Saturday, January 30, 2010

At Least We Beat Alabama

At least we beat Alabama today 58 to 57. Dwayne Reed tied the game with a free throw with about 3 seconds left and after missing the second one, stole the ball and got it to Lucas Hargrove who made one of two at the line to give Auburn the victory. It would have been devastating to have lost this game.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Another Basketball Loss

In Nashville the Tigers turn a 43 to 32 halftime lead into an 82 to 74 loss. Memorial Gym is always a tough place to play; it's especially tough if Vandy has a good team, which they do, and your team can't sustain two good halves.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Tigers Win First SEC Game

On the SEC network we see the Tigers win their first SEC game as they beat LSU in Baton Rouge 84 to 80. This team is competitive when it wants to be.

Recruiting

On paper we are having the best recruiting year that I can remember. We got the big South Carolina offensive lineman Eric Mack. We have a 1 in 2 chance of getting Marcus Lattimore, considered by many to be the best running back prospect in the country. A couple more defensive linemen and we'll be in business.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Whew!

I see that Gus Malzahn will not interview for the La Tech job. We have him for at least one more year. Hooray!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Kentucky Game

The Tigers lose at home to the Wildcats 72 to 67. At least Auburn made a game of it. It was 70 to 67 with 19 seconds left. The Tigers had a chance to tie, but Dwayne Reed's 3-point shot hit the back of the rim. The Wildcats made two free throws, and that was the game.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Outback Bowl Bet

Per the bet, the Evanston, Illinois mayor and city council wore Auburn jerseys in the aftermath of Auburn's Outback Bowl victory. A local article, with pictures, about the affair is below.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/news/1988066,evanston-wager-011410-s1.article

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Tommy Tubs

I am glad that Tubs is coaching again. It will be fun to watch him in Lubbock. He will coach against Muschamp and Rhoads, which will be interesting. I am surprised he hired a spread coordinator from Troy. Maybe he wants to prove that his experiment with Franklin was not so ill conceived.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

The State of Auburn Basketball

Surprisingly we find the Auburn-South Carolina game on our Direct TV. Our package has the SEC Network.

We lose at home to South Carolina 80 to 71 to start the conference season. How disappointing. This season will be a disaster I'm afraid. I don't see anything getting better in Jeff Lebo's 6th year.

Jay Jacobs is going to have to make a decision at the end of the season. It will be tough with the new arena opening next year. At this point I'd say this is it for Lebo. With a new arena coming online, we cannot continue with this mediocrity. Something has to be done.

During the game we hear that Texas Tech has hired Tommy Tuberville. Good for him. I hope he does well out there, but I suspect he will have a hard time.

Friday, January 1, 2010

It Came Down to One Play at the End

THORPE STOP SAVES THE DAY
By Phillip Marshall, Senior Writer
Posted Jan 1, 2010
Copyright © 2010 AuburnUndercover.com



Neiko Thorpe stops Northwestern's Zeke Markshausen to end game
TAMPA, Fla. – After more than four hours and almost 200 snaps, it came down to one play for Auburn and Northwestern.

In overtime, Northwestern faced fourth-and-goal at the 5, trailing 38-35. Wildcat coach Pat Fitzgerald, his kicker hurt, decided to go for broke. He called a fake that was one of the favorites of late coach Randy Walker, who died suddenly in the summer of 2006.

Auburn’s defenders, playing on rubbery legs, suspected something was coming. When there holder, they knew something was coming. Wide receiver Zeke Markshaun ended up with the ball, sprinting for the flag. But cornerback Neiko Thorpe, fighting off blockers, smashed into him at the 2, knocking him out of bounds.

Finally, the Tigers could celebrate a 38-35 victory. And celebrate they did.

“I saw everybody was (standing) up, and I knew something was up,” Thorpe said. “Then I saw the center just grab the ball and snap it through his legs. I went outside and tried to fight off the blocker and made a good play.

“It was just so quick. I was afraid I was the only one who saw it. When you see the replay, there were a lot of people in pursuit.”

One who wasn’t in pursuit, at least of the ballcarrier, was All-Southeastern Conference defensive end Antonio Coleman.

“I got baited on the backside and was chasing another guy,” Coleman, able to laugh about it when it was over. “I saw Neiko knock the guy out of bounds. That’s when I started celebrating. TI don’t know about anybody else, but they got me.”

Fitzgerald said he thought he had the right play called at the right time.

“That was one heck of a fight and one heck of a battle,” Ftizgerald said. “I said we were coming down here to win. It just seemed like the stars were aligned there at the end. That was one of Coach Walk’s favorite plays. We played for the win and unfortunately ended up a little bit short.”

On the Auburn sideline, Roof and other coaches knew something was up. They had given the players a defense to run in case there was a fake. All they could do was watch.

