#playing with his college band ‘the march hares’

[epicfroggz]

circa 1969

[rushingheadlong]

Huge thanks to a very dear friend who bought this article out from underneath me from an ebay auction, and then sent to me as a surprise!

Originally published in Melody Maker in late 1974 (exact date unknown). Full article text below the read more.

The MERLIN File

EVOLUTION: Merlin's manager, Derek Chick, and Allan Love decided in May 1973 to form a new London-based group that would incorporate three basic essentials: musicianship, image and stage presentation. After extensive auditions and rehearsals the band was gigging by July under the name Madrigal, which was changed in February 1974 to Merlin.

PERSONNEL CHANGES: Jacob Magmusson (keyboards) left in October 1973 and Paul Taylor (bass) in September 1974.

ORIGIN OF NAME: Scully Wagon-Lit's idea in the van going to a gig.

FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE: Zero 6, Southend, 17/July/1973.

FIRST BROADCAST: BBC Radio One David Hamilton Show and Radio Luxembourg Power Play consecutively in March 1974.

FIRST TELEVISION: Scottish TV's Showcase in November 1973.

MANAGEMENT: Derek Chick, Chic's Own Music and Management Ltd, 246/248 Great Portland Street, London W1 (01-381 6192/3).

AGENT: Barry Collings Agency Ltd, 15 Claremont Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (0702-47343/43464).

RECORDING COMPANY: CBS Records Ltd, 28-30 Theobalds Road, London WC1 (01-242 9000).

RECORD PRODUCER: Roger Greenaway.

MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY: Shapiro, Bernstein and Co Ltd, 246/248 Great Portland Street, London W1 (01-387 6192) and Grenyoco Music Ltd, 108 Park Street, London W1 (01-493 6439).

FAN CLUB: Ling, 17 Gladstone Park Gardens, Cricklewood, London NW2.

BRITISH TOURS: 47 dates 1/March-28/April/1974 Top Rank ballrooms, clubs and colleges. Solo tour.

AMERICAN TOURS: None.

TRANSPORT: Ford DO607 3-ton truck for the equipment and Audi 100 for the group.

STAGE MANAGERS: Iain Ward (Sound Engineer), Chris Taylor (Lighting Engineer), "Speedy" (Stage Roadie), "Crystal" (Assistant Lighting Engineer).

SINGLES: "(Let Me) Put My Spell On You" c/w "Just ANother Fish On My Hook (CBS, 1/March/1974), "Alright" c/w "Pictures In My Mind" (CBS, 28/June/1974), "Wild Cat" c/w "Half A Man" (CBS, 1/Nov/1974).

ALBUMS: "Merlin" (CBS, 25/Oct/1974).

P.A.: 1400-watt JBL system comprising Kelsey 16-channel stereo custom mixer, 4 x DC3000 Crown amps, 4 x bass bins with 2 x 15 inch JBL speakers in each, 2 x mid range JBL horns, 2 x high-frequency JBL boxes with lens horns, two bullets. Microphones are 8 Sure Unidyne III 545, 2 AKG 190C, one AKG D12, 4 Calrec condensers, 4 Sims Watts condensers, 3 Sure Unisphere B. Binson Echorec and Mavis 3-way active stereo crossover with stage boxes, cables, etc. Lighting comprises 6 x 100 watt Strand Floods on stage, 30 x 200 watt Strand Floods on stage scaffolding, 3 x Strand 1,000-watt follow spots and stands, 2 x Strobes and a Strand dimmer board.

ALAN LOVE: Vocalist

BORN: Hampsted, North West London. 13/Dec./1952.

EDUCATED: Challoner School, Finchley, North London.

MUSICAL TRAINING: None.

MUSICAL CAREER: Has been professional for seven years, playing in Opal Butterfly from 1967 to 1969 with Simon King (Hawkwing) and Tom Doherty (Sting). Referendum from 1969 to 1973 and Madrigal/Merlin from 1973.

OTHER OCCUPATIONS: None.

MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Mick Jagger, Joe Cocker, Little Richard.

COMPOSITIONS: "Half A Man," "Space Raider" and co-wrote with Gary Hardwick "Getting Involved" all recorded by Merlin.

