1961 Iron Bowl

1961-12-02

Birmingham, AL (Legion Field)

ALABAMA

Ranked #1

WINNER

AUBURN

Game Summary

The 1961 Iron Bowl was the coronation of Bear Bryant's first national championship team at Alabama. #1 Alabama steamrolled Auburn 34-0 at Legion Field to complete a perfect 11-0 season. The 1961 Alabama defense is legendary. They allowed only 25 points *all season*. In the Iron Bowl, they were impenetrable, shutting out Auburn and forcing multiple turnovers. Auburn never threatened to score. The victory secured the AP National Championship, the first of six for Bryant.

Series Snapshot

#26

Meeting of 90

12-13-1

Series after game

2-0-0

Record in the 1960s through this game

Widest-margin rank

Before this meeting, the archive record stood at Alabama 11, Auburn 13, with 1 tie. The 1961 result moved it to Alabama 12, Auburn 13, with 1 tie.

This was the 2nd listed Iron Bowl of the 1960s. Through this game, Alabama had 2 wins, Auburn had 0, and the decade included 0 ties.

The teams combined for 34 points, ranking #55 in total scoring among the 90 meetings in the current archive, with 4 games sharing that total. The 34-point margin ranks #9 by size, shared by 2 games.

This archive page combines verified game data with available rivalry context for the modern series record. In the surrounding chronology, the previous listed meeting was 1960 and the next was 1962.

Decisive Moment

Alabama's defense forcing turnovers and shutting out Auburn to cap a perfect season.

Key Players

Pat Trammell (Alabama)

Lee Roy Jordan (Alabama) ↗

Billy Neighbors (Alabama)

Bobby Hunt (Auburn)

📜

Historical Deep Dive

The 1961 Iron Bowl was the coronation of Bear Bryant’s first national championship team at Alabama. #1 Alabama steamrolled Auburn 34-0 at Legion Field to complete a perfect 11-0 season.

Defensive Perfection

The 1961 Alabama defense is legendary. They allowed only 25 points all season. In the Iron Bowl, they were impenetrable, shutting out Auburn and forcing multiple turnovers. Auburn never threatened to score.

Starting a Dynasty

The victory secured the AP National Championship, the first of six for Bryant. It marked the definitive arrival of Alabama as a national superpower under his command.

Alabama 38 - Auburn 0

Editorial note

Iron Bowl History separates verified game data from editorial interpretation. Scores, dates, and rivalry records are maintained from official records, media guides, game books, and contemporary accounts when available. See our sources and methodology page for correction standards.