Auburn football fans praised by DC Jeff Schmedding for Penn State showing

Auburn football DC Jeff Schmedding found out this past season what the true meaning of the Auburn family was.

Before he got to experience one of the most thrilling Iron Bowls in history, a 4OT thriller AU was shutting out Alabama into fourth in, Schmedding got on the road for the first time and saw how far Tiger fanatics are willing to go to see their team.

An excess of 860 miles, the distance from AU to State College, PA, apparently.

Here’s what Schmedding said about the voyage for many (including Fly War Eagle coeditor Mary Kate Hughes) of the most faithful Auburn football fans:

"“It was unbelievable. It was eye-opening to me. Penn State isn’t an easy place to get to and seeing how many of our fans showed up was impressive. Pulling into the stadium and seeing a sea of people wearing orange was incredible.”"

Jeff Schmedding says Alabama vs. Auburn football is even bigger than advertised

After a down-year in attendance, profits, and overall joy in 2020 (fitting Alabama won that title) the Iron Bowl came back with a vengeance in 2021. It was the most-watched game since the 2019 season and delivered on entertainment value in every way possible.

Schmedding acknowledged that there was a different air about Tiger Walk this past November outside Jordan-Hare Stadium down S Donahue Drive:

"“I noticed it when we got dropped off at the Tiger Walk. It was even bigger than what most people advertise. You hear about the Iron Bowl as soon as you become a part of the Auburn family, but seeing how jam-packed it was hit me. There’s a feeling that’s hard to explain to people. A vibe in the stadium tells you that you’re preparing for a fistfight.”"

Can personally confirm. This past year’s Iron Bowl was a return to normalcy in the south: the biggest college football atmosphere possible for rivalry week between two SEC pillars.