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R E T U R B S

T t ^ T H E

FIRST ROW: Fob James, Ben Higgins, Charlie

Hataway,

Charlie

Littles,

George Atkins, Al Brame, Joe Childress, Bill Burbank, Bobby Freeman, Ray Minor.

SECOND ROW: Chuck Maxime, Billy Whitten, Frank D'Agostino, VInce N a r done, Ted Neura, Johnny A d ams, Joe Neura, Dan Clayton, Neil

Galloway,

Jim

Peerson,

Jimmy Long.

THIRD ROW: Billy Hicks, Bunnie Vince

Dooley, Jack

Robinson, Locklear,

Joe Davis, Bobby Duke, Ed Baker, Ed Duncan, Bubba Warren, Bill Kilpatrick, Jim Lofton.

FOURTH ROW: Olin Cunningham. Jim Pyburn, Jim Hall, Bob Scarbrough, Jim Crouch, Dave Middleton, Howell Tubbs, M. L. Brackett, Don Rogers, Rogers.

Jack

Clark,

George

The 1953 football season saw victory come back to Auburn as the Tigers posted a record of 7 wins, 2 losses, and I tie. This is the best record since 1935.

"Shug" Jordan, not to be outdone by the banishing of the two platoon systenn, came up with something much better than anything seen oti the Plains in years. That something was divided into two equal units, better known now by everyone in the nation as the X and Y teams.

These two teams, led by their respective quarterbacks, Vince Dooley and Bobby Freeman, set 14 new Auburn football team and individual records. These are: (I) Total rushing and passing yardage of 3398 to better the old mark of 2962 set in 1951; (2) Quarterbacks passed for 1143 yards to surpass the 1949 mark of 1139; (4) Fifteen backs averaged 4.8 yards per carry in 467 attempts to top the 1942 average of 4.6; (5) Nine backs and linemen intercepted 20 passes of the 127 thrown against them and returned these interceptions for 381 yards to eclipse the old record of 288 set in 1939; (6) Their iriterception return average was 19.1 which erased the old record of 18.5 in 1937; (7) Five backs returned 30 punts for 42 I yards and an average of 14 yards per return to break the mark of I 1.4 set in 1946.

(8) Fourteen backs and linemen scored 257 points to beat the 1935 record of 2 0 1 ; (9) Their average of 339.8 yards per game eclipsed the old mark of 296.2 established in 1951; (10) The quarterbacks connected on 50 per cent (70-140) of their passes to break the record of 49.4 per cent set in 1952; ( I I ) James averaged 39.0 yards on 3 interceptions to shadow the mark of 22.7 set in 1949 by Dwiqht Hitt; (121 James averaged 6.7 yards per carry to break Curtis Kuykendall's mark of 6.6 set in 1944; (13) Freeman averaged 20.3 yards on 8 punt returns—Dooley averaged 20.6 on 5 punts— both are better than Travis Tidwell's I 1.8 average of 1946; (14) Dooley completed 25 of 47 passes for a 53.2 percentage to cancel Dudley Spence's mark of 50.4 per cent set in 1952.

The Plainsmen were voted "Team of the Week" three times during the season for their performances against Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Tulatie.

They led the SEC in total points scored, total offense, and rushing offense. The Tigers received nationwide recognition as they led the country in percentage of pass interceptions and placed fourth in the AP's "Surprise H H H T^MHI Team of the Year" behind Illinois, Stanford, and Iowa. ^^^R^Mjj^^^l *T1 The 1953 team of Shug Jordan was the second team in Auburn history to play in a major bowl. The first one being the 1937 squad that defeated Michigan State 6-0 in the 1938 Orange Bowl.

Four Plainsmen were named to the all SEC squad.

These were: X tackle Frank D'Agostino, first team; Y end Jim Pyburn, first team; X guard George Atkins, second team; and Y quarterback Bobby Freeman, third team.

Truly victory has returned to the Plains!

But, enough for now. Let's flip the page and pick up a few details of the 1953 Auburn Football Team.

A F T E R

u

u £

R S

JEFF BEARD

CHARLIE WALLER Backfield Coach

Athletic Director

BUCK BRADBERRY Backfield Coach

THE mEn (UHO D E R I U E D BILL BECKWITH Athletic Publicity Director

^

^

W

I

^M 262

KEN HOWARD Head Trainer

DICK M c G O W A N Freshman Coach

JOE CONNALLY Freshman Coach

THE F O R m U L f l MILTON THURSTON Eguipment Custodian

TRAVIS LINDSAY Student Manager

THESE mEn UIE HOnOR CAPTAIN VINCE DOOLY Vince, who played guarterback and defensive sideback on the X team, was invited to play in the Annual Blue-Gray Game, but had to refuse because of the Gator Bowl Game. He was voted the outstanding player on the Plainsman sguad for his performance in the Jacksonville classic. Vince made two fine kickoff returns against the North in the Senior Bowl Game. These were his only offensive efforts, however, as Coach Owen placed him on the defensive platoon.

