--I mentioned how close we were in 1993 and 1994 under Gerry D. Bothe were 5-6 seasons
No. 1: Oct. 2, 1993 — Nashville, Tenn.
AU 14
Vandy 10
In what was surprisingly one of the closest games of the 1993 championship season (*Auburn was awarded the title by the National Championship Foundation, although they were ineligible to play in the SEC or National Title game due to probation sanctions), the Tigers held strong on a goal-line stand with just less than five minutes to play to secure the win and improve to 5-0. The Commodores drove 68 yards in 10 in the waning minutes of the game to earn a 1st-and-goal from the Auburn 3, but the Tigers’ defense stood up when it counted the most. On first down, Vandy quarterback Kenny Simon rushed for 2 yards to get the Commodores within 3 feet of paydirt. On second down, Vandy running back Jermaine Johnson attempted to “Jo Over the Top” on the Tigers, but Auburn linebackers Anthony Harris and Terry Solomon would have nothing of it and stifled Johnson in midair. On third down, Vandy fullback Royce Love once again tried to bully his way across the line, but the Tigers showed him no love and stopped him in his tracks. Vandy head coach Gerry DiNardo chose to go for the touchdown on fourth down instead of the field goal, but the plan backfired as Auburn defensive tackle Randy Hart showed some heart by plowing through the Vandy line to square Johnson, thus ending Vandy’s hopes of dashing Auburn’s dreams (source: thewareeaglereader.com)
No. 1: Oct. 2, 1993 — Nashville, Tenn.
AU 14
Vandy 10
In what was surprisingly one of the closest games of the 1993 championship season (*Auburn was awarded the title by the National Championship Foundation, although they were ineligible to play in the SEC or National Title game due to probation sanctions), the Tigers held strong on a goal-line stand with just less than five minutes to play to secure the win and improve to 5-0. The Commodores drove 68 yards in 10 in the waning minutes of the game to earn a 1st-and-goal from the Auburn 3, but the Tigers’ defense stood up when it counted the most. On first down, Vandy quarterback Kenny Simon rushed for 2 yards to get the Commodores within 3 feet of paydirt. On second down, Vandy running back Jermaine Johnson attempted to “Jo Over the Top” on the Tigers, but Auburn linebackers Anthony Harris and Terry Solomon would have nothing of it and stifled Johnson in midair. On third down, Vandy fullback Royce Love once again tried to bully his way across the line, but the Tigers showed him no love and stopped him in his tracks. Vandy head coach Gerry DiNardo chose to go for the touchdown on fourth down instead of the field goal, but the plan backfired as Auburn defensive tackle Randy Hart showed some heart by plowing through the Vandy line to square Johnson, thus ending Vandy’s hopes of dashing Auburn’s dreams (source: thewareeaglereader.com)
