Auburn Tigers football

Auburn Tigers football
2015 Auburn Tigers football team
First season 1892
Athletic director Jay Jacobs
Head coach Gus Malzahn
3rd year, 20–7 (.741)
Other staff Rhett Lashlee, OC
Will Muschamp , DC
Home stadium Jordan–Hare Stadium
Stadium capacity 87,451
Location Auburn, Alabama
League NCAA Division I (FBS)
Conference Southeastern Conference
Division Western Division
All-time record 742–421–47 (.633)
Postseason bowl record 22–15–2 (.590)
Playoff appearances 0
Claimed national titles 2 (1957, 2010)
Unclaimed national titles 7 (1910, 1913, 1914, 1958, 1983, 1993, 2004)
Conference titles 12 (3 SIAA, 1 Southern, 8 SEC)
Division titles 8
Heisman winners 3
Consensus All-Americans 68
Current uniform
Colors

Navy blue and Burnt orange

          
Fight song War Eagle
Mascot Aubie the Tiger
Marching band Auburn University Marching Band
Outfitter Under Armour
Primary Rivals
Website www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-footbl/

The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in the sport of American college football. The Tigers compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Auburn officially began competing in intercollegiate football in 1892. The Tigers joined the Southeastern Conference in 1932 as one of the inaugural members of the conference and the Tigers began competing in the West Division when the conference divided in 1992. Auburn officially claims two national championships, but has been recognized with five national championships from NCAA documented selectors. Auburn has achieved twelve undefeated seasons and won twelve conference championships, along with eight divisional championships. The Tigers have made thirty-eight post season bowl appearances; including ten historically major bowl berths.[1] The Tigers have the 12th most wins in FBS history with over 700 victories and have finished ranked in the Top 25 of either the AP or Coaches polls 37 times, including finishing in the top ten 18 times (ranked 12th nationally for top ten finishes).

The Tigers have produced three Heisman Trophy winners: quarterback Pat Sullivan in 1971, running back Bo Jackson in 1985, and quarterback Cam Newton in 2010. Auburn has also produced sixty-six consensus All-American players. The College Football Hall of Fame has inducted a total of 12 individuals from Auburn, including 8 student-athletes and four head coaches: John Heisman, Mike Donahue, Ralph Jordan, and Pat Dye. Ralph "Shug" Jordan, who coached from 1951 to 1975, led Auburn to its first national championship and won a total of 176 games, the most by any Auburn coach.

Auburn's home stadium is Jordan–Hare Stadium, which opened in 1939 and becomes Alabama's fifth largest city on gamedays with a capacity of 87,451. Auburn's archrival is in-state foe Alabama. The Tigers and Crimson Tide meet annually in the Iron Bowl, one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports. The Tigers also maintain rivalries with SEC foes Georgia and LSU, although Auburn and LSU did not play each other in every season until 1992. The Tigers are currently led by head coach Gus Malzahn.

History

The organization of Auburn's first football team is credited to George Petrie, who led the 1892 Tigers to a 2–2 record. Petrie also chose burnt orange and navy blue as the official colors for Alabama athletic teams, which was inspired by his alma mater, the University of Virginia. The first game was against the University of Georgia at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Auburn won, 10–0, in front of a crowd of 2,000, in a game that would establish the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry. Auburn and Alabama played their first football game in Lakeview Park in Birmingham, Alabama, on February 22, 1893. Auburn won 32–22, before an estimated crowd of 5,000. Alabama considered the game to be the final matchup of the 1892 season and Auburn recorded it as the first of 1893.


Early History (1892–1903)

The team in 1893

Auburn was led by nine different coaches over a 12-year span, including John Heisman (1895–1899), for whom the Heisman trophy is named. During five years, Heisman compiled a 12–4–2 record, before departing for Clemson in 1900. Auburn's first conference membership came in 1895, when it joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). The first undefeated season came in 1900, when the Tigers went 4–0 under coach Billy Watkins.

Mike Donahue era (1904–1922)

Coach Donahue

Mike Donahue became the tenth head coach of the Auburn Tigers. Donahue's tenure at Auburn helped elevate the program to new heights, including the school's first national championship, three SIAA championships, and three undefeated seasons. In 1904, His first team finished with a 5–0 record and a share of the conference championship. The 1907 season would mark the last time Auburn would play Alabama until 1948, after a 7–7 tie between the two rivals. The 1910 team claimed a share of the conference championship with a 6-1 record. Donahue's best season came in 1913, when Auburn claimed its first outright conference championship with an 8–0 record. The 1913 Tigers were also named national champions by Billingsley Report, which is recognized by the NCAA records book as Auburn's first national championship. The 1914 team also won a conference championship with an 8–0–1 record, and were named national champions by minor selector Howell Ratings. The Tigers would return to the top of the conference once again in 1919, with an 8–1 record. Auburn moved to the Southern Conference in 1921, one year before Donahue's departure from Auburn in 1922, before becoming the coach at LSU in 1923.

Pitts, Morey, Bohler and Wynne (1923–1933)

Coach Wynne

Boozer Pitts was promoted from assistant coach to Auburn's head football coach, serving from 1923-1924 and again in 1927. Pitts failed to win more than four games in a single season during his tenure that included an 0-4-2 1927 season.

In September 1925, Dave Morey was hired as the head football coach. Morey was the head coach at Auburn for three years (1925–1927), compiling an overall record of 10–10–1 at the school. The highlight of Morey's tenure with Auburn was a 2–0 win over Bernie Bierman's Tulane squad in the game that dedicated New Orleans' famous Sugar Bowl. In 1927, the Auburn football team lost its starting quarterback, who was expelled after being caught sneaking into the women's dormitory following a night of drunken reverie. The team opened the 1927 season with an 0–3 record, including embarrassing losses to Stetson College and Clemson. At a pep rally six days after the loss to Clemson, Morey announced his resignation.

George Bohler was Auburn's head football coach for two seasons from 1928-1929. He posted a 3-11 record in those two seasons before he was replaced due to the poor record and support.

Chet A. Wynne was Auburn's head football coach for four seasons (1930-1933), posting a 22-15-2 record before departing to take the head football coach position at Kentucky. Wynne's 1932 team posted a 9-0-1 record and won the Southern Conference championship in its final year in the conference before moving to the SEC.

Jack Meagher era (1934-1942)

Jack Meagher came to Auburn from Rice. Auburn's first bowl appearance came in 1936 under Coach Meagher after a 7–2–2 season. The Tigers traveled to Havana, Cuba to play Villanova in the Bacardi Bowl, which ended in a 7–7 tie. Auburn's first bowl win came after the 1937 season against Michigan State in the Orange Bowl. Meagher's final record at Auburn in 48-37-10.

Voyles and Brown (1944-1950)

Due to the events surrounding World War II, Auburn did not field a team in 1943, but resumed competition in 1944 under Carl Voyles. During Earl Brown's tenure, Auburn met Alabama for the first time since 1907, which ended with an Alabama victory. The Tigers quickly responded in 1949, as they stunned the heavily favored Crimson Tide in a 14–13 victory. An 0–10 season in 1950 called for a change, and marked the end of a trying era for Auburn football.

