The 1996 Iron Bowl was an emotional rollercoaster played at Legion Field. It was the final Iron Bowl for beloved Alabama coach Gene Stallings, who had announced his retirement. His team sent him out a winner with a breathless 24-23 victory.
From Blowout to Nail-Biter
Alabama dominated early, building a 17-0 lead that seemed safe. However, Auburn, led by quarterback Dameyune Craig, mounted a furious comeback. They scored 23 unanswered points to take a 23-17 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Legion Field crowd was stunned.
The Final Drive
With the season on the line, Alabama quarterback Freddie Kitchens engineered a masterclass drive. He marched the Tide down the field and found Dennis Riddle for a short touchdown pass with just seconds remaining. The extra point gave Alabama the 24-23 lead. Auburn’s defense, which had played valiantly, couldn’t get the final stop. The win was a fitting tribute to Stallings, cementing his legacy with one last triumph over his rival.