CO-CAPTAIN ED BAKER Ed was the center linbacker and defensive signal caller on the X team. His speed and ability earned him the title of "Best Offensive Center" in the SEC In a coaches poll, also played in the Mobile Classic and. like Vince. was a victim of the two platoon system, employed by both coaches, except that he was placed on the offensive platoon.

BOBBY DUKE Bobby played on both the X and Y teams this season due to injuries to the right halfback corps. No one will forget his kickoff return of 100 yards against Mississippi State. Bobby was one of a few that played both offense and defense for the South in the Annual Mobile Game.

FRANK D'AGOSTINO A "Yankee" who has found a home in the South. Frank, a sophomore tackle on the X team, made the All SEC first team which may mean he's headed for All-American honors in the future.

JIM PYBURN Jim, an end on the Y team, led the pass receiving department for the Plainsmen. In the conference he was second only to Georgia's John Carson. As a result of his excellent receiving and sterling defensive play, Jim made the All SEC first team.

BOBBY FREEMAN " G o o s e . " Y team guarterback and defensive sideback, was placed on the All SEC third team, He was also voted, by the conference coaches, the best defensive back in the SEC.

GEORGE ATKINS George, X team guard, played oustanding ball throughout the season and was chosen on the all conference 2nd team. He would have been a first team choice if there had not been two All-American guards in the SEC. C o - C a p t a i n Ed Baker and C a p t a i n Vince Dooley led the Plainsmen.

FRANK D'AGOSTINO

SENIOR BOWL PLAYERS Representing Auburn in the annual Mobile classic were center Ed Baker, guarterback Vince Dooley, and right halfback Bobby Duke.

263

JIM PYBURN

THE GREATEST

SEflSOn

AUBURN

4 7

STETSON

0

AUBURN

1 3

OLE

0

AUBURN

2 1

MISS.

AUBURN

6

AUBURN

3 4

TULANE

AUBURN

1 6

FLORIDA

A UB URN

2 9

MIAMI

20

A UB URN

3 9

GEORGIA

18

A UB URN

4 5

CLEMSON

19

AUBURN

7

ALABAMA

10

GA.

MISS STATE

TECH

21

36

7

Looking back over the season we see that the Tigers record of 7 wins, 2 losses, and I tie is the best record since 1935. Here are a few highlights of this 10 game 1953 football season.

Fourteen Auburn Football records were broken this year by Vince Dooley, Bobby Freeman, and their X and Y teams. Some of these records dated back to the undefeated team of 1932.

In addition to this, the Tigers led the SEC in total points scored, 257; were first in the conference with their total offensive average of 339.8 yards; were second to Georgia Tech in total defense average; and Fob James led the conference with a 6.7 yard per carry average in 72 attempts.

AUBURN

47

•

STETSON

0

A u b u r n , o p e n e d Its 1953 season w i t h a 47-0 t r o u n c i n g o f Stetson In ' M o n t g o m e r y . A u b u r n fans g o t t h e i r first look at " O n e Football"

Platoon

a n d saw the Plainsmen show a s t r o n g r u n n i n g a t t a c k , ac-

c u r a t e passing a t t a c k a n d a s t u b b o r n d e f e n s e .

The Plainsmen scored In every p e r i o d o f t h e o n s l a u g h t w i t h seven men f i g u r i n g in t h e s c o r i n g . Fob James f.cored t w i c e on runs o f 13 a n d 3 y a r d s a n d J i m Pyburn scored t w i c e on passes f r o m B o b b y F r e e m a n .

O t h e r scorers were C h a r l e s

Hataway,

Bobby

Freeman and

Charlie

Littles, who scored a t o u c h d o w n e a c h , Vince N a r d o n e , who was c r e d i t ed w i t h a s a f e t y , a n d J o e Davis, who kicked t h r e e extra p o i n t s .

Stetson's d e e p e s t p e n e t r a t i o n Into Plainsman t e r r i t o r y was In t h e third

quarter when the

Hatters

managed

to

reach t h e A u b u r n

39

y a r d s t r i p e . In all, t h e y were a b l e t o cross t h e m i d f i e l d s t r i p e only three times.

GAME STATISTICS

D u n c a n a n d D A g o s t i n o o p e n the line as Littles spins for

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn's

. . . . . . .

21 525 15 II 0. . . .

40 110

First Downs Total Yardage Passes Attempted Passes Completed Passes Intercepted Punting Average Yards Penalized

. . . .

6 82 15 3 3 36

Stetson.

Stetson.

Stetson.

Stetson.

Stetson.

Stetson.

Stetson.

4S

first TD.

TUlo l u i n s AUBURN

13

open

MISSISSIPPI

M a r k well t h e S a t u r d a y a f t e r n o o n o f O c t o b e r 3 r d , f o r on this w a r m e a r l y a u t u m n d a y t h e A u b u r n Plainsmen t h u n d e r e d Into t h e van of S o u t h e r n f o o t b a l l powers, as t h e y m a u l e d t h e r u g g e d Rebels o f O l e Miss 13-0.

