The 2013 Iron Bowl stands as the wildest regular-season game in college football history. Played on November 30, 2013, at Jordan-Hare Stadium, top-ranked Alabama and fourth-ranked Auburn traded blows in a chaotic offensive showcase that culminated in a tie game with one second left. Instead of playing for overtime, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban opted for a 57-yard field goal attempt. The kick fell short into the back of the end zone, where Auburn defensive back Chris Davis caught it and raced 109 yards down the sideline for a game-winning touchdown.
That single play—immortalized forever as the "Kick Six"—shattered Alabama's national championship hopes and fueled one of the sport's most memorable upsets. Yet, focusing only on the final second ignores the tactical chess match between Gus Malzahn and Nick Saban, the brutal line-of-scrimmage battle, and the sequence of extraordinary events that made the ending possible.
The Stakes and the Setting
Entering the 78th edition of the Iron Bowl, the stakes couldn't have been higher. Alabama arrived with an 11-0 record, sitting atop the BCS standings and hunting for their third consecutive national title under Saban. Auburn, in the first year under head coach Gus Malzahn, sat at 10-1 and needed a victory to capture the SEC Western Division title.
Jordan-Hare Stadium buzzed with nervous energy. Weeks earlier, Auburn pulled off another miracle win against Georgia on a deflected, last-second Hail Mary pass. Fans and analysts wondered if Auburn's charmed season had finally run out against an Alabama roster packed with future NFL talent, including quarterback A.J. McCarron, wide receiver Amari Cooper, and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Malzahn's Ground Game Shocks the Tide
Alabama's defense entered the afternoon giving up an average of just 91.3 rushing yards per game. Malzahn's up-tempo spread offense shredded that statistic before halftime. Powered by running back Tre Mason and quarterback Nick Marshall, Auburn established a relentless rushing attack that kept the Crimson Tide off balance.
Mason gashed the middle of the field, finishing the day with 164 rushing yards and a touchdown. Auburn's offensive line won the physical matchups up front, neutralizing Alabama's front seven. Even when Alabama adjusted its coverage to stop the run, Marshall used play-action passing to hit key targets like Sammie Coates, keeping the scoreboard moving.
Trading Punches in the Fourth Quarter
Despite Auburn's early success, Alabama's championship poise showed in the second half. Trailing 21-7 at intermission, the Tide clawed back. McCarron connected on deep vertical routes, finding tight end T.J. Yeldon and wideout DeAndrew White for crucial scores. Alabama took a 28-21 lead in the fourth quarter, relying on their defense to close out the rivalry game.
Auburn refused to fold. With 32 seconds remaining, Marshall floated a pass to Coates, who hauled it in for a game-tying touchdown, knotting the score at 28-28.
One Second on the Clock
Alabama took over with seconds left, needing to get into field goal range. On the final play of regulation, Yeldon burst down the sideline for 24 yards before stepping out of bounds. Initially, the referees signaled that time had expired.
Replays showed one second remained on the game clock. Officials added that single tick back, setting up a defining moment in college football history.
Instead of kneeling to take the game into overtime, Saban trusted freshman kicker Adam Griffith with a 57-yard field goal attempt. Realizing a long kick carried the risk of falling short, Malzahn countered by placing Chris Davis deep in the end zone specifically to field a missed try.
The Kick Six and Its Legacy
Griffith's kick lacked the distance required, drifting slightly toward the right hash mark. Davis caught the ball nine yards deep in the end zone. He found a seam on the right sideline, picked up downfield blocks from his teammates, and accelerated past the trailing Alabama kickoff unit.
Broadcaster Verne Lundquist captured the pandemonium on CBS: "There goes Chris Davis! Davis steps out, delirious Auburn fans have stormed the field! Auburn has won the Iron Bowl!"
The loss ended Alabama's streak of dominance and propelled Auburn to the SEC Championship game. For more details on college football history, visit the NCAA Official Website. To explore official SEC records and standings, check out the Southeastern Conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Alabama attempt a field goal instead of a Hail Mary?
Saban trusted Griffith's leg strength in practice, and a 57-yard field goal offered a direct chance to win without risking a turnover or a sack on a deep pass play with only one second left.
How long was Chris Davis's return?
The official stats record the return length as 109 yards, because Davis caught the ball nine yards deep inside his own end zone before crossing the opposite goal line.
Did Auburn win the SEC Championship after this game?
Yes. Auburn defeated Missouri 59-42 in the SEC Championship Game the following week before falling to Florida State in the BCS National Championship.
What rule change happened because of this game?
While the play itself was entirely legal, it led to deeper discussions about clock management and instant replay reviews in high-stakes college football finishes.
