Write On Sports LLC - "Irons Carries on Auburn Running Back Tradition" by Frank Sita

Irons Carries on Auburn Running Back Tradition

2006-09-08 00:04:26 | By: Frank Sita

Auburn, AL -- Kenny Irons has followed in a long line of great running backs at Auburn University, which could be referred to around the Southeastern Conference as Running Back U.

Irons, who officially threw his hat in to the Heisman Trophy ring after Saturday’s 183-yard rushing performance against the Washington State Cougars in a 40-14 Auburn victory, scored one touchdown on a 58-yard scamper and added a 42-yard jaunt to set up AU’s first score.

“That run was a great way to start the second half,” said Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, referring to Irons’ run for the touchdown came on the first offensive play of the third period. “I’d hate to be a defensive coordinator, knowing I’d have to try and stop our running backs (Irons, Brad Lester, Tre’ Smith and Carl Stewart). Our backs all ran hard, but our true heroes were our offensive line.”

After bursting on the scene in the third game last year, Irons rambled for over 1,000 yards, giving most of the credit to his offensive line, which returns three starters up front. Center Joe Cope and guards Tim Duckworth and Ben Grubbs were all instrumental in Irons picking up 223 yards in total offense against the Cougars.

“Tim (Duckworth) said we’re going to get you 200 yards before the game,” Irons said. “We just came up a little short, but the line did a great job.”

But Irons isn’t the only Auburn running back to make it big on the Plains and then their respective acts to the next level in the National Football League.

Auburn’s link to the past started about 30 years ago with running back William Andrews, who starred for the Tigers under legendary coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan. Andrews went on to be an All-Pro (1981) for the Atlanta Falcons after playing from 1979-83. Next came Lionel “Little Train” James, who was a special teams demon and running back for the San Diego Chargers in the late from 1984-88.

Other backs during the 70s included James Brooks (San Diego Chargers 1981-83 and Cincinnati Bengals 1984-91) and Joe Cribbs, who played in the NFL with four different teams (Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins) from 1980-88 and was All-Pro for the Bills in 1981.

Pat Dye took over in the 80s as AU coach and got the opportunity to coach some great Auburn running backs, but the best by far was Bo Jackson.

Jackson, who was a two-sport star in football and baseball for the Tigers, parlayed his talent in to the Heisman Trophy in 1985 and went on to the pro ranks, both the NFL and Major League Baseball. Jackson, originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the top pick in the NFL draft, turned down the Bucs and played baseball for the Kansas City Royals instead. After an All-Pro season with the Royals, Jackson returned to the NFL with the Oakland Raiders before a hip injury sidelined his career.

Brent Fullwood followed Jackson at Auburn and still has his name in the AU record books and went on the play in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers (1987-90), while fullback Tommie Agee was a big player for Auburn and went on to have a long career and two Super Bowl rings with the Dallas Cowboys (1990-94). James Joseph starred for Auburn in the late 80s and early 90s and went on to the Philadelphia Eagles from 1991-94.

Terry Bowden followed Dye as coach and had his share of collegiate and NFL stars as well.

Tony Richardson stayed with the Kansas City Chiefs for 11 years (1995-2005) before being traded this year to the Minnesota Vikings, Stephen Davis ran for the Tigers from 1993-95 and went to the NFL to the Washington Redskins (1996-2002) and Carolina Panthers (2003-05). Both Richardson and Davis were All-Pro in 1999, while Richardson was All-Pro again in 2000 and 2004 for the Chiefs.

James Bostic ran after Davis in 1996-97 and had two years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles (1998-99). Fred Beasley spent eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (1998-2005) after a stellar Tiger career from 1994-97 and made All-Pro in 2002.

Rudi Johnson was Tuberville’s first NFL back and rambled through the 2000 season with Auburn before going to the NFL and still is a big force with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Auburn’s most celebrated backs, Carnell Williams, and Ronnie Brown, both excelled in 2005 for the Tampa Bay Bucs and Miami Dolphins, respectively. Williams was NFL Rookie of the Year after he and Brown helped the Tigers to an undefeated season in 2004.

“Irons is back for his senior season and he should be one of the top players in college football,” Tuberville added. “He has great work ethic and is primed for a good year.”

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