7. Auburn 18 vs. Alabama 17 – Nov. 22, 1997
How I Remember It: I watched this game at an RV that was parked by the tennis courts (now the outdoor pools). I’m not sure who the guy was that owned it, but he was a mean, old man. My dad was there and I think one of my brothers was as well.
The game was a little rough for a while, putting the mean, old man in a worse mood. Even better, he wanted to listen to the Auburn Network broadcast instead of listening to the tv announcers. The only problem was that the radio was good 3-4 seconds ahead of the tv, so we were hearing the play before we saw it. A few people brought it up, causing the old man to tell them it was his TV and if they didn’t like it they would leave.
A little while later, a few Bammers walked up behind everyone and started watching the game. When Alabama had a good play or Auburn had a bad one, they would cheer. How do you think the old man took that? Yeah, he pretty much tried to fight two men half his age, saying they couldn’t watch his TV because they were Bammers. I had found a new hero.
Everything was all better when Alabama fumbled and Jaret Holmes kicked the game winning field goal to give Auburn the one point victory and the SEC West Championship. The only real visual memory of this game that I have happened just after Holmes’s kick went through. I looked over at my dad and he had a look of shock and bewilderment saying “HE MADE IT! HE MADE IT!”
After the game was over, I went to the stadium and walked right in. I saw the players tear down the goalposts and send it into the crowd. As the goalposts made their way up to the top of the lower bowl, the stadium announcer, Carl Stevens, had to ask the students not to throw it over the edge.
It was a so-so performance by an Auburn team that should have blown out Alabama, but the fireworks at the RV held me over until the awesome ending.
What Really Happened: Auburn came into this game ranked #13 in the nation with a 8-2 (5-2) record. Alabama was in their first year with Mike Dubose at the helm and had a 4-6 (2-5) record.
As always in the Iron Bowl, the records and rankings didn’t matter, and as cliche as that idea has become, it always seems to hold true. Alabama held a 17-6 lead going into the 4th quarter, but Dameyune Craig led the Tigers on two scoring drives that ended in a touchdown, with a failed 2-point conversion, and a field goal.
The score was 17-15 and Alabama had the ball, needing to get a first down or two to drain the clock and win the game. However, on a very questionable play-call, the Tide ran a screen pass that was caught and then fumbled by fullback Ed Scissum. The Tigers recovered the kick in Alabama territory, giving Jaret Holmes a chance to make the game-winning field goal.
We all know he made it, and the rest is history.
Why did I pick this game? Auburn beating a 4-win team by a field goal at the end wouldn’t normally make any sort of positive list, but that team was Alabama, and that field goal sent Auburn to the SEC championship. On those factors alone, this game definitely has to be in the top 10 games.
Fun (well not so fun) Fact: The win sent Auburn to it’s first SEC Championship Game appearance, a 30-28 loss to Peyton Manning and Tennessee.
Play of the Game: Obviously Jaret Holmes’s 39-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining to beat the Tide takes this one.
Player of the Game: Win the game and you get to be called the Player of the Game. Here’s to you Mr. Holmes.
Quote of the Game: “It was one for the record books, one for the museum. It was the best kind of win that we could have hoped for in this kind of traditional game.” – Terry Bowden
Game Story: AP
The Fumble and the Kick:
The rest of the Top 30:
8. Auburn 18 vs. Florida 17 – Oct. 14, 2006
9. Alabama 26 vs. Auburn 21 – Nov. 27, 2009
10. Auburn 41 vs. West Virginia 30 – Sept. 19, 2009
11. Auburn 28 vs. Alabama 21 – Nov. 19, 2005
12. Auburn 10 vs. Florida 7 – Nov. 4, 1989
13. Auburn 28 vs. Tennessee 21 – Oct. 4, 2003
14. Georgia 56 vs. Auburn 49 – Nov. 16, 1996
15. Auburn 7 vs. LSU 3 – Sept. 16, 2006
16. Auburn 20 vs Florida State 17 – Oct. 20, 1990
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
3 comments
This was my first Iron Bowl. It will forever remain in my heart as the most exciting game I’ve ever witnessed at JH stadium.
My first Iron Bowl as a student, in the student section. I cried, lost my voice, and chewed off every one of my finger nails. I will never forget how cold and wet I was, and how excited I was to be there.
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