I think I am a history teacher wannabe. I don’t quite know why, but I have always enjoyed history. Understanding what cultures were like before ours, how they rose and fell, how that influenced the future; these things just interest me. I also love to play those trivia games that require one to know a lot of meaningless factual data, the knowledge of which adds absolutely no value to anything. So maybe instead of a history teacher wannabe, I am a professional trivia player wannabe.
In any case, this is a week for remembrance. A week for history. A week to look back at the history of Auburn Football. Most of you know that on Saturday, the Tigers will be honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1957 National Championship Team by wearing all white, with no stickers on the helmet. Many activities celebrating their season will be held during the weekend. Most of us who read this blog, however, were either too young to remember the team, or not yet born. Therefore, I want to share a little of the history of that team that you might not find any place else. For those of you old enough to remember….enjoy the memory. For the rest of us….listen up, we might learn something.
Shug Jordan’s team in 1957 had a tremendous defense. In 10 games, they gave up a combined 28 points. Never did they give up more than 7 points in a game. And you thought playing tough, smashed-mouth defense at Auburn was only a recent thing! So buckle your seat belts and enjoy these two flashbacks.
Since we are coming off the tremendous win at Florida this past week, let’s begin by looking at the 1957 Auburn-Florida game. Cliff Hare Stadium was overflowing with a homecoming crowd of over 36,000. Auburn’s stingy defense held the Gators to only 36 yards rushing and 46 yards passing. I didn’t notice whether the quarterback was named “Tebow”. Auburn, on the other hand, gained 301 yards on the ground and 80 yards in the air, as the Tigers cruised to a 13-0 victory.
I would be remiss to leave the 1957 Iron Bowl out of the article. Birmingham’s Legion Field was packed with 44,000 shivering fans, as the temperature stayed in the 30’s. Tommy Lorino rushed 4 times for 56 yards, and intercepted an Alabama pass, running it back 79 yards for a touchdown. Auburn led 34-0 at halftime and never looked back. Winning 40-0, Auburn that day also won the Associated Press National Championship.
As Auburn takes the field on Saturday wearing all-white, close your eyes for a moment. Feel the history of Auburn Lore blow over you like the cool autumn wind. Remember that on this very gridiron, legends were made and heros were born. Remember that 50 years ago, a group of young men set the mark by which all future Tiger teams would be measured. Unfortunately, not all of them are still with us. But most of them who are will be honored on their field of battle. And when those young men….now gray haired and retired…..walk out onto the field to be honored, stand up. Take off your hat. Clap your hands. Loud. Stick out your chest. Be proud. Pay your respects to them. And never let your children forget…..THIS…is Auburn Football.
War Eagle!
WJLaneSr
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