Ralph "Shug" Jordan era (1951–1975)

Coach Jordan

In 1951, Auburn hired Ralph "Shug" Jordan to become the new head coach of the Tigers. During his first season, Auburn finished with a 5–5 record. He led the Tigers to three consecutive bowl appearances in 1953, 1954, and 1955. Jordan is most recognized for his 1957 squad, which finished the season with a 10–0 record, and won Auburn's first SEC Championship. The Associated Press named the Auburn Tigers no. 1 in its postseason poll, marking the school's first consensus national championship in the modern era. The 1957 Auburn team was ineligible for Bowl participation due to NCAA Sanctions, having been placed on probation indefinitely. The 1958 team was also named national champions by minor selector Montgomery Ratings, after a 9–0–1 season. Auburn went on to appear in bowl games in 1963 and 1965.

In 1970 James Owens, a full back from Fairfield, Alabama became Auburn's first African American football player.[2][3] He played for three seasons. He was followed in 1971 by Thom Gossom.

Beginning in 1968, the Tigers enjoyed seven consecutive bowl appearances under coach Jordan. In 1971, Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan led the Tigers to a 9–2 record, and became the school's first Heisman Trophy winner. Auburn would go on to lose the 1972 Sugar Bowl to Oklahoma, 40–22. One of Jordan's biggest victories came against Alabama in 1972, when the Tigers shocked the Crimson Tide in a 17–16 upset. The 1972 Iron Bowl became known as the "Punt Bama Punt" game, due to two blocked Alabama punts in the fourth quarter, which were both returned for Auburn touchdowns. In 1973, Auburn's Cliff–Hare Stadium was renamed Jordan–Hare Stadium, which was the first stadium in the nation to be named for an active coach. After the 1975 season, Jordan retired after a 25-year tenure at Auburn, with a 176–83–7 record and a .675 winning percentage. The 176 career wins remain a record for an Auburn coach.

Doug Barfield era (1976–1980)

Following Jordan's retirement, Auburn hired Doug Barfield to become the new head coach. From 1976 to 1980, Barfield's Tigers compiled a 27–27–1 on-field record, with no bowl appearances. He lost all five games to rival Alabama during his tenure, and was later awarded two victories due to forfeits by Mississippi State in 1976 and 1977, making his record 29–25–1. He was dismissed from his position after a disappointing season in 1980, as the Tigers finished with a 5–6 record. Auburn then hired Pat Dye, a former assistant coach at Alabama under Coach Paul W. Bryant, and head coach at Wyoming at the time. During his first season in 1981, Auburn finished with a 5–6 record.

Pat Dye era (1981–1992)

In 1982, Pat Dye led Auburn to a 9–3 record and its first bowl appearance in eight years. The 1982 season would also begin a streak of nine consecutive bowl game appearances. The highlight of the season came against Alabama in the Iron Bowl, when Auburn snapped the Tide's 9-game winning streak. The 1982 Iron Bowl is widely known as the "Bo Over the Top" game, for Auburn running back Bo Jackson's leap over the top of a pile from the one-yard line to secure a 23–22 victory over Alabama. This would be the final Iron Bowl for Alabama's legendary coach, Bear Bryant, who retired after the 1982 season and died on January 26, 1983.

Dye's best season came in 1983, when the Tigers went 11–1, claiming the conference championship. Auburn went on to defeat Michigan in the Sugar Bowl 9–7. Some felt that #3 Auburn should have been crowned the national champions, due to #5 Miami's upset of #1 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, and #7 Georgia's upset of #2 Texas in the Cotton Bowl. Nonetheless, Miami jumped from No. 5 to No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches polls, while Auburn remained in the No. 3 spot behind #2 Nebraska. The 1983 team is recognized by the NCAA as Auburn's third national championship in school history, citing selectors such as the New York Times and Billingsley Report.

In 1985, running back Bo Jackson would become the school's second Heisman Trophy winner. Auburn would go on to win three consecutive SEC championships in 1987, 1988, and 1989. In 1988, defensive tackle Tracy Rocker became the school's first Lombardi Award winner and also won the Outland Trophy. Pat Dye is credited for organizing the first ever Iron Bowl played in Auburn. On December 2, 1989, Bill Curry's #2 Crimson Tide (10–0) traveled to Jordan–Hare Stadium, which had surpassed the seating capacity of Legion Field, to face the #11 Auburn Tigers, who defeated the Tide, 30–20. The 1989 Iron Bowl would continue a 4-game winning streak over Alabama. Since 1981, Auburn has a 17–15 edge over Alabama in Iron Bowl wins.

Over twelve seasons, Dye achieved a 99–39–4 record, the third highest number of wins in Auburn football history, only behind Mike Donahue and Ralph "Shug" Jordan. In 2005, the playing surface of Jordan–Hare Stadium was named "Pat Dye Field" in honor of Dye's achievements and contributions he made to Auburn during his tenure.

Terry Bowden era (1993–1998)

Following the departure of Pat Dye, Auburn named Samford head coach Terry Bowden, son of legendary coach Bobby Bowden, head coach of the Tigers.[4] In 1993, while serving a one-year television ban and two-year postseason bowl ban due to NCAA probation, Auburn shocked the nation by completing the season with a perfect 11–0 record. The Tigers were not eligible to play in the SEC Championship Game, nor a bowl game, but are recognized by the NCAA as national champions by National Championship Foundation ratings. The most memorable game of the 1994 season was the "Interception Game" versus LSU. In which the Auburn defense intercepted 7 LSU passes, returning 3 for touchdowns in the 4th quarter (Ken Alvis, Fred Smith and Brian Robinson). During the first two seasons under Bowden, the Tigers amassed a 20–1–1 record. After serving two years of probation, Auburn made three consecutive bowl game appearances from 1995 to 1997. Bowden's 1997 team won the SEC Western Division title, and played in the SEC Championship Game, falling to Tennessee, 30–29. In 1998, Bowden faced criticism for recruiting woes, off-the-field issues, and player discipline, which eventually led to his resignation after a 1–5 start on the season.[5] Interim head coach Bill Oliver finished out the season, which ended with a 3–8 record. Bowden compiled a 47–17–1 record at Auburn after six seasons as head coach.

Tommy Tuberville era (1999–2008)

Coach Tuberville

Following the 1998 season, Ole Miss head coach Tommy Tuberville left Oxford to become the new head coach of the Auburn Tigers.[6] In his first season, the Tigers finished with a 5–6 record, but would return to the SEC Championship Game in 2000, following a 9–0 victory over Alabama, which was played in Tuscaloosa for the first time in 99 years. The Tigers fell to Florida, 28–6, but would begin a streak of eight consecutive bowl appearances. Auburn would win a share of the SEC Western Division title in 2001 and 2002. The high point of the 2002 season was Auburn's 17–7 upset victory over Alabama, which began a six-year winning streak over the Tide. Tuberville's 2004 team completed the season with a perfect 13–0 record and an SEC Championship. Auburn was left out of the BCS National Championship Game, due to two other undefeated teams ranked higher, #1 USC (12–0) and #2 Oklahoma (12–0). The Tigers went on to defeat Virginia Tech, 16–13, in the Sugar Bowl, completing Auburn's third perfect season in the modern era of college football. USC defeated Oklahoma, 55–19, to win the national championship; however, they were later stripped of their title due to improper recruiting practices. Auburn finished the season ranked No. 2 in the final AP and Coaches polls. The Tigers were recognized as national champions by various polling organizations, including FansPoll and Golf Digest. Tuberville came under much criticism during the 2008 season for his lackluster performance and coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, whom he fired after a shocking 14–13 loss to Vanderbilt in October. At that time, the team was 4–2. Auburn finished the year with a 5–7 record, after a disappointing 36–0 loss to rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl, marking the Tide's first victory over Auburn in Tuscaloosa and snapping Auburn's six-year winning streak. Tuberville voluntarily resigned the following week, stating that he would take a year off from coaching.[7] Over ten seasons, Tuberville compiled an 85–40 record at Auburn, while winning one conference championship, five division championships, and completing Auburn's sixth perfect season in school history.