(Defensive end Antoine) Carter was coming off a block and it looked like he was going to make it,” Roof said. “Then all of a sudden I saw his jersey get stretched out and he went back to the guy that was trying to block him. Neiko fought through two blockers to make an absolutely fantastic play.”

Fitzgerald said he had no regets.

“People tell me I’m too conservative,” Fitzgerald said. “I said ‘What the heck. We’re here to win, so let’s go. I’d do it again. Next time, I’d score, though, and we’d be celebrating.”

Recruiting

It is weird to see Auburn so high in the recruiting rankings. It is weird to see Auburn recruiting (successfully) so many high profile players. I do not know what this means for the program, whether it means we will win games, or if this sort of unprecedented recruiting will continue. I just know it is weird to get the likes of Newton, Dyer, Goodwin, Gayden, Reed, and Richardson.

The Outback Bowl 2010

Here we go. The Tigers get the best bowl of the SEC's 7 & 5 teams. We couldn't have done better than the New Year's Outback Bowl. I like the 10 o'clock kickoff because I hate waiting all day for kickoff. So far I think the SEC has not done so well. Tennessee lost last night to Virginia Tech. Kentucky lost. But Georgia won impressively.

It's raining and windy at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Stan White says the weather will be a factor. The rain may stop, but the wind, gusting up 30 MPH, will likely continue the entire game.

Northwestern receives, running their wide-open, pass-happy offense.

Auburn intercepts on a 3rd and 5 from the NW 25. The Tigers are on the NW 35.

The Tigers close the short drive with Kodi Burns running it in from the one after a 21 yard sprint by Ben Tate.

Auburn is up early 7 to 0.

NW starts from their 24. The Wildcats drive to the Auburn 6 when Walt McFadden intercepts in the end zone and takes it back 100 yards for a touchdown! This is an Auburn return record.

Auburn 14 Northwestern 0

NW drives for a touchdown on a 39-yd. pass capping a 6-play 67 yd. march.

With 2:04 left in the first it's Auburn 14 Northwestern 7

The Tigers are 3 and out after a big loss on a reverse to McCalebb with 52 seconds left in the quarter. This is unfortunate given NW's dominance of the clock. Our offense has got to get going.

You have to wonder how tired the Auburn defense is. Even though we lead thanks to the turnovers, our defense has been on the field almost the entire quarter. Our offense has had only 2 possessions so far.

The quarter ends with NW trying to drive again but AU leading 14 to 7 thanks to two interceptions. The Wildcats are very efficient with their short passing game. Though trailing, NW is controlling the game.

FIRST QUARTER
AU 14 NW 7

NW is driving from their 46. NW misses a 48-yd. FG attempt with 13:51 left in the second.

We lose possession on a bad 4th down call when a complete pass to Darvin Adams is ruled incomplete. Stan White says it was clearly a catch. You really have to wonder about the officiating these days.

The Wildcats are 3 and out. Auburn will start at their 21.

With 8:54 Auburn gets a 46-yd TD pass to Quindarius Carr! This is Carr's first career touchdown pass. Five plays. 79 yards.

AU 21 NW 7

NW gets a good return and starts on their 40. But the Wildcats are 3 and out again.

The Tigers start on their 20 and mount a drive with determined running from Ben Tate leading the way. The Tigers are at midfield with 3rd and 7 with 5:03 left. Todd scrambles but is short of the first and Auburn has to punt. Dur punts to the NW 3 yd. line.

After a short punt AU begins at the NW 36. NW intercepts at their 5. Good play call, but a great play by the Wildcat DB. NW moves quickly with the clock winding down to the minute mark. NW gets a long pass out to their 45. All of a sudden the Wildcats have their offensive rhythm back. NW is at the Auburn 38 with 1:04 left. The Wildcats are at the 5. AU has to call timeout. Moving from their 5, NW has moved to the Auburn 4. Walter McFadden is shown gassed on the Auburn sideline. First and goal from the 4. Second and goal from the 4. BELL intercepts in the end zone!!!

The first half clock expires. The Tiger defense comes up strong with 3 big interceptions, two of them leading to points. Our offense is sporadic, has scored only 14 points, must do better in the second half.

AT THE HALF
Auburn 21 Northwestern 7

We have to be pleased at the half, yet there can be no rest because Northwestern's fast paced offense can score quickly and often. We have to be ecstatic about the 3 turnovers. Our defense has carried us so far. NW has more yardage, more first downs, and much greater time of possession; the 3 interceptions are the equalizer.

The Tigers start from their 30 to start the second half. Auburn drives but NW intercepts at their 1. Kodi throws the pick on 3rd and 12 from FG range. Stan White wonders about this play call. Why Kodi throwing the ball? Burns has thrown two passes, both of them picked off. Very unfortunate. The offense moves the ball but yields on an interception at the one. This game has had its chills and spills, and we've just started the second half.

