A 19-yard field goal by Wes Byrum, as time expired, won the game for the Tigers, with the final score 22–19.

[5] This marked the second time that the national championship under the BCS system was played in Arizona.

[6] It was also the first time that the BCS National Championship was streamed to a video game console, specifically the Xbox 360.

Casey Matthews had averaged 6.08 tackles per game for the Ducks, followed by Spencer Paysinger (5.7), Talmadge Jackson III (5.6) and John Boyett (5.6).

Quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton led the conference in rushing, pass efficiency, total offense, and scoring.

On the receiving end, Darvin Adams caught 48 passes for 909 yards (69.92 ypg) and 7 touchdowns.

[7][8] Selected in an NFL Draft (number corresponds to draft round) † = 2010 All-American Prior to the game a moment of silence was held for the victims of the shooting in Tucson, Arizona, two days before the game in which U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords was shot in the head and six others, including Federal Judge John Roll, were killed.

On the following drive after moving the ball to the Auburn 27, Thomas threw his second interception, this time to safety Zac Etheridge.

Oregon responded quickly with a four-play drive, ending with a touchdown reception by LaMichael James and added a two-point conversion to make the score 11-7.

The teams traded possession several times in the 4th quarter, until Oregon recovered a fumble on the Auburn 40-yard line with 5:05 left.

The drive included a run by Michael Dyer, in which he appeared to be tackled after 6-7 yards, but fell on top of defender Eddie Pleasant.

Since neither his knees nor the ball touched the ground, the Auburn sideline urged Dyer to continue after getting back up, and the Oregon defense finally tackled him after a 37-yard gain.