Waxing nostalgic: 50 years ago today Auburn at Tennessee

without a doubt the interruption of this football series was the biggest casualty of the SEC going to divisions in 1992. Other than their mutual disdain for Alabama, these two couldn't stand each other. In fact this 1973 game was a little salty before and after.

32 year old Bill Battle was early in his fourth year at Tennessee and had an incredible 33-5-0 record in Knoxville.Three of the five losses were to Shug Jordan as Battle was 0-3. Auburn's 36-23 win in 1970 was UT's lone loss costing them the SEC title and shot at National Title. Auburn won 10-9 in Knoxville but the '72 game was about all Tennessee could stand.

Auburn was lightly regarded after the Sullivan-Beasley era and had squeaked by Miss State and UT Chatta.Tennessee was #4 and a solid two touchdown favorite.Prior to the game TWO "Gentlemen's Agreements" were violated by each participant. The first involved Auburn when a team could only scout TWO games in person. Auburn had two scouts at the Penn State game but sent an assistant to the Wake Forest game with a game ticket. The Vols accused Auburn of "spying" and retaliated by ignoring the white jersey rule. Tennessee had rarely worn white the past but a rule after the 1970 season "encouraged" SEC teams to wear white on the road if the home team wore dark jerseys. Tennessee would wear orange at Legion Field.

Auburn would score on an 81 yard drive,all on the ground in a time consuming possession early in the game to lead 7-0. Tennessee never could get going and Auburn stunned Tennessee, 10-6.To rub salt in the wound Auburn's Terry Henley,who scored the TD said after the game that Chattanooga hit harder than Tennessee did.

Bill Battle reminded his players the week of the '73 Auburn game of Henley's comments. Jordan was disappointed that another coach "would blow a boy's statement after a victory out of proportion." During warmups Jordan maintained he "waved" to Battle .Battle claimed afterwards he didn't see the gesture.

The game was played in a downpour and the Vols did just enough to go up 10-0 at halftime. Neither team reached 200 yard offense as Tennessee scored another FG and had a late pick 6, with a two point conversion (you know,"the chart.") As the rain came down in sheets in the fourth, Tennessee proceeded to punt on first down. After two futile possessions,Auburn returned the favor punting on first down. The Vols won, 21-0 as Battle and Jordan exited the playing field without acknowledging one another.