Iron Bowl Scores

Alabama leads the series 39-33-1.

2 schools + 1 state + 2 great football teams = BIG RIVALRY. This is what one gets in Alabama .  A 115 year rivalry that runs deeper than blood, where friends become enemies, and over whose victory business deals are made is what the Iron Bowl represents to Alabamians.

The Iron Bowl rightfully received its name from the town in which the series originated and where most of its games were played. Birmingham is known for its rich iron ore and steel industry, second only to Pittsburgh.

The first Iron Bowl game played took place on February 22, 1893 at Lakeview Baseball Park in Birmingham . Despite many rough years to come, Auburn walked away the victor of that game beating Alabama 32-22. This is where the disagreements and hostility began. Alabama considered this game to be the last game of the 1892 season, where Auburn considered it the first game of the 1893 season.  Even then, the two teams could not reach an agreement, which leads to 1907.

Alabama and Auburn went head to head for the last time until 1948. Shortly after the tied game of 1907, the two teams were combating off the field in negotiations over finances and setting a date. In 1908 the two teams tried to save the series. Alabama proposed a new contract for the match-up to Auburn , who accepted a compromise contract that ended up pleasing both teams. However, just like the Hatfields and McCoys, an agreement could not be made that easy. The only thing that remained was to set a date, but yet again, asking Bama and Auburn to agree on anything would take an act of congress. As a result, Auburn suggested four dates for the game to be played. By the time Alabama got back with Auburn two of the dates had passed, leaving two dates open: November 21 when Alabama was scheduled to play Haskell Institute, and the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 28th.  Wanting to honor its contract with Haskell Institute, Alabama could not cancel that game, and the Auburn Board of Trustees would not change their school policy prohibiting play after Thanksgiving. Despite several other efforts to mend the series in 1911 and 1944, and attempts by Alabama House of Representatives passing resolutions which encouraged the schools to resume the series and mend their differences, it was not until 1948 when the presidents of both schools were in a meeting and able to come to an agreement. December 4, 1948 marks the first game since the series was suspended. Bama wins in a shut-out 55-0.

From 1948-1988 all Iron Bowl games were played at Legion Field in Birmingham . During this time, Tiger fans felt that the Tide had home field advantage, explaining how Bama won 26 out of the 41 games. As a result of the injustice taking place, Auburn requested that the Iron Bowl be played at Jordan-Hare Stadium every other year. Auburn ’s request was granted and on December 2, 1989 they played their greatest game in Auburn history at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Tigers win 30-20!

The 1950’s and ‘60’s are what fans still talk about today. From the hiring of their most memorable and significant coaches, to SEC and National Championships, these two teams exemplified what a great rivalry is all about. After finishing the 1950 season as the worst team in the SEC, Auburn hired Ralph “Shug” Jordan as head coach. Even though the Tigers had a new coach, the Tide dominated the first half of the 50’s. Auburn soon put a stop to the Bama power house in 1954 with a final score of 28-0. Auburn ’s control over the series would not end there. They would continue to win the next 4 games against Alabama and the National Championship in 1957.  With the Tiger’s new coaching staff and power players, the Tide needed to do something.

In 1958 the Tide made their most important move in Bama history; they hired Paul “Bear” Bryant. In his second year as head coach, Bryant was able to put a stop to Auburn ’s winning streak with a score of 10-0.  In his 25 seasons as Bama’s head coach, Bryant showed his supremacy as a coach with an Iron Bowl series record of 19-6. Impressive. Bryant would also manage to lead the Tide to 6 National Championships and 13 SEC Championships. With the Tigers and Tide splitting the 50’s and fierce tension between Jordan and Bryant over the years, sports enthusiasts call the Bear/Shug rivalry the best rivalry yet.

Although Alabama seemed to be dominating the Iron Bowl, they faced a huge upset in 1972 known as the "Punt, Bama, Punt" game. Alabama came into the Iron Bowl undefeated and ranked number 2. Auburn was 9-1. Bama seemed to be controlling the game through the third quarter with a score of 16-0. It looked as if Bama was going to win. However, in the fourth quarter the tides changed. Bama went for a field goal only to have it blocked by Auburn ’s Bill Newton and returned for a 25 yard TD by David Langner. Again, Bama is forced to bring special teams on the field. And again, the punt was blocked and returned for a 20 yard Tiger TD. When the clock ran out, Auburn upset Bama 17-16.  Although, this momentum for the Tigers would not last as they would lose the next nine match-ups.

In need of a new coach, since Doug Barfield would never win against Alabama in his five years as head coach after Jordan retired, Auburn hired Pat Dye in 1981. Adding fuel to the fire, Pat Dye was Bryant’s former assistant coach. Although Dye lost his first Iron Bowl to Bryant, he would have a memorable next year as he defeated Bryant in his final season as Bama’s head coach, 23-22. After Bryant’s retirement and death, Ray Perkins took over as Alabama head coach. Even though Auburn lost by inches in ’84 and ’85 they would come back to win the next four meetings.

After several coaching changes on both teams’ parts, and Alabama still holding a slight lead in the series over Auburn , 1995 brought on some more controversy and heated up the rivalry. Alabama ’s Curtis Brown caught a pass in the end-zone only to have the catch called out-of-bounds leading Auburn to a 31-27 victory. This controversial call had Bama fans all over Alabama in a tizzy. As retaliation for the previous year’s loss, Alabama came out the winner in 1996 with a final score of 24-23. This game had fans on both sides sitting on the edge of their seats. With Alabama possessing a 17 point lead in the first half of the game, Auburn fans are praying for some big plays. As the game wore on, the Tigers scored the next 23 points. Auburn fans were to their feet with excitement. With one minute left on the clock, Bama scored and won the game 24-23. 

In 2000, Alabama brought the Iron Bowl to Tuscaloosa for the first time since 1901. With renovations adding seats to Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama was now able to seat enough fans to accommodate the Iron Bowl. It is just a shame Bama had to lose its first game back. But the Role Tide would not be kept down as they won the following year, despite the odds being stacked against them.

Not only do these two teams play for glory and bragging rights, but they also play for the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Award. Named after James E. Foy, Alabama alum and Auburn Dean of Students, and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society which was established on both campuses in the 1920’s, the trophy is presented to the winning team at halftime of the Alabama/Auburn basketball game. To make the festivities even more entertaining, the SGA president of the losing team must sing the rival’s fight song. These traditions permeate the entire communities from team colored hats and booties given out in the hospital during the week of the Iron Bowl to food drives between the schools.  The "Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger" food drive has the two schools vie to see who can raise the most money and food for charity (the winner is supposed to be the predicted winner of the game). Elementary schools even get involved with this by having Bama fans place their canned goods in one bin and Auburn fans placing theirs in another.

Whether it is a close game or a shut-out these two teams bring their heart and hatred to the field every year. Perhaps the greatest traditional intrastate rivalry to ever exist, the Iron Bowl only leaves one thing to the losing team, "next year."