The Cats make one first down before punting. Auburn takes it from their 44 with good field possession. The defense does its job again.

The Tigers punt from midfield and NW starts from their 17 with 6:38 left in the quarter. Neiko Thorpe picks off another one! Auburn's FOURTH interception puts the Tigers on their 44. How about that defense!

Auburn is 3 and out and has to punt from around midfield. The Tigers have not been able to take advantage of good field position in this third quarter. I hope this doesn't come back to haunt us.

NW starts from their 20, and away they go. NW gets a 35-yd. touchdown pass over Hood. Stan White says Hood is our weak link in the secondary.

Late in the 3rd, it's AU 21 NW 14.

Auburn has not taken advantage of good field position, and NW has taken advantage.

Auburn is 3 and out as Todd goes down on 3rd with all the time in the world to throw the ball. Todd holds the ball and gets sacked. NW will get the ball back on their 33. The momentum is all Northwestern.

FIRST PLAY a short pass is turned into a 67-yd TD pass as the receiver runs hard and Auburn is vicimized by POOR tackling.

AU 21 NW 21 late in the third quarter---about 20 seconds left.

Auburn will be on their 38 as the final period starts.

END OF THREE
Auburn 21 Northwestern 21

The 4th quarter should be something. Our offense couldn't take advantage in the 3rd. Our defense is weakening. Big Mo is all purple.

The Tigers are 3 and out. It's a mystery why we cannot run the football in this game. Auburn has to punt. This game could get out of hand. The punt is good. NW starts from their own 11.

NW gets a first down on a pass and 15 yards is tacked on with a late hit on the quarterback. Auburn is falling apart Stan White says.

BUT THEN Auburn gets another interception, T'Sharvin Bell, which includes another personal foul penalty against us. These penalities are mystifying. The Tigers have around a hundred yards in penalities while NW has maybe 15 or so. That's an amazing discrepancy. Makes you wonder.

Auburn starts on their 40 with no offensive momentum. After a first down, Todd is sacked. Second and long. Third and long from the NW 44. Darvin Adams makes another catch and AU is at the NW 28. A completion to the 6 and Tate runs it in from there! This time AU takes advantage of the interception and good field position.

With 10:10 left Auburn takes the momentum back and leads 28 to 21.

The Northwestern offense is fun to watch as long as we win the game. I've never seen a faster offense.

AFter a couple of first downs, NW punts from their 42.

It's a bad punt and AU will start at their 35 with 8:11 to go.

A big reverse by Zachary for 50 yards takes the ball down to the 7. What a play call! Tate runs it in but gets a celebration penalty.

With 7:32 left Auburn leads 35 to 21. The Auburn offense has its momentum back and is starting to dominate the line of scrimmage. The 15 yd. penalty on the kickoff will hurt. Ben Tate will get a talking to.

Going into the last half of the 4th quarter we lead by 2 touchdowns but NW can score quickly.

NW drives a touchdown with 3:20 left. They do use up some clock.

AUBURN BLOCKS THE POINT ATTEMPT!! This is huge.

Auburn 35 Northwestern 27

Auburn recovers the onside kick at the NW 44. We need at least one first down.

Ben Tate fumbles!!! Auburn is on their way to icing the game, and our senior RB fumbles. NW is at their 31. Quckly they are at midfield. NW is a the AU 39 with less than 2 minutes left. This is a nail-biter like I thought it would be. NW drives for the TD. WE get a big 4th down sack but get called for a facemask penalty.

NW makes the 2-point conversion on a great reverse and pass and Northwestern has tied this football game with 1:15 left.

Auburn was on their way to winning this game when Tate fumbles, we get a facemask call on a 4th down sack as Nick Fairly barely touched the QB's facemask, NW scores and makes the 2-point conversion, and NOW on the kickoff we fumble again. Auburn has literally fallen apart at the very end of this game.

NW starts at midfield. They start moving the ball withk ease.

In a tie game, it comes down to a last second FG attempt by Northwestern from 44 yards out. The kick is no good and we are going to overtime. Auburn still has a chance for redemption, but I would say the overtime favors NW.

In the overtime Auburn goes first and gets a FG. NW gets to the Auburn 5 and on 4th fakes a FG and we stuff it. The Tigers win 38 to 35. Whew!!! What a game.

I'm just glad we won. The game goes like our whole year went. Lots of penalities, questionable officiating, lots of ups and downs, big plays, and poor plays. Somehow we give up huge yardage but win the game. The 6 turnovers are the big thing.

So Auburn concludes the year 8 & 5. With the great recruiting year we're having, we hope once again that the future is bright for Auburn football.