1983 Auburn Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1983 Auburn Tigers football Auburn Tigers logo.svg 125 Southeastern Conference SEC 11–1 6–0 3 3 Pat Dye 3rd Jack Crowe 2nd Wishbone Frank Orgel 3rd 5–2 Jordan–Hare Stadium National champion (Billingsley, CFRA, The New York Times, ARGH)National champion (Rothman, Sagarin)SEC championSugar Bowl champion Sugar Bowl W Won 9–7 vs Michigan The 1983 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with an 11–1 record and won their first Southeastern Conference (SEC) title since 1957. Playing the toughest schedule in the country, the team was named national champion by NCAA-designated major selectors of Billingsley, College Football Researchers Association, The New York Times, and ARGH,ARGH Power Ratings History http://www.arghratings.com/history.html November 19, 2025 www.arghratings.com as well as Rothman and Sagarin.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records National Collegiate Athletic Association August 2018 January 4, 2019 114 The squad featured several star players who went on to long professional careers including Bo Jackson, Randy Campbell, Tommie Agee, Lionel James, Donnie Humphrey, Steve Wallace and Al Del Greco. Prior to the season, Dye became the first coach in the SEC to require players to take blood and urine tests for drugs.https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/22/sports/auburn-testing-players-for-drugs.html Auburn Testing Players for Drugs New York Times 1983-08-22 2010-09-05 Also prior to the season, fullback Greg Pratt collapsed after making his required time in running tests and died a short time later. The team capped an 11–1 season, with a 9–7 victory handing 2-loss #8 Michigan its third loss in the Sugar Bowl. Despite having lost to Texas by 13 points at home the Tigers ended ranked third in the final AP and the UPI Coaches' poll ahead of the 1-loss Longhorns as Miami jumped from 5th from the AP and 4th from the UPI Coaches' poll to claim the AP/UPI Coaches' National Championship award.Barnhart Tony http://www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site47.php Auburn Wins 1984 Sugar Bowl, but National Championship Still Eludes Tigers The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/CBS 2010-09-05 November 16, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101116200458/http://allstatesugarbowl.org/site47.php dead Auburn had played the toughest schedule in the nation, including nine bowl teams, eight of which were ranked in the top 20 (five in the top ten), and two teams Auburn faced would compete against each other in the 1983 Florida Citrus Bowl (Tennessee won the game against Maryland 30–23). Schedule 1983 AP Central September 10 w y 4 Southern Miss Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL 24–3 73,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74443054/auburn-rips-southern-miss The Selma Times-Journal Auburn rips Southern Miss September 11, 1983 March 26, 2021 Newspapers.com September 17 11:30 am l y 5 Texas 3 Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL CBS 7–20 73,500 Longhorns power past Tigers 20–7 The Clarion-Ledger September 18, 1983 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115452110/longhorns-power-past-tigers-207/ December 30, 2022 Newspapers.com September 24 w y 11 Tennessee Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN rivalry 37–14 95,185 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107870116/auburn-rebounds-with-win/ The Montgomery Advertiser Auburn rebounds with win September 11, 1983 August 18, 2022 Newspapers.com October 1 w y 10 Florida State Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL 27–24 75,625 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-outnumbered-fsu-beaten-b/134605923/ St. Petersburg Times Outnumbered FSU beaten by Auburn October 2, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com October 8 w y 7 Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY 49–21 57,989 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-park-city-daily-news-no-7-auburn-ru/134603106/ The Park City Daily News No. 7 Auburn runs over outmanned UK October 9, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com