CRIMSON FACTOID IN PICTURES: The Rivalry Finally Resumes On Dec. 4, 1948, the big game was finally resumed at Birminghams Legion Field. Alabama, which had earned a national reputation with trips to the Rose and Sugar bowls, overwhelmed the Tigers, 55-0. Alabama came into the 1949 Iron Bowl again expecting to blow away the Tigers but Auburn won its second game of the year with a 14-13 upset of the Tide. As the decade of the 1940s closed, the big Alabama gridiron battle had been resumed ending years of frustration of fans in the state who wanted the two schools to play one another. The pregame festivity and pageantry became a vital part of the renewed big game and grew each year. Tickets for the Iron Bowl were split between the schools and gates to Legion Field were opened several hours before the start of the contest and the student bodies of the two schools would attempt to drown out the opposite side with Roll Tide and War Eagle. The annual shouting matches lasted for hours. Just prior to the start of the game, both bands would come onto the field playing their respective fight songs. The Alabama Million Dollar Band would form the traditional UA while the Auburn Band would form the traditional AU. The alma maters would then be played, the bands combining to play the National Anthem. Then, with emotions at a fever pitch and most voices already hoarse, the football game would finally begin.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:00:00 +0000
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