ASS News » No matter how fans refer to Auburns last-minute

The immaculate deflection, the Auburn miracle, the prayer at Jordan-Hare. No matter how fans refer to Auburns last-minute touchdown against Georgia, they will remember it for years to come. Last Saturday in the Deep Souths oldest rivalry - a series tied 54-54-8 coming in - Auburn found themselves facing fourth and 18 on their own 27-yard line. Trailing by a single point with 36 seconds left on the clock, their 9-1 season was hanging in the balance. What happened next has been called a miracle. Nick Marshall heaved a desperation pass into triple coverage, a pass that bounced off Bulldogs safety Josh Harvey-Clemons and landed directly in the hands of receiver Ricardo Louis. By the time Louis had gone 73 yards to the end zone, Georgias SEC hopes were done, Auburns season was intact, and the college football world was stunned. A jaw-dropping moment, maybe the play of the year, in what has been one of the most stunning turnarounds in college football history. A year ago, Auburn was still basking in the glory of Cam Newton, still basking in the glory of the Tigers first Heisman winner since Bo Jackson, and basking in the glory of the 2010 National Championship. The Tigers finished the 2012 season at 3-9, their first three-win season since 1998. Auburn was 0-8 in the Southeastern Conference, the first team ever to go winless in conference play two years after a national title. Perhaps worst of all, they lost 49-0 to in-state rivals Alabama, the most lopsided Iron Bowl in 64 years. This at a program that is seven-time SEC champs and has a pair of AP national titles, and boasts a .628 winning percentage in 111 years of major college football. Enter Gus Malzahn. Auburn fired head coach Gene Chizik following the disastrous 2012 campaign, only to replace him with the man that led the Tigers offence in 2010. Fresh off what amounted to a learning-on-the-job head coaching gig at Arkansas State - where he led the Red Wolves to a 9-3 record and a Sun Belt title – Auburns former offensive coordinator returned to Jordan-Hare. The unassuming coach immediately cleaned house, remaking the Tigers coaching staff. He handpicked Marshall to handle the offence, a former Georgia defensive back turned junior college transfer. And he changed the attitude in the locker room, telling the Tigers at their first practice together that they would have the biggest turnaround in college football. Now the Tigers lead the SEC in rushing and rank third nationally with more than 320 yards per game. Despite Marshall completing less than 15 passes in seven of his 10 starts, they score almost 40 points per game, ranking 16th in the FBS. They staged a fourth-quarter comeback against then No. 7 Texas A&M, and now the latest miracle against Georgia. A year ago, Auburn was 3-9, last in the SEC West, and scored just 24 touchdowns in 12 games. Fifty weeks later, they have scored 56 touchdowns, sport a 10-1 record, and sit sixth in the BCS standings. Two weeks from now, Auburn will renew their blood feud with Alabama. In a game that dates to 1902, its maybe the biggest Iron Bowl of all time. Win and the Tigers will earn a berth in the SEC championship, and with some luck, maybe even another national title shot. Marshalls Hail Mary against Georgia may have been a miracle. But it was just another miracle in a season full of them down on the plains. Some other notes from around the NCAA: UCLAs Myles Jack rushed for 59 yards and four touchdowns in the Bruins 41-31 win over Washington last Friday. Hes the 13th player in school history to rush for four scores in a game, and first since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2004. This just the week after Jack ran for 120 yards - including a game-winning 66-yard TD – against Arizona. Thing is, the true freshman is a linebacker. He had eight tackles and a forced fumble against the Wildcats, and five tackles against the Huskies. The Washington state native played both ways in high school, and was forced into action as a tailback because of mounting injuries in the UCLA backfield. But his emergence could mean head coach Jim Mora will continue to use him sparingly on offence. Playing both ways next season, Jack has a chance to become the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman since Charles Woodson in 1997. Despite a vote of confidence last week from both Floridas athletic director and school president, Gators head coach Will Muschamp should be worried about his job. Florida has lost five straight games, their longest skid since 1979. At 4-6, they should miss a bowl game for the first time since 1990. The 2012 SEC coach of the year has four years and $12 million remaining on his contract. Michigan State is surging just in time for a potential date with Ohio State. The Spartans forced five turnovers in a 41-28 win over Nebraska last week. It was MSUs first win ever against the Cornhuskers. Already blessed with one of the best defences statistically in the country, Michigan State has now scored over 40 points in three of their last five games. A win this week against Northwestern – losers of six straight – and the Spartans will clinch a berth in in the Big Ten Championship. It looks like Mack Browns job may not be safe after all. The Longhorns lost 38-13 to No. 12 Oklahoma State last week. The loss snapped UTs six-game win streak and was the worst home loss in Browns 16-year tenure in Austin. The Longhorns have lost nine straight home games versus ranked opponents, a streak dating back to 2008. Duke beat then No. 23 Miami last week to improve to 8-2, their best record since 1994. The Blue Devils hold a one-game lead in the ACC Coastal Division, and should go to back-to-back bowl games for the first time ever. With games remaining against Wake Forest and North Carolina, Duke could finish with the best record in school history. In the last two seasons, head coach David Cutcliffes teams have won 14 games, one more than the program won in eight seasons combined prior to his arrival. Cutcliffe shouldnt be overlooked in coach of the year discussions. Cheap Nike Shoes Free Shipping Wholesale . After rookie right-hander Alex Colome excelled in a 5-2 victory in the opener, the Rays fell to Chris Tillman and the Orioles 4-1 on Friday night. Authentic Wholesale Nike Shoes . Listen to the Rangers vs. Kings live on TSN Radio starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also stream the post-game press conferences live on TSN. http://www.cheapshoesnike.com/ . In the Brewers six games this season, no starter has allowed more than three runs. "We see the guy in front of us do a great job and we want to do even better," Gallardo said after the Brewers beat the Red Sox 4-0 on Sunday, his second straight scoreless start. Nike Shoes Clearance Sale . - Mike Zimmer has brought a demanding style to the Minnesota Vikings. Cheap Nike Shoes Online . -- Sonny Grays fastball wasnt as sharp as it usually is, and the Oakland Athletics young pitcher even had a quirky replay go against him. ZURICH, Switzerland -- FIFA says the use of video replay in football will by studied by its rules-making panel next month. The potentially radical use of technology to help referees is on the agenda despite long being ruled out by FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini. FIFA says no decision will be made on March 1 by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) group. Still, the preliminary talks appearr to confirm Platinis warning that approving goal-line technology in 2012 could lead to using video for penalty kicks and offsides.dddddddddddd. FIFA says the IFAB panel will also discuss so-called "sin bins" in amateur football and the "triple punishment" of penalty kick, red card and suspension for some offences. IFAB could also tighten rules on players revealing personal messages on undershirts. ' ' '