By Darin 
Paul Brown’s ‘Best Victory,’ Iron Bowl History, and a 90-Yard Dash: Football’s Craziest Moments on November 15
This day witnessed a legendary coach achieving what he called his “greatest victory, period”—a deeply personal triumph over his former team, the Cleveland Browns. But that’s not all. You’ll also find the early brutality of the Iron Bowl, an epic NFL record-setting run by a future Hall of Famer, and a thrilling college upset fueled by a blocked punt. Dive into the history of November 15, where rivalry, revenge, and breakout stars redefined the sport.
November 15 Football History Headlines
November 15, 1901 – Tuscaloosa, Alabama – From Onthisday.com, the 6th Iron Bowl classic took place as the Auburn Tigers blanked the Crimson Tide of Alabama 17-0.
November 15, 1958 -Houston, Texas – Texas A&M plays Number 17 Rice University. Rice was riding high all season as it sat in first place atop the Southwest Conference. It wasn’t an easy game for the Owls, as the teams were deadlocked at 14 in the third quarter. But that’s when Texas A&M’s Gordon LeBoeuf got his mitts on a blocked punt by teammate Don Smith and took it 55 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The NFF’s article on the game then tells how tailback Charlie Milstead extended the Aggie lead to 28-14 shortly after with his second touchdown run of the day. Rice’s All-America end Buddy Dial, a 1993 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, scored a late touchdown on a four-yard reception from Bobby Wright, but it would not be enough for the Owls, as A&M won by a touchdown, 28-21.
November 15, 1959 – Griffith Stadium, Washington D.C. – According to barstoolsports.com, Cleveland Browns’ halfback Bobby Mitchell set a club record for longest run from scrimmage (90 yards), and put up a pretty big number with 232 yards on the ground for the day and three TDs against a porous Washington defense. Redskins back Johnny Olszewski nearly matched Mitchell’s numbers as he rushed for 190 yards himself in a losing effort. The Cleveland Browns were victorious by the score of 31-17 over Washington. https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/1511300/on-this-date-in-sports-november-15-1959-mitchell-breaks-loose
On November 15, 1970, Paul Brown, as head coach of the expansion Cincinnati Bengals, defeated his former team, the Cleveland Browns. The website cincyjungle.com has a great story on this subject. Giving a bit of a backstory to give the win some relevance: earlier in the season, the Bengals took a 20-16 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Browns came back and won the 1st matchup by 3 points. The rematch on November 15, 1970, ended with the Cincinnati Bengals winning 14-7. The legendary coach/owner said in an interview after the game that it was a moment he called his “greatest victory.” In fact, the whole piece from the original article from the UPI’s report in 1970:
“This was my best victory,” Brown beamed in the dressing room afterwards. He was asked whether he meant the best victory since he took over the Bengals in 1968.
“I’m talking about my best victory, period,” Brown answered enthusiastically. “It’s been a long, frustrating first half of the season,” the former Browns coach said, “but this made it all worthwhile. It was a tremendous battle. We happened to get that second touchdown and held on for dear life.”
November 15, 2014- Tuscaloosa, Alabama – A narrow escape for the Alabama Crimson Tide as they overcame a Mississippi State upset bid in a 25-20 victory in a game littered with future NFL stars.. A 2014 story from sbnation.com tells the tale of the game quite well. The Bulldogs looked overwhelmed entirely early. Scoring opened with a safety to put up Alabama 2-0, and Alabama would eventually open it up to 19-0 in the second quarter, with Blake Sims connecting with Amari Cooper for one score and Derrick Henry running the ball on the ground for a TD on the other.
Mississippi State would eventually creep back into the game to a score of 19-13 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but by then, they were about spent, and Bama punched in another 6 points in the fourth. They dug themselves too deep a hole, and you can’t do that against Alabama, even if this isn’t a vintage Crimson Tide squad. Dak Prescott threw three interceptions, including one in the end zone, and the running game never really got off the mat after a bad start. (source1, source2)
November 15 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- Shorty Miller
- Otis Armstrong
Conclusive Summary
November 15 is a date steeped in rich football history, covering major rivalries and groundbreaking individual performances across three different eras. The day’s events span from the early 20th century, with the 1901 Iron Bowl, where Auburn shut out Alabama 17-0, to the 21st century’s tight 2014 Alabama vs. Mississippi State battle, which showcased a narrow Crimson Tide escape. Notable player milestones include Bobby Mitchell’s 1959 record-setting 90-yard run for the Cleveland Browns and the birth of Purdue legend Otis Armstrong. The date is perhaps most famous for Paul Brown’s emotionally charged 1970 victory, where his Cincinnati Bengals defeated his old team, the Browns, a win he declared his “best victory” ever. Finally, the day is marked by the birth of Hall of Famers like Gene “Shorty” Miller, ensuring November 15 remains a highlight in the sport’s timeline.