Auburn football had an incredible season in 1972. The Auburn Tigers entered the Iron Bowl on Dec. 2 that year with an 8-1 record. In the press conference leading up to the game, Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant stated, “I’d rather beat that cow college than beat Texas 10 times.” Alabama was set to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl in January 1973.
Alabama was undefeated with a record of 10-0 and ranked second in the nation going into the game. The Crimson Tide held a 16-0 lead by the fourth quarter. All of a sudden, Auburn made a field goal, blocked two punts, and scored two touchdowns.
Don’t underestimate the Auburn Tigers. They came back and ended up winning 17-16. The game became known as the Punt Bama Punt game and inspired the popular bar in downtown Auburn, 1716. It was also considered one of the most iconic Iron Bowl wins before the Kick Six in 2013.
After the game, Bryant said he regretted his “cow college” comment, but Auburn students loved it and proudly embraced the nickname, which is why the term stuck around.
The students loved the nickname so much that they nominated Bessie, the cow, for Miss Auburn in 1979. Bessie’s platform was “Legalize Grass,” and her slogan was “Bessie – She Won’t Steer You Wrong.” Bessie’s campaign quickly gained the support of much of Auburn’s campus. There were posters, T-shirts , and handouts. Phi Kappa Tau even painted “BESSIE” letters and placed them in front of their fraternity house.
In 1980, Bessie was billed as a Mu Omega Omega (MOO) sorority member and the captain of the intramural pasture muffing throw team. She was also an active member of SGA and a Barn House Sweetheart.
Bessie was nominated for Miss Auburn and received a total of 2,385 votes, the largest margin of victory in the history of a Miss Auburn election. Bessie’s human runner-up, Cindy Murphy, fulfilled Miss Auburn’s duties for the year and promised to do Bessie’s job well.
If you want to represent Auburn's classic nickname, Cow College T-shirts are available here.