IRON BOWL NOTES: Alabama

Arenas sets SEC mark
Alabama punt returner Javier Arenas ran into the SEC record books with two returns for 67 yards — one being for 56 in the third quarter — for 1,725 career punt return yards. It breaks the record held previously by Vanderbilt’s Lee Nalley, who had 1,695 yards from 1947-1949. Arenas now ranks second in NCAA history, behind Wes Welker of Texas Tech (2000-2003), who compiled 1,761 yards.

Barron’s pick
Tide safety Mark Barron picked off a pass late in the third quarter as Chris Todd threw for Darvin Adams over the middle. It helped make up for a miscue earlier in the quarter when Barron got beat on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Todd to Adams. Barron’s interception was his seventh of the season.

Ingram throws
Mark Ingram tried a 10-yard halfback pass in the third quarter to Julio Jones, but led the Tide receiver just a bit too much and Jones couldn’t hold onto it as he dove in the end zone. Ingram rushed for a season-low 30 yards.

Tiffin sets records
Leigh Tiffin’s 27-yard field goal in the third quarter was his 79th of his career, moving him ahead of Philip Doyle (1987-90) for career field goals at Alabama. And with 8 kicking points against Auburn — two field goals and two extra points — Tiffin has scored 118 points this season, breaking his own record of 111 for single-season kicking points.

First TD catch
Senior running back Roy Upchurch made his first career TD catch a memorable one. He scored the game-winning touchdown on a 4-yard catch with 1:24 left in the game.

Peek’s catch
The 33-yard touchdown catch by Tide tight end Colin Peek was the longest reception of his Alabama career. Peek, a senior, played two seasons at Georgia Tech before transferring to Alabama. He had a 37-yard reception while at Georgia Tech against Army in 2007.

Richardson in there
When freshman Alabama running back Trent Richardson scored in the second quarter on a 2-yard run, it marked his sixth touchdown of the season.

Woodall blunder
Some disappointment and a quick temper got the best of Bama safety Justin Woodall in the first quarter when he made an interception after the whistle had blown on a false start call against Auburn on a 3rd-and-6 play from the Tide 11. Woodall ran the ball out from the goal line after making the pickoff, then spiked the ball down after realizing the whistle had stopped play. An unsportsmanlike penalty followed, and Auburn would score four plays later for a 14-0 lead.

Anders’ big hit
Tide linebacker Eryk Anders made a huge play late in the second quarter when he put a big hit on Tiger QB Chris Todd, causing a fumble and recovering it himself. Alabama got in position for a field goal on the ensuing drive, but Leigh Tiffin had a 42-yard try fall short with under two minutes left in the first half.

Julio’s big day
Julio Jones caught a career-high nine passes for 83 yards, four coming on the final touchdown drive. Three of those catches on the drive were on third down plays.

Early deficit
The 14-0 deficit in the first quarter was the most points Alabama has trailed by this year and the most points the Tide has given up in a quarter. Prior to Saturday, Alabama’s previous biggest deficit was 5 against LSU (15-10) in the third quarter before rallying for the win.

Cody in backfield
Noseguard Terrence Cody lined up in the backfield on Alabama’s first touchdown. Cody went left to block, but Trent Richardson went straight up the middle through a big hole into the end zone.

Franchione in the house
Former Alabama coach Dennis Franchione was the analyst for ESPN radio on Saturday. Franchione won in his only visit to Jordan-Hare when Alabama took a 31-7 win in 2001.