BY WIL CREWS
SPORTSCREWS@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN —
Interim Auburn head football coach Cadillac Williams said “it’s bigger than me” following the Tigers’ 13-10 win over Texas A&M on Saturday.
Still, after the game, the Auburn players presented Williams with the game ball.
It was the first ever win for Williams as a head coach, and the first win by a Black head coach at Auburn. Because of that — and for many more reasons — the night in Jordan-Hare Stadium was truly special.
From the moment Tiger Walk began, an unknowing onlooker could be forgiven for mistaking the impending game between two 3-6 football teams for one that had significant impact on the college football landscape.
A swarming crowd of fans gathered to watch Williams lead his team into the stadium for the first time. The tone of the evening was set there, and the energy only continued to build.
Students lined the bleachers hours before kickoff — braving the bitter cold that settled over Jordan-Hare Stadium that night. An A-list of recruits watched on as the pre-game festivities led to the crux of kickoff.
Over the next three hours, Auburn left much to be desired on the field, but did just enough to prevail. It was obvious that Williams, fans, former Auburn players and current ones on the sideline felt the momentous nature of the game, as everyone clad in orange-and-blue was engaged for every snap.
While the Tigers’ passion and desire to win the game showed itself throughout the night, so did the offensive deficiencies that have plagued Auburn this season. Despite riding the night’s frenzied momentum to an early 10-0 lead, the Tigers failed to put the game out of the reach of the visiting Aggies.
Second half miscues allowed for A&M to get back into the game, as the score reached 13-10 after a late score from the visitors. But the Auburn defense — the best unit for either team on the night — had already done enough.
For the second straight week, the Auburn defense posted one of its best performances of the season. The Tigers forced three turnovers, recorded three sacks and six tackles for loss and held A&M to just 215 total yards in the contest.
Auburn took the field for offense one final time and the clock hit triple zeroes. Following the final whistle, the crowd of thousands erupted in a manner befit of a championship win. Players climbed into the stands and celebrated with students and fans for a moment that seemed to stop time. Williams was showered with praises like a king returning from conquest. He had just conquered the long-respected, national championship-winning Jimbo Fisher.
The Aggies’ head coach is worth about $90 million according to the buyout in his contract. For Williams, and the fans, former players and attending recruits who went “crazy for Cadillac,” the win was priceless.