The Chattanooga Game

Historically the Auburn homecoming game is a sleeper. We play a team we are supposed to beat and we beat them though typically looking sloppy and the game is not memorable. But after the Cam Newton thing started Thursday, this one will be different. Everyone will looking to see the attitude of this team and of our QB. We will listen on the radio as in the old days as this will be the only Auburn game that will not be on free TV

It's a cold day & windy at Jordan-Hare. Kickoff is at noon. As our announcers say, it's good to play a game after the nonsense of the last two days.

UTC wins the toss and for some reason decides to defer. The Tigers start on their 39and it only takes 2 passing plays and 30 seconds to score. The TD comes with Newton passing to Adams. Auburn is up quickly 7 to 0.

UTC comes out quick passing as we expected. The Tigers yield a couple of first downs before the Mocs punt from their 46. The punt comes off of Carr's chest but he falls on the ball at the Tiger 26.

(As we listen to the game unfortunately we have to watch Florida roll over Vanderbilt)

The Tigers move quickly again throwing on almost every down. Newton hits Blake in the end zone for the 20-yd. TD pass. With 9:33 to go Auburn leads 14 to 0. Newton makes a great throw, throwing to a spot before Blake came open.

UTC goes 3 and out and punts from their 33.

Carr catches this punt and after a 10-yd. return AU is at the 37.

On a 3rd and 10 Newton scrambles for a first down--his first carry of the game. On a third and 4 Newton runs the QB draw to the Moc 38. On another 3rd down Newton runs to the 20. New play there's a pass to Burns to the 1 yard line. Newton walks into the end zone on the next play. With 4;51 in the first it's Auburn 21 UTC 0.

UTC goes 3 and out again and Auburn starts around midfield. The TD pass goes 39 yards to Darvin Adams into the wind. Great throw! Auburn 27 UTC 0 still in the first quarter as Byrum misses his first point after of the year.

The first quarter ends with the Tigers up 27 to 0.

Early in the second, Cam Newton hits Terrell Zachary 3 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and Tzac takes it 80 yards for the touchdown. Auburn 34 UTC 0. Has it ever been easier so far?

Newton has already passed for 76 yards.

Then Auburn gives up a TD on the kickoff return. After such good kickoff coverage this year, Auburn has a breakdown here. Auburn 34 UTC 7. Our coverage got out of its lanes Stan White says. Officially it's a 98 yard kickoff return.

Auburn starts on the UTC 49. On the first play McCalebb takes it the distance with blazing speeds like he's shot out of a cannon. Auburn 41 UTC 7.

There is still over 13 minutes to go in the half. Auburn is averaging 4 plays per drive per touchdown.

UTC punts from midfield. Adams returns 11 yards to the AU 22. Mike Dyer runs the wrap around draw to the UTC 47. Newton is sacked and AU goes to 3rd and long after a penalty that should have called against Carr is not called. Newton runs to the UTC 43. Auburn will for it on 4th and about 5. The Tigers get the first down on a proper interference call against Adams. First down at the 33. Newton is dropped for a loss. The Mocs are getting pressure on our QB all of a sudden. Another 9 yard loss. Dyer runs to the 36 but quickly it's 3rd and 13. Newton is sacked again! This is highly unusual. This drive will end with Auburn's first punt. How are they getting pressure all of a sudden?

Stephen Clark makes a terrible 19 yard punt with the wind at his back. Our punting all year has been awful. With a little over 6 minutes left AU continues to lead 41 to 7. We sure got sloppy on that last possession.

With 1:26 to go in the half, the Mocs face 4th and 6 from the Auburn 23. The Tigers have substituting liberally already. The Mocs get TD pass into the end zone to their tight end over Jake Holland. Good throw and catch. Auburn 41 UTC 14 with 1:19to go in the half. Quentin Riggins says it's a good learning experience for Holland in that he has to get deep quicker covering his man.

Auburn starts from the 32. There's a holding penalty on Auburn against Ryan Pugh. Our offense continues to be sloppy and complacent here at the end of the half. A pass to Zachary for 17 yards. A complete pass to Burns and a first down at the 46. Auburn goes to the UTC 37 with 18 seconds to go. Then Mike Dyer takes it to the house! Dyer explodes for the touchdown. Auburn 48 UTC 14. Auburn has 484 yards of total offense in just one half. That's your halftime score.

Auburn 48 UTC 14 at the half.

The Tigers roll in the second half winning 62 to 24. The only disappointing thing is that UTC takes the second half kickoff and marches for a touchdown. No starters play in the second half. Mario Fanin gets two rushing touchdowns. I think the Tigers have something like 625 yards of total offense.

This game goes as expected with Auburn rolling up big yardage and points and giving up some points. Seven of those points come on a kickoff return.

Now comes Amen Corner. It starts next week at 2:30 against Georgia for AU's 11th consecutive game.

AUBURN 62 UTC 24