By Mmesoma 
In a game that will be remembered for its grit and intensity, Alabama’s star running back etched his name into Iron Bowl lore with a jaw-dropping 46 carries, powering the Crimson Tide to a hard-fought victory over archrival Auburn.
The junior standout not only shouldered the offensive load but also delivered one of the most physically demanding performances in program history. Rushing for 218 yards and two touchdowns, he became the centerpiece of Alabama’s game plan as they leaned heavily on the ground game to wear down the Tigers’ defense.
“It was just about doing whatever the team needed,” the running back said postgame, visibly exhausted but proud. “Coach trusted me to keep the chains moving, and I wasn’t going to let my brothers down.”
The 46 rushing attempts mark the most by an Alabama player in Iron Bowl history and the most by any Crimson Tide running back in a single game since Shaun Alexander’s 40-carry performance in 1996. His relentless effort in the trenches kept the Tide in control of time of possession and helped neutralize Auburn’s pass rush.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer praised his back’s toughness and leadership. “We knew it was going to be a slugfest, and he answered the bell every single snap. That kind of workload isn’t for the faint of heart, but he embraced it like a champion.”
The game was tight throughout, with Auburn threatening late, but a crucial first-down run on 3rd-and-7 by the Bama back iced the game and sent the Tide sideline into celebration.
With the win, Alabama keeps its SEC Championship and College Football Playoff hopes alive, while the performance of their bell-cow back adds a defining chapter to his already impressive season — and perhaps even strengthens his Heisman candidacy.
As the dust settles on another thrilling Iron Bowl, one thing is clear: Alabama’s path to victory was paved by the tireless legs and iron will of their running back.