Advertisement

The 5 greatest moments that defined the Iron Bowl

The Iron Bowl is one of — if not the greatest — rivalry in college football. Fans irrationally discuss the game year-round as it’s a topic of conversation that dictates the mood of a state.

Here are five of the greatest moments that have defined the Iron Bowl throughout history:

5. “Run in the Mud” – Alabama 7, Auburn 3
Dec. 2, 1967, Legion Field

With Alabama trailing Auburn 3-0 in a torrential downpour at Legion Field, quarterback Ken Stabler made one of the most memorable plays in Crimson Tide history — that would later be documented as a Daniel Moore painting — when he broke away for a 53-yard touchdown run. The grass field was clumpy and muddy, but he sprinted steady and clinched a 7-3 victory.

4. “Bo over the Top” – Auburn 23, Alabama 22
Nov. 27, 1982, Legion Field

(Photo courtesy of Auburn University)

(Photo courtesy of Auburn University)

Alabama was riding a 9-game Iron Bowl winning streak, but this year was different because Auburn had a freshman named Bo Jackson.

The Tigers trailed 22-17 late in the fourth quarter, and faced fourth-and-goal. Everyone knew who was getting the ball in this situation. Quarterback Randy Campbell handed off to Jackson, who leaped on top of the Crimson Tide defense and stretched the ball over the goal line for a touchdown to cap a 66-yard game-winning drive.

3. “The Drive” – Alabama 26, Auburn 21
Nov. 27, 2009, Jordan-Hare Stadium

(USA TODAY Sports)

(USA TODAY Sports)

Some might say this was the game that started Alabama’s dynasty run, as a loss would have derailed the Tide’s 2009 BCS Championship hopes.

It was expected that an undefeated Alabama team would beat 7-4 Auburn and this wouldn’t be a classic by any means. But the Tigers lead throughout. Until Alabama’s 7-minute, 15-play, 80-yard fourth quarter drive.

Julio Jones made four catches and quarterback Greg McElroy had critical throws on third down, including a four-yard pass to Roy Upchurch for the game-winning touchdown with 1:24 to play. On Auburn’s final chance, Chris Todd’s pass into the end zone was swatted down by Rolando McClain. Alabama went on to beat No. 1 Florida in the SEC title game, and No. 2 Texas in the national championship at the Rose Bowl.

2. “The Camback” – Auburn 28, Alabama 27
Nov. 26, 2010, Bryant-Denny Stadium

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Was there anything Alabama could have loathed more than Cam Newton running around Bryant-Denny stadium with his hand clasped over his mouth mocking stunned Crimson Tide fans?

Alabama blew a 24-point lead and watched Newton — who would go onto win the Heisman Trophy and a national title — celebrate on its turf. With the Tide up 21-0 after the first quarter, things started to unravel. On the first possession of the second quarter, Mark Ingram — who rarely lost the ball — fumbled after a 41-yard completion. Auburn’s Antoine Carter punched the ball out of the running back’s hands and Demond Washington recovered it in the end zone.

Another key moment in the Tigers comeback was when Newton found Terrell Zachary, who got around injured safety Mark Barron, for a 70-yard touchdown to make the score 24-14. After the game, then-offensive coordinator and now-head coach Gus Malzahn said that touchdown was the point when Auburn knew they were going to win the game.

1. “Kick Six” – Auburn 34, Alabama 28
Nov. 30, 2013, Jordan-Hare Stadium

(John Reed-USA TODAY Sports)

(John Reed-USA TODAY Sports)

The game is tied 28-28 when T.J. Yeldon bursts 23 yards and gets out of bounds at the Auburn-39. The clock hits triple zeroes. It’s the end of regulation. Except after further review, one second is put back on the clock and Nick Saban decides to play for the win.

Rather than put in starting kicker Cade Foster — who missed two field goals and had another one blocked — Saban opts for redshirt freshman Adam Griffith to make a 57-yarder and send Alabama to the SEC Championship, and maybe the national championship after that. The snap is good, but the kick falls short, right into Auburn cornerback Chris Davis’ arms. He runs 109 yards for a touchdown and a Tigers 34-28 victory, and is promptly swarmed by his teammates and nearly 90,000 adoring fans.

The state of Alabama — and college football — is completely shocked.

More College Football