Iron Bowl

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Iron Bowl
Teams	Alabama Crimson Tide Auburn Tigers
Originated	February 22, 1893
Series	Alabama leads 39–33–1
Largest Victory	Alabama 55, Auburn 0 December 4, 1948
Highest Scoring Game	Auburn 49, Alabama 26 November 29, 1969
Lowest Scoring Game	Alabama 3, Auburn 0 November 26, 1960
Most Recent Game	Alabama 36, Auburn 0 November 29, 2008
Alabama (39)	Auburn (33)
1894 1903 1905 1906 1948 1950 1951 1952 1953 1959 1960 1961 1962 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1971 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1984 1985 1990 1991 1992 1994 1996 1998 1999 2001 2008	1893 (Feb. & Nov.) 1895 1900 1901 1902 1904 1949 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1963 1969 1970 1972 1982 1983 1986 1987 1988 1989 1993 1995 1997 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Ties (1)
1907

The Iron Bowl is a common name for the annual college football game between the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn University Tigers. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports.^[1][2] As the rivalry was mainly played in Birmingham for many years, the name of the Iron Bowl comes from Birmingham's historic role in the iron and steel industry of which its only rival was the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.^[3]

Alabama leads the series with a 39–33–1 overall record. In 2008 Alabama broke Auburn's six year winning streak with a 36–0 shutout.

The games are played at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa every even-numbered year, and at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn every odd-numbered year. For much of the twentieth century the game was played every year at Legion Field in Birmingham. Alabama has a 32-15 record in games played at Legion Field, while Auburn has a 7-2 record in games played at Jordan-Hare Stadium and a 4-1 record in games played at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

In 2007, the game was pushed back to Thanksgiving weekend.

Due to a contract between the SEC and CBS Sports, the 2009 and 2010 Iron Bowls will be played on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The 2009 game will be the sixth Iron Bowl to be played on a Friday and the first in 21 years. ^[4]

[edit] History

Alabama and Auburn played their first football game in Lakeview Park in Birmingham, Alabama, on February 22, 1893. Auburn (then named the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama) won 32–22, before an estimated crowd of 2,000. As if a signal of the future, disagreement between the schools began immediately as Alabama considered the game to be the final matchup of the 1892 season and Auburn recorded it as the first of 1893.

Tensions further built when, after both 1906 and 1907 contests, Auburn head coach Mike Donahue threatened to cancel the series if Alabama head coach "Doc" Pollard continued employing his elaborate formations and shifts.^[5] The series was indeed suspended after the 1907 game when the schools could not come to agreement over the amount of expenses to be paid players, as well as from where officials for the game should be obtained.^[6]

In 1947 the Alabama House of Representatives passed a resolution encouraging the schools to "make possible the inauguration of a full athletic program between the two schools".^[7] Ralph B. Draughon, the president of Auburn (then named the Alabama Polytechnic Institute), and Alabama president John Gallalee decided during the winter and spring of 1948 to end the disagreement and renew the series. The games would be played in Birmingham because it had the largest stadium in the state, 44,000-seat Legion Field, and the tickets would be split evenly between the two schools. Alabama won the first game when the series renewed 55-0, the most lopsided victory of the series.^[8][9]

By 1980 the series had come to be called the Iron Bowl, due to Birmingham's prominence as a center of iron and steel production. Throughout the 1980s, Auburn made additions to Jordan-Hare Stadium, and in 1987, it eclipsed Legion Field in size. Auburn desired to make the Iron Bowl a "home-and-home" series, and the schools reached an agreement where Auburn could play their home games for the Iron Bowl in Auburn starting in 1989 (except for the 1991 game, which was played at Legion Field), and Alabama would have a "home" ticket allocation for games in Legion Field. On December 2, 1989, Alabama came to Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time in the history of the rivalry. A sellout crowd would witness Auburn win its first true "home" game of the series, 30–20 over an Alabama team that entered the game unbeaten and ranked #2 in the country.

Alabama continued to hold their home game at Legion Field. In 1998, Alabama expanded Bryant-Denny Stadium to a capacity of 83,818, exceeding Legion Field by a few hundred. Alabama moved their home games in the series to Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2000. A new attendance record for the Iron Bowl was set in 2006 as the latest expansion to Bryant-Denny Stadium increased its capacity to 92,138.

[edit] Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Award

The trophy given to the winner of the game is the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Award. It is named after James E. Foy, an Alabama graduate and former Auburn dean of students and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society – which was established on both campuses during the 1920s. The Foy Trophy is presented at halftime of the Auburn–Alabama basketball game later in the same academic year at the winner's coliseum. After the trophy presentation, the SGA President of the losing school must recite his or her adversary's fight song.

[edit] Notable moments

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2008)

1964 - The Iron Bowl was first broadcast nationally on November 26, 1964. Joe Namath led Alabama to a 21–14 victory over Auburn, and Alabama would go on to win its eighth national championship.

1967 – The Run in The Mud - On a night at Legion Field where thunderstorms were so bad that the field had to be constantly cleared of raincoats and other wet weather accessories that blew in from the stands, Alabama quarterback Kenny Stabler ran for a 53 yard touchdown to give Bama a 7–3 win.^[10]

1971 - Both teams were playing for a shot at the national championship against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. 10-0 Alabama (#4 AP) earned a 31-7 victory over Heisman trophy winner Pat Sullivan and 9-0 Auburn (AP #5).

1972 – Punt Bama Punt - Trailing 16–3 with six minutes left, underdog Auburn blocked two Alabama punts - returning both for touchdowns - to win the game 17–16, handing Alabama its first loss of the season and ending its national title hopes.

1981 – 315 - Alabama Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant got his 315th career victory, passing Amos Alonzo Stagg to become the then-all-time winningest Division I-A coach in a 28–17 win over Auburn.

1982 – Bo Over the Top - Auburn drove the field and scored with two minutes left when Bo Jackson jumped over the top of the pile on the one yard line. Auburn won the game 23–22. It ended Alabama's 9 game winning streak, the longest in the rivalry's history. It would be Coach Bear Bryant's last Iron Bowl.

1985 – Van Tiffin's Kick - At their own 12-yard line and trailing 23-22 with only 37 seconds remaining, Alabama quarterback Mike Shula and the Tide offense drove to the Auburn 35-yard line to set up a 52-yard field goal by Van Tiffin, winning the game 25–23 as time expired.

1989 - In the first game ever played in Auburn, the Tigers beat #2 and previously unbeaten Alabama 30–20.

1993 - Auburn defeats Alabama in a radio-only game, sealing their perfect record for the season.

1994 - 10-0 Alabama (#3 AP) defeated 9–0–1 Auburn (#6 AP) 21–14 in a matchup of undefeated teams, snapping Auburn's 21-game unbeaten streak.

1997 - After Auburn recovered a fumble on a screen pass that would have resulted in a first down and seal an Alabama victory, Jaret Holmes nails a 39 yard field goal with 21 seconds left to lift Auburn over Alabama 18-17.

1999 - Alabama gets their first win ever at Auburn, 28–17.

2004 - Undefeated Auburn (#3 AP) rebounds from a 6-0 deficit at halftime in Bryant-Denny Stadium to defeat Alabama 21-13, capping a perfect regular season and a spot in the SEC Championship Game against Tennessee.

2008 – The Beatdown in T-town^[11] - Alabama ends Auburn's streak of six consecutive victories with a 36-0 win. It was also Alabama's first Iron Bowl victory in Tuscaloosa, ending a six-game losing streak in Tuscaloosa and a four-game losing streak in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

[edit] Game results

Since 1893, the Crimson Tide and Tigers have played 73 times. Alabama leads the all-time series, with 39 wins to Auburn's 33, with one tie.^[12] The game has been played in four cities: Auburn, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. Alabama leads the series in Birmingham (34–18–1). Auburn leads the series in Tuscaloosa (6–1–0) and Auburn (7–2–0). The series is tied in Montgomery (2–2–0).

Alabama victories are shaded ██ crimson. Auburn victories shaded in ██ blue.

[edit] See also

• List of NCAA college football rivalry games
• Magic City Classic - the black college equivalent, between Alabama A&M and Alabama State. also played in Birmingham for many years

[edit] References

[edit] Sources

• Groom, Winston. The Crimson Tide - An Illustrated History. Tuscaloosa: The University of Alabama Press, 2000. ISBN 0-8173-1051-7-.

