With the 85th matchup of the Iron Bowl scheduled for Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine has compiled a series of 10 stories on the best games from the rivalry.
The series will break down the lead up to each game, the significance of the matchup, and the game itself as we go down memory lane of Alabama versus Auburn. We will provide two to three stories per day, until kickoff this weekend.
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At No. 4, we look at the 1982 Iron Bowl matchup.
Lead up to the Game
Alabama had earned its ninth straight Iron Bowl victory in 1981 under Paul Bryant.
After the 28-17 win as the No. 4 team in the nation, the Crimson Tide improved to 9-1-1 and were Co-Champions of the Southeastern Conference. Despite a tough loss to Texas (12-14) in the Cotton Bowl, it had a firm grip on the Tigers in the in-state rivalry. The victory gave Bryant his 315th career win, which surpassed Amos Alonzo Stagg and made him the winningest Football Bowl Subdivision head coach of all-time at that point.
Alabama rolled into the 1982 season looking to make it 10 straight wins over Auburn.
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The Tigers recruited and signed a freshman running back named Vincent “Bo” Jackson. Before he became an SEC and college football legend, both Alabama and Auburn recruited him hard. Coach Dye told him that he would Jackson the best opportunity for him to play and start as a freshman, and that was all he needed to hear. Jackson ended ended playing at Auburn University.
Significance of the Game
Coach Bryant was in his 25th season at Alabama.
Since 1958, he had won 19 of 24 Iron Bowl meetings, but this was his final year. He wanted to go out as a state champion, SEC champion and position his team for a big bowl game. As for Pat Dye, this was his second career Iron Bowl in 1982 for Auburn.
He was looking to end a nine-game losing streak and start one of his own.
The 1982 Iron Bowl Game
Of the quarterbacks that Alabama had to operate the wishbone offense, Walter Lewis was arguably one of the best passers of the Bryant era. The connection of Lewis to Joey Jones (wide receiver) was dominant from the start of the game.
He found Jones for a touchdown to start the contest, and hooked up with him again on another long pass.
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Alabama would also get two made field goals from Peter Kim in the first half. The Tigers answered with a pair of touchdown drives, including a rushing score from Randy Campbell at quarterback. Auburn took a 14-13 lead into halftime, but Lewis was not done with the passing game. Along with the success he had with Jones, Lewis also found Jesse Bendross on a few plays downfield. The two would have been on the same page for a touchdown, if not for Auburn bringing pressure to Lewis and the quarterback not looking in Bendross’ direction. He was wide open on one possession, yet Lewis did not see him.
After forcing an interception off Lewis, Auburn was not able to cash in on the turnover.
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Alabama got the ball back and Perry Carruth ended the drive with a touchdown run. The Tide would not convert on its two-point try, but it took a 19-14 lead. Both teams would trade field goals and with Auburn trailing, 22-17 in the fourth quarter, it turned in a final drive that sent its fans into sheer joy. With a mixture of run and pass, Campbell and the Tigers made it inside the 1-yard. On fourth down, Dye decided to put the game into hands of a freshman that he gave every chance to be special.
Bo Jackson was an impactful player throughout the contest, but he saved his best for last.
He got the ball, jumped over the top of the offensive line, and stretched the ball across the plane for a score.
The play would be forever remember as “Bo Over the Top” and Auburn captured a 23-22 win.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
