heavy game plan in the first half, Malzahn knew they would be stacking the box against the run. How about Michael Dyer, running hard between the tackles all night, then he busts a big one on maybe the strangest run ever. Just goes to show you there were other players on our team this year that contributed besides Cam Newton. Oregon’s D did what no SEC defense (Other than MSU) could do all year: Shut down Cam’s running game.
Asterisk
January 11th, 2011
8:35 am
Cam Newton – Heisman Trophy *
AuTigerAtl
January 11th, 2011
8:36 am
To all you bitter, pathetic, so called “dawgs” and bammers…. Ah, never mind. You’re not worth it. It’s Great To Be An Auburn Tiger! 14-0! 2010 SEC Champioins! 2010 National Champions! Third Heisman Trophy! State chams of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Kentucky and Louisiana! No sanctions, no probation, no problem. This is so cool! War Damn Eagle! War DAMN Eagle!
Asterisk
January 11th, 2011
8:37 am
Auburn wins the championship! *
Beast from the East
January 11th, 2011
8:37 am
Buckeye,
I’m sure you had quite a smile on your face when you wrote that check.
Congrats!
Family??
January 11th, 2011
8:37 am
How many in “the Family” will be inviting the types like Fairley & Dyer over to have dinner with the wife & kids; they’ll need an interpreter. “Coach Giznik” has definitely been through some mental programming in his constant use of the “Family” moniker. What happened to the day when the victorious coach would at least credit the other team for their efforts??
Asterisk
January 11th, 2011
8:37 am
War Eagle! *
Pay the man
January 11th, 2011
8:39 am
Hey, now we know what 180k can buy….a mythical national championship…
Family??
January 11th, 2011
8:39 am
AuTigerAtl: you are the CHAM of it all.
JB at home
January 11th, 2011
8:39 am
Family=Mob in Auburn, not the fans/alum
Dawg_Mike
January 11th, 2011
8:39 am
It was good to see Urb on the set – because he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Charlie Bama
January 11th, 2011
8:40 am
BTW, The Cam situation (Dad took money?) is not good and certainly hangs a cloud over last night’s crowning accomplishment, but still . . .the system has to be fixed for everybody, not just the easy target: Auburn, because they won the Nat Cham and its fans are pretty annoying. What about TattooGate at OSU? Play for TV Bowl but not early games next year? Seriously? And AJGreen JerseyGate? And Babyblue NC StarsGate, and ….? There is NO (I mean ZEE-ROW) consistency in punishment and investigation rules at the NCAA ivory tower. It has to be fixed now.
Beast from the East
January 11th, 2011
8:40 am
Why can’t some of you folks just congratulate Auburn and leave it at that?
The envy is pathetic.
Asterisk
January 11th, 2011
8:40 am
AU National Champs *
Sandman053
January 11th, 2011
8:40 am
Dawg_Mike: I was thinking the same thing about Meyer.
AuTigerAtl
January 11th, 2011
8:40 am
One more thing then I’m out. If money could buy national championships, everybody would have one. Duh!
Pay the man
January 11th, 2011
8:41 am
Was it a lump sum or is it on the installment plan?
virginia dog
January 11th, 2011
8:41 am
the real story: the game should have been a blow out. If Newton had been on Auburn scores over 40. the other real story: alabama, LSU, Arkanas beat Oregon and maybe South Carolina and Florida.
In a nut shell Oregon is fast but not SEC fast.
SEC is a league apart.
Pay the man
January 11th, 2011
8:41 am
Don’t spend it all i one place….man this is never going to get old…..
Dawg_Mike
January 11th, 2011
8:42 am
Fairley thinks he is Ndamukong Suh. Try some of that garbage on the next level and see what it gets you.
Oh, by the way, nice stomping on the Oregon players leg there number 24.
And they call us thUGA ???
Might want to enjoy it while you can….the asterisk is firmly in place…..for now.