FAVOURITE SINGLES: "Something In The Air" (Thunderclap Newman), "McArthur Park" (Richard Harris).

FAVOURITE ALBUMS: "Tapestry" (Carol King), "Court Of The Crimson King" (King Crimson), "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" (Simon and Garfunkel).

FAVOURITE MUSICIANS: Paul McCartney, Steve Howe, Tom Doherty.

FAVOURITE SONGWRITERS: Lennon and McCartney, Cat Stevens, Carol King.

FAVOURITE SINGERS: Joe Cocker, Neil Diamond.

RESIDENCE: Bachelor flat in Wandsworth, South West London.

INSTRUMENTS: None.

GARY ALICE STRANGE: Bass, vocals and guitar.

BORN: Hampsted, London. 26/Oct./1952.

EDUCATED: Whitefield School, Barnet.

MUSICAL TRAINING: Three classical guitar lessons and then self taught.

MUSICAL CAREER: Various semi-pro bands and wrote first song aged 16 featured on ATV programme "Come Here Often." Former band with Dave Martin called March Hare and recorded LP for MAM. Group then changed to newly-formed Kinks Production Company, but after few months of touring with Kinks and recording, split up. Joined Merlin.

OTHER OCCUPATIONS: Director of La Starza Palace Studio.

MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Beatles, Stones, Free, Average White Band.

COMPOSITIONS: "Gipsy Rose Lee" and "Lay Me Down" for March Hare both issued as singles by MAM.

FAVOURITE SINGLES: "I Am A Walrus" (Beatles), "Need Your Love So Bad" (Fleetwood Mac), "Little Bit Of Love" (Free), "Amoureuse" (Kiki Dee).

FAVOURITE ALBUMS: "Elf" (Elf), "Sgt Pepper" (Beatles), "Talking Book" (Stevie Wonder).

FAVOURITE MUSICIANS: Andy Fraser, David Martin, Peter Green, Liberace.

FAVOURITE SONGWRITERS: Lennon and McCartney, Holland, Dozier and Holland, Lional Bart and Paul Simon.

FAVOURITE SINGERS: Paul Rodgers, Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart.

RESIDENCE: Single and lives in Hampstead, North West London.

INSTRUMENTS: Fender Precision Bass with thin maple neck. Hagstrom six-string guitar with pick-up. Kemble baby grand piano. Rotosound Roundwound strings. Orange 120-watt amp with 2 x 15 inch reflex cabinets.

JAMIE MOSES: Lead guitar and vocals.

BORN: Ipswich, Suffolk, 30/Aug/1955.

EDUCATED: Schools in America and Japan. Shirley High School and Redhill Technical College in Surrey.

MUSICAL TRAINING: Self-taught.

MUSICAL CAREER: Given first guitar when ten, formed first band at 11. Formed the Inferno, 1969-71, in Japan, doing gigs, radio, TV. Came to England in 1971, worked with semi-pro bands and at a music shop in Croydon. Formed Angel with Scully 1972 and recorded LP of original material. Joined Madrigal July 1973.

MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Jimmy Page, Paul Kossoff, Beatles.

COMPOSITIONS: "Just Another Fish On My Hook", "Gypsy", and "He Thinks About You All The Time" all recorded by Merlin. Co-wrote "Angel" LP with Scully.

FAVOURITE SINGLES: "Livin' For The City" (Stevie Wonder), "Can't Get Enough" (Bad Company), "Joybringer" (Manfred Mann's Earthband).

FAVOURITE ALBUMS: "Foxtrot" by Genesis.

FAVOURITE MUSICIANS: Genesis, Steve Howe, Free, Scully Wagon-Lits.

FAVOURITE SONGWRITERS: Paul McCartney, Genesis, Stevie Wonder.

FAVOURITE SINGERS: Paul Rodgers, Peter Gabriel, Mario Lanza and David Coverdale.

RESIDENCE: Is single and lives with his parents at Sanderstead, Surrey.

INSTRUMENTS: White Les Paul Deluxe (1973) and black Les Paul Custom (1974), both with Rotosound ultra-light strings and Gibson plectrums. EKO 6-string acoustic guitar with La Bella strings. Hiwatt 100-watt amp fitted with half power switch for distortion and sustain at almost any volume. Two 2 x 15 Fender Dual Showman JBL Cabinets. A cheap Japanese fuzz box with a three-tone fuzz switch.