Gene Chizik era (2009–2012)

Coach Chizik

On December 13, 2008, Athletic Director Jay Jacobs announced Gene Chizik, former Auburn defensive coordinator and then Iowa State head coach, as the new Auburn head coach.[8] He received early criticism for his 5–19 record during his time at Iowa State during 2007 and 2008. He quickly began forming his new coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who had coached the nation's top offense at Tulsa for the previous two seasons. During his first season, Auburn finished with a 7–5 record, and defeated Northwestern 38–35 in the Outback Bowl, its first bowl game since 2007.

Following the 2009 season, Chizik and his staff recruited a top-5 recruiting class, highlighted by junior college transfer quarterback Cam Newton and running back Mike Dyer. Auburn's 2010 "A-Day" spring scrimmage drew a crowd of 63,217 fans to Jordan–Hare Stadium, setting a new spring game attendance record. Auburn, led by quarterback Cam Newton, running back Mike Dyer, and defensive tackle Nick Fairley, completed the regular season with a perfect 12–0 record, highlighted by a comeback victory over Alabama. The Tide led Auburn 24–0 in the first half, only to lose the game in the second half, 28–27. It was the largest lead ever blown by Alabama in Tuscaloosa and the largest ever comeback through the 75-year history of the game. Auburn went on to defeat South Carolina 56–17 in the SEC Championship Game, which secured a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. This would be the first BCS bowl game appearance for Auburn since 2004, when the Tigers were left out of the national championship picture. Cam Newton became the third Heisman Trophy winner in school history, while also winning the AP Player of the Year Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Manning Award, and the Maxwell Award. Nick Fairley became the second Auburn player in school history to win the Lombardi Award. Auburn faced the Oregon Ducks on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona, which ended with a 22–19 Auburn victory, secured by a game-winning field goal kick by senior Wes Byrum, who also kicked the game-winning field goals against Clemson and Kentucky during the regular season. Auburn finished the season with a perfect 14–0 record, and its first consensus national championship since 1957. Auburn celebrated their national championship with a special ceremony at Jordan–Hare Stadium two weeks following the championship game in Arizona. The coaches and players were honored, along with players from the 1957, 1993, and 2004 undefeated teams. The event drew over 78,000 fans, covering Jordan–Hare Stadium lower decks, spilling into both upper decks. A special "reverse" Tiger Walk and special rolling of Toomer's Corner also took place. After settling down from the magical 2010 season, Chizik and his staff began preparing to defend their national title.

Auburn opened the 2011 season with dramatic wins against Utah State and Mississippi State. Auburn then fell to eventual ACC Champion Clemson on the road in Death Valley, which snapped Auburn's 17-game winning streak, which began on January 1, 2010, vs. Northwestern in Outback Bowl. The Tigers would go on to complete the regular season with a 7–5 record and ranked no. 25 in the final BCS poll, with wins against Florida Atlantic, no. 9 South Carolina, Florida, Ole Miss, and Samford. Auburn fell to Arkansas, LSU (SEC Champions), Georgia (eastern division champion), and arch-rival Alabama (National Champions). The Tigers won their 37th bowl appearance by a score of 43–24 over the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl on December 31, 2011. This would be Gus Malzahn's final game as offensive coordinator for Auburn before becoming head coach at Arkansas State. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof would also depart following the 2011 season, leaving for UCF.

Following a 3–9 (0–8 in conference play) season in 2012, the program's worst season in 60 years, Chizik was terminated as head football coach.[9] In addition to the remarkably poor 2012 season, mounting player disciplinary issues and the lack of on-field success delivered from several consecutive highly rated recruiting classes contributed to Chizik's firing. Over his four season tenure as head coach at Auburn, Chizik compiled an overall record of 33–19 (15–17 in conference play), delivering one SEC Championship and a National Championship in 2010 and three consecutive bowl wins from 2009 to 2011 before not qualifying for a bowl in 2012.

Gus Malzahn era (2013–present)

After Gene Chizik's termination at the end of the 2012 season, Athletic Director Jay Jacobs would form a search committee headed by former Auburn Heisman Trophy winners Bo Jackson and Pat Sullivan along with fellow former player Mac Crawford to find the program's next head coach. The committee would go on to unanimously select Arkansas State head coach and former Auburn offensive coordinator from 2009 to 2011 Gus Malzahn.[10] On December 4, 2012 it was officially announced that Malzahn would assume the position of head coach at Auburn University.[10] He is currently in his second season, and his 2013 Tigers went 12–2 and won the SEC Championship versus the Missouri Tigers. The season was highlighted by two of the greatest plays in Auburn football history. After allowing #25 Georgia to take a 38–37 lead with less than two minutes remaining, quarterback Nick Marshall threw a 73-yard Hail Mary pass to Ricardo Louis for the game-winning touchdown after being tipped up by two Georgia defenders. The Tigers would put the game away in the final 25 seconds and win 43–38 over the Bulldogs. Auburn also defeated #1 Alabama in dramatic fashion. After lobbying for one second to be restored to the game clock in the fourth quarter, tied 28–28 with the Tigers, Alabama head coach Nick Saban chose to attempt a 57-yard game-winning field goal. The Tide was 0–3 in field goal attempts on the day with veteran kicker Cade Foster, thus chose to use Adam Griffith for the final attempt. Griffith's kick did not have the distance and the ball landed in the hands of Chris Davis, who would return the ball unofficially 109 yards endzone to endzone for an Auburn touchdown and seal a victory for the Tigers along with a berth in the SEC Championship Game. Auburn would face #5 Missouri in the 2013 SEC Championship Game, eventually winning 59–42 in an offensive showdown which produced 677 total yards for Auburn, including a 304-yard performance by game MVP Tre Mason. The Tigers faced #1 Florida State in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, California on January 6, 2014. They lost by a score of 34-31, as Florida State scored the go-ahead touchdown with thirteen seconds remaining in the game, ending the SEC streak of winning BCS national championships at 7. They were only the second SEC team to lose in a BCS championship game, and only SEC team to do so against non-SEC competition. The Tigers finished #2 in both the final AP and Coaches polls.

