In between reading and studying for classes at the library, I can’t help look outside the window at Samford tower and remember all the great times I’ve had here at Auburn. I still have one more year and a whole lot of football to watch in my lifetime. My first game at Auburn was in 2005 against Georgia Tech. The game didn’t end well, but ever since then, I’ve witnessed some great wins. Without futher adieu, here is my top 5 favorite Auburn games since I’ve been a student here.

(#5) 2006 Auburn vs. LSU (7-3): This game just about gave me a heart attack. It was a pure defensive brawl. I enjoyed it because it was the lowest scoring game that I have ever witnessed. Even in all the high school football games I’ve attended since I was a kid. Every player got it their all, and a controversial play was called on Auburn for a possible pass interference on Zach Gilbert. Thank you Eric Brock for knocking the ball out of the way.

(#4) 2005 Auburn vs. Georgia (31-30): This game was as intense as they come. Each team bombed points on one another and at times Georgia seemed to have control of the game. Just when things started to look dire for Auburn, Karibi Dede recovers a fumble, scores a touchdown and brings Auburn back in contention for the win. When the Bulldogs forced a 4th and 10 with only a few minutes left in the game, the entire Auburn family held their breath. Brandon Cox threw a beautiful pass (in my opinion, the signature play of his career) to Devin Aromashodu and it was caught. As Aromashodu ran the ball into the endzone, it was fumbled but recovered by Courtney Taylor. I thought we had made the touchdown and was beginning to get ready for the final few minutes of the game when a little-known rule stated that you cannot fumble the ball in the endzone and recover it for a touchdown. So we run down the clock and bring in kicker John Vaughn, who had his share of misfortune a few weeks earlier against LSU. Bam, we win 31-30.

(#3) 2007 Auburn vs. Florida (20-17): Now it is starting to get harder to rank these games! This game was great because it was the second year that we beat Florida while they were ranked high (#4 to be exact). The Swamp was an intimidating place and is arguably louder than LSU’s “Death Valley.” The last time Auburn was able to beat Florida was in 1994 in a little game where we knocked off Steve Spurrier’s teaw, which was ranked #1 in the nation. This was a special game because we dominated them throughout the game. They never had the lead and our defense was able to stop future Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow’s game. Auburn was a something like a 21 point underdog in this game and nobody gave us a chance. Thanks to Wes Byrum’s foot (twice), we won this game by a field goal in the closing seconds.

(#2) 2006 Auburn vs. Florida (27-17): Some may be shocked that this isn’t the number one game I’ve witnessed. It was hard not to rank this one number one for several reasons. This game was loud! Real loud! In my three years at Auburn, Jordan-Hare has never been so loud. Florida, which was ranked #2 in the nation, controlled the game early and our offense was having a hard time finding the endzone. That is, until a few moments of glory started to unfold. Although the Gators won the rest of their games and won a national championship, I’m sure none of them won’t be too fond of AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells” for a very long time.

And Now…

(#1) 2005 Auburn vs. Alabama (28-18): Sack, Sack, Sack, Sack, Sack, Sack, Sack, Sack, Sack, Sack, Sack. Up until this game, all I heard about was how Alabama was back into the spotlight. Brodie Croyle for president. Mike Shula for governor. LSU whipped them up nicely and put them back into their place the week before. But the Auburn Tigers were ready to take them out again. This pregame still seems to be the most exciting one I had been a part of at Auburn. I can remember waiting for the team in the pregame tunnel for this game, and once Coach Tuberville and the team passed by the whole experience of the Iron Bowl seemed surreal to me. This was my first Iron Bowl at Auburn. Once I got up into the stands, I can remember cheering along with the rest of the band as we watched Brodie Croyle get sacked a shocking 11 times. The game was pure and total domination and this is why my first Iron Bowl is also first on my list of memorable Auburn football games.

Feel free to rank your own games or give feedback. Send them by replying to this post and I will create another “Auburn Memories” page later.

War Eagle!