After a turnover on the first possession of the game, Auburn's offense responded in a big way by outgaining Alabama 383-178 in yards on its way to a 26-21-halftime lead.
After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, Roc Thomas fumbled a swing pass on the first offensive play of the game. This is the third time this season Auburn has opened the game with a turnover on their first possession.
Alabama took over on the Auburn 35-yard line after the initial turnover and then completed the quick five-play scoring drive with an eight-yard rushing touchdown from T.J. Yeldon.
Daniel Carlson's 20-yard field goal on the following drive made it 7-3 with 8:08 remaining in the first quarter.
The Tigers defense continued their trend of committing penalties with two 15-yard penalties, a face mask and late hit, which set up a 17-yard touchdown catch from Amari Cooper. That drive for the Tide was five plays good for 80 yards in less than two minutes, but 30 of those yards came from Auburn penalties.
Auburn's next two long drives reached the red zone but the offense continued by scoring three points, with two consecutive 24-yard field goals from Carlson to make it 14-9.
Then the Tigers found the end zone twice on similar plays, both being touchdown passes from Nick Marshall to Sammie Coates on deep routes.
The first one was a 34-yard touchdown pass to Coates after Jermaine Whitehead's interception gave Auburn field position on the Alabama 35-yard line.
Then Marshall doubled the next completion to Coates with a 68-yard touchdown.
After Yeldon scored another rushing touchdown to make it 21-23, the Tigers' offense responded again with Marshall to Coates, this one being a 41-yard pass to set up a Carlson field goal to close out the half.
Coates has four receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns at the half.
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