Emily Lykins, Campus Carrier Assistant Sports Editor
Saturday was a day for rivalries for the NCAA football. Some popular rivalry games inlcuded the University of Georgia Bulldogs against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Historic Grant Field at Bobby Dodd Stadium, the Auburn University Tigers versus the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl at the Jordan-Hare Stadium and the Florida State University Seminoles against the University of Florida Gators at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
The Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 34-28, securing themselves a spot in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship Game. The Tigers stunned the crowd when cornerback Chris Davis returned a missed field-goal attempted by Alabama freshman Adam Griffith with one second left on the clock. Griffith’s 57-yard kick fell short, leaving the opening for Davis. This dropped Alabama from its No. 1 ranking, thus forcing them to surrender their spot for the SEC Championship Game.
Sophomore Katie Martin said she was amazed by the contents of Saturday’s game.
“I was in shock because I have never seen that happen before,” Martin said. “It was one of the top finishes that I have ever seen. I think a lot of times the players of both teams think that the game is over within a certain time frame. It goes to show that there can be a game-changing play.”
After leading 20-0 in the first half, Georgia Tech surrendered a touchdown just before the half, which started the Bulldogs’ momentum. The Bulldogs defeated the Yellow Jackets 41-34. By the fourth quarter, the two teams were tied 27-27, which caused the game to go into overtime. The teams were tied 34-34 by the end of the first overtime period and had to go into another. The Bulldogs were able to score a touchdown during the second overtime, and the Yellow Jackets were unable to answer, thus bringing an end to the game.
Sophomore Jarod Holland said he thought both teams played a great game.
“Tech played well, and Georgia did a great job,” Holland said. “I feel Tech let up and gave it away near the end.”
The Seminoles defeated the Gators 37-7, leaving them one game away from the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship.
The Seminoles are currently ranked as No. 1 in the 2013 NCAA Collegiate Football Ranking. This is the first time since the 1999 National Championship season that Florida State University has remained undefeated.
“Florida State had a great game and pummeled Florida,” Sophomore Lauren Bush said.” My uncle is a Gator fan and wasn’t too happy about the final score. It led to a very interesting atmosphere at our house over the break.”
Seminole freshman quarterback Jameis Winston held a new season record as he scored a 29-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Kelvin Benjamin which put the game out of reach with a final score of 34-7.