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Bama looks to finish strong
Published December 1, 2009
AUBURN — Mark Ingram did not score a touchdown and was held to his lowest output of the season but he was still upbeat after Alabama's 26-21 win over rival Auburn.
Auburn had broken a string of seven straight games that Ingram had at least 100 yards rushing and it was the third game this season that the sophomore did not score a touchdown.
"Their defense did a great job," Ingram said. "They were focused on me, keying on me to not let me have a big day. But other elements of our offense had a good day. Julio had a good day and Trent ran the ball well."
Ingram will again be key to having success against Florida. Under Saban, Alabama has had 18 100-yard rushing performances, and the Tide is 17-1 in those games. The only loss was in last year's SEC Championship game when Glen Coffee had 112 yards in a losing cause.
Ingram also recalled the fourth quarter in last year’s SEC Championship game against Florida.
"We were up, then Tebow took them down the field and scored a touchdown and it all went downhill, everybody on our sideline kind of panicked," Ingram said. "We've been there, learn from it and capitalize on it next week."
In that fourth quarter, Alabama was outgained 124 yards to 7 and suffered two quarterback sacks and one interception as the Tide allowed 14 unanswered points.
Alabama was ranked No.1 and Florida No. 2 entering the game, with the second-ranked Gators winning 31-20. Florida defeated Oklahoma a month later in the BCS Championship Game.
Alabama enters the game as the No. 2 team this season, a position the Tide historically plays better in. The SEC Championship game marks the fifth 1 vs. 2 matchup Alabama has played in. The Tide has a 2-2 record overall but is 2-0 when playing as the No. 2-ranked team.
It's the seventh time Alabama and Florida have met in the conference championship game. With a victory, Nick Saban will join Paul "Bear" Bryant as the only coaches to win an SEC Championship with two different teams.
"Last year we were excited just to be there. That was the goal," said senior linebacker Corey Reamer. "This year we were expected to get back and now our attitude is let’s go execute and get the win. It's going to be a big game like it always is between two great teams. It will be everything it is built up to be and we have to be on top of our game so we can go out and play Alabama football."
Auburn's quick start using misdirection offense was a wake up call for Alabama's defense. It exposed some weaknesses that can help Alabama's preparation for Florida.
"They threw everything they had at us early on," Reamer said of Auburn. "We got that fixed on the sideline and played our style of defense."
After the first quarter Alabama outscored Auburn 26-7, held Auburn to 32 yards rushing on 19 carries, had three quarterback sacks and one interception.
"That's why we play four quarters," Reamer said. "You sign up for 60 minutes. If it was over after the first quarter we would have been in trouble. They broke another one on us to go up by seven but those last few drives we shut them down and gave our offense a chance to put it in the end zone and win the game."
Reamer and the defense will have to shut down Tebow's favorite receiver Riley Cooper, who has 41 receptions for a team-leading 17 yard per catch average and eight touchdowns. Tight end Aaron Hernandez leads the Gators with 51 catches. Tebow is the team's leading rusher with 960 yards and 13 touchdowns. Jeffry Demps has a 7.7 yards per rush average.
Alabama's offense features the emotional and physical leader of the offensive line in senior guard Mike Johnson who will set a new record in the SEC Championship game when he plays in his 53rd career game, including 39 consecutive starts. Johnson was a preseason All-SEC and All-American and was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week following Alabama's win over Mississippi State on Nov. 14.
"It's big, there has been a lot of great guys that have played here that have played a lot of good football," Johnson said of his endurance record. "I have been fortunate to come in with the 12 game seasons and play in the championship game two years, and will have been to five bowl games. I'm honored but right now we're just trying to get that one more big win."
Junior quarterback Greg McElroy is 12-0 as a starter. He did not play in last years' championship game but will likely determine the outcome of this year's contest. He is coming off one of his best games against Auburn. He got the ball in the hands of the playmakers, completing 21 of 31 passes for 218 yards. He was completed 7 of 8 passes during the Tide's game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. He has not had a pass intercepted since the second quarter of the LSU game in Week 9.
Senior Roy Upchurch had the only touchdown catch of his career on the game winning score against Auburn. A 4-yard pass from McElroy with 1:24 on the clock and Alabama trailing 21-20.
"We were going to run but then we called a timeout and put in a pass. It was like a dream comes true," Upchurch said. "I'm always ready, always want the ball. It was a great football environment, this is a great place to play football.We put on a great show today and I think the fans are proud of us."
Upchurch said of the Tide’s mindset going into Saturday's SEC Championship game is simple.
"We will be there and be ready," he said.
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