1979 Iron Bowl

1979-12-01

Birmingham, AL (Legion Field)

ALABAMA

Ranked #2

WINNER

AUBURN

Game Summary

Alabama preserved its undefeated regular season with a 25-18 Iron Bowl win over Auburn at Legion Field. The Tigers pushed the Crimson Tide harder than the rankings suggested, but Bear Bryant's team found enough offense and late defensive composure to keep its national championship run intact.

Series Snapshot

#44

Meeting of 90

26-17-1

Series after game

8-2-0

Record in the 1970s through this game

#58

Widest-margin rank

Before this meeting, the archive record stood at Alabama 25, Auburn 17, with 1 tie. The 1979 result moved it to Alabama 26, Auburn 17, with 1 tie.

This was the 10th listed Iron Bowl of the 1970s. Through this game, Alabama had 8 wins, Auburn had 2, and the decade included 0 ties.

The teams combined for 43 points, ranking #35 in total scoring among the 90 meetings in the current archive, with 2 games sharing that total. The 7-point margin ranks #58 by size, shared by 7 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 1978 and the next was 1980.

Decisive Moment

Alabama protected a one-score lead late, closing out an unbeaten regular season.

Key Players

Steadman Shealy (Alabama)

Major Ogilvie (Alabama)

Joe Cribbs (Auburn)

James Brooks (Auburn)

📜

Historical Deep Dive

The 1979 Iron Bowl was a high-stakes battle between #1 Alabama (10-0) and #14 Auburn. Alabama needed a win to stay on track for a national championship, but Auburn, led by the potent backfield of Joe Cribbs and James Brooks, proved to be a formidable obstacle.

The Defining Drive

Alabama’s wishbone offense, orchestrated by quarterback Steadman Shealy, had its defining moment in the fourth quarter. With the game tight, Shealy led an 82-yard touchdown drive that chewed up the clock and the Auburn defense. Shealy capped the drive with a touchdown run and a two-point conversion to secure a 25-18 victory.

A Perfect Season

The win propelled Alabama to the Sugar Bowl, where they defeated Arkansas to claim the undisputed national championship. The 1979 team is widely regarded as one of Bear Bryant’s finest, finishing 12-0. The defense, which allowed only 5.6 points per game all season, made crucial stops against Auburn’s dangerous running game.

← Previous Game

1978

Alabama 34 - Auburn 16

Next Game →

1980

Alabama 34 - Auburn 18

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.