Recent history

While Auburn football has a long and storied history, the Tigers have had uneven success in recent years. Since the expansion of the SEC in 1992, Auburn has the fourth highest win percentage in SEC West league play (58.7%), behind Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M, respectively.[11] At of the end of the 2012 season, Auburn teams had won 45 of their last 74 conference match-ups, including 20 of the last 36 SEC away games. When facing their greatest challenge, Auburn teams have won 12 of their last 25 match-ups versus top-10 opponents. The Tigers did well at Jordan–Hare Stadium at night between 2000 and 2009, when they won 24 of 29. Over the past five seasons, Auburn has won 38 out of 64 total games, ranking 41st nationally in winning percentage (59.4%).[12]

2013 season

Following an abysmal 3-9 season in 2012, Auburn was poised to begin a "new day" under the leadership of head coach Gus Malzahn in 2013. The Tigers were picked to finished fifth in the SEC West, and received no votes in any preseason polls. Auburn would go on to complete what has been coined as the greatest turnaround in college football history, finishing the regular season with an 11-1 record. The only loss came against #6 LSU in a night game at Tiger Stadium, where the Tigers would suffer a 21-35 defeat. The season is best known for Auburn's stellar finishes against rivals Georgia and Alabama, dubbed The Prayer at Jordan-Hare and Kick Bama Kick respectively. Auburn would go on to defeat #5 Missouri 59-42 in the 2013 SEC Championship Game and claim its third conference championship in ten years, the most of any SEC program during that time period. Auburn's offense was anchored by an unstoppable rushing attack under the leadership of running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Tre Mason, who rushed for 1,816 total yards, surpassing Bo Jackson's single-season record of 1,786 yards. Auburn would ultimately face #1 Florida State in the Rose Bowl for the 2014 BCS National Championship Game, falling to the Seminoles in the final seconds, 31-34. Auburn finished the season ranked #2 in both the AP and Coaches final polls after completing a 12-2 turnaround season, which marked its second SEC title and BCS Championship appearance in four years.

Historical ranking

Auburn has the 13th most wins in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.[13] In terms of winning percentage, Auburn ranks as the 9th most successful team in the past 25 years with a 71% win rate (213–86–5)[14] and 9th over the last half century (1955–2010) with 69%.[15] Of the 93 current I-A football programs that been active since Auburn first fielded a team 116 years ago, Auburn ranks 14th in winning percentage over that period.[16]

The College Football Research Center lists Auburn as the 14th best college football program in history,[17] with eight Auburn squads listed in Billingsley's Top 200 Teams of All Time (1869–2010).[18] The Bleacher Report placed Auburn as the 18th best program of all time in their power rankings conducted after the 2010 season.[19] In 2013, College Football Data Warehouse, a website dedicated to the historical data of college football,[20] listed Auburn 13th all-time.[21] After the 2008 season, ESPN ranked Auburn the 21st most prestigious program in history.[22]

The Associated Press poll statistics show Auburn with the 11th best national record of being ranked in the final AP Poll[23] and 14th overall (ranked 503 times out of 1058 polls since the poll began in 1936), with an average ranking of 11.2.[24] Since the Coaches Poll first released a final poll in 1950, Auburn has 26 seasons where the team finished ranked in the top 20 in both the AP and Coaches Polls.[25]

Auburn has also had success against teams ranked number one in the nation. The Tigers have beaten four teams ranked number one in the nation.

Year Opponent Result Site
1942 vs. Georgia[26] W 27–13 Columbus, GA
1994 vs. Florida W 36-33 Gainesville, FL
2001 vs. Florida W 23–20 Auburn, AL
2013 vs. Alabama W 34–28 Auburn, AL

Heisman links

Three Auburn players, Pat Sullivan in 1971, Bo Jackson in 1985, and Cam Newton in 2010, have won the Heisman Trophy. The Trophy's namesake, John Heisman, coached at Auburn from 1895 until 1899. Of the eight schools of which Heisman coached (among others, Georgia Tech and Clemson), Auburn is the only school that has produced a Heisman Trophy winner. The Auburn athletic department has announced that it will honor the school's three Heisman winners with statues, along with a bust of coach John Heisman, outside the east side of Jordan-Hare Stadium.[27]

Team championships

National championships

Five Auburn teams have been awarded a National Championship by an NCAA documented selector—1913, 1957, 1983, 1993, and 2010.[28] However, only the 1957 title, awarded by the Associated Press,[29] and the BCS National Championship in 2010 are claimed outright by the University. Four additional teams have also been named national champions by a minor selector, though none are recognized—1910, 1914, 1958, and 2004.

Year Coach Selector Record Notes
1913 Mike Donahue Various 8-0 SIAA Champions
1957 Ralph "Shug" Jordan AP 10-0 SEC Champions
1983 Pat Dye Various 11-1 SEC Champions, Won Sugar Bowl
1993 Terry Bowden Various 11-0 †
2010 Gene Chizik AP, Coaches, BCS 14-0 SEC Champions, Won BCS Title Game
† Auburn was ineligible for a postseason bowl game and the 1993 SEC Championship Game

1913 season

The 1913 team was coached by Mike Donahue and was undefeated at 8–0, outscoring opponents 224–13. Auburn, led by senior captain Kirk Newell, finished as SIAA champions for the first time in school history. Newell, also a member of the Upsilon Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha, went on to be a World War I hero and member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.[30] The Tigers were retroactively awarded a national title by The Billingsley Report.

1957 season

The 1957 Auburn Tigers, led by coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan, finished with a perfect 10–0 record, marking the school's first ever SEC championship. Auburn was recognized as national champions by the AP Poll even though they were on probation and did not participate in a bowl game. This was the school's first recognized national championship. The 1957 title is shared with Ohio State, who was named the national champion by the Coaches' Poll. This was the first of only two times in the history of the AP championship that it was awarded to a team on probation not allowed to participate in a bowl game (it would occur again in 1974 with Oklahoma).

1983 season

The 1983 Auburn Tigers, led by head coach Pat Dye and running back Bo Jackson, finished 11–1 after playing the nation's toughest schedule. Their only loss came against #3 Texas, who defeated the Tigers, 20–7. Auburn went on to defeat #8 Michigan, 9–7, in the Sugar Bowl. Despite entering the bowl games ranked third in both major polls, and with both teams ranked higher losing their bowl games, the Tigers ended ranked third in the final AP poll. The New York Times ranked Auburn number one at the conclusion of the season, but several other retroactive polling found Auburn at number 1, including the Billingsley Report. The universally recognized national champions for 1983 are the Miami Hurricanes.

1993 season

Head coach Terry Bowden led the 1993 team to a perfect season in his first year on the Plains. The Tigers were the only undefeated team in major college football, however were banned from playing on television or post-season games due to NCAA violations. Rival Alabama was sent to the SEC Championship Game as the substitute representative of the Western Division. Auburn finished ranked fourth in the nation by the Associated Press but was named a co-National Champion by the National Championship Foundation along with Florida State, Nebraska and Notre Dame. Auburn was on NCAA probation in 1993 and ineligible for post season play.

2010 season

The Tigers, led by second year head coach Gene Chizik, completed a 12–0 regular season record and defeated South Carolina in the 2010 SEC Championship Game. On October 24, 2010, Auburn was ranked first in the BCS polls for the first time in school history. On January 10, 2011, Auburn defeated Oregon in the BCS National Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona, 22–19, to win their first BCS National Championship, and second claimed national title. Their quarterback, Cam Newton, became a Heisman Trophy winner. He had a total of 2,854 yards passing and 30 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Summary

The following table summarizes the source and totals for Auburn's national championship seasons.

Source Championships Years
AP/Coaches' Poll/BCS (1936–present) Two 1957 (AP), 2010
CFBDW (recognized) Three 1913, 1957, 2010
CFBDW (all) Five 1913, 1957, 1983, 1993, 2010
Claimed by Auburn Two 1957, 2010

Undefeated seasons

Since its beginnings in 1892, Auburn has completed twelve undefeated seasons.[31] This includes seven (7) perfect seasons in which the Tigers were undefeated and untied.

