1893 Iron Bowls

The first two football games played between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers, a rivalry that would become known as the Iron Bowl, were both held in 1893.

February

The first Iron Bowl was decided on February 22, 1893, the first game in the storied series between the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama in Auburn and the University of Alabama. Auburn won the game by a score of 32-22 in front of an estimated 450 fans at Lakeview Park in Birmingham.^1.

"The Flying Wedge", photographed during the 1893 Iron Bowl by John Horgan, Jr.

Alabama, wearing white pants and jerseys with red "UA" and red stockings, opened up on defense after Auburn won the 3:30 PM coin toss. Auburn's Rufus Dorsey led his orange and blue team with three touchdowns to seal the win in what The Birmingham News would call "the greatest football game ever played in the state of Alabama."

Alabama, playing their first season, and the only one under coach E. B. Beaumont, considered the late-winter game to be the final contest of their 2-2 1892 season. Auburn, meanwhile, recorded it as the first game of their 3-0-2 1893 campaign. D. M. Balliet coached Auburn for the game in Birmingham while G. H. Harvey took the helm for the remainder of the games in November and December. This was the only game to be played at Lakeview, and the series did not return to Birmingham until 1902.

November

The second game in the series was played on November 30, 1893 before an estimated crowd of 3,000 at Riverside Park in Montgomery. Auburn scored seven touchdowns during the game to win by a score of 40-16.

Notes

1. Figures for attendance vary widely, from 450 or so to 5,000.

Iron Bowl (Alabama vs. Auburn)
Sites: Alabama State Fairgrounds, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Highland Park (Montgomery), Lakeview Park, Jordan-Hare Stadium, Legion Field, Riverside Park (Montgomery), and West End Park.
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