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Malbis Tiger
(70.147.123.154) on 11/25/2009 - 5:25 p.m. says: ( 53 views
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"From today's Baldwin Register....."
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Edited by Author at 11/25/2009 - 5:31 p.m.
CONTEXT ADDED BY ADMIN:
END OF CONTEXT
Simply Amazin': Henley recalls days on the Plains
By
Daniel Boyette
November 25, 2009, 6:24AMGULF SHORES, Ala. - This year's Iron Bowl bears an uncanny resemblance to the 1972 showdown.
Like the legendary "Punt, Bama, Punt" game, Alabama is ranked No. 2 and gunning for a national title while Auburn enters as a clear underdog.
 Daniel Boyette/RegisterFormer
Auburn running back Terry Henley speaks to members of the Gulf Coast
Athletic Club on Monday night at Craft Farms in Gulf Shores. Henley was
the starting running back for the 1972 Tiger team dubbed "The Amazins".
Terry Henley, the starting tailback for the '72 Tigers' squad, remembers the game fondly, but not just for what happened on the field.
He was a senior that season and had possession of all the tickets for the
temporary bleachers at the north end zone of Legion Field.
"I was telling people they were on the 50-yard line and selling them. (The actual seat location) wasn't on the back of the ticket, because they
were temporary," he told members of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club on Monday night at Craft Farms.
Angry Auburn fans roamed the sideline prior to the game looking to express their displeasure with Henley, but he avoided any future wrath thanks to the Tigers'miraculous comeback victory.
"It was a 17-16 game and all 33 points were scored in that end zone," Henley said. "People were coming up after saying, 'Man, those were the best seats we've ever had in our life.'"
Henley led the SEC in rushing in 1972 with 843 yards. He also scored 11 touchdowns and was named All-SEC and second team All-American. He was later named to Auburn's 1970s Team of the Decade and was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
The¤'72 team was dubbed "The Amazins" for their ability to defy expectations. The Tigers had lost Heisman Trophy quarterback Pat Sullivan and
All-American receiver Terry Beasley to graduation yet managed a 10-1
campaign and a No. 5 ranking in the final poll.
"It was just a great team," Henley said. "I think most of the guys could not have started for another football team. They were a great bunch of guys. "
Henley humorously recalled the simplicity of Auburn's offense that season, noting a conversation he had with Tiger coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan prior to playing Ole Miss.
"At the opening of the game, coach Jordan was screaming and hollering in the dressing room, 'We're going to beat them with five plays!,'" Henley said. "We started out on the field and I asked coach Jordan, 'Five plays?' He said, 'Five, Terry. We're going to beat them right here in their back yard with five plays.' I told him, 'We've only got eight, what are we saving them other three for?'"
As for this year's Iron Bowl, Henley said his alma mater would have its hands full.
"What I see most of all that Alabama is so physically strong. So you're going to have to use some kind of diversion and I think Auburn's offense is
something that can offset some of that. How much of it? I don't know," he said. "I think if Alabama plays zone, I think Auburn can really compete. If (Alabama) goes man-to-man with them and can cover Auburn's receivers, I think we'll be in for a long night."
But Henley didn't leave the podium without giving the Auburn faithful in attendance something to cheer about.
"Auburn wins the ballgame 27-22, write it in the newspaper," he said.
© 2009 al.com. All rights reserved.
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A high station in life is earned by the gallantry with which appalling experiences are survived with grace. Tennessee Williams
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