Year Coach Record
1893 D. M. Balliet/G. H. Harvey 3-0-2
1897 John Heisman 2-0-1
1900 Billy Watkins 4-0
1904 Mike Donahue 5-0
1913 Mike Donahue 8-0
1914 Mike Donahue 8-0-1
1932 Chet A. Wynne 9-0-1
1957 Ralph "Shug" Jordan 10-0
1958 Ralph "Shug" Jordan 9-0-1
1993 Terry Bowden 11-0
2004 Tommy Tuberville 13-0
2010 Gene Chizik 14-0
Total Undefeated Seasons: 12 (7 Perfect)

Conference championships

Auburn officially recognizes that it has won outright or a share of 12 total conference championships, including 3 SIAA Championships, 1 Southern Conference Championship, and 8 SEC Championships.

Conference affiliations:

Year Conference Coach Overall Record Conference Record
1913 SIAA Mike Donahue 9–0 8–0
1914† SIAA Mike Donahue 8–0–1 5–0–1
1919 SIAA Mike Donahue 8–1 5–1
1932† Southern Chet A. Wynne 9–0–1 6–0–1
1957 SEC Ralph "Shug" Jordan 10–0 7–0
1983 SEC Pat Dye 11–1 6–0
1987 SEC Pat Dye 9–1–2 6–0–1
1988† SEC Pat Dye 10–2 6–1
1989† SEC Pat Dye 10–2 6–1
2004 SEC Tommy Tuberville 13–0 8–0
2010 SEC Gene Chizik 14–0 8–0
2013 SEC Gus Malzahn 12–2 7–1
Total Conference Championships: 12 (3 SIAA, 1 Southern, 8 SEC)
† Denotes co-champions

Additional championships:

During Auburn's time in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA), three teams tied for a share of the conference championship, though they are not officially recognized by the University:

Divisional championships

Since divisional play began in 1992, Auburn has won the SEC Western Division championship and gone on to the conference title game on 5 occasions and is 3–2 in the SEC Championship Game. The most recent appearance came in 2013, as Auburn completed the regular season 11–1, and defeated Missouri, 59–42, in the 2013 SEC Championship Game. Auburn has also shared the western division title, but did not play in the championship game due to tiebreakers on 3 occasions. Auburn also finished the 1993 season in first place in the division but was not eligible for the division title.

Year Division Coach Overall Record Conference Record SEC Championship Game Result
1997† SEC West Terry Bowden 10–3 6–2 #11 Auburn 29, #3 Tennessee 30
2000 SEC West Tommy Tuberville 9–4 6–2 #18 Auburn 6, #7 Florida 28
2001† SEC West Tommy Tuberville 7–5 5–3 LSU won divisional tiebreaker
2002† SEC West Tommy Tuberville 9–4 5–3 Arkansas won divisional tiebreaker
2004 SEC West Tommy Tuberville 13–0 8–0 #3 Auburn 38, #15 Tennessee 28
2005† SEC West Tommy Tuberville 9–3 7–1 LSU won divisional tiebreaker
2010 SEC West Gene Chizik 14–0 8–0 #1 Auburn 56, #19 South Carolina 17
2013† SEC West Gus Malzahn 12-2 7–1 #3 Auburn 59, #5 Missouri 42
Division Championships 8
† Denotes co-champions

Rivalries

Auburn maintains annual rivalry games with SEC foes LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama. The Tigers have played Georgia 117 times in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, the most of any opponent. Auburn's primary rivalry game is the Iron Bowl against Alabama. Rivalries with Clemson, Georgia Tech, Tulane and Florida State were more prominent during Auburn's membership in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Southern Conference, and the early days of the Southeastern Conference. Auburn is 385–316–35 all-time in significant rivalry games.

Primary Auburn Football Rivalries: All-Time Records
Name of Rivalry Rival Games Played First Meeting Last Meeting Record Streak Latest win
Iron Bowl Alabama 79 1893 2014 35–43–1 1 loss 2013, 34-28
Deep South's Oldest Rivalry Georgia 118 1892 2014 55–55–8 1 loss 2013, 43-38
The Tiger Bowl LSU 49 1901 2014 21–27–1 1 win 2014, 41–7
Auburn–Florida Florida 83 1912 2011 43–38–2 3 wins 2011, 17–6
Auburn–Georgia Tech Georgia Tech 92 1892 2005 47–41–4 2 losses 1987, 20–10
Auburn–Tennessee Tennessee 52 1900 2013 28–21–3 6 wins 2013, 55–23
Auburn–Tulane Tulane 37 1902 2006 14–17–6 1 win 2006, 38–13
Auburn–Clemson Clemson 49 1899 2012 34–13–2 2 losses 2010, 27–24
Auburn–Florida State Florida State 19 1954 2014 13–5–1 1 loss 1990, 20–17
Auburn-Mississippi State Mississippi State 88 1905 2014 61-25-2[32][33] 1 loss 2013, 24-20
Auburn–Vanderbilt Vanderbilt 42 1893 2012 20-21–1[34] 2 losses 2007, 35-7
Totals 708 371–306–31

Total program achievements

National Champions 1957, 2010
Unclaimed National Champions 1910, 1913, 1914, 1958, 1983, 1993, 2004
Conference Champions 1913, 1914, 1919, 1932, 1957, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2004, 2010, 2013
Undefeated Seasons 1893, 1897, 1900, 1904, 1913, 1914, 1932, 1957, 1958, 1993, 2004, 2010
Divisional Champions 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2013
Heisman Trophy Winners 1971, 1985, 2010
Final Top 10 (AP) 1955, 1957, 1958, 1963, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013
Final Top 10 (Coaches) 1955, 1957, 1958, 1963, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013
Bowl Victories* 1937, 1954, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011

Traditions

Tiger Walk

Before each Auburn home football game, thousands of Auburn fans line Donahue Drive to cheer on the team as they walk from the Auburn Athletic Complex to Jordan–Hare Stadium. The tradition began in the 1950s when groups of kids would walk up the street to greet the team and get autographs. During the tenure of coach Doug Barfield, the coach urged fans to come out and support the team, and thousands did. Today the team walks down the hill and into the stadium surrounded by fans who pat them on the back and shake their hands as they walk. The largest Tiger Walk occurred on December 2, 1989, before the first ever home football game against rival Alabama—the Iron Bowl. On that day, an estimated 20,000 fans packed the one block section of road leading to the stadium. According to former athletic director David Housel, Tiger Walk has become "the most copied tradition in all of college football".[35]

"War Eagle"

Nova, "War Eagle VII"
Main article: War Eagle

There are many stories surrounding the origins of Auburn's battle cry, "War Eagle". The most popular account involves the first Auburn football game in 1892 between Auburn and the University of Georgia. According to the story, in the stands that day was an old Civil War soldier with an eagle that he had found injured on a battlefield and kept as a pet. The eagle broke free and began to soar over the field, and Auburn began to march toward the Georgia end-zone. The crowd began to chant, "War Eagle" as the eagle soared. After Auburn won the game, the eagle crashed to the field and died but, according to the legend, his spirit lives on every time an Auburn man or woman yells "War Eagle!" The battle cry of "War Eagle" also functions as a greeting for those associated with the University. For many years, a live golden eagle has embodied the spirit of this tradition. The eagle was once housed on campus in The A. Elwyn Hamer Jr. Aviary (which was the second largest single-bird enclosure in the country), but the aviary was taken down in 2003 and the eagle moved to a nearby raptor center. The eagle, War Eagle VI (nicknamed "Tiger"), was trained in 2000 to fly free around the stadium before every home game to the delight of fans. The present eagle, War Eagle VII (nicknamed "Nova"), continues the tradition. War Eagle VI is believed to be the inspiration behind the 2005–2006 Auburn Cheerleading squad's chant, "Tigers, Tigers, Gooooooo Tigers!"

