Hugh Freeze

The 2023 Iron Bowl will forever be known for the "Gravedigger," a miraculous play that saved Alabama's season. Trailing 24-20 with 32 seconds remaining, Alabama faced a dire 4th-and-goal from the Auburn 31-yard line after a bad snap and a penalty. In a moment of desperation, quarterback Jalen Milroe famously yelled "Give me a snap, clap!" and launched a prayer to the back left corner of the end zone. Wide receiver Isaiah Bond fought through contact to secure the catch, stunning the Jordan-Hare crowd and giving Alabama a 27-24 lead. Before the miracle, the game was a defensive slugfest where Auburn seemed poised for an upset, capitalizing on Alabama mistakes and muffed punts. Auburn took the lead in the second half behind a punishing run game led by Jarquez Hunter. But Milroe's heroics on 4th-and-31 etched his name into Iron Bowl lore alongside the greatest plays in the rivalry's history. The victory kept Alabama's College Football Playoff hopes alive, eventually propelling them to an SEC Championship win over Georgia.

The 2024 Iron Bowl marked a new chapter in the rivalry, with Kalen DeBoer earning his first victory in the series as Alabama head coach. Facing a spirited Auburn team at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide relied on a punishing ground game and a stifling defense to secure a 28-14 win. Quarterback Jalen Milroe was the catalyst, showcasing his dynamic dual-threat ability by rushing for 104 yards and three touchdowns while adding 256 yards through the air. After a tight first half that saw Auburn trailing just 14-7, Alabama asserted control in the third quarter. The Tide defense, led by linebacker Jihaad Campbell, clamped down on Auburn's offense, forcing crucial stops and limiting Payton Thorne's effectiveness despite his 301 passing yards. A critical turning point came when Alabama marched 92 yards in 12 plays, capped by Milroe's third rushing touchdown, extending the lead to 21-7. Although Auburn fought back with a late touchdown pass to Cam Coleman, Alabama's defense sealed the game with an interception in the final minutes. The victory extended Alabama's winning streak in the Iron Bowl to five games and kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive in the expanded 12-team field.