Verne Lundquist has had a decorated career calling some of the great moments in sports, especially in the last three decades.

One memorable SEC game, however, ranks right up there with Jack Nicklaus’ Masters win in 1986, and Christian Laettner’s shot in 1992 when Duke beat Kentucky. But the 2013 Iron Bowl, and Lundquist’s memorable call, is right there in the mix, and chronicled in his new book.

“’Touchdown Auburn! An answered prayer!” I shouted. “There are no flags,” I added.

My heart skipped a beat. Was that right? Had I fallen victim to the anticipation goblin?

A moment later I could resume normal operation. There were no flags.”

Lundquist, the former play-by-play voice of the “SEC on CBS” where he called the marquee 3:30 p.m. games each week, witnessed many spectacular plays from the booth. In his book, “Play by Play: Calling the wildest games in sports – from SEC football to college basketball, The Masters and More,” he explains why the 2013 Iron Bowl was such a memorable game.

While Lundquist detailed the behind-the-scenes circumstances in the book, an excerpt which is available from Sports Illustrated, he recalled discussing the game with Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post. Upon reflection, it supplanted Laettner’s winning shot and Tiger Wood’s chip shot at No. 16 at Augusta National. Nicklaus’ putt in 1986 on No. 17 at The Masters was still No. 1.

“(Vaccaro) made me think, and today I’ll tell you that the 2013 Iron Bowl ranks right up there to be tied with Jack in 1986,” Lundquist wrote. “Six months later I ran into Mike and we spoke for the first time. He told me he had watched the game while on assignment somewhere. He was in a hotel lobby with strangers, and he said the reaction—and these weren’t die-hard Auburn or Alabama fans—was so striking that he sat down and wrote that column.

“The reach of that game, the surprising and rare circumstances of its finish, and what was at stake changed my mind. It’s a bit crowded atop that greatest-moment-I’ve-covered podium. I don’t think that Jack will mind sharing with the 2013 squads from Alabama and Auburn. Unless he thinks his 2013 Ohio State Buckeyes should have been in the BCS bowl.

I wouldn’t be surprised.”