The Rebels t o o k t h e f i e l d a t C l i f f H a r e S t a d i u m l o o k i n g t o u g h a n d c o n f i d e n t . A b o u t t w o a n d a half hours l a t e r t h e y w a l k e d slowly off t h e scarred t u r f — a b a t t e r e d a n d f r u s t r a t e d ball c l u b . The f a m e d O l e Miss s p l i t T r u n n i n g a t t a c k had m a n a g e d o n l y 32 y a r d s a g a i n s t A u b u r n ' s d o u b l e b a r r e l l e d d e f e n s e , w h i c h t h r e a t e n e d t o sweep t h e Rebs off t h e f i e l d .

This also was t h e d a y t h e h o m e folks g o t a look a t C o a c h J o r d a n ' s t w o f i r s t s t r i n g f o o t b a l l t e a m s , t h e X Team led by Vince D o o l e y , a n d t h e Y T e a m q u a r t e r b a c k e d by B o b b y F r e e m a n . Each t e a m r a m m e d across a t o u c h d o w n in t h e f r a c a s .

The Plainsmen d o m i n a t e d t h e g a m e f r o m t h e very b e g i n n i n g a n d , t h o u g h o n l y s c o r i n g one t o u c h d o w n in each half, t h e y m a r c h e d up

THE sERSon 0

a n d d o w n t h e f i e l d all a f t e r n o o n . The only R e b e l t h r e a t c a m e late In t h e g a m e as t h e result o f an A u b u r n f u m b l e . W i t h t h e i r backs t o t h e w a l l , t h e Plainsmen rose up a n d smashed t h e b u d d i n g Rebel d r i v e .

The shadows were b e g i n n i n g t o l e n g t h e n across t h e f i e l d as t h e f i n a l g u n s o u n d e d t h e end o f t h e O l e Miss massacre, b u t t h e s t a d i u m was g l o w i n g w i t h t h e visions of an e p i c c a m p a i g n f o r t h e f i g h t i n g men of t h e plains.

GAME STATISTICS Auburn.

Auburn .

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

. . . . . . .

. 16. . 253 . . 13. .

5. .

2. . 32. . 20.

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. First Downs . Total Yardage Passes Attempted Passes Completed Passes Intercepted Punting Average Yards Penalized

. . . . .

. . . . .

. . . . .

. . . . .

Mississippi.

Mississippi Mississippi.

Mississippi.

Mississippi.

Mississippi.

Mississippi.

. . . . . . .

. 4 . 103 . 12 . 4 . 0 . 35.2 . 38

Freeman skirts around right end for a seven-yard g a i n .

AUBURN

STATE

21

21

"TERm OF THE

Mississippi State's Maroons held Auburn in tow for 4 0 minutes, until Bobby Duke took a kickoff and raced 100 yards down the sidelines to score. This run Ignited the Plainsmen as they came from a 2 1 0 deficit to an electrifying 21-21 tie in Starkville, Miss.

It was all Mississippi State for two and a half quarters. Behind

lUEEK" STAGES

Jackie Parker, they took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards to score. The Maroons scored again late in the second quarter to make the score board read 14-0 at halftime.

State scored again early in the third period and the stage was set for one of the greatest comebacks in Auburn history.

flmnzmG comEBncK

Bobby Duke made his touchdown run i m m e d i a t e l y after the final State tally and the Plainsmen were back in the g a m e . Later, with only five minutes remaining in the g a m e , G e o r g e Atkins blocked a Jackie Parker punt. Jim Pyburn scooped it up and raced six yards over the goal t o make the score 21-14.

Bobby Freeman scored the third TD, c a p p i n g a 64 yard drive, with

VINCE NARDONE

JIMMY LONG

M. L. BRACKETT

ED DUNCAN

BEN HIGGINS

ED BAKER

only eight seconds remaining in the g a m e . Joe Davis a d d e d the extra point with only one second left to climax the g r e a t comeback.

GAME STATISTICS Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

. . . . . . .

.

9. . 184. . 16. .

4. .

0. . 32. . 20.

. . . First Downs . . Total Yardage Passes Attempted Passes Completed Passes Intercepted Punting Average . . Yards Penalized

State.

State.

State.

State.

State.

State.

State.

. . . . . . .

. II . 315 . 10 . 5 . 1 . 32 . 40

James' off-tackle ^ i ^ ^ "-+^ ^^---^ ^^^dage.

â&#x20AC;˘<J3K3'f

BUT F A I L S TO

Pyburn snags a Freeman a e r i a l f o r a first d o w n on t h e Tech f o u r .

AUBURN 6 Late Saturday,

A u b u r n ' s second t o u c h d o w n scored b y H a t a w a y f r o m t h e t h r e e .

GA. T E C H

October

36

17th, f o u n d t h e men f r o m t h e Plains on

t h e s h o r t e n d o f t h e score f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e in t h e season.

