Tailbacks take back seat in Iron Bowl

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Posted 7:59AM on Sunday, November 21, 2004

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - The Iron Bowl didn't come close to providing the anticipated showcase of top tailbacks. Instead, the quarterbacks and two of the nation's best defenses dominated No. 2 Auburn's 21-13 victory over Alabama on Saturday. The Crimson Tide's Kenneth Darby was largely a nonfactor, hampered by a sprained ankle and strained abdominal muscle. He gained 19 yards on 14 carries after becoming the team's offensive driving force in recent games. ``These guys are all going to tell you they are ready to play and they want to play in this game, but it definitely affected him,'' Tide coach Mike Shula said. And, quarterback Spencer Pennington said, ``When he's not 100 percent, our offense is not 100 percent.'' Plus, fullback Le'Ron McClain (right ankle) limped off the field in the first half and had to be helped off in the third. Both players opened the season as backups but took over as starters due to injuries. Auburn's Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown combined for 96 rushing yards on 31 carries. Neither that duo nor Darby, who all ranked in the Southeastern Conference's top five, had a carry longer than 9 yards. ``They've got two of the great running backs in the nation,'' Alabama linebacker Cornelius Wortham said. ``In the first half, we kept them off-balance. We knew what they wanted to do and we knew what they didn't want to do.'' The quarterbacks were the biggest beneficiaries. Auburn's Jason Campbell passed for 224 yards and Alabama's Spencer Pennington threw for a career-high 226. TOMMY'S TURNAROUND: Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville ended the Iron Bowl in much better shape than he did last year. With only Auburn's second 11-0 regular season, he could even joke about nearly getting fired after it was over last season. ``What a different a year makes,'' Tuberville said. ``This time last year I didn't think I was going to be back. Hopefully this year they'll let me come back.'' Pretty good chance of that. GRAVES STARTS: It was a big day for Auburn linebacker Derrick Graves. The senior from Tuscaloosa made only his third career start and served as a team captain alongside Carnell Williams. ``It's very special,'' Graves said. ``Not many people can say they played their last senior game at home.'' He deflected a ball into Kevin Sears' hands for an interception at the goal line in the first half. Graves started in place of Antarrious Williams, who sat out the game with a dislocated bone in his hand. Tuberville said Williams might be available for the SEC championship game against Tennessee in two weeks. PRODUCTIVE PROTHRO: The first trick play to Alabama's speedy receiver/return man Tyrone Prothro failed miserably, but he more than made up for it. Prothro lined up for a direct snap in the first quarter that went sailing over his head for a 16-yard loss, forcing the Tide to settle for a field goal. At 5-foot-8, Prothro is eight inches shorter than quarterback Spencer Pennington, making it a tough snap for center J.B. Closner. ``We snapped it perfect all week,'' coach Mike Shula said. Prothro still caught four passes for 42 yards, had punt returns of 25 and 40 yards and rushed twice for 3 yards. ``We tried to keep getting him the ball,'' Shula said. ``He's exciting whenever he's got the ball in his hands. He's very, very explosive. He's what makes you feel good about this football team, now and our next game and the next couple of years.'' ROLE REVERSAL: Auburn had scored eight times on opening drives while Alabama had done it only once. This time the Tigers went scoreless in the first half and had to punt for the first time after their first drive. They had twice turned it over twice in the opponents' territory, but hadn't been stopped otherwise. The Tide drove for a field goal to start the game. It was the first time Alabama had opened with points since the Western Carolina game on Sept. 18. HOUSEL'S LAST: Alabama officials will present Auburn's retiring athletic director David Housel with a plaque of the game program cover for his final Iron Bowl as AD. They asked writers in the press box to sign the plaque before the game. Housel, who grew up in nearby Gordo, said he's been to every Iron Bowl since 1962. ``I wanted it to end on a game in Tuscaloosa, because that's where I grew up,'' he said. ``I figure it's a fitting end for me.''