SCULLY WAGON-LITS: Keyboards, guitar and vocals.

BORN: Balham, South West London, 20/Dec./1953.

EDUCATED: Henry Cavendish (Balham), Bec School (Tooting) and Archbishop Tennison (South Croydon).

MUSICAL TRAINING: Guitar lessons at night school for one year aged eight, cello at school for three years and double bass for two months, but is self-taught on keyboards.

MUSICAL CAREER: Played guitar in band in Balham (1964-65), joined Angel with Jamie (1972-1973) as semi-pros and recorded an album. Turned pro June 1973 with Big Wheel in South France. Joined Madrigal October 1973.

OTHER OCCUPATIONS: Organ salesman at Western Music and Selmer.

MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Harry Stoneham, Miller Anderson, Keith Emerson, Christian Vander.

COMPOSITIONS: "Marina," "Takin' Part," "Pictures In My Mind," etc.

FAVOURITE SINGLES: "Rock Man" (Elton John), "Space Oddity" (David Bowie).

FAVOURITE ALBUMS: "Tarkis" (ELP), "Fire And Water" (Free), "Dark Side Of The Moon (Pink Floyd).

FAVOURITE MUSICIANS: Keith Emerson, Tony Banks, Steve Howe.

FAVOURITE SONGWRITERS: Paul McCartney.

FAVOURITE SINGERS: Paul Rodgers, Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Greg Lake

RESIDENCE: Single and lives in Surrey.

INSTRUMENTS: Hamond RT3 with additional height plynth and customised guts driven through Hiwatt amps and put out through one Leslie 145 and two RSE 1 x 15 inch JBL bins and three custom-made Werlin Bat rotating horn units. Muri-Moog (modified) through Hiwatt 100-watt amp with JBL Showman Cabinet. Hagspiel grand piano, with scaffolding, miked through PA. Black Gibson SB Les Paul Junior (1960) plugged into Moog.

DAVID WIGHTWICK: Drums and vocals.

BORN: Dunstable, Bedfordshire, 25/August/1950.

EDUCATED: Priory Secondary School, Dunstable.

MUSICAL TRAINING: Self-taught.

MUSICAL CAREER: Former member of Madrigal from 1967 to 1973. The band split and was reformed with new members and retitled Merlin.

OTHER OCCUPATIONS: Varied from soldier to postman.

MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Beatles, The Move, Genesis.

COMPOSITIONS: None.

FAVOURITE SINGLES: "Say You Don't Mind" (Colin Blunstone), "Motet Overture" (Abors), "Eleanor Rigby" (Beatles)

FAVOURITE ALBUMS: "Dark Side Of The Moon (Pink Floyd), "Erismore" (Colin Blunstone), "Tubular Bells" (Mike Oldfield), "Moving Waves" (Focus).

FAVOURITE MUSICIANS: Carl Palmer, Jon Bonham, Simon Kirke.

FAVOURITE SONGWRITERS: Lennon and McCartney, Colin Blunstone, Genesis.

FAVOURITE SINGERS: Ian Billan, Colin Blunstone, Karen Carpenter.

RESIDENCE: Flat in London.

INSTRUMENTS: Hayman see-through drumkit comprising 1 x 22 inch bass drum, 1 x 12 inch and 1 x 13 inch mounted tom-toms, 1 x 16 inch and 1 x 18 inch floor tom toms, 1 x 14 inch snare drum, Ludwig/Paiste 22 inch cymbal, 1 x 22 inch and 1 x 20 inch Zildjian ride cymbals, 1 x 18 inch Zildjian crash cymbal, 1 x 14 inch Zildjian hi-hat, Ludwig and Hayman accessories and Premier C and Selmer sticks.

[elderbwrry]

first lines meme

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 of your favorite authors!

Tagged by: @desynchimminent! Thanks! Seriously, you find the best writing tag things.

Tagging: @kyberkills, @cleversturmhond, @thembohux, @ashenpages, @need-more-meta, and anyone else bc no thoughts head empty

1) Long Hair || The Witcher (Netflix), Geraskier, 5.4k, - Geralt realises just how long it's been since he's seen his favourite bard

Geralt came trudging into town by the main road, pocket heavy with the reward of a job well done.

