Auburn Vs. Oregon: Michael Dyer Emerges From BCS Championship As A Star

Before the BCS Championship, the focus was on Cam Newton. Auburn’s offense, it was said, was all Newton, all the time. Yet with the game on the line, and Newton hobbled, the Tigers turned to a true freshman to bring home the BCS National Championship. First-year running back Michael Dyer, not Newton, was the star of the show and, perhaps, gave us a glimpse of what’s to come for the Tigers.

Dyer finished the night with 143 yards on 22 carries, an eye-popping 6.5 yards per carry average, to lead all rushers. His 37-yard run, with time running down and the game on the line, clinched the game for the Tigers and will go down in Auburn lore. After a moment of confusion, unsure if he had been tackled or not, Dyer took off down the field, putting the Tigers in position to kick the game-winning field goal.

Even after putting them in position to win, Dyer made sure the game-winning field goal was nothing more than a chip-shot. On third and four from the Oregon 16, Dyer rumbled to the one-yard line. A Cam Newton kneel followed by a 19-yard Wes Byrum field goal and the Tigers were the BCS champions.

If you’re looking for a hero in the BCS Championship, it has to be Dyer. In a game that saw both high-powered offenses struggle, it was his rushing attack that allowed the Auburn Tigers to wear-down the Oregon defense, setting up that game-winning drive. With Dyer in the backfield, the Tigers have a foundation to build off, no matter if Cam Newton stays or declares for the NFL Draft.