This Week in Heisman History: Pat Sullivan secures Heisman in victory over Georgia
When Auburn and Georgia met in 1971, there was a lot at stake.
The Tigers were 8-0 and ranked No. 6 while Georgia was 9-0 and ranked No. 7 — the first time in the history that the two schools faced each other undefeated. Both the SEC and national titles were potentially at play and, with a good performance, there was a chance for Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan to secure the Heisman Trophy.
That’s exactly what Sullivan did this week in Heisman history, throwing four touchdown passes to lead the Tigers over the Bulldogs, 35-20, on Nov. 13, 1971.
It was the culmination of a stellar career for Sullivan, who burst onto the college football scene in 1969, throwing for nearly 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a junior, his statistics soared even further, as he led the nation with 2,856 yards of total offense, including 2,586 passing yards. For his efforts, Sullivan was named SEC Player of the Year and garnered All-SEC honors, athletically and academically.
Sullivan was just as brilliant in the weeks leading up to the showdown in Athens. Through eight games as a 1971 senior, he had 1,643 passing yards to go with 16 touchdown passes. Many of his passes during went to All-American receiver Terry Beasley, his favorite target. But Sullivan and Beasley would be challenged by the formidable Georgia defense, which had allowed only four touchdowns in its previous eight games.
The game was tight late into the fourth quarter. Auburn led 21-14, but Georgia came back to score what should have been the tying touchdown. Credit Auburn defensive back Roger Mitchell for blocking the extra point attempt to keep the Tigers ahead, 21-20.
That’s when Sullivan connected to Beasley for the nail in the coffin. It was just a short hitch pass, but Beasley spun away from the Georgia defender and raced 70 yards for the touchdown to make it 28-20 in favor of Auburn. It was Sullivan’s fourth touchdown pass of the day, with one other going to Beasley for 31 yards and two going to Dick Schmalz for 15 and 4-yard scores. Another Auburn score came after a late Georgia turnover to make the final tally 35-20.
Sullivan finished with his best game of the season, completing 14 of 24 passes for 248 yards and the four TDs, with no interceptions. His passer rating for the game was 197.33.
“I think that game was very key in winning the Heisman Trophy in that it was the last weekend before the voting,” said Sullivan. “The voting back then was different than what it is today. It was done the week prior to the last game. For us to win — Coach (Vince) Dooley (an Auburn alumnus) made a lot of kind remarks and there was a lot of national press there — it was the last thing before the vote and I’m sure it had a little bearing on the vote.”
Eleven days after beating Georgia, Sullivan was announced as Auburn’s first Heisman winner. He beat out Cornell’s Ed Marinaro, 1,597 points to 1,445.
Auburn’s undefeated season was spoiled by Alabama three days later. Sullivan finished the regular season with 2,012 passing yards, 20 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.
Check out Sullivan and Beasley being honored by Bob Hope on his All-American show:
