Brief Iron Bowl Summary

Well, I predicted it earlier in the year when it did not appear very likely. However, I must say, it still was not exactly what I thought. I actually thought UA would continue to be pretty good, and AU would improve greatly as the year progressed. However, what seemed to happen is that both teams were up and down all year and by the end of the year, AU was basically average, and UA was on a downward spiral. After the game I refered to it as the "Clash of the Mediocre", although mediocre might be a stretch for the Bama team that finished with four straight losses including La Monroe.....LA MONROE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have one word to describe this game....BORING. It was very boring. No really great plays. No memorable performances by either team or any individual player. Not much scoring but I do not believe this was because there were two great defensive performances but more because neither team has much offense.

Trying to look at it from an unbiased fan perspective, the Iron Bowl definitely hit a peak during the years 1981-1986. These games were all classic and were split 3-3. Both teams were good during several of these years.

1981 - Bear wins number 315 breaking the then record for most wins. AU had new coach Pat Dye who had them playing much tougher than in years past, but with limited talent and depth. AU played hard and actually led in the fourth Quarter. Bryant put in troubled running back Lenny Patrick who made some of the most incredible runs I'v ever seen to bring Bama the victory. 28-17.

1982 - Dye has AU competitive finally, Freshman running back Bo Jackson is starting to make waves, and Bama with Bear in his last year, is staring to show signs of weakening. A last minute drive that included a pass interference penalty against Jeremiah Castille, a screen to Bo that was stopped at the goal line, and the famous "Bo over the Top" winning TD. AU 23-22.

1983 - Dye's best year. Bo's best game ever. Some 230 yards including a TD run of 70+ yds. Later, a Bama back whose name escapes me had a long TD run giving the Tide a lead. On the first AU play from scrimmage after this, Bo runs around left end for 70+ yards again. By the end of the game the weather was horrendous with rain falling sideways in Legion Field and Tornado WARNINGS in the immediate area. AU 23-20.

1984 Ray Perkins first year and Bama is 4-6 coming in. AU (7-3) started the year with two tough losses to Miami and Texas, then a loss to Florida later in the year. AU was favored by everyone. UA played their game of the year, holding AU all game. A late drive by AU ended on a controversial play. With the greatest running back in the nation at the time in the backfield, AU tossed it to the other halfback, Brnet Fullwood. Supposedly, Bo, who was suppose to block, went the wrong way, leaving the Fullwood unprotected. He was tackled for a loss. Apparently, there was confusion on the sideline, and Bo was late getting into the huddle. When he came in, the QB gave him the wrong play - sending him in the opposite direction than the play went. AU had another late drive and kicked a last second field goal which was wide wide wide. Bama won 17-15. (Incidently, the FG kicker then left AU, went to Florida, and beat AU on a field goal the next year. Irony of Ironies!)

1985 Back and forth game. Long TD run by Bama's Gene Jelks. Late AU rally puts them up 23-22 with less than a minute left. Bama QB and later coach Mike Shula led Bama down the field quickly, hitting Bell on a crossing pattern to set up a long field goal. The fifty-two yarder by Van Tiffin would have been good from the next county. All time grat moment for UA. 25-23.

1986 Bama led 17-7 late. AU began making a comeback. At 17-14 with time running out, AU QB Jeff Burger hit Trey Gainous on a fourth down play to keep a drive alive. Brent Fullwood, now the number one back, had one of the most tremendous performances I have ever seen. Once he was carried off the field after a great run, only to come back in and make another great run later in the drive. As AU neared the goal line, once again confusion reigned on the sideline. Coach Dye was trying to call a timeout, because he did not have the proper personell on the field for the play called. The timeout did not get called, and AU ran a reverse with Lawyer Tillman - a player who had never run that play in the game before. After making a great cut around the five yard line, Tillman scored. This time, UA could not pull out a last minute drive. AU 21-17.

Six games. Total Score Bama 129 AU 122 (if I did my math right!) Great performances. Bo.. Van Tiffin. Great times.

How long has it been? Well, Jeremiah Castilles younger son is a senior on this years UA team. Van Tiffin's son (or daughter?) Leigh hit a long field goal late in the game this year.

But the game???

Early on it looked like AU had Bama on the ropes. They scored a TD the first time they had the ball and a FG the next and led 10-0 in the first quarter. As the camera scanned the Bama bench, they looked.....something......disheartened I think is the best word I can come up with. I felt like at this point if AU could just score again, it would be all over and the rout would be on. However, AU did not go for the knockout punch and the rest of the game was a snoozefest.

But, in the end, AU won 17-10 and have now won 6 straight and 7 out of the last 9. Not bad. Next year Cox will be gone, and hopefully either Field, Caudle, Burns, or some other unknown can more than fill the rather smallish void he will leave. Only time will tell.

War Eagle!