Charmaine Peterson and Dontae Davis
Correspondent
After weeks of anticipation to see both team’s highly touted offenses, the Tostitos BCS National Championship game between number one Auburn Tigers and number two Oregon Ducks brought mixed reactions from fans at Famu.
“I wanted the Ducks to win the game and see an outstanding performance by Cam Newton, but that ain’t happen,” Justin Davis said.
Davis, a junior linebacker on FAMU’s football team was hoping to see the teams combine for 41 points, which is less than both team’s season average.
Expected to be a high scoring shoot out between the undefeated Tigers and the Oregon Ducks, the game delivered a low scoring, defensive contest. Oregon, led defensively by linebacker Casey Matthews, provided numerous stops for the Ducks. Auburn’s All-American Nick Fairley spearheaded the Tigers defense with five tackles, three for losses, and one sack.
“Nick Fairley showed that he could be a high NFL draft pick this year with the performance last night,” Amare Green said.
Green, a 21-year old senior economics major from Boston, wanted to see another great game from Cameron Newton, but was highly impressed with the speed and talent of the Auburn defense.
Momentum changing plays made by Matthews and Fairley came against Heisman candidate LaMichael James (Oregon) and Heisman trophy winner Newton (Auburn). James, the nation’s leading rusher was limited to his least productive game of the season by Fairley and the Auburn defense. He rushed for 49 yards on 13 carries.
“This game was not won by just Cam Newton it was won by the Auburn football team,” Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik said during the ESPN post game interview.
“I felt it was a great game and the athletes from Auburn really changed the complexion of the game,” Lonny Lockett Jr. said.
James, the nation’s leading rusher was limited to his least productive game of the season by Fairley and the Auburn defense, rushing for only 49 yards on 13 carries.
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Lockett, a sophomore running back on the Florida A&M football team, thought although Auburn won the game, the gameplan for both teams provided the thrill that led to the 22-19 ball game.
Nick Fairley, Auburn’s defensive tackle and projected first round NFL draft pick provided numerous stops on LaMichael James and quarterback Deron Thomas.
Auburn fans can also thank freshman running back Michael Dyer and his knee that never touched the ground. With the clock at 2:08 in the fourth quarter and the game knotted at 19, Dyer collided with his would be tackler and bounced up on the other side to yells from Auburn’s sideline to ‘Keep running!’ Dyer rushes for 37 yards to position the Tigers for the win.