A 19-yard field goal ended a season of undefeated perfection
In short: On January 10, 2011, two undefeated titans met in Arizona for a title. What followed was a game of razor-thin margins, broken records, and a controversial play that left the nation breathless. It wasn't just a championship; it was a television milestone that redefined the reach of cable sports.
The 201s BCS National Championship Game featured the Auburn Tigers of the SEC against the Oregon Ducks of the Pac-10. While Oregon entered the game as the No. 1 team in the Coaches Poll, Auburn held the top spot in the BCS rankings due to their advantage in the Harris Interactive and computer polls. The game was a statistical anomaly; despite both teams boasting elite offenses, the first quarter ended scoreless, with both sides struggling with early interceptions and punts.
The contest was a masterclass in high-stakes drama and record-breaking yardage. The two teams combined for 639 passing yards, the highest total in BCS championship history. Oregon's offense, led by tailback LaMichael James, pushed the game to the brink, but Auburn's defense and the brilliance of Heisman winner Cam Newton kept the Tigers in contention. The game saw seven different BCS championship records broken or tied, including Auburn's 85 total plays.
The climax arrived in the final seconds. Following a controversial run by Michael Dyer—where a ruling on the field upheld a 37-yard gain despite the ball not appearing to touch the ground—Auburn drove to the Oregon 1-yard line. After a touchdown was reversed due to a knee hitting the ground, kicker Wes Byrum converted a 19-yard field goal as time expired. The 22–19 victory secured Auburn's second recognized national title and their first since 1957.
Beyond the field, the game held heavy significance. It was the first BCS championship not aired on network television, instead drawing a record-breaking 16.1 rating on ESPN. The atmosphere was also somber, as the stadium held a moment of silence for the victims of the Tucson shooting that had occurred only two days prior.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2011 BCS National Championship Game
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