October 15 w y y 5 Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 31–13 55,112 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dothan-eagle-au-gets-scare-against-t/134606057/ The Dothan Eagle AU gets scare against Tech October 16, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com October 22 w 5 Mississippi State Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL 28–13 71,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-tigers-bag-miss/134590749/ The Selma Times-Journal Tigers bag Miss State October 23, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com October 29 w 4 Florida 5 Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL rivalry CBS 28–21 75,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-auburn-wins-28/134604701/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Auburn wins 28–21 thriller, but Florida disputes it October 30, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com November 5 w y y 3 Maryland 7 Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL 35–23 75,600 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-star-no-3-auburn-dumps-mar/134606191/ The Standard-Star No. 3 Auburn dumps Maryland November 6, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com November 12 2:50 pm w y 3 Georgia 4 Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry ABC 13–7 82,122 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-sugar-bid-swee/134605564/ The Montgomery Advertiser Sugar bid sweet for AU November 13, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com December 3 2:50 pm w y 3 Alabama 19 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Iron Bowl ABC 23–20 77,310 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71537459/bo-goes-au-wins-2320/ The Montgomery Advertiser Bo goes, AU wins 23–20 December 4, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com January 2, 1984 7:00 pm w y y 3 Michigan 8 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl ABC 9–7 77,893 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-advertiser-auburn-tigers-slip/134606378/ The Daily Advertiser Auburn Tigers slip past Wolverines January 3, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.comSugar Bowl: Auburn boots U-M Detroit Free Press Joe Lapointe January 3, 1984 1D, 5D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42504097/sugar_bowl_auburn_boots_um/ Newspapers.com Rankings 1983 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 15 5 (2) 4 (1) 5 11 10 7 5 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 (7) Coaches 0 15 3 (3) 3 (1) 4 14 10 10 8 5 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 (4) Game summaries Southern Miss 1983 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team Texas 1983 Texas Longhorns football team Florida State 1983 Florida State Seminoles football team Florida 1983 Florida Gators football team FLORIDA IS BEATEN BY AUBURN, 28-21 https://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/30/sports/florida-is-beaten-by-auburn-28-21.html The New York Times October 30, 1983 November 2, 2019 At Georgia No. 3 Auburn 7 6 0 0 No. 4 Georgia 0 0 0 7 November 12 Sanford Stadium 82,122 Dick Burleson Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles ABC yes 1 AUB James 4 yard run (Del Greco kick) AUB 7–0 2 AUB Del Greco 21 yard field goal AUB 10–0 2 AUB Del Greco 41 yard field goal AUB 13–0 4 UGA Archie 13 yard pass from Lastinger (Butler kick) AUB 13–7 yes 1983 Georgia Bulldogs football team Deep South's Oldest Rivalry Gainesville Sun. 1983 Nov 13. Retrieved 2018-Nov-12. Vs. Alabama No. 19 Alabama 0 14 6 0 No. 3 Auburn 0 10 13 0 December 3 Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama 77,310 62 F, Cloudy with rain, Wind SE 10 mph on Johnny Cook Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles ABC yes 2 AUB Bo Jackson 69-yard run (Al Del Greco kick) AUB 7–0 2 11:42 BAMA Joey Jones 20-yard pass from Walter Lewis (Van Tiffin kick) Tied 7–7 2 5:30 AUB Del Greco 29-yard field goal AUB 10–7 2 0:46 BAMA Joe Carter 3-yard pass from Walter Lewis (Tiffin kick) BAMA 14–10 3 AUB Del Greco 26-yard field goal BAMA 14–13 3 AUB Del Greco 34-yard field goal AUB 16–14 3 