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Iron Bowl Matchup: Alabama's Jonathan Allen vs Auburn's Alex Kozan
To help prepare for Saturday’s 81st annual Iron Bowl, BamaHammer.com will spotlight a critical Iron Bowl Matchup each day. Today’s matchup is Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen vs. Auburn offensive lineman Alex Kozan.
To help prepare for Saturday’s 81st annual Iron Bowl, BamaHammer.com will spotlight a critical Iron Bowl Matchup each day. Today’s matchup is Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen vs. Auburn offensive lineman Alex Kozan.
Allen has been a force for one of the nation’s top-ranked units, anchoring the Crimson Tide’s defensive line. Providing consistent pressure from his end spot, he has collected a team-high 13 quarterback hurries and has made seven sacks (-55 yards). He has also added 9.5 tackles for loss (-70 yards) as part of his 46 tackles on the season.
The senior lineman, who was named a Bednarik Award finalist this week, has returned a team-leading two fumble recoveries for 105 combined yards and two touchdowns. For his career, Allen has totaled 25 career sacks to place him second on the Tide’s all-time list behind former Crimson Tide standout and NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas.
Kozan is a three-year returning starter at left guard for Auburn and has played in and started 38 games. Kozan, who received his bachelor’s degree in May, 2015, was named a co-SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in October. As a unit, Auburn is the best rushing team in the SEC – averaging 297.8 yards per game.
The Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers will meet for the 81st time in series history Saturday (2:30 pm CT, CBS), with Alabama owning the all-time advantage, 44-35-1. Most recently, the Tide claimed a 29-13 victory in Auburn to clinch the SEC Western Division title and close out the 2015 regular season schedule.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 8-6 in his career against Auburn, including a 6-3 overall mark while with the Crimson Tide and a 3-1 record at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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