Toomer's Corner

The intersection of Magnolia and College streets in Auburn, which marks the transition from downtown Auburn to the university campus, is known as Toomer's Corner. It is named after Toomer's Drugs, a small store on the corner that has been an Auburn landmark since 1896. Hanging over the corner were two massive old oak trees, planted in 1937, and whenever there was cause for celebration in the Auburn community, toilet paper could usually be found hanging from the trees. Also known as "rolling the corner," this tradition was thought to have originated in the 1970s and until the mid-1990s was relegated to only to celebrating athletic wins.

The oak trees were cut down by the university in April, 2013, as a result of them being poisoned by Harvey Updyke Jr., a fan of rival Alabama.

Wreck Tech Pajama Parade

The Wreck Tech Pajama Parade originated in the 1930s, when a group of mischievous Auburn ROTC cadets, determined to show up the more well-known engineers from Georgia Tech, sneaked out of their dorms the night before the football game between Auburn and Tech and greased the railroad tracks. According to the story, the train carrying the Georgia Tech team slid through town and didn't stop until it was halfway to the neighboring town of Loachapoka, Alabama. The Georgia Tech team was forced to walk the five miles back to Auburn and, not surprisingly, were rather weary at the end of their journey. This likely contributed to their 45–0 loss. While the railroad long ago ceased to be the way teams traveled to Auburn and students never greased the tracks again, the tradition continues in the form of a parade through downtown Auburn. Students parade through the streets in their pajamas and organizations build floats.[36]

Current Coaching Staff

Name Position Alma mater Year Entering
Gus MalzahnHead CoachHenderson State 2nd
Rodney GarnerAssociate Head Coach/Defensive Line/Recruiting CoordinatorAuburn2nd
Rhett LashleeOffensive Coordinator/QuarterbacksArkansas 2nd
Dameyune CraigWide Receivers/Co-Offensive CoordinatorAuburn2nd
Will MuschampDefensive Coordinator/LinebackersGeorgia N/A
Scott FountainTight Ends/Special teams CoordinatorSamford 2nd
Tim HortonRunning BackArkansas2nd
J.B. GrimesOffensive lineHenderson State 2nd
Travaris RobinsonCornerbacksAuburnN/A
Ryan RussellHead Strength and Conditioning CoachAuburn2nd

Head coaches

Auburn has had 25 head coaches, and 1 interim head coach, since it began play during the 1892 season.[37] From 2013 to present, Gus Malzahn has served as Auburn's head coach.[38] The team has played more than 1,150 games over 119 seasons.[37] In that time, seven coaches have led the Tigers in postseason bowl games: Jack Meagher, Ralph Jordan, Pat Dye, Terry Bowden, Tommy Tuberville, Gene Chizik, and Gus Malzahn.[39] Billy Watkins, Mike Donahue, Chet A. Wynne, Jordan, Dye, Tuberville, Chizik, and Malzhan won a combined twelve conference championships.[40] During their tenures, Jordan and Chizik each won national championships with the Tigers.[40][41]

Award winners

A number of Auburn players and coaches have won national awards, including 66 players being named as college football All-Americans. The Tigers also have eleven coaches and players that have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana.

Retired numbers

The Tigers have retired three numbers to date, honoring the following players:[42]

Auburn Tigers retired numbers
No. Player Position Tenure
7 Pat Sullivan QB 1969–71
88 Terry Beasley WR 1969–71
34 Bo Jackson RB 1982–85

While Cam Newton's number 2 is not officially retired, the number has not been worn by any Auburn player since Newton wore it in 2010.

Hall of Fame

Players
Year Inducted		 Coaches
Year Inducted
1954 – Jimmy Hitchcock
1956 – Walter Gilbert
1991 – Pat Sullivan
1994 – Tucker Frederickson
1998 – Bo Jackson
2002 – Terry Beasley
2004 – Tracy Rocker
2009 – Ed Dyas		 1951 – "Iron Mike" Donahue
1954 – John Heisman
1982 – Ralph "Shug" Jordan
2005 – Pat Dye

National awards

Players

Heisman Trophy[43]
Best player		 Walter Camp Award[44]
Best player		 Maxwell Award
Best player
1971 – Pat Sullivan, QB
1985 – Bo Jackson, RB
2010 – Cam Newton,QB		 1971 – Pat Sullivan, QB
1985 – Bo Jackson, RB
2010 – Cam Newton,QB		 2010 – Cam Newton,QB
Davey O'Brien Award
Best quarterback		 Manning Award
Best quarterback		 Outland Trophy[45]
Best interior lineman		 Lombardi Award[46]
Best lineman/linebacker		 Jim Thorpe Award[47]
Best defensive back		 Rimington Trophy[48]
Best center
2010 – Cam Newton 2010 – Cam Newton 1958 – Zeke Smith,G
1988 – Tracy Rocker, DT		 1988 – Tracy Rocker, DT
2010 – Nick Fairley, DT		 2004 – Carlos Rogers, CB 2014 - Reese Dismukes

Coaches

Paul "Bear" Bryant Award[49]
Coach of the Year		 Eddie Robinson Award
Coach of the Year		 Sporting News Award
Coach of the Year		 Home Depot Award[50]
Coach of the Year		 Bowden Award[51]
Coach of the Year		 Broyles Award[52]
Best assistant coach
1993 – Terry Bowden
2004 – Tommy Tuberville
2010 – Gene Chizik
2013 – Gus Malzahn		 1993 – Terry Bowden
2013 – Gus Malzahn		 1993 – Terry Bowden
2004 – Tommy Tuberville
2013 – Gus Malzahn		 2010 – Gene Chizik
2013 – Gus Malzahn		 2010 – Gene Chizik
2013 – Gus Malzahn		 2004 – Gene Chizik
2010 – Gus Malzahn

1st Team All-Americans

Name Position Years Source
Jimmy Hitchcock HB 1932† WCFF, AP, NEA
Walter Gilbert C 1937 AP
Monk Gafford RB 1942 INS
Caleb "Tex" Warrington C 1944 FWAA, WCFF, AP
Travis Tidwell RB 1949 Williamson
Jim Pyburn WR 1954
Joe Childress RB 1955 FWAA
Frank D'Agostino T 1955 AFCA, AP
Fob James RB 1955 INS
Jimmy Phillips DE 1957‡ AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, TSN, NEA, INS

