9/29/57

[OlderWhiskey 977]

A sellout crowd of 42,000 was on hand at Shields-Watkins Field on September 29, with 1200 of them – a quarter of the student body – Auburn students. 7000 Auburn fans in all were War Eagling.

Auburn moved the ball well in the first half, dominating play, but were stopped on the one-foot line and again at the 7. A lengthy field goal was wide on the second possession. Finally, with six minutes to go in the half, Billy Atkins culminated a ground drive with a one-foot plunge for six. He then kicked the PAT, thus accounting for all the points scored in the game. Only one pass was thrown during the drive. Tennessee had a golden opportunity when their All-SEC guard Bill Johnson blocked an Auburn punt, giving UT the ball at the Auburn 17; but the Tigers forced a turnover on the second play to stave off the threat. Red Phillips recovered the fumble at the 18.

When the half closed, Auburn led only 7-0, but had nine first downs to UT’s one; and 137 yards rushing to UT’s 24. Noting their lack of offensive success, the Vol staff apparently decided to take a few more chances. They went for it on fourth down in their own territory, but were stopped on the 39. Alas, Auburn got no points from the turnover. The Vol defense held at the 12 against Lorino, Hoppe, and Atkins; the field goal attempt was blocked.

Shug took a gamble of his own in the fourth quarter, and failed. The Orange defense held on the UT 43 when Atkins plunged for the first down. The Vols couldn’t move, however, and punted dead at the Auburn 3. Shug had gone conservative again, and elected to punt on second down. This backfired when Al Carter returned it to the Auburn 23. Once again, the rock-ribbed Auburn defense allowed nothing. Only once more would the Vols threaten; they made it to the 29 late in the game, but were thrown back to the 50, where Nix ran out the clock. Auburn had now won five games in a row, dating back to the 1956 season.

The final stats showed that Auburn made only two first downs in the second half, while UT had 5. The final rushing totals were more compelling; Auburn had 297 to Tennessee’s 79. Auburn had 10 yards passing to Tennessee’s 5.

The account of the game is taken from Paul Reeder’s “ The 1957 Auburn Tigers”.

[cehuff21 0]

punt on second down???

[OlderWhiskey 977]

punt on second down???

Yes, even before the days of YellaFella. I attended the game in Knoxville in '73; rain was bad, and we sometimes punted on first down. Quick kicks were an important weapon in those days as well. The ball would be centered to one of the backs in the T, who would deliver one of those sideways kicks. The hope was to catch the other team unawares, and get a long roll.

[JohnDeere 0]

punt on second down???

Yes, even before the days of YellaFella. I attended the game in Knoxville in '73; rain was bad, and we sometimes punted on first down. Quick kicks were an important weapon in those days as well. The ball would be centered to one of the backs in the T, who would deliver one of those sideways kicks. The hope was to catch the other team unawares, and get a long roll.

The origin of the term; "Defense and the Special Teams wins ball games".

CTT and the Auburn Tigers are old school.