The T i g e r s ' X a n d Y t e a m s m a t c h e d t h e Y e l l o w J a c k e t s in every w a y e x c e p t t h e score and In t h e n u m b e r o f f u m b l e s . The l a t t e r was t h e o n l y reason f o r t h e d e f e a t .

The Plainsmen s t a r t e d several drives t h a t c a r r i e d t h e m d e e p

into

Tech t e r r i t o r y , b u t all o f these d r i v e s , e x c e p t one, were s t o p p e d

by

fumbles.

J o e Davis s c o r e d A u b u r n ' s one t o u c h d o w n In t h e f o u r t h q u a r t e r on an off t a c k l e run t h a t was g o o d f o r

13 y a r d s . This was t h e f i r s t TD

f o r " A u t o m a t i c J o e " in his c o l l e g e c a r e e r o n t h e g r i d i r o n .

A p p a r e n t l y i t was Leon H a r d e m a n D a y a t G r a n t Field on t h a t O c t o b e r 17th, because he h a d his best d a y o f t h e season f o r t h e Y e l l o w J a c k e t s . " M u g s y " was a c o n s t a n t t h o r n in t h e sides o f t h e Tigers.

Bobby D o d d , Tech h e a d c o a c h , said our boys p l a y e d a g o o d g a m e a n d t h a t t h e J a c k e t s w e r e lucky t o win by a 30 p o i n t m a r g i n . D o d d also p r e d i c t e d a g r e a t f u t u r e f o r B o b b y Freeman a n d J i m P y b u r n .

A u b u r n ' s Plainsmen b r o k e a six-game L a d d S t a d i u m jinx by s c o r i n g a l o p s i d e d d e c i s i o n over t h e Tulane G r e e n W a v e in M o b i l e . S p a r k e d by a c r u s h i n g g r o u n d a t t a c k a n d an a l e r t d e f e n s e , t h e Plainsmen r a c k e d u p a 34-7 v i c t o r y .

Tulane h e l d its o w n f o r t h e f i r s t t e n m i n u t e s o f t h e g a m e , b u t A u b u r n b r o k e t h e ice b y d r i v i n g 59 y a r d s f o r a score late in t h e f i r s t p e r i o d . C h a r l i e H a t a w a y b u l l e d o v e r f r o m t h e o n e . H a t a w a y also t a l l i e d t h e second t o u c h d o w n in t h e s e c o n d q u a r t e r a n d t h e score was 13-0 a t h a l f t i m e .

The G r e e n W a v e g o t back in t h e g a m e m o m e n t a r i l y In t h e t h i r d q u a r t e r b y d r i v i n g 56 y a r d s f o r a t o u c h d o w n . A f t e r this It was all A u b u r n . Late In t h e t h i r d q u a r t e r , B o b b y F r e e m a n passed i n t o t h e end zone t o B o b b y Duke, who c a u g h t t h e ball a f t e r It had been d e f l e c t e d by a Tulane d e f e n d e r .

In t h e f i n a l q u a r t e r t h e Plainsmen s c o r e d t w i c e m o r e . M i d w a y t h r o u g h t h e p e r i o d B o b b y F r e e m a n ran six y a r d s a r o u n d r i g h t e n d on a f a k e pass t o s c o r e . This run c l i m a x e d a 76 y a r d d r i v e w h i c h t h e Plainsmen c o m p l e t e d in 12 plays. J o e C h i l d r e s s e n d e d A u b u r n ' s s c o r i n g b y r a c i n g 22 y a r d s o v e r c e n t e r t o increase t h e t o t a l t o 34 points.

The Plainsmen e m e r g e d f r o m t h e g a m e as t h e l e a d i n g offensive a n d d e f e n s i v e t e a m in t h e S E C .

GAME STATISTICS Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

VINCE DOOLEY

18.

299.

19.

10.

0.

32.4 50.

. . . First Downs . . . . Total Yardage .

Passes Attempted Passes Completed . Passes Intercepted Punting Average Yards Penalized

FOB JAMES

TULANE 7

AUBURN 34

GAME STATISTICS Ga. Tech.

Ga. Tech.

Ga. Tech. , Ga. Tech.

Ga. Tech.

Ga. Tech.

Ga. Tech.

BOBBY DUKE

17 351 15 9 I 36.3 25

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

. . . . . . .

. 16. . 319. .

8. .

3. .

0. . 29.3. . 45.

. .

First Downs Total Yardage Passes Attempted Passes Completed Passes Intercepted Punting Average Yards Penalized

\

THE VELLOUI

Tulane.

Tulane Tulane.

Tulane.

Tulane.

Tulane.

Tulane.

. . . . . . .

10 15 7 1 3 41.5 29

CHARLIE HATAWAY

Jmm^ ^msK i

STOP

. . . . . . . . . . . .

JACKETS

J^

m

19 53

•*;''m

HomccominG Mi AUBURN

16

•

FLORIDA?

