tailback Cadillac Williams carried off right tackle, broke away, and rocketed 80 yards to the promised land, as the Tiger faithful shook the Stadium, 7-0 Auburn.

Standing on the high platform, waving his white cap, the Auburn head cheerleader led the "Boda Getta" chant, and then the "Track ’em" chant.  As the game unfolded, the fans stayed involved throughout, the sound rising and falling with the action, with chants, and screeching when the Bama QB was calling signals.

The Tigers controlled the first half, holding the Alabama offense scoreless, leading at halftime, 18-2.

But the game tightened up after halftime. Tide Soph Brandon Brooks returned the second half kickoff 96 yards for a TD, 18-9 Tigers. Bama kept coming, Shaud Williams scoring on a six-yard-run with 9:06 left in the third quarter, Auburn, 18-15.

As Bama drove again to cut the lead, they broke the huddle on a big third-down play. As they approached the line of scrimmage, the jumbo screen lit up with a picture of President George Bush, in a clip from a speech he had made at Auburn. The President leaned into the mike and yelled "War Eagle!" The crowd roared its approval and the Tigers responded, stopping Alabama short. The jumbo screen man used the Presidential War Eagle as a weapon throughout, to the fans’ delight.

Cadillac added another TD in the fourth quarter, following a Tiger field goal, 28-15.

Then Bama Senior Lance Taylor caught a TD pass to close the gap - but it was too late. The clock ran out and the final stood, Auburn victorious: 28-23.

The fans of the Orange and Blue flooded out of Jordan-Hare to Toomer’s, where the rolls were waiting.  Cap followed the fast-moving throng of Tiger fans, going to "roll the trees.”

They sprinted to the sidewalks in front of the stores at Toomer’s Corner, acquired rolls of toilet paper, and returned to the trees along the University side of College St. Starting at Magnolia and working east, they threw roll after roll into the outstretched limbs. The rolls unfurled, streaming through the trees, before falling to the ground, where they were retrieved and hurled back up again.

Little by little, the trees filled with white streamers - hanging to form a white veil and residue accumulating on the street and grounds below.

As the "rolling" continued, Cap noticed a long line of people waiting outside the door of the J&M Bookstore, extending down the sidewalk. He inquired and discovered that they were waiting for "score shirts" to be completed - new game shirts like the one for sale earlier, with the score of this game, on the back.

The same thing was happening at Tiger Ragz, across the alley. The line extended from the front door - wrapping around the building. The sign on the door promised, "Score shirts one hour after the final gun."

Back at Toomer’s Corner, the rolling frenzy continued - a toilet paper curtain waving in the breeze above a white carpet, below.

Walk of Fame - Stones honoring Auburn athletic greats can be found on the sidewalks of Toomer's Corner.

Cap decided to cross from the city side, under the trees, to the University side. As he entered beneath the trees, he heard a voice, "if one hits you, it hurts man!" A couple of seconds later, he understood. Out of nowhere, a roll hit him in the side of the head, and he saw stars. Rolls were falling all around him, as he scrambled out from under the trees, in retreat.

As he emerged, fans were coming out of the stores wearing the new "score shirts" as the curtain of toilet paper grew east, on down College St. "Man this place is different,” Cap said to himself with a chuckle.

He headed back across Magnolia to the Buffalo American Grill for some nourishment and to unwind. He found a seat in the corner in front of the big screen, ate his second burger of the day and washed it down with a huge Dr. Pepper, while the late showdowns across the country beamed on the screens around him.

Finished, he headed back outside as the rolling continued, crossed to the campus, and worked his way back to the Heart of Auburn.

Back in the room, GameDay Final brought the day to a close once again, with scores, highlights and helmet stickers.  Rivalry week across the country - in-state rivalries, border wars, tradition and traveling trophies - all a glorious part of this thing known as the Autumn Spectacle.

His ears still ringing from that victory roll of Tiger toilet paper, Cap closed his eyes and tried to make sense of all he had experienced since Thursday night. He finally gave up, concluding that while it made no sense, it was surely defined by one beautiful phrase: “War Eagle!” 

Rearview Mirror
Trip Captain checked out Sunday morning and drove slowly back down College St., passing crews cleaning up the toilet paper. Solitary strips still hung and blew from the trees above - scant evidence of last night’s revelry.

Samford Hall

The shops around Toomer’s Corner were full of fans this Sunday morning - back to purchase score shirts and photographs of the rolling of the trees from the night before.

Cap stopped in at Toomer’s Drug, picked up a large lemonade to go, headed back to Tiger Ragz where bought a score shirt, then rolled back down College St., and out onto I-85. As he cruised toward Atlanta, he looked back at Auburn.

Samford Hall, the Main Gate, Foy Union, Haley Center, Jordan-Hare Stadium, Aubie, Tiger Walk, the soaring eagle, “Glory to Ole Auburn,” game shirts, score shirts, the Orange and Blue, Toomer’s Corner, rolling the trees, and War Eagle!

The place is truly unique, Cap concluded - with a genuine quality. They have formed their own rituals and along with them, a joyful spirit that they cherish and pass on to the next generation. A spirit that will last because it makes them proud, it’s fun, and it feels good.

No doubt, Cap will be headed back some day to run with Aubie, in the “loveliest village of the plain” - where the Eagle soars and the Tigers roar.

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