By Darin Introduction
December 2, 1989, is a date etched into the foundational history of the Iron Bowl rivalry. For decades, the annual clash between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide was played exclusively on neutral ground. That all changed on this monumental day. When the No. 11 Auburn Tigers prepared to host the undefeated, No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide at Jordan-Hare Stadium for the very first time, the atmosphere was thick with more than just rivalry tension—it felt like a liberation. Tigers coach Pat Dye captured the historical magnitude perfectly, comparing playing Alabama on campus to the “crumbling of the Berlin Wall.”
A Historic Upset on the Plains
The stakes were immense: Alabama entered the game not only unbeaten but vying for a national title. Auburn, however, was determined to validate the historic shift in venue with a decisive victory. The game was an instant classic, marked by ferocious defense and electric offensive bursts from the Tigers. Backed by the deafening roar of their home crowd, Auburn controlled the momentum and played with an intensity that the neutral site had never quite delivered.
The final score, Auburn 30, Alabama 20, represented more than just an upset; it was a watershed moment. The victory clinched a share of Auburn’s third consecutive SEC title, solidifying a dominant era for the Tigers under Coach Dye. More painfully for the Tide, the loss derailed their national championship aspirations and gave Auburn bragging rights that went far beyond the scoreboard.
Conclusion
The December 2, 1989, Iron Bowl was a monumental inflection point in the rivalry. By stunning the unbeaten, second-ranked Alabama team, the Tigers not only secured their fourth consecutive win in the series but permanently established Jordan-Hare Stadium as a legitimate and electrifying host for the rivalry. Pat Dye’s famous comparison to the “crumbling of the Berlin Wall” perfectly encapsulated the political, social, and football significance of finally bringing the Iron Bowl home to Auburn. The game remains a powerful symbol of historic change and the Tigers’ unwavering dominance in the late 1980s.
Article from Dec 3, 1989 The Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Alabama)