Alabama vs Auburn: 5 best individual Iron Bowl performances of all-time
By Carly Regehr
There have been some amazing performances in the illustrious history of the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn
Two in-state programs couldn’t be any less fond of each other than Alabama and Auburn. For some time, both were trading places in the SEC title roundtable discussion. They’ve also nearly split national title games from 2009 to 2013.
The hate predates all the way back to 1893 when Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States. In 1893, Birmingham, the regularly-scheduled host site for the Tide until the year 2000, experienced a boom in its steel industry. That tidbit alone would lead to the naming of the Alabama-Auburn rivalry, the Iron Bowl.
The Iron Bowl has seen its wonder years. In 1971, both Alabama and Auburn were undefeated and both eyed a national championship game vs. Nebraska. Then, in 1982, Auburn RB Bo Jackson leaped over the line of scrimmage to give Auburn their first win since 1973. And lastly, 1989, the year that marked the first time in which Auburn hosted the game. Some will also say 2010 was an equally important year in the rivalry. Alabama (9-3) couldn’t win that game, despite throwing up 21 points to an undefeated Auburn’s zero in the first quarter.
Being a part of the SEC, both programs have featured some very decent talent. Auburn snagged Cam Newton from Florida in 2007. Since then, the university has had a love affair with iterations that name (Cameron Artis-Payne, Kamryn Pettway, Kam Martin). For Alabama, its defense has been sitting in their own posh lounge for some time. Of the four two-time All-Americans on ‘Bama’s roster, three are on defense.
The rivalry’s been flipped in terms of who has more power on each side of the ball. Alabama’s wiser on defense, but Auburn has had the upperhand in offense throughout the years. This year will be mildly different, though.
Without further delay, here are the five best individual performances that stood out in the history of the Iron Bowl.
No. 5: 204 rushing yards, 2 TD vs. Alabama (2003)
Player: Auburn RB Carnell “Cadillac” Williams
Final Score: 28 Auburn, 23 Alabama
Head Coaches: Mike Shula (Alabama), Tommy Tuberville (Auburn)
W-L Record in 2003: 4-9 (Alabama), 8-5 (Auburn)
Auburn outgained Alabama in every way imaginable in the 2003 Iron Bowl. Alabama trusted its passing game to Brodie Croyle, who ended up being sacked 11 times. At the end of the game, Auburn gained 519 yards to Alabama’s 291.
With both teams’ records at the time in mind, the 2003 Iron Bowl was less thrilling than normal. In the first half, Alabama was offensively quiet, while Auburn put up 18 points on the scoreboard.
Despite the somberness presented by the 2003 Iron Bowl, “Cadillac” Williams would give the fans at Jordan-Hare Stadim a reason to cheer. His 204-yard, two-touchdown performance in this game was the most production he displayed that season. It’d also be the fifth time Williams carried the ball more than 20 times (Weeks 5, 6, 8, 10).
The following year, Auburn would again defeat Alabama in the 2004 Iron Bowl. At that time, Auburn was undefeated and Alabama sat at a 6-5 record. How Williams performed in this game pales in comparison to 2003 — he rushed for only 41 yards and a touchdown in the 21-13 win.