2:20 BAMA Ricky Moore 57-yard run (conversion failed) BAMA 20–16 4 2:03 AUB Bo Jackson 71-yard run (Del Greco kick) AUB 23–20 yes 1983 Alabama Crimson Tide football team Iron Bowl Sophomore Bo Jackson ran for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Tigers won the SEC title outright. His long touchdown runs – 69 yards and 71 yards, respectively – bookended the day's scoring.AUBURN SETS BACK ALABAMA BY 23-20 https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/04/sports/auburn-sets-back-alabama-by-23-20.html The New York Times December 4, 1983 November 2, 2019 Vs. Michigan (Sugar Bowl) Michigan 7 0 0 0 Auburn 0 0 3 6 January 1 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 77,893 Indoors Dixon Holman (SWC) Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles ABC yes 1 MICH Steve Smith 4-yard run (Bergeron kick) MICH 7–0 3 AUB Al Del Greco 31-yard field goal MICH 7–3 4 AUB Del Greco 32-yard field goal MICH 7–6 4 AUB Del Greco 19-yard field goal AUB 9–7 yes 1984 Sugar Bowl 1983 Michigan Wolverines football team TIGERS SET BACK MICHIGAN BY 9-7 https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/03/sports/tigers-set-back-michigan-by-9-7.html The New York Times January 2, 1984 November 2, 2019 Roster 1983 Auburn Tigers y 1 Sr Chris Woods WR y Chris Woods (gridiron football) 6 Sr Lionel James RB y 8 Jr Terry Walker RB 10 So Pat Washington QB 11 Jr Clayton Beauford WR y 14 Sr Randy Campbell QB y 17 Jr Mike Mann QB 21 Jr Ed Graham RB 23 So Kyle Collins RB 25 So Tim Jessie RB y 30 So Tommie Agee RB y Tommie Agee (American football) 33 So Alan Evans RB 34 So Bo Jackson RB y 36 Jr Greg Pratt FB 38 So Collis Campbell RB 44 Jr Ron O'Neal FB 52 Fr Ben Tamburello C y 53 Fr Yann Cowart C 55 Jr Kirk Callaway C 59 Sr Brian Dunlaney C 60 Jr John Margadonna OG 62 Fr Steve Posey OT 64 So Randy Stokes OG 65 Jr Jeff Ostrowski OT 66 So Jeff Lott OG 67 So Marvin Arnold OL 68 Sr Bob Hix OT 69 So Rob Shuler OT 71 Jr Jay Jacobs OT 72 Jr Tracy Turner OT 74 Sr David Jordan OG y David Jordan (American football) 76 Sr Pat Arrington OT 77 Jr Mark Aston OT 78 So Steve Wallace OL y Steve Wallace (American football) 80 Fr Alex Dudchock OT 82 So Jeff Parks TE y 84 Sr Tommy Carroll WR 84 Fr Clay Johnson WR 85 Sr Ed West TE y Ed West (American football) 87 So Ron Middleton TE y Ron Middleton (American football) So Barry Garber TE So Joel Gregg FB So Tommy Lanier WR Fr Jeff Marks WR So Terry Moore OT So Matt Triplett OG 2 Sr Chuck Clanton CB y 22 So Danny Robinson CB 26 Fr Tommy Powell SS 27 Jr David King CB 31 Jr Vic Beasley FS 32 Jr Jonathan Robinson CB 37 Jr Chette Williams LB 41 So Pat Thomas LB 42 Sr Jeff Jackson LB 45 So Jimmie Warren CB 48 Jr Don Anderson DB 49 Jr Nat Ceasar DB 51 Jr Jim Bone LB 52 So Ben McCurdy LB 54 Jr Gregg Carr LB y 60 So Terry Jones DT 61 Sr Dowe Aughtman NT y 63 Jr James Wallace NG 67 So Jeff Neighbors NG 79 Sr Donnie Humphrey DT y 88 Sr John Prudhomme DT 90 Jr Kevin Greene DE y 91 Jr Ben Thomas DT y Ben Thomas (American football) 93 Sr Quency Williams DE y 94 Jr Harold Hallman NG y 95 So Gerald Robinson DE y Gerald Robinson (American football) 95 Jr Ken Thomas DE 96 Jr John Dailey DE 98 Jr Joe Manning DT 98 So Gerald Williams DT y Gerald Williams (American football) 99 Sr Doug Smith DT y Doug Smith (defensive lineman) Jr Jeff Bankston LB Jr Phillip Dembrowski DT So Robert Dowling LB Sr Freddie Jones FS So Scott Kunz DB Jr Pat Prichard DE Jr Mark Ressmeyer LB Sr Chris Taylor FS Fr Dale Tomaino LB So David Vinson DE So Neil Vinson DE 3 Sr Al Del Greco K y 5 So Lewis Colbert P y 16 Sr Scott Selman P So Fred Murphy P Jr Rick Scussel K So Chike Ward P https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/1983 Pat Dye Larry Blakeney (assistant) Neil Callaway (offensive line) Bud Casey (assistant) Jack Crowe (offensive coordinator) James Daniel (offensive line) Wayne Hall (assistant) Frank Orgel (assistant) Bobby Wallace (defensive backs) Joe Whitt (assistant) Frank Young (assistant) References Auburn Category:Auburn Tigers football seasons Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Category:Sugar Bowl champion seasons Category:College football national champions Auburn Tigers football