, UP, Time

Zeke Smith OG 1958†, 1959 AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, CP, TSN, NEA, Time
Jackie Burkett C 1958 AFCA, Time
Ken Rice OT 1959, 1960† AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, CP, TSN, NEA, UPI, Time
Ed Dyas RB 1960 FWAA
Jimmy Sidle RB 1963 FWAA, AP
Tucker Frederickson RB 1964† FWAA, WCFF, NEA, CP, FN, AP, Time
Jack Thornton DT 1965 NEA
Bill Cody LB 1965
Freddie Hyatt WR 1967 TFN
David Campbell DT 1968 NEA
Buddy McClinton DB 1969† AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, CP, FN, UPI
Larry Willingham DB 1970† AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, FN, TSN, PFW, CP, NEA, UPI, Time
Pat Sullivan QB 1970, 1971‡ AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, FN, TSN, UPI
Terry Beasley WR 1970, 1971‡ AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, FN, TSN, NEA, UPI, Time
Mike Fuller S 1974 FN
Ken Bernich LB 1974† AFCA, WCFF, AP
Neil O'Donoghue PK 1976 TSN
Keith Uecker OG 1981 Mizlou
Bob Harris SS 1982
Donnie Humphrey DT 1983 WTBS
Gregg Carr LB 1984† AFCA, WCFF, AP, UPI
Bo Jackson RB 1983†, 1985‡ AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, TSN, UPI
Lewis Colbert P 1985 AFCA, TSN
Ben Tamburello C 1986‡ AFCA, FWAA, WCFF
Brent Fullwood RB 1986‡ AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, SH, TFN, UPI
Aundray Bruce LB 1987† AFCA, WCFF, SH, TFN, UPI
Kurt Crain LB 1987 AP
Stacy Searels OT 1987 AP, TFN
Tracy Rocker DT 1987†, 1988‡ AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, TSN, UPI
Walter Reeves TE 1988 TSN
Benji Roland DT 1988 TSN
Ed King OG 1989, 1990‡ AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, SH, UPI, TFN
Craig Ogletree LB 1989 TSN
David Rocker DT 1990† AFCA, WCFF, AP, UPI
Wayne Gandy OT 1993† AP, FWAA, SH, UPI
Terry Daniel P 1993† AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, AP, TSN, SH, TFN
Brian Robinson SS 1994† WCFF, AP, TFN
Frank Sanders WR 1994 AP, FWAA, SH
Chris Shelling SS 1994 FWAA, SH
Victor Riley OT 1997 AFCA
Takeo Spikes LB 1997 TSN
Damon Duval PK 2001† AFCA, WCFF, AP
Karlos Dansby LB 2003 AFCA, ESPN
Marcus McNeill OT 2004, 2005† AP, CBS, FWAA, SI, Rivals, CFN, WCFF, TSN, ESPN
Carlos Rogers CB 2004† AP, FWAA, WCFF, SI, Rivals, CFN, ESPN, CBS
Junior Rosegreen SS 2004 SI, CBS
Carnell Williams RB 2004 AFCA
Ben Grubbs OG 2006 Rivals, ESPN, PFW
Cam Newton QB 2010† AFCA, AP, Rivals, SI, WCFF, TSN, CBS
Lee Ziemba OT 2010† AFCA, FWAA, SI, WCFF
Nick Fairley DT 2010† AP, FWAA, Rivals, SI, WCFF, ESPN, CBS, TSN
Steven Clark P 2011 AP, SI, Rivals, PFW
Tre Mason RB 2013 TSN
Chris Davis PR 2013 TSN, CBS
Reese Dismukes C 2014† WCFF, AP, AFCA, FWAA, CBS, ESPN, Scout

Tigers in the NFL

Ronnie Brown was the#2 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft

There have been 245 Auburn players drafted into the National Football League, with 15 earning 30 All-Pro honors, 27 making Pro Bowl appearances, and 23 playing in the Super Bowl.

The Dow Jones College-Football Success Index ranked Auburn as the eighth best program in the nation, with the second highest Draft Value which indicate "that a school's players perform better than NFL scouts seem to expect".[53] Auburn has the second most Top 5 NFL Draft picks only behind USC, and The Plains have produced 26 first round draft picks overall.

Current NFL players

Name Position Team
Daren Bates LB St.Louis Rams
Emory Blake WR St.Louis Rams
Ronnie Brown RB San Diego Chargers
Josh Bynes LB Detroit Lions
Jason Campbell QB Cincinnati Bengals
Karlos Dansby LB Cleveland Browns
Chris Davis DB San Diego Chargers
King Dunlap OT San Diego Chargers
Nick Fairley DT St. Louis Rams
Dee Ford LB Kansas City Chiefs
Tyronne Green OG Dallas Cowboys
Ben Grubbs OG Kansas City Chiefs
Josh Harris LS Atlanta Falcons
Will Herring LB St.Louis Rams
Corey Lemonier LB San Francisco 49ers
Senderrick Marks DT Jacksonville Jaguars
Tre Mason RB St.Louis Rams
Brandon Mosley OT New York Giants
Cam Newton QB Carolina Panthers
Cody Parkey PK Philadelphia Eagles
Jerraud Powers DB Arizona Cardinals
Jay Prosch FB Houston Texans
Jeremiah Ratliff DT Chicago Bears
Greg Robinson OT St.Louis Rams
Carlos Rogers DB Oakland Raiders
Pat Sims DT Oakland Raiders
Ben Tate RB Pittsburgh Steelers
Neiko Thorpe DB Oakland Raiders

2014 NFL Draft

Name Position Round Pick
Greg Robinson OT Rd 1 Pick 2
Dee Ford LB Rd 1 Pick 23
Tre Mason RB Rd 3 Pick 75
Jay Prosch FB Rd 6 Pick 222

Hall of Fame

Name Position Inducted
Frank Gatski C 1985

The Iron Bowl

The Iron Bowl is played annually on Thanksgiving weekend between Auburn and Alabama, and is widely reckoned as the most bitter rivalry in college football. The game was first played from 1893 to 1906 but was suspended for 42 years. The game resumed in 1949 and the rivalry has blossomed into one of the biggest games of the year. The winners of the past 5 out of 6 Iron Bowls have gone on to play in the BCS national championship game. While Alabama leads the overall series 43-35–1, Auburn has won nine out of the 14 meetings since it became a home-and-home series in 2000.

Bowl history

Auburn football teams have been invited to participate in 39 total bowls and have garnered a record of 22–15–2. Auburn ranks as one of the best programs in the nation in success in bowl games. Auburn ranks 16th in all-time bowl appearances with 37, 10th in all-time bowl wins with 22, and 5th in all-time bowl win percentage (minimum of 20 games) at .622. Most recently, Auburn defeated the Virginia Cavaliers in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, 43–24, on December 31, 2011. Auburn faced #1 Florida State in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, California on January 6, 2014. They lost by a score of 34-31. It was the Tigers' second BCS Championship appearance in four years.

