Auburn trailed Alabama by only three points at halftime on Saturday, but the Crimson Tide pulled away late for a 52-21 win over the Tigers.

After the loss, Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele took the blame while meeting with the media.

“I hurt for these guys and the Auburn family, because I know how much this game means to everybody involved with Auburn University,” Steele said, according to 247sports. “I am frustrated and disappointed. It’s on me. The first half we were right in the game and had been very effective in minimizing the run. We had gotten pressure on the quarterback and affected him. Then, the second half comes around.”

The Tigers ended the regular season with two losses in their last three games, falling to two of the top teams in the country — No. 1 Alabama and No. 5 Georgia.

The 52 points scored by Alabama were the most allowed by Auburn this season. The Crimson Tide had five touchdown passes in the second half, including four by Tua Tagovailoa.

“They won the one-on-one battles,” Steele told the media. “That’s on me. I take full responsibility.”