Nix to Sanders topped them all

By Joe McAdory

Through 98-consecutive college football games at Jordan-Hare Stadium, I’ve seen my share of memorable touchdowns. Hard not to. Below is my list of Auburn’s most memorable TDs during that stretch:

1. Nix to Sanders: Trailing Alabama 14-5 in the third quarter in 1993, Patrick Nix replaced the injured Stan White and lobbed a fourth-down pass toward Frank Sanders near the Crimson Tide goal line. Sanders outleaped defenders, then lunged into the end zone. The score didn’t put Auburn ahead, but was the spark it needed to defeat Alabama 22-14 that afternoon and complete its season 11-0.

2. Tre Smith’s flip: If Auburn does not block this 2006 Florida punt, trailing 17-11 in the third period, I’m not sure the Tigers win the game. Smith recovered the bouncing ball and somersalted into the end zone. Perfect for the highlight reels. Auburn won 27-17.

3. Courtney Taylor: Never heard the stadium explode as much after a play as it did when Taylor snagged a third-down Jason Campbell pass in the end zone to push the Tigers past LSU 10-9 in 2004. Without that score, the 13-0 season doesn’t happen ... unless Auburn scores on the next play.

4. The interceptions: Pick one. Ken Alvis. Touchdown. Brian Robinson. Touchdown. Fred Smith. Touchdown. Add ‘em up and Auburn rallies to beat lead management-challenged LSU 30-26 in 1994.

5. Gamechanger: If Calvin Jackson does not intercept Danny Wuerffel deep in Auburn territory and return it 90-some-odd yards for a touchdown, Auburn very well could have trailed the Gators 17-0 in 1993 rather than 10-7. It could have been lights out real early. Instead, Auburn wins a barnburner 38-35. Without that play, the 11-0 season doesn’t happen.

Next week: By then my streak will stand at 99 games. I will name what I perceive as Auburn’s five-best teams during this era, which began at the tail end of the 1992 home schedule.

I could care less about Michael Vick

By Joe McAdory

People ask me, “Joe, what do you think about Michael Vick?“ Know what I say? I don’t care.

I don’t care if Michael Vick is going to prison.

I don’t care if Michael Vick never plays a down in the NFL again.

I don’t care about Michael Vick. Never met him. Don’t know him. What he does or does not do has no effect on my life.

I’m tired of this off the field drama. Let’s play football.

Dozens speak out on property tax issue through letters

By Joe McAdory

Tuesday’s 7-mill property tax election obviously means a lot to a number of people. We’ve been flooded with letters to the editor on the topic, some for, some against. Saturday and Sunday alone, we are publishing 16 letters on that very subject.

After Sunday, however, no more letters will be printed. More than likely, I’ll arrive Monday morning to find five or six letters on the election that will never make print. It is to be advised in the future that letters that are desired to be published be sent earlier. Waiting until the last minute won’t cut it. I will, however, ensure that all letters sent—whether they are published in our print edition or not—be published at our online site at http://www.oanow.com

In the future, those who feel strongly about something, particularly an election, should send their letters far in advance.

Pull up them drawers!

By Joe McAdory

Looks like the days of wearing my jeans below my butt when I go to Atlanta may be coming to an end. Crud. Looks like I’ll have to dress like a respectable human being when I go to Falcons games or head to Turner Field. A story in today’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution discusses the city’s proposal to band such dress in public places. See the link below:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2007/08/22/saggy_0823.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

We have no voice if we do not vote

By Joe McAdory

Thought I’d remind folks the millage property tax increase, which is expected to help fund local education, will be up for vote Tuesday. We can voice our opinions one way or the other about this issue, but the most important opinion of all is our vote. If we do not vote, then we really do not have a voice.

Anyway, we will publish columns from Auburn City Schools Superintendent Terry Jenkins and Opelika City Schools Superintendent Mark Neighbors on the issue in Friday’s newspaper. Saturday, reporter/columnist Jennifer Foster takes a closer look at the proposed 7-mill increase. Monday, former Lee County Schools administrator Larry DiChiara, now with Phenix City Schools, gives his two cents.

In the meantime, we will continue to publish letters from readers on the subject. Bear in mind that space is limited and time is running out.