The X and Y teams of " S h u g " Jordan gave the old grads something to yell about as they rolled over the Gators 16-7.

Vince Dooley and Bobby Freeman engineered their units up and down the field all afternoon, as the statistics show.

The X t e a m scored In the first quarter after driving 46 yards with Charlie H a t a w a y carrying for the last 3.

The Y team took over In the second quarter and drove 80 yards for its score. Bobby Freeman scored from 10 yards out and Joe Davis came in and split the uprights.

In the third quarter the X t e a m completed Auburn's scoring with a drive of 91 yards. W i t h a fourth down and 7 yards to go, " A u t o matic J o e " came in and kicked true for the final 26 yards and 3 points. The Gators scored late in the 4th quarter but it was too late to overcome the Plainsman a d v a n t a g e .

T UU 0

FLORIDA

tj*HH"^» '^mil*

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J

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,

"'

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t

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Y t e a m starting their second quarter touchdown drive.

JIM HALL

Dukt; cjfdbs a Dooley pass for 10 yards.

Johnny A d a m s temporarily f o r g o t his running chores and g r a b b e d 4 passes for a total of 84 yards.

A check on the defensive play shows t h a t the Gators failed to make a first down or complete a pass In the first half.

Bobby Freeman was awarded the Most Valuable Player Trophy for his outstanding performance throughout the g a m e . The largest crowd in Auburn's history, 25,500, saw Bobby demonstrate his all A m e r i can potential.

GAME STATISTICS Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

TED NEURA

. . . . .

. 385. . . . IS. . . . 10. . . .

3. . . . 25.4. . .

Passes Completed Passes Completed Passes Intercepted . Punting Average

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Florida.

Florida.

Florida.

Florida.

6 139 9 4 0 31.2 50

a o

^ ml

FALL

TO

THE

JOHNNY ADAMS

BOBBY FREEMAN

JACK LOCKLEAR

AL BRAME

BOB SCARBOUGH

GEORGE ROGERS

TEAHIS

/

TIGERS

a T D . Rouvlere p u n c h e d I n t o t h e T i g e r line h a r d e r t h a n any back A u -

AUBURN

29

â&#x20AC;¢

MIAMI

20

b u r n saw all season.

G u a r d G e o r g e A t k i n s a n d t a c k l e Frank D ' A g o s t i n o led t h e d e f e n s i v e

After

being

T i g e r s scored

matched

p o i n t - f o r - p o i n t for 3 quarters, the

Auburn

16 p o i n t s In t h e final stanza t o ice away t h e g a m e In

O r a n g e Bowl S t a d i u m In M i a m i , F l o r i d a .

N e u r a led t h o : e o f t h e Y t e a m .

B o b b y Freeman c o n t i n u e d t o d i s p l a y his g r e a t a b i l i t y w i t h t h e f o o t -

IT was a w a r m F r i d a y n i g h t , b u t B o b b y Duke was h o t . B o b b y scored t h r e e t o u c h d o w n s on runs o f 47, 14, a n d 3 y a r d s while

playing

on

b o t h t h e X a n d Y t e a m s . This was p r o b a b l y the best p e r f o r m a n c e of Duke's g r i d i r o n c a r e e r .

J o e Davis, r e p l a c i n g

c h a r g e s f o r t h e X t e a m while G u a r d Bob S c a r b r o u g h a n d t a c k l e Ted

ball.

Miami,

with

Malloy

doing

the

damage,

pushed

over

one

more

t o u c h d o w n b u t i t was in v a i n as A u b u r n w o n 29-20 t o a d d a n o t h e r t o Its list of v i c t o r i e s a n d b r i n g t h e season's r e c o r d t o 5 - 1 - 1 .

Duke on t h e Y t e a m , kicked a 19 y a r d f i e l d

g o a l t o s t a r t t h e 16 p o i n t u p r i s i n g in t h e f o u r t h q u a r t e r , A r e c o v e r e d f u m b l e , t h r e e line plunges a n d an end run f r o m 7 yards o u t by Fob J a m e - , n e t t e d 6 m o r e p o i n t s f o r t h e Plainsmen. A sustained d r i v e of 46 y a r d s In 10 plays resulted In the last score w i t h B o b b y Duke d o i n g t h e honors.

Brookman a n d R o u v l e r e were t h e H u r r i c a n e ' s b i g guns as Brookman

Auburn .

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn .

Auburn.

15.

305.

9.

4.

2.

37.8.

55.

G A M E STATISTICS First Downs . .

Total Yardage Passes Attempted Passes Completed Passes Intercepted Punting Average .

Yards Penalized

Miami.

Miami.

Miami.

Miami.

Miami.

Miami.

Miami.

14 220 14 6 2 29.7 10

t u r n e d in t h e l o n g e s t run of t h e g a m e . It was g o o d f o r 47 yards a n d

Fullback H a t a w a y plows f o r p a y d i r t .

t

M'o-oylV'ir^l YDS.Tor

CHARLIE LITTLES

AUBUR

GEORGIA

JOE CHILDRESS

JOE DAVIS

RAY MINOR

18

For the first time since 1942 the Tigers beat the Bulldogs and, so far as we know, t h a t 39-18 score is still on the scoreboard in Columbus.

The two teams fought on almost even terms in the first half, but the second half was all X and Y. Dooley and Freeman led their respective units offensively and defensively. The Plainsmen teams gave the crowd of 26,000 everything it could possibly want to see . . . long passes and runs, brilliant punt returns and pass interceptions, and bruising blocks and tackles.

Fob James and Bobby Freeman led the six Tiger scorers with two TD's a p i e c e .

Freeman's punt return of 95 yards for a touchdown is the longest in Auburn f o o t b a l l history and the sixth longest in SEC history.

G e o r g i a had Bratowski, Clemens, and all A m e r i c a n end, John C a r son, but the alert Tiger defense kept them bottled up except for two or three occasions.

BULLDOGS fl n D

Dooley steps over for six points against the Bulldogs.

HOUJL

THE

EVES

James nets 15 yards off tackle for the X t e a m .

The "Brat" hit John Carson with the longest pass of the afternoon.

It was good for 64 yards and a T D . "Foots" Clemens run of 53 yards was the longest in t h a t d e p a r t m e n t , but the Plainsmen had 8 runs in the 10-30 yard bracket t h a t made a big difference in the final outcome. Dooley and Freeman ( 8 of 15) outpassed Bratowski and H a r p e r (5 of 17) to b e a t the Bulldogs a t their own g a m e .

This day's 39 points was the most an A u b u r n t e a m had

scored

against the Bulldogs in 53 years!

270

GAME STATISTICS Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

12.

406.

15.

8.

2.

33.2.

55.

. . First Downs . .

Total Yardage .

Passes Attempted Passes Completed Passes Intercepted Punting Average . Yards Penalized .

Georgia Georgia Georgia Georgia Georgia Georgia Georgia

30 17 5 2 42.6 32

King's pass intercepted by James for a 38-yard return.

OF

TEXflS

AUBURN

45

â&#x20AC;˘

Hataway's fifth TD scored against Bama for Auburn's first quarter l e a d .

UJERE

CLEMSON

19

The Plainsmen journeyed to South Carolina and ruined the Clemson Tigers' H o m e c o m i n g to the tune of 4 5 - 1 9 .

The Plainsmen allowed the Tigers to make 4 consecutive first downs.

Then G e o r g e Atkins intercepted a Don King pass and raced 67 yards for Auburn's first T D . Four plays later. Fob James g r a b b e d another King aerial and scampered 38 yards to the Clemson 2 yard-line. Duke carried it over for six points. The Plainsman offense had the ball for only seven minutes in the first half, but scored 26 points.

Dooley started the second half scoring with a 26 yard run on the option play. Fob James set up Auburn's 2nd third period score with a 63 yard run.

Pyburn g r a b b e d a 13-yard pass from Freeman In the fourth quarter to end Auburn's scoring for the day.

Garkin, Clemson's all conference end, caught 4 of King's passesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; three for touchdowns. The 6'4" end was the best to face the X and Y teams all season.

Auburn intercepted 6 Clemson passes and returned them for 166 yards.

UPOH

AUBURN 7

ALABAMA

JIM

LOFTON

15 418 13.

9 6 33.3.

50

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . .

First Downs . . . . Total Yardage . Passes Attempted . Passes Completed . Passes Intercepted . Punting Average . . Yards Penalized .

BILL KILPATRICK

. . . . .

10

The two best teams in the SEC met for their annual intrastate battle in Birmingham with a " W i n n e r Take A l l " situation facing t h e m .

Both teams had strong offenses and stout defenses. The defenses played the major role in the game however, as neither t e a m could muster more than one touchdown drive.

The X and Y teams played outstanding ball and deserved to win this, the most Important game of the season.

Dooley's X unit was probably the more effective that afternoon, but Vince was injured in the third quarter and forced to leave the g a m e .

Auburn drove 55 yards for its score in the first period with d e p e n d able Charlie H a t a w a y doing the honors. Joe Davis a d d e d the PAT. The Plainsmen drove within Alabama's 20 yard line three other times but failed to score.

The Tide rolled 62 yards for its TD in the second quarter with Stone carrying the last 12 yards. Luna kicked a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to end the scoring and give the Tide the SEC Crown and a bid to the C o t t o n Bowl.

GAME STATISTICS

GAME STATISTICS Auburn Auburn Auburn Auburn Auburn Auburn. .

Auburn. .

US

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

Clemson Clemson Clemson Clemson Clemson C'emson Clemson

GLEN PUGH

Auburn 13 Auburn . 256 Auburn 17.

Auburn 6 Auburn 2 Auburn . 32.2 Auburn. . . 60

20 456 210 0

26.5 55

BILL BURBANK

271

. . . . . . .

. . . .

. . . .

.

First Downs . . Total Yardage Passes Attempted Passes Completed Passes Intercepted . . Punting Average . . Yards Penalized

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama

12

. 205 7 2 0

. -6.7 20

flUBURn

AUBURR 1 3 â&#x20AC;¢ T E K A S

OUERPOUJERED

TECH

35 IIDA

i n HEUI VEflR'S DflV C L f l S S I C The 9 t h annual G a t o r Bowl m a r k e d t h e r e t u r n o f an A u b u r n t e a m t o a b o w l a f t e r an a b s e n c e o f 16 years. The Plainsmen b e a t M i c h i g a n S t a t e 6-0 in t h e 1938 O r a n g e Bowl, t h e i r o n l y o t h e r b o w l e n g a g e m e n t , a n d were s h o o t i n g f o r t h e i r second b o w l v i c t o r y in t h e J a c k sonville classic.

A c r o w d o f 32,000 w a t c h e d t h e Tigers o u t p l a y Texas Tech t h e first half, a n d f i g u r e d t h a t t h e X and Y t e a m s w o u l d r e t u r n a n d run u p a score a g a i n s t t h e n a t i o n ' s t o p s c o r i n g m a c h i n e o f t h e 1953 season.

A u b u r n kicked off t o Texas Tech a n d f o r c e d t h e m t o p u n t . It t o o k t h e Plainsmen just 10 plays t o g o 60 yards f o r a TD w i t h B o b b y Duke c a r r y i n g i t over f r o m t h e I - y a r d line. J o e Davis kicked t h e PAT. A g a i n A u b u r n kicked off, h e l d , a n d s t a r t e d g o a l w a r d . James scored on a 48 y a r d r u n , b u t It was c a l l e d back. A f t e r t h e p e n a l t y , t h e X t e a m k e p t g o i n g . They had a f i r s t d o w n on t h e Red R a i d e r nine y a r d line, b u t t h e n f u m b l e d .

In t h e second q u a r t e r t h e boys f r o m Texas g o t t h e i r first first d o w n , a n d l a t e r t h e i r first score t o t i e up t h e g a m e .

M o m e n t s later, C h a r l i e Littles i n t e r c e p t e d a K i r k p a t r i c k pass a n d r e t u r n e d i t 36 y a r d s t o t h e Red R a i d e r 4 6 . D o o l e y passed t o Pyburn f o r 21 yards, t h e n ran f o r 15 and 10 y a r d s a n d t h e score. That's t h e w a y t h e first half e n d e d — A u b u r n 13, Texas 7.

The second half, however, was all Texas Tech, e x c e p t f o r one d r i v e a n d score on a pass f r o m D o o l e y t o J i m H a l l , w h i c h was n u l l i f i e d by a penalty.

Led by C a v a z o s a n d K i r k p a t r i c k , t h e Red Raiders s c o r e d t w i c e In b o t h t h e t h i r d and f o u r t h q u a r t e r s . Cavazos showed t h e f o r m a n d s p e e d t h a t m a d e him second t e a m A l l A m e r i c a n as he scored 3 o f t h e 5 Tech TD's. O n e was on a r e c o r d b r e a k i n g 62 y a r d r u n .

The Plainsmen never g a v e u p , b u t c o u l d never g e t a n o t h e r d r i v e started.

V i n c e D o o l e y , who was v o t e d t h e o u t s t a n d i n g p l a y e r on A u b u r n ' s t e a m , Frank D ' A g o s t i n o , a n d Ted N e u r a led t h e T i g e r a t t a c k a n d d e f e n s e . Ed Baker, who had t o leave t h e g a m e in t h e second q u a r t e r w i t h an i n j u r e d ankle, also p l a y e d g o o d f o o t b a l l f o r t h e Plainsmen.

It was a h a r d g a m e f o r t h e Tigers t o lose a n d t h e y have n o t h i n g t o r e g r e t because t h e y s t a r t e d A u b u r n back on t h e b o w l r o a d a n d we b e l i e v e t h a t f u t u r e t e a m s f r o m t h e Plains will f o l l o w t h e i r e x a m p l e a n d keep this r o a d f u l l o f t r a f f i c .

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

Auburn.

. . . . . . .

G A M E STATISTICS .

12 First Downs . 267. . . . Total Yardage . . . . . 16. . . . Passes Attempted . . . . .

6. . .

Passes Completed . . . .

I . . . Passes Intercepted . . . . 30.5. . . . Punting Average . . . . . 66. . . . Yards Penalized . . . .

Texas Tech.

Texas Tech.

Texas Tech.

Texas Tech.

Texas Tech.

Texas Tech.

Texas Tech.

A{;(;i\fssi\T\Fss coxmiH^s

\m\\\\

Ml (M; \ \ ( . | BOWL f^AME

A r e c a p u l a t l o n of A u b u r n ' s f i r s t b o w l g a m e , as r e p r o d u c e d f r o m t h e 1938 G L O M E R A T A , when t h e Plainsmen d e f e a t e d M i c h i g a n S t a t e in the O r a n g e Bowl b y a score o f 6-0.

