Days to kickoff: 12

Our Tar Heel Tiger's Auburn Minute is brought to you by the number:

12

HAPPY JAMES CORBIN SIDLE DAY!!!

Jimmy Sidle is the only SEC quarterback to ever rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season, finishing 1963 with 1,006 ground yards.* The Birmingham native and Banks High graduate also had 706 passing yards. Sidle was the SEC’s leader in rushing and total offense, earning 1963 ALL-AMERICAN honors and finishing 7th in Heisman Trophy voting.

The Tigers concluded a remarkable 9-1 season in 1963 with a No. 5 national ranking and a 10-8 Iron Bowl win. Their only defeat came on the road at the hands of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who won the game on a 36-yard FG with 22 seconds to play.

1964 brought great expectations for Mr. Sidle and the Auburn Tigers. Sports Illustrated put Sidle on their Sept. 21 cover and picked the Tigers to finish 1st in the country. The SI jinx incubation period could have been measured in nanoseconds, as Sidle’s rotator cuff was torn two days earlier in Auburn’s season-opening 30-0 romp over Houston on Sept. 19. Opponents quickly learned that Sidle no longer posed a passing threat and Auburn’s offense sputtered. He was eventually moved to halfback and/or TE where he saw limited action. Auburn concluded Sidle’s 1964 senior season with a 6-4 mark.

Despite his shoulder injury and disappointing senior season, the Dallas Cowboys selected Jimmy Sidle in the 4th round of the 1965 NFL draft. He did not play for the Cowboys that year due to another shoulder injury. He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons where he participated in six games during the 1966 season, compiling the following numbers:

Rushes: 1 for 12 yards
Receptions: 1 for 16 yards
KO Returns: 6 for 19.5 yard avg.

He also offered up one fumble in a show of good sportsmanship.

Jimmy Sidle completed his pro career as a TE with the BC Lions in the CFL. Sidle died from heart failure in 1999. Here is his obituary.

*Although some sources list him as the nation’s leading rusher in 1963 with 1,006 yards, the University of Memphis Media Guide lists their tailback, Dave Casinelli, with 10 more yards.
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Sources: 2008 Auburn Football Media Guide, 2009 Memphis Football Media Guide, Sports Illustrated, a bunch of statistical web sites found via Google.

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HONORABLE MENTION

* (From Jet) Jeff Burger: Full-time starting QB 1986-87, Auburn went 19-3-2 those two years, winning the SEC title in 1987 ... In 1987, Burger was accused of plagiarism during the preseason. That charge soon was dropped. He also was arrested in the preseason for having a concealed weapon -- a pistol under the seat of his truck, which would be known as the "Pistol at the Krystal" saga. It went away, too. He had an issue during the season -- sidelined for the Mississippi State game for the plane ride for a hunting trip along with center Jim Thompson. He was also mandated to "not start" against Florida by SEC Commissioner Harvey Schiller. So Coach Pat Dye followed the dictates of the ruling, sending Reggie Slack onto the field for one play (he fumbled the snap and fell on it), and then Burger came in played the rest of the game.

The 1986 team, which had Fullwood at RB, was one of the AU's best ever. The Tigers lost twice that year -- the incredible disaster in Gainesville, and the water hose game vs. UGA.

In 1987, the Tigers went 9-1-2, losing 34-6 in a sandwich game to Florida State late in the year. The ties came to Tennessee (20-20 in Knoxville when the Vols came back to tie) and the Syracuse game in the Sugar Bowl.

Burger's finest moment may have been in Atlanta in 1987, leading Auburn on a long, desperation late drive to take the lead in the final seconds at Tech, giving Auburn a 14-10 lead. His pass to Lawyer Tillman in the back of the end zone brought about the classic "Tillman! Tillman! Tillman!" call from Jim Fyffe. Aundray Bruce's interception return on the final play made it 20-10.

An efficient passer and a gritty leader, Burger was a Pat Dye kind of player. He also had one of the goofiest Auburn touchdowns ever. In 1986, with Auburn running out the clock on the goal line against Tennessee, Burger tried to wait out the final seconds by seemingly jog in place. But the Vols wouldn't tackle him. Burger's close friend, teammate Stacy Searels, shoved the QB into the end zone for a thoroughly unnecessary score in a 34-6 win. Dye apologized profusely to his ol' buddy Johnny Majors.

*Brandon Cox: Courageous QB from Trussville who overcame myasthenia gravis to lead Auburn to three Iron Bowl wins. Brandon is ranked in the Top 10 of almost every career passing statistical category at Auburn, including the following:

Passing yards, 3rd;
TD passes, 3rd;
Completion pct, 4th;
Lowest INT pct, 6th.

* Harold Morrow: RB in 1992-95 from Tommie Agee’s hometown of Maplesville. (I want me some Chilton County peaches!!!)

* Chris Vacarella: A Birmingham native who spent the 1973-76 seasons as the backup QB. He spent more time in what we now like to refer to as the “H-back” position. In various places in the 2008 Auburn Football Media Guide, Chris is listed at various positions, including QB/WR, Flanker, and Wingback. Chris led the team in receiving in 1976. He earned ACADEMIC ALL-SEC honors in 1975 & 1976, and was an ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN in 1976 whilst majoring in Business.

* Ted Smith: #12 on the 1971 Team Roster; not listed under Auburn Lettermen in the Media Guide.

We got 12s! Let’s hear some shout outs!!!