Alabama kicker Adam Griffith follows through on a field-goal attempt during Saturday's game at Auburn. The former Calhoun standout went 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts against the Tigers in a 29-13 victory.AUBURN, Ala. - In the final two minutes of the first half in Saturday's Iron Bowl, Alabama kicker Adam Griffith lined up for a 50-yard field goal while Auburn sent defensive back Johnathan Ford to the back of the end zone.
Seconds later, Ford was looking over his head as Griffith drilled one of five field goals that helped propel the Crimson Tide to a 29-13 victory.
"I didn't look at the guy," Griffith said. "I didn't even know he was there."
Two years ago, Chris Davis returned Griffith's 57-yard attempt with one second remaining more than 100 yards to provide the most memorable finish in Iron Bowl history. The game marked the first trip back to Jordan-Hare Stadium for Griffith and the Tide, and the former Calhoun High standout created new memories with a 5-for-5 showing on field-goal attempts.
Neither Griffith nor Tide coach Nick Saban was fond of strolling down memory lane when asked about the 2013 outcome afterward.
"I'm just happy for this team and this day," Saban said. "That game will be something that I never ever forget, and it certainly wasn't Adam's fault, but he did a great job today."
Said Griffith: "I feel like everybody has talked about that too much. The 'Kick Six' was two years ago. It happened. I wasn't thinking about that at all."
Griffith's five field goals are the most for the Crimson Tide in an Iron Bowl, topping the four Van Tiffin made in Alabama's 25-23 win in 1985.
With his perfect performance Saturday, Griffith improved to 19-of-26 on field-goal attempts this season after going 12-of-19 a year ago.
Griffith also kicked off eight times against the Tigers, producing seven touchbacks and nearly an eighth until Kerryon Johnson returned one out of the end zone in the final seconds. The redshirt junior called kicking off "my favorite thing."
"Adam kept us in this game the entire time," Tide senior center Ryan Kelly said.
"Everybody on this team could not be prouder of that guy."
Scrambling Coker
The first touchdown of this year's Iron Bowl was a 34-yard pass from Alabama's Jake Coker to ArDarius Stewart with 5:14 remaining in the third quarter. The score was due largely to Coker's ability to avoid two sacks before finding Stewart behind Auburn's secondary.
Coker also avoided a sack three plays before the touchdown.
"It says a lot about the kind of competitor he is," Saban said. "He is very athletic for his size. They had some really good athletes rushing him, and he made them miss. When you've got a quarterback that can scramble, that's one of the things that breaks down the back end as much as anything, because it's really hard to stay with your guy."
Tide tidbits
Alabama has won six of the last eight Iron Bowls to extend its series lead to 44-35-1. The Crimson Tide have won 60 straight games against unranked foes. Junior tailback Derrick Henry is averaging 149.8 rushing yards per game. Bobby Humphrey holds the school single-season record at 133.7 in 1986.
Tiger tales
Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson's 77-yard touchdown pass to Jason Smith was the longest completion in Johnson's career. Sophomore running back Peyton Barber was held to 29 yards on eight carries, leaving him 16 yards short of a 1,000-yard season. Sophomore kicker Daniel Carlson extended his school record to 16 consecutive field goals before missing from 48 yards with 1:24 before halftime.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.