AuburnFamilyNews.com: NumerAUlogy - 7 Days

Saturday, August 28, 2021

NumerAUlogy - 7 Days

NCAA Football: Outback Bowl-Minnesota vs Auburn
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Who else could it have been?

Over the years, we’ve done different countdowns to kickoff (or tipoff). This year, we’re putting a twist on the classic “Best Auburn Player to Ever Wear Each Number” list. Football is all about lighting up the scoreboard in 2021, so let’s take a walk down memory lane and review the last time a player in each uniform number put up points.


#7 - Pat Sullivan, QB

Game — Auburn vs Oklahoma, Sugar Bowl, 1/1/1972

Most of the common offensive uniform numbers have had touchdowns scored in the last season or two, as we’ve seen in this countdown. Obviously, that’s not the case with #7.

Pat Sullivan is a legendary figure on the Plains. Right in the middle of the dynasty on the other side of the state, Sullivan became one of the most dynamic quarterbacks the nation had ever seen. As a junior in 1970, he led the nation in yards and set an NCAA record in yards per play. In his Heisman-winning 1971 season, Sullivan tied the all-time NCAA record with 72 career touchdowns.

It’s that final of his 72 career touchdowns we’re here to talk about today. Unfortunately, the record-tying pass came late in a blowout loss to #3 Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. However, despite the score, Sullivan played hard until the end of the game, leading the offense to 22 second half points.

With under four minutes remaining, Sullivan found Terry Beasley down the middle of the field to get Auburn into the redzone. On the very next play, he hit Sandy Cannon through traffic to give Auburn another score.


With his number retired at Auburn, it’s safe to say nobody else will take Sullivan off this list.

It’s been almost two years since we lost not just a great football player, but an even better man. If you have the time, I invite you to take a look back and remember his life.

Pat Sullivan: The Man, The Myth, Auburn



from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2021/8/28/22646497/numeraulogy-7-days-pat-sullivan-sugar-bowl

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