Two of College Football’s most depressing losses of all-time were Auburn’s fault

Thankfully, Auburn was on the right side of these two games.

The year is 2013, and Auburn has reached the SEC Championship, due in part to several breaks bending in their direction.

The first came on November 16 against Georgia. Auburn grabbed a 34-17 lead over the Bulldogs heading into the 4th quarter. Georgia would then catch momentum and score 21 unanswered points to take a 38-37 lead with 1:49 remaining.

On Auburn’s final drive of the game, they were stuck with a 4th and 18 situation from their own 27 yard line. Quarterback [autotag]Nick Marshall[/autotag] delivered a desperation pass down the field, where the football would be tipped by two Georgia defenders (one of those defenders, [autotag]Tray Matthews[/autotag], would finish his career at Auburn) and would land in the hands of [autotag]Ricardo Louis[/autotag]. Louis caught the pass in stride and ran into the end zone to stun the Bulldogs, who had almost completed a monumental comeback.

The second miracle that Auburn would receive came just two weeks later. Auburn and Alabama were tied at 28 in the 4th quarter. On the next to last play of the game, Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon stepped out of bounds as time expired. However, after instant replay review, it was determined that he stepped out of bounds with one-second remaining in the game.

That second would go on to be the most important second of the season, and maybe in college football history.

Alabama elected to kick a 57-yard field goal in hopes to break the tie, and to give Alabama the Iron Bowl win. But, fate wanted another outcome.

Adam Griffith of Alabama’s kick was just short, and allowed Chris Davis to return the kick. He zoomed down the field sparingly touched, and ended his dash in the end zone, where Auburn rose victorious over the Crimson Tide.

Those two finishes have special places in the hearts of Auburn fans, but not so much in the hearts of those on the other side.

Riley Gates of 247Sports recently ranked College Football’s 10 most depressing losses of all-time, with both “The Prayer at Jordan-Hare” and “The Kick Six” being listed.

Here is where each game is ranked on the list, as well as 247Sports’ reasoning behind placing the games where they did:

Steelers release three players

The Steelers release three players on Sunday to meet the 90-man roster limit.

The Steelers announced on Sunday that they have released three players: Running back Darrin Hall, wide receiver Jamal Custis, and safety Tray Matthews.

After signing 10 undrafted free agents on Saturday, the Steelers were at 93 on the roster. Cutting Hall, Custis, and Matthews brings their roster to the 90-man limit — for now.

Who will be next roster casualties as free agency rolls along?

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Former Georgia football HC Mark Richt offers opinions on CFB transfers

Mark Richt once declared that “life is too short” to prevent collegiate athletes from pursuing transfer options.

It’s an intriguing change of opinion, especially from a man who never blocked any of his players’ transfer waivers in his time as the University of Georgia’s head football coach.

Mark Richt once declared that “life is too short” to prevent collegiate athletes from pursuing transfer options.

While employed as Top Dawg in Athens, Richt allowed tailback J.J. Green to transfer to in-state foe and yearly opponent Georgia Tech. He allowed quarterback Nick Marshall and safety Tray Matthews to transfer to conference rival and fellow yearly opponent Auburn. Multiple others switched allegiances to teams the Bulldogs chance facing every season.

“If the kid wants to go…let him go wherever he wants to go.”

Along nearly fifteen years in Athens, Mark Richt held true to these statements.

That was until, early in his tenure as the Miami Hurricanes’ head coach, Richt blocked the transfer of tailback Gus Edwards. Edwards, a redshirt junior at the time, expressed his intention to transfer to Syracuse University to be closer to his family, which included his newborn child.

Syracuse is by no means a football powerhouse but, as with Miami, is aligned with the Atlantic Coast Conference. Richt may not have made the decision single handedly, but it was obvious that the overseers of his alma mater’s athletic department wanted no part in facing a talented former Cane in conference play.

Edwards transferred to Big Ten program Rutgers and has since maintained a two-year roster spot with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.

When this situation unfolded, I told myself that Richt’s hands were tied and his administrators were pulling all the strings. My opinion changed when he doubled down on his new viewpoint.

Sparking a conversation on collegiate athletes’ compensation, the former head coach was met by overwhelming criticism.

It’s a quicker turnaround in four years from Richt than the Hurricanes ever received.