Auburn wins SEC championship

ATLANTA — Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell won’t be wearing a tuxedo in New York City next week when the Downtown Athletic Club hands out the Heisman Trophy.

He may not win any other awards given to the nation’s top quarterback.

But there’s not another quarterback who has meant as much to his team as Campbell.

Campbell threw for a career-high 374 yards and three touchdowns to deliver Auburn its first Southeastern Conference championship in 15 years. In garnering most valuable player honors, Campbell guided Auburn to a 38-28 win over Tennessee on Saturday night at the Georgia Dome.

“That says it all. Anytime you give up that many yards, you’re going to lose,” Tennessee linebacker Kevin Burnett said of Campbell’s performance.

Campbell, who accounted for 431 yards of total offense, waved an Auburn flag in front of the fans, while Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville ran through the end zone, inciting the crowd. Auburn players Mayo Sowell, Travis Williams, Stanley McClover and Travis Williams climbed into the stands with the fans, many of whom threw oranges onto the field.

Auburn fans want a berth in the national championship game in the Orange Bowl, but the Tigers don’t control their destiny.

Now, the Tigers’ fate rests in the hands of coaches and media members who vote in the two polls which comprise the bulk of the Bowl Championship Series rankings. The Tigers are ranked third in the standings behind No. 1 Southern California and No. 2 Oklahoma.

Both the Associated Press and coaches polls will be released today, along with the final BCS rankings. Trailing in the computer portion of the standings, the Tigers could only leapfrog the Sooners if they are voted second both polls.

Southern California struggled to beat rival UCLA, but the Sooners rolled over Colorado in the Big 12 championship. The Tigers likely will remain third and represent the SEC in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 3.

Tennessee quarterback Rick Clausen sits firmly in Auburn’s corner.

“If you go 12-0 in the SEC, how do you not get a shot to play for the national championship?” asked Clausen.

Auburn (12-0) found out just how hard it is to beat a team twice as Tennessee (9-3) proved up for the challenge. Auburn rolled out to two quick touchdowns, but miscues allowed Tennessee to reel in the Tigers.

Auburn proved its mettle, however, with two key drives late in the game after Tennessee rallied to tie the game at 21.

Clausen tossed a 17-yard touchdown pass following an Auburn turnover, then an 80-yard scamper by the Vols’ Gerald Riggs Jr. tied the game and shocked the Auburn faithful into silence.

Campbell never wavered, however. Facing a third-and-10 from his 15, Campbell dumped a 19-yard pass to Ronnie Brown for a first down and Auburn didn’t look back. Campbell led Auburn on an 85-yard drive, capping it with a 53-yard scoring pass to Devin Aromashodu.

Auburn defense entered the game having given up only one rushing touchdown, but Tennessee — behind Riggs, who rushed for 186 yards and two scores — rolled for three. The Tigers gave up more than double their season average of 95 yards rushing, but came up with the big stop when needed.