The 1981 Iron Bowl was not a particularly memorable game, at least for what happened on the field.
Alabama won the game 28-17, using two fourth-quarter touchdowns to overcome a three-point deficit. Walter Lewis' 38-yard touchdown pass to Jesse Bendross put the Crimson Tide ahead for good, and Linnie Patrick's 15-yard touchdown run put the game away.
But in terms of historical significance, it was among the most notable in the series' history. Alabama's victory was the 315th of Paul "Bear" Bryant's illustrious career, lifting him past Amos Alonzo Stagg into first place all-time among major-college football coaches.
On the other sideline was Bryant's former assistant Pat Dye, in his first year as head coach at Auburn. The Tigers fought gamely behind 155 rushing yards by Woody Peoples, taking advantage of four Alabama fumbles to stay in position to win until the fourth quarter.
Included here are 38 color photographs from that game, many never before published. They were shot by Birmingham News photographers George Barnett, Charles Nesbitt and Tom Self.