Auburn scored a HUG TOUCHDOWN on Alabama, with a lineman carrying Kerryon Johnson into the end zone

It’s allowed!

Auburn took a 20-14 lead on Alabama in the third quarter of Saturday’s crucial Iron Bowl game. Tigers running back Kerryon Johnson plunged in from a yard out for a touchdown, but this wasn’t just any touchdown. It was a HUG TOUCHDOWN.

Auburn lineman Darius James basically scored this touchdown with Johnson serving as the football. Alabama’s hellacious front got enough push to stack up Johnson just inside the 1-yard line, but James wrapped him up in a colossal bear hug and fell backward into the end zone — almost choke-holding his own teammate in the process. Johnson’s body came down in the end zone, and he looked hurt afterward.

(Johnson had taken a hit to the head just before this play.)

Johnson has emerged down the stretch this season as a dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate. He’s been churning against the Tide defense, which doesn’t hurt his case. Tim Tebow already said Johnson is No. 2 on his ballot.

Longer video of this play: