Last night I had a dream, and I saw the National Championship Game unfold before my eyes. I normally avoid mumbo jumbo like visions, but this was different than anything I'd ever experienced. I was watching from a nose bleed seat in the end zone. I spilled a spot of mustard on my pants. My brother Roger bought me a beer. This dream was real, and unprecedented. Except for the spot of mustard. I do that stuff all the time.
Auburn scored first, on their first possession. They marched right down the field passing only once. On third and five from the 13 McCalebb took a direct snap on trick play and scooted around left end untouched, the Ducks badly fooled, following Newton and the apparent flow of the play to the right. Newton never had the ball, hiding nothing but his big hands on his right hip. I think that's when I spilled the mustard, screaming at the defense not to bite on the fake.
Chizik then applies an in-your-face to Kelly. The Tigers line up quickly and go for two, Newton keeping and diving over the top easily. 8-0 Auburn, and the War Eagle spit-screamers are in a frenzy. ESSSSSS EEEEEE SSEEEEE Footbaw!
Their frenzied chortling continues as the Oregon offense sputters for much of the first quarter. After a three and out on the second possession, LaMichael James is visibly upset, going from teammate to teammate, slapping helmets, grabbing jerseys, "C'mon, C'mon! We're better than this!" You could read his lips on the Jumbotron. I'd never seen him react that way.
Auburn scores again at the start of the second quarter, a long pass play to Darvin Adams down the right sideline, a double move that looks eerily similar to Juron Criner's first score in the Arizona game. 15-0 Auburn. The Tiger crowd grows more obnoxious. The whole stadium smells like Southern Comfort and barbeque sauce.
Oregon gets the ball. Josh Huff returns the kickoff to the 37. Darron Thomas sails high on a pass to Drew Davis, a quick screen left with blockers in front of him. A zone read right loses two, Fairley pile-driving LaMichael into the turf. Third and season. James is fuming.
On 3rd and 12, four-down territory for the Ducks, the Doak Walker Award winner spins out of a tackle at the line of scrimmage and races 65 yards up the left sideline for a touchdown. He gets key blocks downfield from Davis, Maehl and Tuinei, a play eerily similar to his 72-yard run against Tennessee.
Oregon goes for two on a swinging gate play but the Tigers sniff it out, incomplete to Jordan in the back of the end zone.
With Auburn up 15-6 at halftime, the stone-faced and colorless Chizik says something bland to Erin Andrews, "They're a good football team, we've just got to keep up the pressure in the second half." Thanks coach. He sprints off the field.
In the third quarter, the Ducks get a 38-yard touchdown pass, Thomas to Paulson and close it to 15-13. Oregon's defense holds the Tigers to two field goals. 21-13, and the University of Phoenix Stadium urinal troughs are a river of cheap whiskey.
Early in the fourth quarter, third and eight, from the Oregon 44. Four down territory for the Ducks. James runs a wheel route down the right sideline, Thomas' fourth option on the play. He stands in and takes a brutal hit from Fairley, finds James in stride, and the Ducks close to 21-20.
Auburn answers with a drive but Bo Lokombo intercepts Newton near mid-field, a pass in the left flat intended for Lutzenkirchen. It's the same formation the Tigers ran for the tying touchdown against Alabama, but Lokombo is in perfect position, and Newton throws right into coverage. Lokombo hugs the ball to his chest and gets mobbed by his teammates. Eight minutes to play.
The Ducks drive, all running plays to advance inside the 20 but stall there. Incomplete to Maehl. Fairley stuffs a zone read. A high snap messes up the timing on third down. Fourth and nine, and Kelly signals a field goal.
Beard wobbles it inside the right upright, and Oregon leads 23-21 with 5:45 on the clock.
Auburn starts a drive. They return the kickoff to the 23. Two designed runs by Newton get the ball quickly to the 40. On first and 10, he throws over the middle, a skinny post to Adams.
The ball has a little too much air under it. Cliff Harris, who has been quiet all day, steps in front of it for the pick. He cuts right and weaves inside the 20. At the 13 he breaks Newton's ankles with a juke, picks up a block from Matthews and scores, getting a 15-yard celebration penalty for flashing the O with his Nike gloves. No one cares. 59-yard interception return, Oregon lead. Beard drills the 35-yard extra point.
As time runs out Boyett picks off a desperation pass. Oregon 30, Auburn 21.
I hope the dream was wrong. I don't want it to be that tense and nerve-wracking. But the Ducks win, and they do it with heart and resilience and commitment.
The last thing I saw was LaMichael James kissing the crystal football.
Oregon 0 6 7 17--30
Auburn 8 7 6 0--21
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