W/L Date PF Opponent PA Bowl Attendance
T 01-01-1937 7 Villanova 7 Bacardi Bowl 12,000
W 01-01-1938 6 Michigan State 0 Orange Bowl 18,972
L 01-01-1954 13 Texas Tech 35 Gator Bowl 28,641
W 12-31-1954 33 Baylor 13 Gator Bowl 28,426
L 12-31-1955 13 Vanderbilt 25 Gator Bowl 32,174
L 01-01-1964 7 Nebraska 13 Orange Bowl 72,647
L 12-18-1965 7 Mississippi 13 Liberty Bowl 38,607
W 12-28-1968 34 Arizona 10 Sun Bowl 32,307
L 12-31-1969 7 Houston 36 Bluebonnet Bowl 55,203
W 01-02-1971 35 Mississippi 28 Gator Bowl 71,136
L 01-01-1972 22 Oklahoma 40 Sugar Bowl 80,096
W 12-30-1972 24 Colorado 3 Gator Bowl 71,114
L 12-29-1973 17 Missouri 34 Sun Bowl 30,127
W 12-30-1974 27 Texas 3 Gator Bowl 63,811
W 12-18-1982 33 Boston College 26 Tangerine Bowl 51,296
W 01-02-1984 9 Michigan 7 Sugar Bowl 77,893
W 12-27-1984 21 Arkansas 15 Liberty Bowl 50,108
L 01-01-1986 16 Texas A&M 36 Cotton Bowl Classic 73,137
W 01-01-1987 16 Southern California 7 Florida Citrus Bowl 51,113
T 01-01-1988 16 Syracuse 16 Sugar Bowl 75,495
L 01-02-1989 7 Florida State 13 Sugar Bowl 75,098
W 01-01-1990 31 Ohio State 14 Hall of Fame Bowl 52,535
W 12-29-1990 27 Indiana 23 Peach Bowl 38,962
L 01-01-1996 14 Penn State 43 Outback Bowl 65,313
W 12-31-1996 32 Army 29 Independence Bowl 41,366
W 01-02-1998 21 Clemson 17 Peach Bowl 75,562
L 01-01-2001 28 Michigan 31 Florida Citrus Bowl 66,928
L 12-31-2001 10 North Carolina 16 Peach Bowl 71,827
W 01-01-2003 13 Penn State 9 Capital One Bowl 66,334
W 12-31-2003 28 Wisconsin 14 Music City Bowl 55,109
W 01-03-2005 16 Virginia Tech 13 Sugar Bowl 77,349
L 01-02-2006 10 Wisconsin 24 Capital One Bowl 57,221
W 01-01-2007 17 Nebraska 14 Cotton Bowl Classic 66,777
W 12-31-2007 23 Clemson 20 Chick-fil-A Bowl 74,413
W 01-01-2010 38 Northwestern 35 Outback Bowl 49,383
W 01-10-2011 22 Oregon 19 BCS National Championship Game 78,603
W 12-31-2011 43 Virginia 24 Chick-fil-A Bowl 72,919
L 01-06-2014 31 Florida State 34 BCS National Championship Game 101,821
L 01-01-2015 31 Wisconsin 34 Outback Bowl 44,023

Future opponents

Non-division opponents

Auburn plays Georgia as a permanent non-division opponent annually and rotates around the East division among the other six schools.[54]

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
vs Georgia at Georgia vs Georgia at Georgia vs Georgia at Georgia vs Georgia at Georgia vs Georgia at Georgia vs Georgia
at Kentucky vs Vanderbilt at Missouri vs Tennessee at Florida vs Kentucky at South Carolina vs Missouri at Vanderbilt vs Florida at Tennessee

Non-conference opponents

Auburn is scheduled to play the following non-conference opponents in future seasons:[55]

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
vs. Louisville (Atlanta) vs. Clemson at Clemson vs. TBD vs. TBD vs. California at California
vs. Jacksonville State vs. Arkansas State vs. Mercer
vs. Idaho vs. Alabama A&M
vs. San Jose State vs. Louisiana–Monroe

References

  1. ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3836130
  2. ↑ Erickson, Joel (13 September 2012). "James Owens, the school's first black football player, leaves a lasting legacy at Auburn with award named for him". Al.com. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/m-57". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  4. ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/1992-12-18/sports/sp-2241_1_terry-bowden
  5. ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/1998/oct/27/sports/sp-36668
  6. ↑ http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-11-29/sports/9811290168_1_tommy-tuberville-defensive-coordinator-bill-oliver-auburn-job
  7. ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3742934
  8. ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3767115
  9. ↑ http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8674097/gene-chizik-fired-auburn-tigers
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/stewart_mandel/12/04/gus-malzahn-auburn/
  11. ↑ "Conference Record 1992–2012 (SEC West)". Stassen College Football Information. 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  12. ↑ "Conference Record 2008–2012". Stassen College Football Information. 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  13. ↑ "Division I-A All-Time Wins". College Football Data Warehouse. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  14. ↑ "I-A Winning Percentage 1986–2010 (25 years)". Stassen College Football Information. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  15. ↑ "I-A Winning Percentage 1955–2010". Stassen College Football Information. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  16. ↑ "I-A Winning Percentage 1892–2010". Stassen College Football Information. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  17. ↑ "Billingsley's All Time Top Programs". College Football Research Center. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  18. ↑ "Billingsley's Top 200 Teams of All Time". College Football Research Center. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  19. ↑ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/805789-college-football-power-ranking-the-top-50-programs-of-all-time/page/34
  20. ↑ http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/index.php
  21. ↑ http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/auburn/rankings.php
  22. ↑ "College Football Prestige Rankings: Nos. 21-119". 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  23. ↑ "Final AP Poll Appearances Summary". AP Poll Archive. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  24. ↑ "Total AP Poll Appearances Summary". AP Poll Archive. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  25. ↑ "Auburn in the Polls". College Football Data Warehouse. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  26. ↑ 1942 Georgia Bulldogs football team#1942 season
  27. ↑ http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041411aaa.html
  28. ↑ "Auburn Football History and Tradition". Auburn University Athletics Department. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  29. ↑ "Auburn Traditions". Auburn University. 2006. Archived from the original on 28 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-01.
  30. ↑ http://ashof.org/index.php?src=directory&view=company&refno=252&srctype=company_detail
  31. ↑ http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/auburn/yearly_totals.php
  32. ↑ http://www.collegefootball.bz/auburn/opponents/mississippi-state
  33. ↑ http://www.mcubed.net/ncaaf/series/aub/msst.shtml
  34. ↑ http://www.collegefootball.bz/auburn/opponents/vanderbilt
  35. ↑ "The best Walk in America". ESPN.com. 2003. Archived from the original on 8 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
  36. ↑ Barnhart, Tony (2000). Southern fried football: the history, passion, and glory of the great Southern game. Triumph. p. 49. ISBN 978-1-60078-093-6.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 2010 Auburn Football Media Guide, p. 157
  38. ↑ "Auburn to name Chizik as coach". ESPN.com. 2008-12-15. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  39. ↑ 2010 Auburn Football Media Guide, pp. 136–143
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 2010 Auburn Football Media Guide, pp. 184–193
  41. ↑ The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "National Poll Rankings" (PDF). 2010 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Records. NCAA.org. pp. 68–77. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  42. ↑ "Tradition, History and Legend" at Auburn Tigers website
  43. ↑ "Heisman Trophy Winners". heisman.com. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  44. ↑ Alder, James. "Walter Camp Award Winners". About.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2008. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  45. ↑ "All-Time Outland Trophy Winners". Football Writers Association of America. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  46. ↑ "The Rotary Lombardi Award Website — Winners". Rotary Club of Houston. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  47. ↑ "The Jim Thorpe Award — Past Winners". The Jim Thorpe Association. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  48. ↑ "Rimington Trophy". Retrieved 2014-12-10.
  49. ↑ "Paul "Bear" Bryant Previous Winners" (PDF). American Heart Association. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  50. ↑ "Home Depot Previous Winners". Home Depot. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  51. ↑ "Chizik picks up another coaching honor". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
  52. ↑ "Former Winners of the Broyles Award". Rotary Club of Little Rock. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  53. ↑ "Dow Jones College-Football Success Index". The Wall Street Journal. 2006. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-06.
  54. ↑ "SEC Future Football Schedule Rotation Announced". fbschedules.com. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
  55. ↑ "Auburn Tigers Football Schedules and Future Schedules". fbschedules.com. Retrieved 2012-09-02.

External links