Auburn Wins, So LSU Gets Sugar Bid--but Loses Arnsparger : Alabama’s 21-17 Setback Ends Its Sweet Dreams

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —  Auburn took the 23 members of the Sugar Bowl Selection Committee off the hook.

Trailing by 10 points after three quarters, the No. 14-ranked Tigers rallied to upset No. 7-ranked Alabama, 21-17, and give No. 5-ranked LSU the Southeastern Conference championship and the berth in the Sugar Bowl that goes with it.

In case of a tie for the SEC title, the Sugar Bowl Selection Committee votes to determine the SEC representative. With Sugar Bowl officials reportedly waffling despite LSU’s 14-10 victory over the Tide in Birmingham three weeks ago, Alabama could have tied for the SEC title with a victory over Auburn and forced a vote today.

Instead, LSU will play Nebraska on New Year’s Day at the Superdome. Alabama (9-3 overall, 4-2 in the SEC) will play Washington in the Sun Bowl on Christmas Day.

“I feel badly for the players, especially the seniors,” Alabama Coach Ray Perkins said. “I know our players feel badly right now but they’ll feel better in a couple of days. They’ve come through like champions this year, and I told them they are champions in my book.”

Auburn (9-2, 4-2), which will play USC in the Florida Citrus Bowl, got the winning points on a reverse that sophomore wide receiver Lawyer Tillman ran seven yards for a touchdown with 32 seconds left.

Tillman’s touchdown, on the first carry of his collegiate career, capped a 67-yard drive in 11 plays and helped the Tigers get even for last year’s 25-23 loss to Alabama--a game decided by Van Tiffin’s 52-yard field goal in the final seconds.

“This is a very humbling experience for us,” Auburn Coach Pat Dye said. “ . . . This was certainly the sweetest win ever for me.

“The only play I called all game was the reverse to Tillman. I guess it goes to show that it doesn’t matter how you get the ball to a thoroughbred--whether it is by passing or rushing--he will do what he needs to. Tillman is a thoroughbred.”

Brent Fullwood, who rushed for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns, sustained the march by gaining six yards on a draw play on third and five from the Auburn 38. On fourth and three from the Alabama 49, Trey Gainous made a diving nine-yard reception. Then Fullwood ran 19 yards to set up the winning score.

Alabama sophomore Bobby Humphrey rushed for 204 yards in 28 carries and caught a seven-yard touchdown pass.

Two scoring passes by Mike Shula and Tiffin’s 29-yard field goal staked the Tide to a 17-7 lead, but Auburn pulled within three points on Fullwood’s 26-yard touchdown run on the first play of the final period.

Auburn’s Jeff Burger completed 19 of 30 passes for 153 yards but was intercepted 3 times. Shula hit on just 9 of 24 attempts for 53 yards, but the Crimson Tide rushed for 340 yards.

The first half was played in a light rain and dominated by the duel between Humphrey and Fullwood--the SEC’s leading rushers.

After Auburn’s Chris Knapp missed a 29-yard field goal early in the second period, Alabama rolled 80 yards in 13 plays to take a 14-7 lead. Humphrey reeled off gains of 14 and 20 yards, and Shula hit Greg Richardson for 14 yards. On third and five from the Auburn seven-yard line, Humphrey caught a pass from Shula in the corner of the end zone with 5:51 left in the first half.

Steve Wilson’s interception at the Alabama six midway through the opening period stifled an Auburn drive and triggered an 82-yard march by the Tide. Humphrey broke a draw play for 48 yards to the 32 and his 25-yard gain to the four set up Shula’s two-yard scoring pass to Angelo Stafford with 2:53 remaining. It was the first touchdown yielded by the Auburn defense in the opening period this season.