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.