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

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. â€”  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.