Bo Over the Top

Bo Over the Top was an iconic collegiate football play in the 1982 Iron Bowl. The play involved famous Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson and proved to be the deciding factor in the game between the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide. The "Over the Top" refers to the nature of the play. Jackson, a state champion high jumper in high school, jumped over the Alabama defensive line on a critical 4th down play from the 1-yard line.

Background

Auburn was in the middle of a 9 year losing streak versus Alabama. The Tide, coached by legend Paul "Bear" Bryant, had captured numerous conference and national titles over that time frame. At the conclusion of the disastrous 1980 season, Auburn fired coach Doug Barfield after he failed to defeat Alabama for the 5th consecutive year.

Auburn officials then hired coach Pat Dye from Wyoming. Dye had played college football at Georgia, an old rival of Auburn's. Dye instilled a "tough" attitude in his new team. Although his first season ended in a 5-6 record, the same 5-6 record from a year ago, the outcomes were much more hotly contested. The 42-0 loss to Tennessee in 1980 became a 10-7 loss in 1981. The 21-17 loss to LSU in 1980 became a 19-7 triumph in 1981. And most importantly, the Tigers were 2 minutes away from knocking off #4 Alabama. Underdog Auburn held a 17-14 lead late, but the Tide rallied for two quick scores in the final 2 minutes.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the future remained bright for Dye and his Auburn Tigers. His 1982 squad proved to make even greater strides then his first team. They jumped out to a 7-3 record and nearly knocked off #1 Georgia, falling 19-14. Alabama was also 7-3, but a 38-29 loss to lowly Southern Miss made Auburn a rare favorite in the 47th edition of the Iron Bowl.

Bo Jackson

The key player in the game proved to be true freshman sensation, Bo "Big Train" Jackson. Jackson was a tri-sport phenom in high school, hailing from Bessemer, Alabama. The only two schools Jackson was considering were in-state foes Alabama and Auburn. But after Tide recruiters told Jackson that he wouldn't see the field until his junior year, Bo immediately committed to Auburn. Pat Dye had promised Jackson that he'd get playing time as a true freshman.

Dye kept his promise. Jackson was the opening day starter in 1982, sharing the backfield with undersized scat back Lionel "Little Train" James and hefty fullback Ron O'Neal. Bo impressed with 829 yards on the year, averaging 6.5 yards a carry.

Game

First half

The 1st half was a classic back-and-forth battle. Alabama struck first on a 22 yard pass play. But Auburn capitalized on a fumble in Alabama territory with a 14 yard scamper by James to knot the game at 7 apiece. Alabama added two field goals in the 2nd period but a short touchdown run by gutsy Tiger quarterback Randy Campbell gave Auburn a 14-13 halftime lead.

Second half

Alabama owned the 3rd quarter. The Tiger offense failed to muster a first down and the Tide mounted two lengthy drives. The first one ended in a Tide touchdown, but the 2-point conversion failed. The second drive was halted on the 2-yard line and Bryant settled for an 18-yard field goal and 22-14 lead going into the final period.

On the next Auburn possession, Lionel James got things rolling with a 10 yard dash on 1st down. Then Bo Jackson took a hand off up the middle, broke into the secondary of the defense, and rumbled 53 yards into the opposition's territory. The drive stalled here, however, and an Al Del Greco field goal cut the lead to 22-17. From here, the Auburn defense tightened and forced a monumental 3-and-out for Alabama with 7 minutes left on the clock. Campbell engineered a do-or-die drive and with under 3 minutes to play, Auburn had the ball on Alabama's 9 yard line. A penalty set them back to the 14. After two short runs, Auburn faced a critical 3rd down and goal. Campbell hit Jackson on a crossing route, and he was stopped 18 inches from the goal line. The choice was obvious for Dye, he had to go for it.

The Play

In the huddle with Coach Dye, Jackson suggested a play. "Coach, I was a 7 foot high jumper in high school. Why don't we go over the top?" Dye complied with his running back and Auburn went with the play. Lead blockers on the play were running back Lionel James and fullback Ron O'Neal. Jackson plunged over the line and barely eclipsed the goal line, giving Auburn a 23-22 lead.

The Finish

The Auburn faithful exploded into a frenzy following Bo's score, but 2:26 still remained on the clock. And giving how Auburn's defense had fared most of the game, it was plenty of time for a Tide answer. On 3rd down, Bob Harris, Auburn's star ball-hawking safety, intercepted an errant pass and apparently sealed the win, but Jackson fumbled on the next play to give Alabama new life. The Tide marched into Auburn territory, but the Tiger defense held out. A last second pass hit the turf, igniting a frenzied celebration. Auburn fans stormed the field and Legion Field's goalposts were torn down and paraded around the stadium. Pat Dye himself was carried off the field on the shoulders of his players.

Aftermath

Auburn received a bid in the Tangerine Bowl after the season and defeated Boston College. The Tigers ranked #14 in the final Associated Press and coaches' polls.

This was Bear Bryant's last Iron Bowl. He retired shortly after Alabama's win in the Liberty Bowl against Illinois and died almost a month later.

After recording their first win in the game since 1972, Auburn won consecutive Iron Bowls for the first time since the 1969-70 games when they topped Alabama in the next Iron Bowl. Auburn won a total of six Iron Bowls in the 1980s and have won the game twelve additional times since then, including a streak of six consecutive wins from 2002 through 2007.

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