In what turned out to be a surprising, defensive struggle, the Auburn Tigers brought home their first national title in 53 years with a 22-19 last second victory over the Oregon Ducks in Glendale, Ariz.

The game came down to a last second field goal by senior kicker Wes Byrum to give the Tigers the edge.

The kick, Selma native and Auburn fan Mike Reynolds said, was a breath of fresh air after years of close calls.

“War Eagle!” he said. “This is something we’ve been waiting for since 1957. It’s been a long time. Toomer’s Corner will never be the same.”

In taking that same spirit, Selma native and Auburn fan Jay Minter decided to bring Toomer’s Corner — and the tradition of throwing toilet paper into a tree — to his home at the corner of Crescent Hill Road and Old Orrville Road.

“This is just our way of celebrating (the win),” he said as he tossed toilet paper into a tree in his front yard.

In only his second year, Auburn head coach Gene Chizik led the Tigers to their first Southeaestern Conference championship in six years and first national title in more than five decades. However, Chizik gave his team and the Auburn fanbase all the credit.

“Well I can’t be more blessed to be a part of this team and this program,” he said following the win. “Our players were outstanding. They worked their rear end off all month long. This is for Auburn fans and the Auburn family. I love everybody.”

With the clock winding down, Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton said there was never any doubt the team would prevail.

“Everybody was just staying calm,” he said. “We’ve been through this before. We just needed to execute the play coach was calling and stay calm.”

Throughout the year, Chizik said, the team had many close calls. The games, he said, showed the resilience of this team.

“We been there so many times we just got to line up and do what we do,” he said. “The Auburn Tigers came through and I love these guys.”

Newton said even during the tough times his team never lost faith. In the end, he said, that attitude paid huge dividends.

“Anything is possible,” he said. “We’re smiling right now saying we did it.”