-

2) Millicent || Star Wars (Sequels), Kylux, 19.5k - Hux and Kylo bond over Hux's cat and end up catching feelings

Hux was about to get into his sleep clothes just as a chime of beeps sounded to inform him someone was at his door.

-

3) Rocks Break Gifts || Star Wars (Sequels), Kylux, 16.7k - The five times Kylo proposes, and the one time Hux says yes.

“This is your fault,” Hux accuses him, and, as if he is underwater, his voice is so far away, so muffled.

-

4) Sacrifice || Star Wars (Sequels), Kylux, 3k, Huxloween 2020 - College AU

“Who will do it?” Phasma asks gravely, looking around at their little group.

-

5) The Boy and His Wolf || Star Wars (Sequels), Kylux, 3k, Huxloween 2020 - Werewolf Kylo, Medieval AU

The boy stands cold and alone, outside the thin wooden door of the house.

-

6) Hare Before, Trouble Behind || Star Wars (Sequels), Techienician, 6.5k, Huxloween 2020 - Were-animals farm AU, based on a poem

When Matt had first laid eyes upon the young man at the farmer's fair, he'd had to remove his glasses and rub them clean on the inside of his shirt.

-

7) Unholy Is The Lust In Your Eyes || Star Wars (Sequels), Kylux, 5.2k, Huxloween 2020 - Band AU, Vampire AU

There were a number of things Kylo Ren loved.

-

8) The Mean Bean || Star Wars (Sequels), Kylux, 43.2k - University AU, Coffee Shop AU

It was almost one thirty in the morning and Hux, as usual, was buried inside a book.

-

9) We'll Go To The Woods No More || Detroit: Become Human, Reed900, 19.6k - Vampire AU, Revolution France AU

“Brethren, please be seated,” the Évêque Fowler announced, and a general scraping of chairs followed from all over the dingy château dining room, the hunters still somewhat prickly around each other even as they sat cramped at the long tables that had been broken out for their visit.

-

10) The White Hound || Star Wars (Sequels), Kylux, 1.9k - When Hux becomes Supreme Leader, one of his first orders is to put Kylo in white.

Hux narrowed his eyes.

-

11) Even if he doesn't say so || Star Wars (Sequels), DarkGingerPilot, 10.5k - Witcher AU, Witcher Kylo, Mage Hux, Bard Poe

Whenever someone asked Kylo, he always said he preferred to keep to himself and the company of Silence, his horse and his best companion for the very fact of her name; she didn't talk, she didn't disturb the meditative quiet of his lonely rides, and, most importantly, he wasn't unsure how to curry her favour.

-

12) Girls' Night || Star Wars (Sequels), Kylux (kind of?), 3.6k - The Knights Of Ren spa evening

Hux marched down the corridor in the Finalizer's quarters deck, the section dedicated to command personnel.

-

13) Too Wise To Woo Peaceably || Star Wars (Sequels), Kylux, 6k - Teacher AU, School Play Co-Directors - written with @KyberKills, but the beginning line happens to be one I wrote with his revisions :)

Narrowly avoiding running over some scurrying second years at the school gates, professor Armitage Hux pulls into the school parking lot, turns off his car and sighs.

-

That's all I have up on ao3! They're more varied than I expected them to be, but I appear to like a strong, character focussed intro, sometimes with a nice bit of dialogue. Consistent beginning sentence length, on the other hand? I don't know her. I really like focussing on Hux first though, wow, it's almost like I think he's a really striking focal point who should be utilised to his fullest extent or something. Fun!

[auburnfamilynews]

This week’s Undercover Barner indulges in nostalgia and isn’t sorry.

Whoever said the best defense is a [consistent] offense did not attend this past Saturday’s game between Auburn and Georgia Southern*. While the offense struggled to find its feet in the first half, the Auburn Defense, all but missing in action for the past ten years, roared to life on GSU’s opening possession and refused to lie down all night. Sure, it was week one against a non-conference opponent, and we’ve been known to cry wolf in the past, but the fundamentals looked tight and allowing 78 TOTAL yards against any FBS opponent is something to be celebrated.

