We all remember Auburn’s reverse to victory over the Tide in 1986. Burger to Jessie to Tillman on the end around, a play designed for Scott Bolton, but he wasn’t in the game. Lawyer tried to call a timeout. Thank Heavens, the refs didn’t see him.
But what you may not remember was the 4th & 3 at midfield a few plays earlier. Auburn absolutely had to convert, or else two years of frustration would turn into three.
Here’s the play with Keith Jackson on the call (keep pointing, Coach):
Old Reliable, indeed. Thanks, Trey.
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @AU_History.
Related: Jeff “Little Herbert” Burger.
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I remember feeling convinced that if we could convert that fourth down, we would go ahead to win. Every time I watch that replay, it seems as if the ball is too low; that’s there’s no way on earth it could be caught. Trey said he could have caught it and run with it but he wanted to be sure he had made the catch. I’m just so glad he got it.
By the way, on the next play, Brent Fullwodd ran 20 yards with a torn ACL. There were a lot of amazing pieces to winning that game.
That was te only Iron Bowl I had the honor of attending in person–I remember that catch as well. The funny thing (how memory works) is that I always replayed it in my mind going the other direction across the field.
Another funny story about that catch: over the several years after that when my pal (sitting with me) and I would talk about that game, my friend would always say, “I bet Trey’s still getting some from that catch!”
Michael Val
(who says WHAT A GAME to be your only Iron Bowl!)
He was a hell of an OF, too.