The SEC record book is loaded with former Auburn greats, but one category has been the exclusive domain of every other program since 1971.
As unlikely as it sounds, Terry Beasley is the last Auburn Tiger to lead the league in receiving. He caught 55 balls for 846 yards during Pat Sullivan's Heisman Trophy-winning campaign in 1971. That's the longest Auburn "drought," if you will, among all the major individual, single-season categories. Here are the lists:
RUSHING: Cam Artis-Payne in 2014
PASSING: Cam Newton in 2010
SCORING: Stephen Davis in 1995
TOTAL OFFENSE: Newton in 2010
SACKS: Dee Ford in 2013
PUNTING: Kody Bliss in 2006
KICKOFF RETURNS: Tre Mason in 2011
PUNT RETURNS: Quan Bray in 2014
INTERCEPTIONS: Junior Rosegreen in 2004
ON THIS DATE: Auburn is 4-2 in games played on Sept. 15, which includes wins against Oregon State '73, Kansas State '79, Ole Miss '90 and the overtime thriller against Louisiana-Monroe in 2012.
The losses? A 35-27 decision at Texas in '84 and a five-point, home loss to Mississippi State in 2007.
That game against the Beavers took a nasty turn late. Senior Roger Mitchell intercepted his second pass of the day during the fourth quarter, which drew an aggressive tackle along the OSU sideline. Then an OSU player decided to hit linebacker Bill Luka in the back and that started a royal rumble. David Langner didn't help matters by diving into the pile.
Auburn won 18-9 despite being huge favorites. The Tigers led by just one point late, but a touchdown from backup quarterback Wade Whatley, plus a two-point conversion from starting quarterback Randy Walls, sealed OSU's fate at Legion Field. Secdrick McIntyre, then a freshman from Montgomery, scored the first touchdown of his record-breaking career that day as well.
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Another big day for Auburn birthdays!Happy Birthday to former Gov. Fob James, who turns 82 today. James, a Lanett native, was an All-American as a senior in 1955 when he rushed for 879 yards on 123 carries. He graduated as the program's leader in Career Rushing Yards with 1,913. He held that spot until McIntyre pulled ahead during the 1976 season.
Happy Birthday also to Marcel Willis, the silky smooth receiver from Jacksonville, Fla., who was one of the first players to jump on board after Tommy Tuberville was hired in late 1998.
Happy Birthday as well to Kenny Irons, a Tasmanian devil of a tailback, who turns 32 today. Also, former assistant coach Steve Ensminger turns 57 today.
ADD: I unintentionally left out Ladarious Phillips, whose birthday also is Sept. 15. He was gunned down on June 10, 2012, in cold blood. His killer, Desmonte Leonard, was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year. Phillips was a good dude and is missed. (h/t to @AUTaylor24)
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