1971 Iron Bowl

1971-11-27

Birmingham, AL (Legion Field)

ALABAMA

Ranked #5

WINNER

AUBURN

Game Summary

The 1971 Iron Bowl was dubbed the "Game of the Century" in the South. Both teams entered the game undefeated: #2 Alabama (10-0) vs. #5 Auburn (9-0). It was a matchup of Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan (Auburn) against the relentless Alabama machine. The game was a decisive victory for Alabama's new wishbone offense. Alabama dominated possession and ground down the Auburn defense, winning 31-7. Alabama running back Johnny Musso rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns. The story of the game was the Alabama defense shutting down Pat Sullivan. They harassed him all day, preventing the big plays that had defined Auburn's season. The win secured the SEC title for Alabama and cemented the wishbone as the future.

Series Snapshot

#36

Meeting of 90

19-16-1

Series after game

1-1-0

Record in the 1970s through this game

#23

Widest-margin rank

Before this meeting, the archive record stood at Alabama 18, Auburn 16, with 1 tie. The 1971 result moved it to Alabama 19, Auburn 16, with 1 tie.

This was the 2nd listed Iron Bowl of the 1970s. Through this game, Alabama had 1 win, Auburn had 1, and the decade included 0 ties.

The teams combined for 38 points, ranking #44 in total scoring among the 90 meetings in the current archive, with 4 games sharing that total. The 24-point margin ranks #23 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 1970 and the next was 1972.

Decisive Moment

Alabama's defense holding Heisman winner Pat Sullivan to just 7 points while the offense controlled the clock.

Key Players

Johnny Musso (Alabama) ↗

Pat Sullivan (Auburn) ↗

Terry Beasley (Auburn) ↗

Terry Davis (Alabama)

📜

Historical Deep Dive

The 1971 Iron Bowl was dubbed the “Game of the Century” in the South. Both teams entered the game undefeated: #2 Alabama (10-0) vs. #5 Auburn (9-0). It was a matchup of Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan (Auburn) against the relentless Alabama machine.

The Wishbone vs. The Arm

The game was a decisive victory for Alabama’s new wishbone offense. Alabama dominated possession and ground down the Auburn defense, winning 31-7. Alabama running back Johnny Musso rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

Shutting Down Sullivan

The story of the game was the Alabama defense shutting down Pat Sullivan. They harassed him all day, preventing the big plays that had defined Auburn’s season. The win secured the SEC title for Alabama and cemented the wishbone as the future of Alabama football.

← Previous Game

1970

Alabama 28 - Auburn 33

Next Game →

1972

Alabama 16 - Auburn 17

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.