The 1979 Auburn Tigers football team achieved an overall record of 8–3 under head coach Doug Barfield , which would be his best season as head coach. The Tigers went 4–2 in the SEC .[ 1] They finished the season ranked #16 in the AP poll, but were not ranked in the UPI due to probation.
Prior to the start of the season, on May 11, Auburn was placed on probation by the NCAA as a result of an investigation into violations dating back to 1974.
Five players were named to the All-SEC first team for 1979: running back James Brooks , running back Joe Cribbs , linebacker Freddy Smith, defensive tackle Frank Warren , and offensive tackle George Stephenson. Joe Cribbs was also named the SEC Most Valuable Player for that year.[ 2]
During the 1979 season, the offense used a combination of the veer and I formations and both Joe Cribbs and James Brooks gained over 1,000 yards rushing.[ 3]
Date Opponent Rank Site Result Attendance Source September 15 Kansas State * W 26–1850,132 [ 4]
September 22 Southern Miss * Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL W 31–945,226 [ 5]
September 29 at Tennessee L 17–3585,936 [ 6]
October 6 No. 14 NC State * Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL W 44–3151,146 [ 7]
October 13 Vanderbilt No. 18 Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL W 52–3545,615 [ 8]
October 20 at Georgia Tech * No. 14 W 38–1454,236 [ 9]
October 27 at No. 18 Wake Forest * No. 13 L 38–4234,060 [ 10]
November 3 Florida No. 20 Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL (rivalry ) W 19–1358,754 [ 11]
November 10 at Mississippi State No. 16 Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL W 14–359,136 [ 12]
November 17 at Georgia No. 15 W 33–1363,000 [ 13]
December 1 vs. No. 1 Alabama No. 14 L 18–2577,918 [ 14]
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
[ 2]
1979 Auburn Tigers football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Roster
^ 2011 Auburn Tigers Football Media Guide , Auburn University Athletic Department, Auburn, Alabama, pp. 182–4,150–151 (2011). Retrieved August 19, 2011
^ a b 2005 Auburn Tigers Football Media Guide , Auburn University Athletic Department, Auburn, Alabama, pp. 142–143, 178–180 (2005). Retrieved August 19, 2011
^ Auburn Tigers Have Veterans Returning "The Harlan (KY,) Daily Enterprise, August 27, 1980. Retrieved August 21, 2011"
^ "K-State gives Auburn big scare in 26–18 loss" . The Salina Journal . September 16, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Auburn wins one for Doug" . The Anniston Star . September 23, 1979. Retrieved March 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Moore sparks Tennessee" . The Daily Advertiser . September 30, 1979. Retrieved May 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Auburn rolls by Wolfpack" . The News and Observer . October 7, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Cribbs, Brooks lead Auburn past Vandy, 52–35" . The Atlanta Journal & Constitution . October 14, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Brooks powers Auburn past Tech" . The Pensacola News-Journal . October 21, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Auburn baptized by Deacon rally" . Rocky Mount Telegram . October 28, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Auburn squeaks past Gators" . Fort Myers News-Press . November 4, 1979. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Auburn flattens Mississippi State" . The Commercial Appeal . November 11, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Cribbs, Brooks smash 'Dogs" . The Montgomery Advertiser . November 18, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Defense holds off Tigers" . The Montgomery Advertiser . December 2, 1979. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .