Ranking the Greatest Comebacks in College Football History

Cam Newton has been a difference-maker for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, winning a league MVP award and leading the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance. Anyone who watched Auburn’s 2010 season knew exactly what he was capable of.

In 2009, the Tigers were good, not great, going 8-5 in coach Gene Chizik’s first season at the helm.

When Auburn signed Newton as a junior college transfer, their fortunes skyrocketed. Behind the dynamic dual-threat passer, the Tigers entered the 2010 Iron Bowl at Alabama 11-0 but needing a win to stay in contention for a BCS National Championship.

The Crimson Tide were playing spoiler with a 9-2 record but also protecting a 20-game home win streak. It’s not easy playing at Bryant-Denny Stadium, as Auburn quickly discovered.

The Tide bolted to a 24-0 lead and held an early 314-2 edge in total yardage midway through the second quarter, but they couldn’t hold Newton down for long.

With 5:08 left in the half, he connected with Emory Blake for a 36-yard touchdown pass. Fifty-six seconds into the second half, the Tigers were back on the board, thanks to Newton’s 70-yard touchdown strike to Terrell Zachery.

With 4:25 left in the quarter, Newton finished an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown sneak, cutting the deficit to 24-21 after Wes Bynum’s extra point. Early in the fourth quarter, he found tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen for a seven-yard score. Bynum’s extra point gave Auburn a one-point lead with 11:55 left.

That held up, and Auburn hung on for a thrilling 28-27 win that capped an unbeaten regular season. It is still one of the most thrilling games in Iron Bowl history and maintained Auburn’s drive for a national title.