The 2011 Samford Game

With 6 wins on the season, Auburn needs to win this game as expected to get to at least 7 wins. The Samford Bulldogs are 6 & 4 in the Southern Conference. I expect the usual Auburn homecoming sloppy game with the Tigers probably giving up some points but finally winning.

The first half goes as I expected with the Tigers leading 14 to 10 at the intermission. We have two lost fumbles leading to Samford's two scores. Our offense continues to be disheveled. Our defense gives up yardage even to Samford. We miss a short FG attempt. This Auburn team is not capable of putting the hammer down on anybody this year. It continues to surprise me that we are so poor running the football. Auburn is not playing good football right now. The Tigers are very sloppy all over the field.

The Tigers get the ball to start the second half. We start from the 20. After a couple of good runs by Dyer, the Tigers have to punt from the 40. Samford starts on their 19. Samford starts marching right down the field. Our defense continues to yield ground. I don't understand what I am hearing on the radio. The Bulldogs are outplaying Auburn by a mile. The Bulldogs drive for a short field goal and about midway thru the third quarter Auburn lead drops to 14 to 13. This is as scary as it gets.

From a young team seeming to be getting better, this Auburn team has markedly gone downhill in these last few games. We are playing mostly sophomores and freshmen and we've had a lot of injuries, but still this is very bad.

We drive to a first down at the Bulldog 38 after a reversal on a called fumble by Dyer. Dyer runs to the 21. Dyer runs to the 16. On the second running play from the 5 Dyer powers it in. That was pure power football, the kind of football I love.
Auburn leads 21 to 13 with 3:25 to go in the third.

The third quarter ends with Samford at the Auburn 26. Our defense just cannot rise to the occasion. This game will go down to the last play.

Going into the 4th quarter, I am not surprised that Samford is moving the ball and has 13 points, but I continue to be dismayed at the ineptitude of our offense. The 3turnovers by our offense gives Samford a chance.

Samford gets the 37-yd. FG. It's 21-16 with 13:22 to go. Sheesh.

What will our offense do now? I wouldn't bet on us scoring again but having to hold on with 21 points.

After a short kickoff and run by McCalebb Auburn starts on the Samford 37. First down pass to the 24. Dyer to the 22. I don't understand why we can't run the ball better. Our offensive linemen aren't getting any push. Clint Mosely fakes a handoff and runs up the middle for the touchdown! Auburn 28 Samford 16. Whew! That helps. The Tigers take advantage of the short field.

Can our defense make a stand before this game is over? We'll see.

After one first down, Samford is forced to punt. That's better. With 9:17 left, Auburn starts on their 27.

McCalebb runs for the first down. Another first down. But the drive stalls after a trick play backfires and Mosely loses 10. There's a 48-yrd punt and Samford starts on their 7 yard line.

The Bulldogs are 3 and out and Samford punts from their 12.

Bray fair catches at the Samford 45. One more score would be nice.

McCalebb for a 4-yd. gain. Frazier to the Samford 30. Dyer to the 23 for 7 yards. Dyer for 15 to the 8. Dyer loses 2. McCalebb sweeps on a quick pitch and reaches out for the touchdown. The Tigers finally get rolling with 2:17 left. Auburn finally gets it done. The Tigers lead 35 to 16.

That's how it ends. The Tigers slop around but finally get Samford by the throat late. This game went exactly as I expected.

The 2011 Auburn Tigers are 7 & 4 with one big game left.