How The Crystal Ball Was Won: 10 Plays That Decided The BCS Championship
With the 2010 college football season now over, the focus will shift to recruiting and then to spring practice. Before we begin to look forward to 2011, we take a look back at the national championship.
The old adage is that no game is won or lost on one play, the national championship was no different. College football fans around the nation were treated to an exciting game that had it all. Two point conversions, turnovers, big plays, deep passes, fake punts and last second excitement.
With the 2010 season now all over, lets take a look at the plays that ultimately lead to an Oregon loss, their only loss of the season.
Darron Thomas Over Throws Kenjon Barner
1 of 10
Oregon won the coin toss and got the ball to start the game. Quarterback Darron Thomas had the Ducks driving towards midfield before a third down interception changed field position.
While the play did not result in an Auburn score, it did stop a promising start to the Oregon drive. In a game that became a defensive battle, any and all points would have been crucial.
Thomas Picked off in The RedZone
2 of 10
Later in the first half, the Ducks were rolling into Auburn territory. They had just picked up a first down and were eyeing up the redzone and the potential points.
Auburn brought the blitz on first down which rushed Thomas into a quick throw that was picked off. Again, when you loss by three points, plays like this become magnified.
Oregon Makes a Goalline Stand
3 of 10
Most may look at this and see it as a good thing. Oregon had stuffed Auburn three straight times down at the goalline, forcing the Tigers into a decision. Auburn decided to go for it and the play call was amazing.
The playaction fake left an Auburn player wide open in the endzone, only to have Cam Newton short arm the throw for an incomplete pass and turnover on downs.
The defensive stop only temporarily kept points off the board. Due to the bad field position, the Ducks were stopped in their own endzone, and Auburn ended up scoring a touchdown off of the safety punt. In the end, the stop actually ended up costing Oregon two points.
LaMichael James Illegal Motion Penalty
4 of 10
After the high of making a stop on the goalline, Oregon's offense took the field on their own one yard line. Initially, the first play resulted in an eight yard gain but was called back due to a penatly.
LaMichael James was whistled for an illegal motion penalty which eared the entire play. This penalty backed the Ducks up and lead to Auburn recording a safety.
Mike Blanc Safety
5 of 10
Right after the LaMichael James illegal motion penalty, we saw a huge change in momentum. The Ducks would attempt another run out of the endzone but they were stopped short.
Mike Blanc busted through the Oregon offensive line and recorded a safety for Oregon. This gave Auburn two points and great field position to come.
Zac Clark Misses Sack Newton Hits Blake Deep
6 of 10
After scoring a safety, the Auburn offense would get the ball back with plenty of time remaining and great field position. As the Tigers entered Oregon territory, the Ducks sent a blitz that allowed Zac Clark to break in free.
Clark had a shot at Cam Newton but could not bring him down. Newton stepped up and delivered a touchdown strike to put Auburn in the lead.
Tuinei Stopped Three Yards Short
7 of 10
Late in the third quarter, Oregon pulled off a fake punt that extended the Oregon drive. Right away, Thomas went to the air and found Lavasier Tuinei who took it to the Auburn three.
While it was an amazing catch and a great play, Tuinei was caught from behind heading for the endzone. The drive ultimately ended with zero points.
Passing Up on Third Quarter Points
8 of 10
After Tuinei got the Ducks down to the three yard line, the Ducks were facing a fourth and goal from the two yard line. While still within eight points, Coach Kelly passed on the field goal and went for the score.
The Ducks ran the same play for a second consecutive play and were stopped short.
Dyer Down But Not Down
9 of 10
After Oregon tied it up late in the fourth quarter, Auburn went to the ground game and got the biggest play of the game. After Michael Dyer broke up the middle and picked up eight yards, he was rolled over and everyone, including Dyer, believed he was down. It wasn't until the Auburn sideline yelled for Dyer to run that he continued down field and into Oregon territory.
The run ultimately led to the game winning field goal and the end of the game.
All The Way to The 1
10 of 10
After Dyer put Auburn into Oregon territory, he finished them off with a huge third down run down to the 1 yard line. The run would allow Auburn to center the ball and run the clock down to three seconds. At that point, Auburn lined up and kicked a game winning field goal.
.jpg?w=480 "Big 12 Spring Wrap Football")
