Back to History

1970 Iron Bowl

1970-11-28
Birmingham, AL (Legion Field)
ALABAMA
0
28
VS
AUBURN
0
33
WINNER

Game Summary

The 1970 Iron Bowl was an offensive showcase that signaled a change in college football. In a game featuring 900 yards of offense, Auburn defeated Alabama 33-28 at Legion Field. Alabama jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but they couldn't hold off Auburn's passing attack. Quarterback Pat Sullivan threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for two more. His favorite target, Terry Beasley, was unguardable. The game is significant because it convinced Bear Bryant that his old offensive schemes were no longer sufficient. After seeing the potency of the passing attack and the changing landscape, Bryant would secretly install the wishbone offense during the offseason.

Series Snapshot

#35
Meeting of 90
18-16-1
Series after game
0-1-0
Record in the 1970s through this game
#67
Widest-margin rank

Before this meeting, the archive record stood at Alabama 18, Auburn 15, with 1 tie. The 1970 result moved it to Alabama 18, Auburn 16, with 1 tie.

This was the 1st listed Iron Bowl of the 1970s. Through this game, Alabama had 0 wins, Auburn had 1, and the decade included 0 ties.

The teams combined for 61 points, ranking #8 in total scoring among the 90 meetings in the current archive. The 5-point margin ranks #67 by size, shared by 4 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 1969 and the next was 1971.

Decisive Moment

Pat Sullivan leading Auburn back from a 17-0 deficit with 317 passing yards.

Key Players

Pat Sullivan (Auburn) ↗
Terry Beasley (Auburn) ↗
Johnny Musso (Alabama) ↗
Scott Hunter (Alabama)
📜

Historical Deep Dive

The 1970 Iron Bowl was an offensive showcase that signaled a change in college football. In a game featuring 900 yards of offense, Auburn defeated Alabama 33-28 at Legion Field.

The Comeback

Alabama jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but they couldn’t hold off Auburn’s passing attack. Quarterback Pat Sullivan threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for two more. His favorite target, Terry Beasley, was unguardable.

End of an Era?

The game is significant because it convinced Bear Bryant that his old offensive schemes were no longer sufficient. After seeing the potency of the passing attack and the changing landscape, Bryant would secretly install the wishbone offense during the offseason, setting the stage for Alabama’s dominance in the 1970s.

← Previous Game
1969
Alabama 26 - Auburn 49
Next Game →
1971
Alabama 31 - Auburn 7
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.