9/11 - Auburn 2001

[javadoc]

Taking a moment today to remember, among other things, our first game after 9/11. We had no game scheduled the weekend immediately after that day, and had Auburn in the Dome the following weekend, Saturday the 22nd.

I flew up to the Cuse from Atlanta a few days before the game, and the airport was being patrolled by openly-armed National Guard troops. Local police were out in force.

There was a small American flag waiting on each seat before the game.

The Auburn OT who would line up against Freeney was famously quoted as saying that he would not allow a sack. There was also some tradition where the QB would buy the linemen a steak if they didn't allow a sack, or something to that effect. Freeney ran right past the guy on Auburn's first play and put the QB onto the turf. The play didn't count due to penalty, but the crowd went wild.

And wasn't the end of the harassment. We won 31-14. One of the most memorable games I will ever experience.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

East Carolina was scheduled for 9/15. The game was pushed to 9/29.

 

[OburgOrange]

Five guys who flew up from Auburn sat right behind me. Their obnoxiousness before kickoff was unbearable. They were calling the airport in the third quarter to try and get a flight out as quickly as possible.

 

[Frozen]

Is this game available anywhere online?

 

[SWC75]

I think we were all just trying to put one foot in front of the other to get going again at that point and sports helped us do that.

 

[Cuseregular]

Taking a moment today to remember, among other things, our first game after 9/11. We had no game scheduled the weekend immediately after that day, and had Auburn in the Dome the following weekend, Saturday the 22nd.

I flew up to the Cuse from Atlanta a few days before the game, and the airport was being patrolled by openly-armed National Guard troops. Local police were out in force.

There was a small American flag waiting on each seat before the game.

The Auburn OT who would line up against Freeney was famously quoted as saying that he would not allow a sack. There was also some tradition where the QB would buy the linemen a steak if they didn't allow a sack, or something to that effect. Freeney ran right past the guy on Auburn's first play and put the QB onto the turf. The play didn't count due to penalty, but the crowd went wild.

And wasn't the end of the harassment. We won 31-14. One of the most memorable games I will ever experience.

after that game I recall hearing their coach (Tuberville?) saying they felt like they were playiing against the whole state of NY or words to that effect. Freeney played like he was the whole state of NY, what a game.

 

[djorange1989]

I remember the game well, I believe Pataki showed up with it being the first game after the attacks. Very emotional. From a football standpoint it got our season on track and back to .500 after dropping the first two to Tech and Tennessee. And we only lost one more game the entire season.

 

[Scooch]

Five guys who flew up from Auburn sat right behind me. Their obnoxiousness before kickoff was unbearable. They were calling the airport in the third quarter to try and get a flight out as quickly as possible.

I remember the Auburn fans being pretty obnoxious, which surprised me because the Tennessee fans who came a few years earlier were great.

 

[Chip]

I remember the Auburn fans being pretty obnoxious, which surprised me because the Tennessee fans who came a few years earlier were great.

Yeah, it was night and day, our interactions with each fanbase up in Syracuse. From the road trips to their stadiums, the Tennessee fans were much better as well. They were welcoming, proud, happy drunks. It was so much fun.

I say it all the time, but I can't wait to go to LSU in 2 years. Although, I just watched True Detective Season 1, and based on that, I'm not quite as excited. Kind of like when I watch the Wire and decided I didn't want to go to Baltimore so often.

 

[OburgOrange]

Yeah, it was night and day, our interactions with each fanbase up in Syracuse. From the road trips to their stadiums, the Tennessee fans were much better as well. They were welcoming, proud, happy drunks. It was so much fun.

I say it all the time, but I can't wait to go to LSU in 2 years. Although, I just watched True Detective Season 1, and based on that, I'm not quite as excited. Kind of like when I watch the Wire and decided I didn't want to go to Baltimore so often.

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I will. True Detective Season 1 creeped me the out!

 

[Chip]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I will. True Detective Season 1 creeped me the out!

Me too.

Back on topic. That Auburn game in 2001 was a good one, I was glad I went. I liked the SU tributes, and I really liked SU's performance on the field. I recall Jason Campbell with a long TD run, but then we shut him down.

2001's OOC included Georgia Tech, Auburn, Tennessee. Crazy.

 

[CuseCactus]

Yeah, it was night and day, our interactions with each fanbase up in Syracuse. From the road trips to their stadiums, the Tennessee fans were much better as well. They were welcoming, proud, happy drunks. It was so much fun.

I say it all the time, but I can't wait to go to LSU in 2 years. Although, I just watched True Detective Season 1, and based on that, I'm not quite as excited. Kind of like when I watch the Wire and decided I didn't want to go to Baltimore so often.

I'm 100% going to that game at LSU. Supposed to be an incredible experience. Maybe the best in all college football.

 

[skurey]

I like driving in my truck

 

[SWC75]

after that game I recall hearing their coach (Tuberville?) saying they felt like they were playiing against the whole state of NY or words to that effect. Freeney played like he was the whole state of NY, what a game.

We beat them 31-14 up here in 2001 and then went down there and grabbed a 17-0 halftime lead. 48-14 over the team that went for the tie in the Sugar Bowl.

Then R. J. Anderson started throwing the ball to the other team.

 

[Briancuse]

That was a great win, and the next year we played them at Auburn and lost a tough one, I believe we blew a two td lead and lost in ot.

 

[OburgOrange]

That was a great win, and the next year we played them at Auburn and lost a tough one, I believe we blew a two td lead and lost in ot.

And wasted a great game by Walter Reyes. Ugh

 

[Zippy1808]

I still have my American flag from that game.
Pataki's appearance made the "game" a huge event that meant so much for NY State.
Actually forgot we won the football game... but I'll never forget the raw emotion otherwise.

 

[OburgOrange]

I still have my American flag from that game.
Pataki's appearance made the "game" a huge event that meant so much for NY State.
Actually forgot we won the football game... but I'll never forget the raw emotion otherwise.

The game definitely had a different feel to it

 

[SUFaninNJ]

One of the things I remember most about being at that game was the National Anthem. The entire stadium sang loud and in unison. I have to admit it choked me up a bit. There was such a crescendo at the end of it that exploded with national pride and such a joyful cheer that it gave me goose bumps. I've never experienced anything like that.

 

[Eric15]

2001's OOC included Georgia Tech, Auburn, Tennessee. Crazy.

And our other two non-conference opponents, East Carolina and Central Florida, both went to bowl games that year.

 

[Eric15]

the next year we played them at Auburn and lost a tough one, I believe we blew a two td lead and lost in ot.

That's the game that featured the famous "Troy Nunes is a Magician!" line.

 

[javadoc]

That's the game that featured the famous "Troy Nunes is a Magician!" line.

Was at that game. If I recall, Nunes also caught a TD or 2-pt conversion pass from Damien Rhodes at one point.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Was at that game. If I recall, Nunes also caught a TD or 2-pt conversion pass from Damien Rhodes at one point.

Nunes caught a 16 yard pass from Rhodes during our last drive, but he was tackled at the 4 yard line.

We scored the game tying TD two plays later.

http://www.cuse.com/sports/2002/9/29/AUbox.aspx