The college football season ended in dramatic fashion Monday night. With 78,000 fans watching in the University of Arizona's stadium in Glendale, Ariz., and with millions watching the game on television, Auburn's Wes Byrum kicked a 19-yard field goal with no time left on the clock, lifting Auburn to a narrow 22 to 19 win over the Oregon Ducks.

It was a sweet moment of victory for the Auburn Tigers, who won their first national college football championship in 1957.

With the win, Auburn also became the fifth consecutive Southeastern Conference team to win the Bowl Championship Series title.

"Fifty-three years, baby!" coach Gene Chizik said to the cheering crowd. "This is for you. War Eagle!"

Auburn won The Associated Press national title as well, earning 56 of the 59 first-place votes. TCU was second and Oregon came in third.

The Ducks finished 12-1, three points shy of their first national title, but not making apologies for the effort they gave during the game.

"When it comes down to a field goal at the last second, you can always point to play here, a play there, but it really doesn't do much for you," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. "We're a forward-thinking operation, and we'll learn from this thing and move forward."