Nick Marshall
Biography
Nick Marshall arrived at Auburn in 2013 as a junior college transfer and immediately transformed the Tigers into a national powerhouse. A converted defensive back with a rocket arm and elite elusive ability, Marshall was the perfect fit for Gus Malzahn's "Hurry-Up, No-Huddle" offense. In his first Iron Bowl in 2013, he orchestrated a stunning offensive performance, throwing for two touchdowns—including a game-tying 39-yard strike to Sammie Coates with 32 seconds left that set the stage for the "Kick Six." The following year, Marshall exploded for 456 passing yards and 3 touchdowns in the 2014 Iron Bowl, keeping Auburn in a shootout with top-ranked Alabama despite the eventual loss. His 2-0 record against Alabama in Jordan-Hare Stadium (if counting 2013 separately from the neutral site feeling) cemented his legacy, though officially he went 1-1 vs the Tide as a starter (Wait, 2013 was a win, 2014 was a loss). Actually, his Iron Bowl record is 1-1. He won the SEC Championship in 2013 and led Auburn to the BCS National Championship Game. His ability to make magic out of broken plays defined the "Miracle at Jordan-Hare" era.
Statistics
Achievements
- SEC Champion (2013)
- BCS National Championship Runner-up (2013)
- Most Passing Yards in an Iron Bowl (456 in 2014)
- Auburn Single-Season Total Offense Leader (at time)
- Orchestrator of the "Prayer at Jordan-Hare"
Notable Iron Bowl Games
The 2013 Iron Bowl, immortalized as the "Kick Six," stands as arguably the greatest ending in college football history. With #1 Alabama and #4 Auburn tied 28-28 and one second remaining on the clock, Alabama head coach Nick Saban successfully argued for a final play to attempt a game-winning 57-yard field goal. Freshman kicker Adam Griffith's kick fell short in end zone, where Auburn cornerback Chris Davis was waiting. Davis fielded the ball nine yards deep in the end zone and began a return that would echo through history. With key blocks from his teammates, Davis navigated down the left sideline, untouched for a stunning 109-yard touchdown as time expired. The play unleashed pandemonium in Jordan-Hare Stadium, sending thousands of fans rushing onto the field and dashing Alabama's hopes for a third consecutive national championship. The victory vaulted Auburn to the SEC Championship Game and eventually the BCS National Championship. Beyond the final play, the game was a heavyweight fight featuring Nick Marshall's clutch passing (including a game-tying TD to Sammie Coates) and Alabama's powerful offense. But history only remembers "There goes Davis!"
The 2014 Iron Bowl was an offensive explosion that defied the rivalry's defensive reputation. In the highest-scoring game in series history, #1 Alabama outlasted #15 Auburn 55-44 in a contest that featured nearly 1,200 yards of total offense and wild momentum swings. For most of the game, Auburn looked like the better team. Nick Marshall threw for a staggering 456 yards, bombing deep passes to Sammie Coates (206 yards) and D'haquille Williams. Auburn's offense moved at a breakneck pace, confusing the Alabama defense and building a 33-21 lead in the third quarter. But getting the ball back, Alabama quarterback Blake Sims—who had thrown three interceptions earlier—shook off the mistakes. He led a furious comeback, connecting with Amari Cooper (224 yards, 3 TDs) repeatedly. Sims threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns, while the Alabama running game found its rhythm. The Tide scored 28 points in the fourth quarter alone to seize control.