Pearl impressed with Iron Bowl win

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Pearl impressed with Iron Bowl win and what he saw on Saturday

ByJason Caldwell

3 minutes

AUBURN, Alabama—If you want to know how important a game like Saturday's 48-45 Iron Bowl victory for the Auburn Tigers over Alabama is, just ask Bruce Pearl.

In attendance with a big basketball recruiting weekend centered around the football game, Auburn's head basketball coach noted that he was blown away by what he saw on the field from both teams in the thrilling game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

"We saw two incredible football programs go head-to-head Saturday," Pearl said. "Two of the best football programs in the country in a game that matters more to everybody on the field and in the stands than in any place in the country. It seemed like on every series of downs, they were carting guys off the field and those kids on both sides, both sidelines, gave absolutely everything they had.

"And, as a coach, I was just tremendously impressed with the effort, with the sacrifice and obviously am thrilled with the result." he said.

"Our football program has by far, and it's not even close, played the toughest schedule in all of college football. This, historically, might have been as tough a schedule in the regular season as has ever been played. I'd be curious what the numbers say. We hav had some incredible wins in some very difficult places to play against some great football programs. Our guys deserve all the credit and accolades they deserve."

 Pearl said because of the attention the Iron Bowl receives it can be something very important for the future of not only the football program, but everyone at Auburn.

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"Does it help our basketball program? Absolutely. The nation watched the Iron Bowl all weekend long and saw Auburn, once again, dominate at Jordan-Hare and that helps all of our sports. It helps our university. It adds to the credibility of the excellence of our sports programs and university. I'm just so proud of our football program for what they've accomplished."

Pearl and the No. 13/14 Auburn Tigers take on Furman (7-2) on Thursday at 8 p.m. at Auburn Arena. The coaches is encouraging fans to bring a toy for the Marines to collect at the arena doors for the Toys for Tots program to provide Christmas presents for youngsters in the area.

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