True Story about how important this game is. I take you back to 1972, which up to today was the greatest comeback Iron Bowl ever.
I was there, just a freshman at Auburn and in the band. Frankly, we were getting beat up all up and down the field. It was a miserable, dismal. We were looking at another year of taunts and teasing from the other team’s supporters whenever we went to K Mart or a tractor pull. The score at the end of three quarters was 16 – 0. Finally, with just 10 minutes left, we scored a field goal. At least we weren’t going home empty handed.
But, with 5:31 left it all changed. We held Bama to their own side of the field. Greg Gantt was poised to punt it safely away. But our Bill Newton blocked the ball back into Gantt’s face. David Lagner picked it up and sprinted into our endzone for the score. The PAT was good and the score was 16 -10. Not a win yet. We rejoiced for the score, but we were all expecting to lose anyway. Their next possession didn’t go so hot … for them. Again, Gantt had to punt it away. AGAIN, the punt was blocked and AGAIN, David Lagner picked it up and went in to the end zone for the score. The PAT was good. There was no time left on the clock. Game over. 17 – 16.
That spring we music majors learned that we now had funding for a much needed new band building. It seems that our AU president had a discussion with someone prior to the game. If we won the Bama game, that someone would donate all the money to build the building. If we lost, no funding.
Because Auburn won that game in 1972, we now have the Goodwin Music Building.
True story.
Y’all pray, please, for the Bama QB. He suffered a concussion in the game today.