Meanwhile, under the guidance of a new coordinator and missing its best receiver and running back (and then its second best running back), the offense had to lean on the defense a bit until the pieces came together. I don’t know how it felt to watch the game at home, but in Jordan-Hare, it was difficult at times to remember, especially in the first half, that once we gained the lead, we never lost it. Costly turnovers killed momentum and all but took the crowd** out of the game. It became clear soon after kickoff that Pettway was our only running back capable of breaking arm tackles and without him, the offensive line had to make their presence felt in order for Auburn to accomplish anything on the ground. Thankfully, I think the coaches and linemen had a come-to-Jesus talk about that very subject at halftime. As rotten as we all felt*** about the first half, the second half was a much better showing. We moved the ball down the depth chart and that felt pretty good.

All of that is to say, I think the macro view of Saturday’s game was a lot more positive than the micro view we got at the time. Auburn won that game 41-7, and after the first quarter, it was never really in doubt. Every mistake seemed to be magnified by the intensity of the moment and by stray thoughts of our next opponent. But more on that later.

First, I want to admit that I may have been wrong about something, which is my very least favorite thing to admit. Last week when Auburn announced it was adding a DJ to the student section to “make things hipper” or whatever dumb nonsense Jay Jacobs is doing to distract us from how his administration condoned sexual harassment, I nearly pulled a muscle rolling my eyes. When you have one of the best marching bands in the country providing the perfect soundtrack for your game, you don’t need human hair gel with a Macbook and a Spotify account killing the vibe with crappy EDM remixes. However, if this past Saturday’s musical selections were the doing of this mysterious DJ, I take it all back. I mean, not about the band, because their playing Trap Queen was my everything, but about the rest of it. I never actually spotted a DJ in the section, but whether he was in the box or hidden amongst the crowd, his playlist was on point.

Just when I thought there was no fourth quarter song, DJ saves the day with ALL THE ABOVE, during which I scared everyone around me

— Peggy (@peggyrossmanith) September 3, 2017

Tell me what do you see When you looking at me, On a mission to be What I'm destined to be…

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but I think the way to a football fan’s heart is through nostalgia. Harkening back to the glory days and shared struggles is the most effective way to generate #heartmist and forge unity. And when those synthesizer strings at the beginning of All the Above hit my ears as break between the third and fourth quarters drew to a close, I was flooded with memories of standing in the student section as Cam Newton, Josh Bynes and Zac Etheridge ran toward us in 2010, knowing that the fourth quarter was theirs, as if it had never been in doubt. I was reminded of the magic that comes with unexpected not unearned success. In that moment, my heart was full. Even though they cut the song early to resume gameplay, I smiled as I sang to myself the verses I took hours to learn on car trips and long runs. That song, and all it represents for Auburn and for the players who made it their own back then, will always catch my heart. It feels like home, like those guys are still there, running toward us with their helmets in the air, only with new babyfaces and different names to match their numbers.

Ain't you happy I made it? That I'm making a statement? Take a look and you can tell That I'm destined for greatness...

This season’s story remains unwritten, save for an interesting introduction. With so many unknowns, it could easily go the way of the last few seasons, or the cardiac kids could surprise us again. The beautiful thing about September is it could still go either way. However, I’ve learned from experience that when a team with talent and heart sets its sights on glory, stand back and let them snatch it.

Before Auburn can dream of anything, its first test, Dabo’s Clemson Tigers, looms large in the immediate foreground. I’m not a huge fan of this parallel universe in which the team in Auburn’s old faded uniforms is the touchdown favorite, but if nothing else, Auburn does relish the role of the underdog. I wish I knew what to expect on Saturday, but after watching all of our game and some of theirs, I am still mostly shrugging at matchups. Clemson put up 56 points against Kent State, with their 600+ yards of offense split nearly evenly between rushing and receiving. Our defensive line is undoubtedly better than Kent State’s, so I hope we’ll be able to slow down their ground game. Unfortunately, as well as the defense did against GSU, because of their offensive scheme, our secondary was largely superfluous and I have no idea how they’ll match up against Clemson’s aggressive receivers. Clemson has the edge, but Auburn still has a chance to walk into [fake]**** Death Valley in their Stormtroopers and steal one out from under Dabo’s nose. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want revenge for 2011, where Dabo cried, said, “Roll Tide,” during his postgame interview, and Clemson’s fans rushed the field in September. Act like you’ve been a place.