[edit] External links

• Iron Bowl article in the Encyclopedia of Alabama

v • d • e Alabama Crimson Tide Football All-time Record 799–316–43 (.709) Head Coaches Beaumont • Abbott • Wagonhurst • McCants • Martin • Griffin • Harvey • Blount • Leavenworth • Pollard • Lowman • Graves • Kelly • Scott • Wade • Thomas • Drew • Whitworth • Bryant • Perkins • Curry • Stallings • DuBose • Franchione • Price • Shula • Saban (current) Seasons 1892 • 1893 • 1894 • 1895 • 1896 • 1897 • 1898 • 1899 • 1900 • 1901 • 1902 • 1903 • 1904 • 1905 • 1906 • 1907 • 1908 • 1909 • 1910 • 1911 • 1912 • 1913 • 1914 • 1915 • 1916 • 1917 • 1918 • 1919 • 1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1937 • 1938 • 1939 • 1940 • 1941 • 1942 • 1943 • 1944 • 1945 • 1946 • 1947 • 1948 • 1949 • 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 Rivalries Iron Bowl • Third Saturday in October • Alabama–LSU rivalry • Alabama–Ole Miss rivalry • Alabama–Mississippi State rivalry National Championships (12) 1925 • 1926 • 1930 • 1934 • 1941 • 1961 • 1964 • 1965 • 1973 • 1978 • 1979 • 1992 Conference Championships (25) 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1930 • 1933 • 1934 • 1937 • 1945 • 1953 • 1961 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1981 • 1989 • 1992 • 1999 Stadiums Denny Field • Bryant-Denny Stadium • Legion Field (Birmingham) Culture & Tradition 1926 Rose Bowl • Bear Bryant • Paul W. Bryant Museum • Million Dollar Band • Big Al National Championships: 12 • Conference Championships: 25 • All-Americans: 96

v • d • e Auburn University Academics History of Auburn University Publications: Southern humanities review Athletics Auburn Tigers • Football • Men's Basketball • Swimming and Diving Rivalries: Iron Bowl • Deep South's Oldest Rivalry • Tiger Bowl Facilities: Jordan-Hare Stadium • Samford Stadium-Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park • Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum • Planned Arena People: Nell Fortner • Jay Jacobs • Jeff Lebo • Richard Quick • Gene Chizik Campus Main: Auburn University Chapel • Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art • Donald E. Davis Arboretum • Old Rotation • Samford Hall • Langdon Hall Other: Auburn University Montgomery • Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport • Rural Studio Student life Auburn University Marching Band • WEGL • The Auburn Plainsman • Notable Auburn University People • Ask Foy Traditions Aubie • Tiger Walk • Toomer's Corner • War Eagle Outreach Alabama Cooperative Extension System

v • d • e The University of Alabama Schools and Colleges College of Arts and Science • Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration • College of Communication and Information Sciences • College of Education • College of Engineering • College of Human Environmental Sciences • Capstone College of Nursing • School of Social Work • School of Law • College of Community Health Sciences • College of Continuing Studies People Julia Tutwiler • Amelia Gayle Gorgas • George Wallace • George H. Denny • Robert E. Witt • Alabama Alumni Places Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library • Gorgas House • Little Round House • Maxwell Hall • Strode House • Denny Chimes • Ferguson Center • University of Alabama Arboretum • UA Moundville Archaeological Park • Paul W. Bryant Museum • Tuscaloosa Athletics Football • Men's Basketball • Baseball • Gymnastics • Softball • Women's Basketball • Golf • Tennis • Soccer • Volleyball • Track & Field Rivalries: Iron Bowl • Third Saturday in October • Alabama–LSU rivalry • Alabama–Ole Miss rivalry Facilities: Bryant-Denny Stadium • Coleman Coliseum • Sewell-Thomas Stadium • Foster Auditorium • Alabama Softball Complex People: Nick Saban • Anthony Grant • Mal Moore • Paul "Bear" Bryant • Joe Namath • Kenny Stabler • Bart Starr Broadcasting Alabama Public Radio • WVUA-CA • WVUA-FM Organizations & Traditions Million Dollar Band • Big Al • The Crimson White • CrimsonRide • Traditions Affiliations University of Alabama System • UAB School of Medicine • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools • Oak Ridge Associated Universities • Southeastern Conference • National Collegiate Athletic Association Endowment: $777.1 million • Students: 27,052 • Faculty: 1,122