II 371 12 6 2 33.1 83

A 3 6 - y a r d i n t e r c e p t i o n r e t u r n by Littles starts A u b u r n ' s second TD d r i v e .

Duke scores first N e w Year's Day touchdown.

^^^'^^i^^i€^^^M^^^^^S^ -^ -ii--.'fli^^

SEC

COACH

OF

THE

VEAR

W i t h 21 years experience in the SEC, both as player and coach, James Ralph Jordan's career presents a colorful gridiron biography.

W e pay tribute to "Shug" by presentitig a few highlights of the past and present which confirm our belief in him as a producer of bowl teams.

Let's go back a few years . . . to the year 1938. As we all remember, that was the year that the Auburn Tigers defeated Michigan State in the Orange Bowl. On the other hand, how many of us remember that "Shug" spent his first year as a varsity coach during the 1937 season that sent our "alums" to the Miami Classic? Also, that he had previously served as head freshman coach and directed his teams through four undefeated seasons? Each member of the Orange Bowl squad received his freshman tutoring from "Shug".

H e continued his line coaching until called into the service in 1941.

After a ten year absence, he returned to the Plains; this time as head coach.

Coach Jordan organized his staff and started a rebuilding program that paid off in only three years.

H e organized the X and Y teams this past seaso'n to combat the shelving of the two platoon system. This strategy cashed big dividends as it sent Auburn to the Gator Bowl Classic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Under "Shug's" tutoring, the 1953 Plainsmen were named "Team of ihe Week" in the SEC three times, "Team of the Year" in the conference, fourih in the AP "Surprise Football Team of 1953," and broke 14 school and individual football records.

While his squad was picking up these honors, "Shug" was also being awarded a few of the same. They were: three times "Coach of the Week" in "Ihe Southeastern Conference, "Coach of the Week" in the nation for the I 3-0 victory over Ole Miss, "Coach of the Year" in the SEC, and sixth place in the ScrippsHoward poll for Coach of the Year for the nation.

Not only does "Shug" Jordan's record pay tribute to himself, but also to the game, the conference, his coaches, and his players.

COACH RALPH JORDAN'S FOOTBALL HISTORY Reproduced Year

School

Status

1929 .

.

. Auburn .

. Player

1930

.

. Auburn

1931 .

.

. Auburn .

. Player . Player

Won

Lost

Tied

Head Coach

.

.

2

7

0

.

3

7

0

Chet

Wynne

. .

5 9

3

I

Chet

Wynne

0

I

Chet

Wynne

5

5

0

Chet

Wynne

. .

. . . .

1932

.

. Auburn

1933 .

.

. Auburn .

. . . . . . . . . . Assistant . . . . . Assistant . .

1934

.

. Auburn

. Assistant

.

.

.

2

8

0

1935 .

1936

. Assistant . Assistant

. .

. . . . .

.

8 7

2 2

0

.

Auburn . . Auburn

1937 .

.

. Auburn

Assistant

.

.

.

.

5

2

1938 .

.

. Auburn .

. Assistant

.

.

.

4

1939 .

.

. Auburn

. Assistant

.

.

. .

.

1940 .

1941

.

. Auburn .

Auburn

. Assistant

.

.

.

Assistant

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. .

. . . .

.

.

George

Bohler

Jack

Meagher

Jack

Meagher

2

Jack

Meagher

3

Jack

Meagher

5

1

Jack

Meagher

5

5

I

Jack

Meagher

6 4

4

I

Jack

Meagher

5

I

Jack

Meagher

. . . .

1942-1 945 ( M i l i t a r y S srvlce) 1946 .

.

. Miami

Assistant

Jack M e a g h e r

Seahawks Georgia Georgia

1947 .

. .

. Assistant . As'Istant

0 4

. . .

6

1 6 2

. . .

. . .

5 2 7

. 115

1948 1949

. .

. Georgia . . Georgia . .

. Assistant

1950 .

.

. Georgia

. Line

. . . . .

Coach

1951 .

.

. Auburn

Head

Coach

1952 .

. .

. Auburn . . Auburn .

. Head Head

Coach Coach

1953

21 Yea rs In SEC .

.

.

.

Assistant

. 10 . 7

. .

9 4

5

0 0 0 1 3 0

. . . .

Wally Butts Wally Butts Wally Butts Wally Butts Wally Butts Ralph Jordan

8 2

0 1

. . . . . . . .

Ralph Ralph

83

16

.

275

Jordan Jordan

MERATA

from

after

the

1937

Freshman

GLOCoach

R a l p h J o r d a n h a d l e d his a g g r e g a t i o n t h r o u g h t h e f o u r t h s t r a i g h t undefeated

season. The

varsity

team

t h a t w e n t t o t h e O r a n g e Bowl in 1938 was l a r g e l y c o m p o s e d o f

graduates

f r o m these r e c o r d terÂťms.