If you’re accompanying our Tigers to [fake] Death Valley, do take some time to enjoy the trip. South Carolina is a beautiful state, and if we’re being honest, Dabo is the only truly unpleasant thing about Clemson. Be loud and proud, and even though the True Blue game isn’t until Georgia, a nice navy ensemble sure would look good on TV in the visitors’ section against their [fake] orange.

Until next time—War Eagle!

—-

*We should’ve known this because Walt was such a good fan, but I can’t say enough about what wonderful people the GSU fans were. They showed up in their best blue, cheered loud for their team, and were exceedingly polite, even when our moods turned sour in the first half. I hope we see more of them in the future!

**It could’ve been the heat or the fact that we were still easing into the season, but for a fanbase that prides itself on being one of the most supportive (and loudest) in the nation, Jordan-Hare Stadium was uncharacteristically quiet on Saturday night. Even on third down, when even the most stoic Auburn fans find it in themselves to roar, the players still had to call for crowd noise. Thankfully they didn’t need us, but if I had my way, we’d all be on our feet screaming on every defensive down as soon as the play clock started. It’s our job to disrupt the opposing team’s offense, and we shouldn’t have to be told to do it.

***I mostly kept contained my sour mood to text messages instead of Twitter. You’re all welcome.

****I’m not saying their [fake] Death Valley isn’t an intimidating football experience but I AM saying that the only Death Valley worthy of such a name is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Maybe name it something else, like Discomfort Valley?

from College and Magnolia http://bit.ly/2w3cY3V

[auburnfamilynews]

Fans outside the stadium, the official Jordan-Hare time is...

In a couple days time Auburn will likely begin putting in their plan for the opener against Georgia Southern, but for now we continue along with the Countdown to Kickoff as we recap 2001 and some other memorable games in Auburn history.

2011 - Auburn 16, South Carolina 13

This was one of the few memorable games from 2011, as the Tigers’ offense struggled for the most part trying to figure out which quarterback to use. Still, that mojo from 2010 seemed to carry on in Columbia as Auburn ruined another one of Steve Spurrier’s pretty good Gamecock teams. USC only lost one other game that season (Arkansas) and missed out on the SEC Championship game as a result.

Here we saw a game that Auburn actually could’ve run away with if not for Gus Malzahn getting a little bit too cute. The Tigers threw four interceptions on the day, with two coming on trick plays. CJ Uzomah and Ryan White each threw picks along with two from Barrett Trotter, while South Carolina also committed four turnovers in an overall sloppy game.

Still, the Tigers made the play that mattered when it counted late in the game.

Auburn rebuffed the Gamecocks’ last ditch drive and took the win to improve to 4-1 at that point during the season.

2004 - Auburn 16, Virginia Tech 13

After completing the undefeated 2004 season and winning the SEC Championship, Auburn still sat on the outside looking in and was relegated to the Sugar Bowl against ACC Champ Virginia Tech.

There was still a shot — maybe — that Auburn could somehow take over the top spot in the final rankings, but the Tigers would need a blowout win over the Hokies while USC and Oklahoma played a sloppy, close game with some sort of controversy for the winner.

Neither happened, but that’s alright.

Auburn jumped up 16-0 over Virginia Tech on their first drive of the second half and held on in true Tuberville style for a 16-13 victory and the final card in a 13-0 season. There was no national championship at the time, but with USC’s cheating revealed after the fact, Tom Rinaldi on College Gameday just last years did indeed dub Auburn the national champs for 2004.

We’ll take it.

16 Years Ago - 2001

Coming off of a divisional title, Auburn entered 2001 “receiving votes” in the AP Poll, but would have a very good start to the season in reaching as high as #17 in the rankings.

Things started well with two wins over Ball State and Ole Miss to start 2-0, but then the season was put on hold once the September 11th terrorist attacks occurred in New York. Sporting events around the country were put on hold, with the entire college football slate for the following Saturday moved to the end of the season.

