First Time Ever: The Untold Story of How Auburn First Brought Undefeated Alabama to Jordan-Hare Stadium--and Beat Them

by Van Allen Plexico, John Ringer

On December 2, 1989, the undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide did something they'd sworn they'd never They came to Auburn to play the Iron Bowl.

How it happened, after years of threats and lawsuits and refusals to even discuss the possibility, is a story as riveting as the game that unfolded on the field that Saturday afternoon.

Van Allen Plexico and John Ringer, co-hosts of the AU Wishbone Podcast, trace the greatest rivalry in football from its dawning in Birmingham to the epic showdown on the Plains. Along the way they expose the roots of the animosity between the two universities, the numerous ways Alabama has tried to get its way in every dispute with Auburn--and the consequences when they don't.

Then they break down the game itself--what happened, play-by-play, how and why--from Tiger Walk to Toomer's Corner, and beyond.

Some said it would never happen. On December 2, 1989, it did happen .

This is the complete story of that day--possibly the greatest day in Auburn football history--as only the AU Wishbone can tell it.

Genres: History

338 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Van Allen Plexico has written a dozen novels and contributed to at least that many anthologies, but is best known for his popular and critically-acclaimed SENTINELS superhero novels, as well as the two-time Novel of the Year Finalist LORDS OF FIRE and its sequels in the "Shattering" space opera series. In the realm of nonfiction, he co-wrote the best-selling DECADES OF DOMINANCE and SEASON OF OUR DREAMS books about Auburn football and created the ASSEMBLED! books, exploring the history of Marvel’s AVENGERS comics. He writes and edits for numerous publishers including Airship 27, Pro Se Press, Permuted/Swarm Press, Maple Street Press, New Babel Books, Adamant, and White Rocket, along with occasional columns for RevolutionSF.com and the War Eagle Reader. He serves as an Associate Professor at Southwestern Illinois College.

Reviews

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for Dye-hard Auburn fans, and particularly those of us who were fans in the 80’s. Tons of history I didn’t know about the Iron Bowl and lots I just enjoyed reliving through someone else’s perspective.

[Harry Zagger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of how the Iron Bowl was brought to Auburn for the first time in 1989.Van and John take you from the early years of the rivalry through the day that Alabama played Auburn in Auburn for the first time ever. Great reading for any Auburn fan !