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1972 Iron Bowl

1972-12-02
Birmingham, AL (Legion Field)
ALABAMA
Ranked #2
16
VS
AUBURN
Ranked #9
17
WINNER

Game Summary

The 1972 Iron Bowl is simply known as "Punt Bama Punt." It is perhaps the most famous special teams performance in college football history. #9 Auburn stunned #2 Alabama 17-16 in a game that defies logic. With 10 minutes left in the game, Alabama led 16-0 and seemed to have the game comfortably in hand. Then, the impossible happened. Auburn's Bill Newton blocked an Alabama punt, and David Langner picked it up and ran it in for a touchdown. Trailing 16-7, the Auburn defense forced another punt. Incredibly, Bill Newton broke through and blocked the second punt as well. Once again, David Langner scooped it up and ran it into the end zone. The two blocked punts turned a 16-0 deficit into a 17-16 win.

Series Snapshot

#37
Meeting of 90
19-17-1
Series after game
1-2-0
Record in the 1970s through this game
#84
Widest-margin rank

Before this meeting, the archive record stood at Alabama 19, Auburn 16, with 1 tie. The 1972 result moved it to Alabama 19, Auburn 17, with 1 tie.

This was the 3rd listed Iron Bowl of the 1970s. Through this game, Alabama had 1 win, Auburn had 2, and the decade included 0 ties.

The teams combined for 33 points, ranking #59 in total scoring among the 90 meetings in the current archive, with 2 games sharing that total. The 1-point margin ranks #84 by size, shared by 6 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 1971 and the next was 1973.

Decisive Moment

Bill Newton blocking two consecutive punts in the fourth quarter, both returned for touchdowns by David Langner.

Key Players

Bill Newton (Auburn)
David Langner (Auburn)
Gardner Jett (Auburn)
Terry Davis (Alabama)
📜

Historical Deep Dive

The 1972 Iron Bowl is simply known as “Punt Bama Punt.” It is perhaps the most famous special teams performance in college football history. #9 Auburn stunned #2 Alabama 17-16 in a game that defies logic.

The Blocks

With 10 minutes left in the game, Alabama led 16-0 and seemed to have the game comfortably in hand. Then, the impossible happened. Auburn’s Bill Newton blocked an Alabama punt, and David Langner picked it up and ran it in for a touchdown. Trailing 16-7, the Auburn defense forced another punt.

Deja Vu

Incredibly, Bill Newton broke through and blocked the second punt as well. Once again, David Langner scooped it up and ran it into the end zone. The two blocked punts turned a 16-0 deficit into a 17-16 win. David Langner sealed the game with an interception in the final minute. It remains the most cherished victory in Auburn history.

← Previous Game
1971
Alabama 31 - Auburn 7
Next Game →
1973
Alabama 35 - 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.