American Football Database
American Football Database
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1979 Auburn Tigers football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Ranking
APNo. 16
1979 record8–3 (4–2 SEC)
Head coachDoug Barfield
Offensive schemeveer, I
Home stadiumCliff Hare Stadium
Seasons
← 1978
1980 →
1979 SEC football standings
v · d · e Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#1 Alabama 6 0 0     12 0 0
Georgia 5 1 0     6 5 0
#16 Auburn 4 2 0     8 3 0
LSU 4 2 0     7 5 0
Tennessee 3 3 0     7 5 0
Kentucky 3 3 0     5 6 0
Ole Miss 3 3 0     4 7 0
Mississippi State 2 4 0     3 8 0
Vanderbilt 0 6 0     1 10 0
Florida 0 6 0     0 10 1
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1979 Auburn Tigers football team achieved an overall record of 8–3 under head coach Doug Barfield, which would be his best season as head coach. The Tigers went 4–2 in the SEC.[1] They finished the season ranked #16 in the AP poll, but were not ranked in the UPI due to probation.

Prior to the start of the season, on May 11th, Auburn was placed on probation by the NCAA as a result of an investigation into violations dating back to 1974; findings included: “extra benefits; improper recruiting contacts, entertainment, inducements, lodging, publicity and transportation; excessive number of official visits; tryouts; questionable practice; certification of compliance.”[2] The probation was to last for two years and included a bowl ban for those years; however it was extended an additional year, when additional findings surfaced after the initial announcement.

Five players were named to the All-SEC first team for 1979: running back James Brooks, running back Joe Cribbs, linebacker Freddy Smith, defensive tackle Frank Warren, and offensive tackle George Stephenson. Joe Cribbs was also named the SEC Most Valuable Player for that year.[3]

During the 1979 season, the offense used a combination of the veer and I formations and both Joe Cribbs and James Brooks gained over 1000 yards rushing.[4]

Schedule[]

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Attendance
September 15, 1979* Kansas State Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, AL W 26–18   50,132
September 22, 1979* Southern Miss Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, AL W 31–9   45,226
September 29, 1979 at Tennessee Neyland StadiumKnoxville, TN L 17–35   85,936
October 6, 1979* #14 N.C. State Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, AL W 44–31   51,146
October 13, 1979 Vanderbilt #18 Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, AL W 52–35   47,900
October 20, 1979* at Georgia Tech #14 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA W 38–14   54,236
October 27, 1979* at #18 Wake Forest #13 Groves StadiumWinston-Salem, NC L 38–42   34,060
November 3, 1979 Florida #20 Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, AL W 19–13   58,384
November 10, 1979 at Mississippi State #16 Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, AL W 14–3   59,186
November 17, 1979 at Georgia #15 Sanford StadiumAthens, GA (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry) W 33–13   63,000
December 1, 1979 vs. #1 Alabama #14 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL (Iron Bowl) L 18–25   77,918
*Non-Conference Game.

[3]

Game notes[]

Georgia[]

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Auburn 9 0 17 7 33
Georgia 7 3 0 3 13

[5]



References[]

  1. 2011 Auburn Tigers Football Media Guide, Auburn University Athletic Department, Auburn, Alabama, pp. 182–4,150–151 (2011). Retrieved August 19, 2011
  2. Auburn Tigers: Toomer’s Corner Oaks not the Only Poisoned Trees in Auburn "Jonathan Kelley, Bleacherreport, April 15, 2011. Retrieved 21, 2011.
  3. 3.0 3.1 2005 Auburn Tigers Football Media Guide, Auburn University Athletic Department, Auburn, Alabama, pp. 142–143, 178–180 (2005). Retrieved August 19, 2011
  4. Auburn Tigers Have Veterans Returning "The Harlan (KY,) Daily Enterprise, August 27, 1980. Retrieved August 21, 2011"
  5. Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Nov 18.
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