| Summary: | "Auburn rode the strong right arm of Howell Tubbs and the flying feet of Bobby Hoppe to a 34-7 triumph over cross-state rival Alabama in the '56 grid finale before 44,000 in Birmingham's Legion Field Stadium. The win was the Tigers' fourth straight of the season and their third crushing victory over the Crimson Tide in as many years Tubbs passed for one TD, ran for another, and accounted for 102 yards on five aerial completions, while Hoppe sped for 112 yards in eight carries and was a constant thorn in the Alabama side all afternoon. The Plainsmen were only slight favorites over an improving Alabama team, but a 27-point outburst in the second period threatened to turn the battle into a rout. The Auburn defense was rugged as usual���but the attack, shaking off the frustrations which had plagued it many times in past weeks, rolled with such clockwork precision that Tide Coach J.B. Whitworth declared the Tigers as the best team he had seen all year. Led by the ingenious Tubbs, the War Eagles wrapped up the decision in about twenty minutes—most of the second quarter and the early stages of the third before Coach Shug Jordan called off his first line forces. The first touchdown topped a 56-yard drive early in the second period and came on a six-yard pass from Tubbs to Jerry Elliott, who made a falling catch in the end zone. Red Phillips had set up the score with a sensational catch of a 40-yard heave by Tubbs. On their next possession the Tigers rolled goalward again from midfield. Two Tubbs passes, to Tommy Lorino for 27 yards and to Phillips for 12 were the key plays, and Tubbs on a keeper went the last 11 for the tally. Misfortune then heaped up the points on outclassed Alabama. Don Kinderknecht fumbled the kickoff, and Cleve Wester recovered for the Tigers on the Alabama 12. Jimmy Cook ran 11 to the Tide one on the first scrimmage, and then his bad handoff to Billy Kitchens resulted in a touchdown as Kitchens pounced on the fumbled ball over the goal. Meanwhile, Tiger ends continued to harass the Alabama passer and Quarterback Bobby Smith threw one into the hands of Billy Atkins to set the Tigers in business on Alabama's 38 just before the half. Cook took the Tigers to their fourth touchdown in five plays, including a pass to Pat Meagher for nine yards and one to Elliott for 21 yards and a touchdown. Elliott leaped and twisted deep in the end zone to take this one away from Tide halfback Jim Bowdoin. The Tigers made one final show of their attacking strength when they drove, undaunted by two 15-yard penalties, 90 yards with the second half kickoff for a touchdown that Lorino made from 15 yards out." (Description from the 1957 Glomerata)
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