AUBURN, Ala. – It's the Iron Bowl. Robby Ashford grew up wanting to play in it. Carnell Williams played in it and created a memory that has become part of the lore. Will Friend played it in it for one side and is now coaching it for the other.
Next Game:
at Alabama
Nov. 26, 2022
2:30.m. CT
TV: CBS
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
There's no rivalry quite like it.
On Saturday, Auburn and Alabama will meet for the 87th time on the gridiron.
"It's Iron Bowl week," Ashford said. "There's a different level of excitement. It's something you mark on your calendar. Once I got (to Auburn), the Iron Bowl was something I marked on my calendar. You don't look past the other games but being from this state and what this game means, it's always going to mean a little bit more."
Ashford, who grew up in Hoover, Alabama, will make his Iron Bowl debut Saturday. He's already hearing from the Alabama fans in his family, but the Auburn quarterback has always pulled for the Tigers. He still remembers wearing his Bo Jackson jersey as a kid.
"Auburn just always felt different to me and felt special," Ashford said.
The Iron Bowl was where "Go crazy, Cadillac" first originated. In 2003, Williams took the first carry of the game and went 80 yards for an Auburn touchdown.
"It was a lead draw," Williams recalled. "It was a great block by Brandon Johnson on the (linebacker). The offensive line did a good job of knocking a hole in the defense, and they got me on the safety. The least I can do is make the safety miss. The rest of it is history."
Now, 19 years later, Williams will once again take part in the storied rivalry. This time, he'll be on the sideline as the interim head coach for the Tigers.
"Hopefully, we can have a couple long runs like that in Bryant-Denny Stadium," he said.
Drawing up the plays for Auburn on Saturday will be Will Friend, the team's offensive line coach who was elevated to co-offensive coordinator when Williams took over. Friend played in the Iron Bowl at Alabama where he was a two-time All-SEC selection. Now he's on the other side and would love nothing more than to knock off his alma mater.
"I've had the opportunity to be part of both sides, but it means so much to so many people," Friend said. "Really, you just want to do your best to honor what this game is about – the previous players, the previous coaches, the fan bases. You want to give the game the respect and honor and be at your best.
"It's always been important to me. I grew up wanting to play in it and wanted to coach in it. I've been fortunate enough to do both."
This year's game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. It will be televised on CBS with Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Jenny Dell on the call. You can also listen to Andy Burcham, Stan White and Ronnie Brown who will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM and online at AuburnTigers.com.
Three questions with RB Tank Bigsby
Q: What have the last three weeks been like with Coach Cadillac taking over?
A: It's been really good. Just seeing Coach Cadillac take that leadership role and lead us in the way we need to be led, trusting in us and just showing positivity – no quit.
Q: Auburn is going old school and running the ball. You have to like that, right?
A: We are running the ball a lot. But also, it's about just finding ways to get our playmakers the ball. That's what (Carnell Williams) tells us all the time. I feel like he's doing a really good job of that.
Q: I know you're a Georgia guy, but what's this Iron Bowl rivalry mean to you?
A: It means a lot to me deep down. Just to know the guys that have done it before us that went out and fought in this game, it's just amazing. And the background behind this game. If you're an Auburn or an Alabama player, you should take this game personally because of the people that have played in it before you.
(BONUS) Q: What's your go-to dish on Thanksgiving?
A: I really like sweet potato pie. I'll probably eat some chitlins every once in a while.
Inside the Series: Alabama
In this 87th Iron Bowl, Auburn and Alabama will meet for the 75th consecutive year dating back to 1948. Auburn trails the overall series 37-48-1, but the Tigers lead 17-12 when the game is played on campus and are 7-6 in games played in Tuscaloosa. Before 1989, the series was primarily played in Birmingham (Alabama leads 36-20-1) and Montgomery (tied 2-2).
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the 1982 Iron Bowl and the famous "Bo Over The Top" play. Trailing 22-17 in the final minutes, Auburn faced 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Bo Jackson, a freshman at the time, took the handoff and leaped over the defensive line and into the end zone for the winning touchdown. The Tigers prevailed 23-22.