16. Auburn 20 vs. Florida State 17 – Oct. 20, 1990
How I Remember It: I don’t. I was just told this one was good enough to be on the list, and after doing a little research, I agree.
What Really Happened: Auburn came into the game with a 4-0-1 record and ranked 5th in the nation. The tie was to Tennessee which made 24th on the list. Florida State was 4-1 and ranked 7th.
Auburn took an early 7-0 lead late in the 1st quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run. However, Florida State scored 17 points in the 2nd quarter alone to go into the half with the 17-7 lead.
Auburn would add a field goal by Jim Von Wyl in the 3rd quarter to go into the 4th down seven points.
For some reason, with a 7-point lead the Seminoles tried a fumblerooski, but were unsuccessful as Auburn fell on the ball before the Florida State lineman had a chance to pick it up.
Auburn running back, Stacy Danley, scored the tying touchdown with 3:47 left to play. Florida State would drive down to the Auburn 37-yard line, but on 4th and 5, Seminole quarterback, Casey Weldon, was sacked for a 22-yard loss with 1:04 to play.
The Tigers then drove down to the 21-yard line where Von Wyl kicked the game winning field goal as time expired.
Fun Fact: Miami (#2) and Tennessee (#3) both lost that day and the Tigers jumped to #2 in the nation in the polls. The win also gave Auburn sole possession of 1st place in the SEC.
Why did I pick this game? Like I said, I didn’t remember this game. I should have, but I guess I had a tree to climb or something. When I went back and read about it, though, there was no way I could leave it off the list. A top-10 battle going down to a last second field goal with a bonehead play call to allow a comeback that vaulted the Tigers to #2 in the nation? Yeah, that’s pretty big.
Play of the Game: The failed fumblerooski was big, but the last second field goal won it, so I’ll give it to the kick.
Player of the Game: Jim Von Wyl kicked two field goals, including the game winner. Plus, he has an awesome name.
Notes: Box Score | Auburn Game Program Cover
The rest of the Top 30:
17. Auburn 28 vs. Alabama 23 – Nov. 22, 2003
18. Auburn 29 vs. Georgia 26 – Nov. 11, 2000
19. Auburn 38 vs. Arkansas – Oct. 16, 2004
20. LSU 26 vs. Auburn 21 – Sept. 20, 2008
21. Georgia 19 vs. Auburn 14 – Nov. 13, 1982
22. Auburn 17 vs. Alabama 10 – Nov. 24, 2007
23. Auburn 33 vs. Ole Miss 20 – Oct. 31, 2009
24. Auburn 26 vs. Tennessee 26 – Sept. 29, 1990
25. Auburn 31 vs. LSU 7 – Oct. 26, 2002
26. Auburn 27 vs. Florida State 24 – Oct. 1, 1983
27. Ole Miss 24 vs. Auburn 20 – Nov. 8, 2003
28. Auburn 24 vs. Georgia 6 – Nov. 13, 2004
29. Auburn 55 vs. Pacific 0 – Sept. 9, 1989
30. Auburn 37 vs. Syracuse 34 – Sept. 28, 2002
5 comments
The coolest part of the game was after the win our band played the war chant and the whole stadium did the tomahawk chop.
[…] 16. Auburn 20 vs Florida State 17 – Oct. 20, 1990 […]
To explain why the band did that, the previous year in Tallahassee the Marching Chiefs played Rocky Top (who had beaten Auburn already), our fight song (out of key) and then the War Chant as the Tigers left the field.
I think the play of the game was the sack on fourth down. I’m not sure AU could have driven far enough to get the game-winning kick without the 22 yd loss.
The sack was without a doubt the play of the game!