That meant Auburn’s game against LSU would be moved to after the Iron Bowl, and the Tigers instead would head to play Syracuse on September 22nd in the first college football game in the state of New York after the attacks.

The Tigers never had a chance. In an emotional Carrier Dome, Dwight Freeney frightened freshman quarterback Jason Campbell all day, the Tigers committed five turnovers and a whole load of penalties in falling 31-14 to the Orange.

Sulking after the road loss, Auburn headed to Nashville to meet Vanderbilt, and the Commodores would prove a feisty opponent, and made the game close in the end thanks to the absolute worst call in college football history.

First of all, what an unbelievable joke of a call. It’s not even close. Second, how about Andy Burcham on the TV call with Rod Bramblett doing color? This was Jim Fyffe’s next-to-last year.

Auburn would escape Nashville thanks to the leg of Damon Duval (file that away) and his 49-yard kick with two minutes to play. They’d do the same thing the next week at home against Mississippi State as Duval kicked three fourth quarter field goals including the winner with eighteen seconds to play as Auburn won 16-14.

Could he make it three for three? In marched Steve Spurrier and the top-ranked Florida Gators on a windy October night.

Auburn held Florida to negative-36 rushing yards, picked off Rex Grossman four times, and posted thirteen points in the fourth quarter, with none bigger than the final three off the leg of their All-American kicker.

Sitting at 5-1, Auburn felt pretty good about themselves, but had to scratch and claw the next week against a sneaky good Louisiana Tech team.

The Bulldogs came to town led by Luke McCown and proceeded to roll up better than 500 yards of offense and take Auburn to overtime. They scored 21 in the fourth quarter to force an extra period, but Daniel Cobb’s touchdown pass was all the Tigers would need for a 48-41 sizzling win.

Perhaps unnoticed in the stat line in that game is the number for a kid named Carnell Williams, who ran sixteen times for 78 yards and a score. He’d become pretty good in his time at Auburn.

Perhaps winded from four straight close games, Auburn ventured to Fayetteville the next week and just got Piggied. Tuberville did seem to have an odd complex against the Hogs early on and this was the pinnacle. Arkansas blasted Auburn 42-17 (even though we saw one speedy long touchdown from Carnell Williams) sending Auburn home with a much-needed bye week ahead of them.

Auburn rested up and met Georgia in Athens with a bounceback win on their minds. Georgia had a new coach named Mark Richt, who was the offensive architect for Florida State over the last several years. He’d left after the Seminoles reached their third straight BCS championship game to take over for Jim Donnan.

In a close and hard-fought game, Carnell Williams carried the ball an Auburn record 41 times, gaining 167 yards and scoring twice, but it was his receiving skills that put Auburn in position for the final score.

The Tigers escaped 24-17, sitting at 7-2 with still two games to play in the regular season. In came Alabama at 5-5 under their own new head coach Dennis Franchione. The Tide had lost three of their last four and were limping a bit as they entered Jordan-Hare Stadium. And to start the game, it looked like they’d get run out of the building, until disaster struck for Auburn.

Carnell Williams carried five times early for the Tigers, gaining 39 yards, before breaking his leg. It seemed like the air went completely out of the stadium as the hero of the Georgia game left the field, and Alabama took advantage of a hurt stadium.

The Tide rushed for 348 yards and blew out a sullen Tiger team 31-7. After what looked like a promising year, Auburn was all of a sudden 7-3 and had to pick it up to go play at LSU for the first time since the Cigar Game.

Don’t think LSU had forgotten about that little incident, either.

Auburn didn’t crack the 300 yard mark on offense in Baton Rouge, and LSU rolled out to a 27-7 lead before finally winning 27-14, with the band even getting in on the revenge.

At a middling 7-4, the Tigers went to play in the Peach Bowl against North Carolina, where exactly one cool thing happened.

The announcers didn’t even know what to make out of it.

So Auburn lost its final three games, finishing 7-5 in 2001, making you wonder what the Tigers would do it 2002. Tuberville had gone to Atlanta in his second season, then limped home at the end of year three. Auburn needed to do something or else that seat would start to get a little hot.

Coming Next: Some Other Guy Named Ronnie Brown

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