Auburn 22 - 19 Oregon (Final)

Wes Byrum -- Auburn's all-time leading scorer -- kicks the GAME WINNING FIELD GOAL on his last play as an Auburn Tiger.

Auburn has always, always, always been a hard-luck story. They have suffered so many heart-breaking defeats, bad poll votes, and so forth that it is amazing they still have any fans. But this has been their year. All the close games finally went their way. All the breaks finally went for them. And now -- for the first time since 1957 -- they are the National Champions. No fans in America deserve it as much as they do.

Oregon did not score 40 points, as I had expected. The Auburn defense was a bit quicker and stronger than what they were used to. But when they absolutely, positively had to score and get a two-point possession -- they did so. They lost this game, ultimately, because of one of the flukiest plays I have ever seen -- Dyer's run after everyone thought he was down. I feel very sorry for them, but I am confident they will be very formidable as long as they keep their coach. But they are now 2-14-1 in the UCFC. Auburn, on the other hand, runs its record in UCFC games to 15-8, and they get to see this page in blue and orange until at least September.

One final comment. I have watched college football since 1971, and I honestly believe this is one of the five best games I have ever seen. What a great, great game.

Auburn 19 - 19 Oregon (2 seconds left in 4th quarter)

Auburn sends out Newton and lines up in the victory formation at the 1. Newton tries a sneak, but Oregon stuffs him immediately. Auburn calls time, and this time presumably they will kick the field goal.

Auburn 19 - 19 Oregon (10 seconds left in 4th quarter)

Another bizarre play. Auburn has the ball on the Oregon 17 with only 23 seconds left. Auburn runs one more play before the field goal, and Dyer breaks loose again. This time he's hauled down at the 1, but he again rolls over the defender and goes into the end zone for an apparent touchdown. Once again, the play is reviewed, and this time the call is reversed and Auburn gets the ball at the 1 yard line.

Auburn sets up for a field goal. Oregon calls its last time out.

Auburn 19 - 19 Oregon (1:56 left in 4th quarter)

Well, now we're going to have a controversy. Auburn running back Michael Dyer was tackled at the 50, but there was no whistle as he was pulled down ON TOP OF THE DEFENDER. Everything stopped for about 5 seconds -- and then Dyer raced ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE OREGON 23.

After a review, the PLAY STANDS.

Auburn 19 - 19 Oregon (2:33 left in 4th quarter)

Oregon calls time and runs a Utah pass to LaMichael Smith, who runs the ball in for a touchdown. Then Oregon -- who has the best two-point conversion plays I've ever seen -- makes their second two-point conversion of the game on a scramble that ends in a successful pass.

I don't think I've ever seen a game that ended in a 19-19 tie.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (2:36 left in 4th quarter)

On 4th and 5 at the Auburn 42, Oregon hits a pass over the middle and the Auburn defender is BLOCKED BY THE UMPIRE. The Oregon receiver races down to the 11. Oregon now has 3d and 1 at the 2.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (4:54 left in 4th quarter)

On a carry by Newton, Oregon punches the ball out of Newton's hand and Oregon recovers at the Auburn 41. But Oregon is then hit for a personal foul, so they will start at their 45.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (5:08 left in 4th quarter)

On 3d and 3 at the Oregon 35, Auburn hammers LaMichael Smith for a five-yard loss. Oregon punts, and Auburn takes over at its 29. Cam Newton -- who looks somewhat dazed from all the hits he's taken -- returns to the field.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (6:42 left in 4th quarter)

Auburn gets a couple of huge first downs, but their drive stalls at the Oregon 42 -- just out of field goal range -- and they punt to the Oregon 14.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (11:00 left in 4th quarter)

Oregon's drive stalls at the Auburn 46. Auburn leaves their defense on the field to guard against a fake punt, sending back only one guy to return. But this time Oregon does punt. It's not a very good punt, bouncing out of bounds at the Auburn 21. On the other hand, Oregon is not used to punting.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (13:24 left in 4th quarter)

On 3d and 4, Oregon brings the house on a blitz. Auburn has a very clever pass over the middle set up in response, but Newton's pass is low and to the right and the Auburn receiver can't make a one-handed catch. Auburn punts, and Oregon will take over on their own 15.

The game is poised on a knife edge right now. The next team to score will probably win the game.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (14:14 left in 4th quarter)

Auburn still has the ball, 2d and 10 at their 41. Auburn just called time to clear up some confusion about what play to run.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (end of 3d quarter)

Auburn has worked the ball from their one out to their 26, where they have 2d and 9.

One quarter left in the season.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (2:26 left in the 3d quarter)

BUT AUBURN HOLDS! On 4th and goal at the 1, the Ducks go for it and are STUFFED at the goal line. Each team has now been stopped on fourth and goal at the 1.

This is honestly one of the most exciting games I've ever seen.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (5:36 left in 3d quarter)

I was right. On fourth and 7 from their own 45, the Ducks run a FAKE PUNT the goes to the Auburn 46. Then the Ducks hit a 44-yd pass to put themselves on the Auburn 2.

Auburn 19 - 11 Oregon (6:25 left in 3d quarter)

Auburn opened the third quarter with a field goal, and not much has happened since then. But Oregon is taking over, and I have a feeling they will do something on this possession.

Auburn 16 - 11 Oregon (1:47 left in 2d quarter)

And then Auburn takes the ball on the ensuing kickoff and drives down for another touchdown, this one coming on a 30-yard pass from Newton to Emory Blake. This is just incredible stuff from both sides.

Auburn 9 - 11 Oregon (3:44 left in 2d quarter)

But Auburn comes right back, hitting LaMichael James -- Oregon's all-world running back -- in the end zone for a safety!

This has been an amazing game so far.

Auburn 7 - 11 Oregon (3:44 left in 2d quarter)

A devastating blow to Auburn. After a beautiful drive straight down the field, Auburn was left with fourth and goal at the 1. With everyone in the stadium -- and the country -- expecting Newton to dive for the touchdown, Auburn ran a little pass that resulted in a receiver wide open in the end zone. But Newton, probably trying to hard to aim his pass, threw it into the ground and the receiver couldn't hang on. A huge, huge break for Oregon, who takes over on downs at the 1.

Sometimes you should just dance with what brung you.

Auburn 7 - 11 Oregon (10:58 left in 2d quarter)

From there, Oregon works it down to the six before going in on a screen pass. Oregon then runs a FAKE EXTRA POINT that turns into a two-point conversion -- an option play with the holder pitching out to the kicker, who runs it in.

Auburn 7 - 3 Oregon (11:43 left in 2d quarter)

Oregon botches the kickoff return and has to start from their own 7. But then they hit an 81-yard pass straight down the middle of the field that gives them a first and 10 at the Auburn 12.

This game is not for the faint of heart.

Auburn 7 - 3 Oregon (12:00 left in 2d quarter)

See, I told you that was a big call. On the VERY NEXT PLAY, Cam Newton hit Kodi Burns down the middle for a touchdown pass. Nice run by Burns, who started his career at Auburn as a quarterback.

Auburn 0 - 3 Oregon (12:29 left in 2d quarter)

Big call here. Auburn has driven to the Oregon 37, and Cam Newton makes a long throw down the sidelines -- where the same Oregon back who intercepted him before makes a great play and appears to come down with the ball. But the officials hold he was bobbling it. The play is reviews, and the call is confirmed. So Auburn keeps the ball.

Auburn 0 - 3 Oregon (14 minutes left in 2d quarter)

Wild game so far -- two interceptions by Oregon, one by Auburn. Finally, Oregon got going and drove down to the Auburn 3. The Tigers held, and the Ducks kicked a field goal.

Auburn v. Oregon

The Tigers and the Ducks have never played each other. That makes a lot of sense when you think about it, because culturally these teams are about as far apart as any in the BCS. Auburn is the epitome of traditional Southern football -- in fact, its fans tend to make other SEC fans look like flaky liberals. Everything about Auburn is "hard core" -- the traditions, the passion, the intensity, the controversies with the NCAA.

Oregon, on the other hand, is about as blue as a blue state gets these days, and no part of Oregon is bluer than Eugene. While Auburn's football program grows out of the intensity and loyalty of its fans, Oregon's is largely the product of one brilliant alumnus, Phil Knight of Nike. While Auburn has had the same uniforms for decades, Oregon changes uniforms -- and even team colors -- every game.

If intensity and fan loyalty made the difference, Oregon wouldn't have a chance. No one in America will care about any sporting event all year as much as Auburn fans care about this game. But one important lesson that we are taught by sports is that caring alone isn't enough. At the highest levels, you need talent as well. Auburn has Cam Newton, of course, and he is a host in and of himself. But Oregon has lots of talent -- wave after wave of really fast guys who can break a game open. Unless Oregon makes a bunch of turnovers, they should be good for at least 40 points tonight. And, in my opinion, that will be good enough for the title.

Oregon

Tonight, Auburn will play Oregon in the BCS National Championship Game -- which is also a UCFC game. (It's nice when it works out that way).

Oregon has only held the UCFC twice in its history. On October 23, 1954, Oregon took the crown by beating San Jose State (!) 26-7. The next week, the Ducks defended the title by beating Washington 26-7. That's it, that's the list. The next week UCLA beat Oregon 41-0, and the Ducks have never regained the title. On October 18, 1980, the Ducks tied UCFC holder USC 7-7, but of course the Trojans kept the crown. On October 2, 1993, the Ducks lost to holder Cal 42-41. That's as close as they've gotten. Their record in UCFC games is 2-13-1. But if they win tonight, these pages will be green and gold for a long time.