Here we go with another Auburn-LSU game once again in Baton Rouge. Our Tigers are a huge underdog. The line is something like 17. Both teams are 3 & 0. Is there any way Auburn can win this game? We will soon find out. There is no need to speculate or try to figure out what Auburn has to do to win this game. Whatever will happen will happen and we wait and see.
FIRST QUARTER
LSU wins the toss and defers. The rain is pouring down. The Tgers start at the 25. The Tigers run for two first downs out to midfield.
The Tigers move to a 3rd and 7 as Jaylon Denson gets his feet tangled up on the wet surface and has to be carried off the field. Denson wasn't hit as he had to turn back to his right to try and catch the ball and his legs gave way. It might be a knee injury.
Denson gets hand touches from teammates and seems to be in good spirits as he leaves the field.
Marshall gains 6 but Auburn fumbles on the exchange with CAP and LSU gets the ball. Would've have been a first down. LSU is at their 43.
A penalty moves the ball back to the 38.
On a third and 2 from the AU 49 there is a TD run right up the middle.
LSU takes immediate advantage of the turnover with 11:16 to go in the first quarter.
Auburn 0 LSU 7
We can't allow that kind of simple run up the middle or it WILL be a long night in Death Valley.
49 yards right up the middle. The runner breaks the line of scrimmage and no defender is there.
3 plays. 57 yards for LSU.
AU starts again on the 25.
The rain is pouring down.
The Tigers go 3 and out.
Stephen Clark drops the punt snap and LSU is on the AU 10.
The same runner runs it right up the middle untouched and LSU is up 2 touchdowns early.
This is as bad a start as you could imagine.
Auburn 0 LSU 14
We have given LSU 2 quick touchdowns. Our mettle will be tested. For some reason I think this team will respond. We may not win the game but we will get back in it. Q says LSU is running at our weakness which is the middle of the D line with our 2 tackles and Jake Holland.
We have made 2 devastating mistakes so far. We cannot have another one especially by a senior like Stephen Clark.
Auburn starts on their 25 for the third time tonight.
On 3rd and 1 we are short.
Auburn punts to the LSU 31. I wonder why we didn't go for it just short of the 35. The way this game has started what do we have to lose.
The Fighting Tigers drive into Auburn territory as the rain continues to fall.
We get a sack on their QB and LSU is 2nd and 17 from midfield.
After a gain of 7 LSU faces 3rd and 10.
There's a big completion in what looks like good coverage to the AU 16.
There's a run to the 13. LSU is threatening again leading by 2 TDs already.
No gain.
Third down and 6 or 7 to go. There's a FUMBLE and Auburn recovers at the 7.
Big turnover in the Red Zone.
Marshall runs for 6.
Mason runs for 9 and the first down at the 22.
No gain on a pass to Reed as the quarter ends AU facing 2nd and 10 from their 22.
SECOND QUARTER
A short pass completion leads to a 3rd and 2.
There's an incomplete pass and we have to punt from our 30.
There is a fair catch at the LSU 26.
LSU has taken advantage of Auburn's mistakes so far.
There is another big run up the middle of 54 yards. The middle of DL is being exploited.
The one yard plunge finishes the deal and LSU is up 3 scores.
We simply cannot stop their running game right up the middle. Their RB clears the line and either nobody is there or there is a missed tackle or two. If you can't stop the run in the SEC you lose. It's that simple. Our defensive line is very weak. LSU is much more powerful physically than Auburn.
Auburn 0 LSU 21
This is a sad spectacle of a superior team running over a much weaker team.
It's physical domination at the line of the scrimmage.
We have given up three runs of over 50 yards each. They don't have to throw the football when you can dominate the line of scrimmage as LSU has done.
Auburn is getting manhandled.
AU starts on the 25.
Nick Marshall heaves the ball downfield on 2nd down right to the LSU defender on the overthrow.
LSU has the ball right back on their 35.
This is a real nightmare.
Finally we get a three and out and LSU has to punt for the first time.
AU is back on offense at their 26 trailing 21 to 0 with 10:20 left in the first half.
Mason runs to the AU 41 on first down.
Mason runs for 7.
There's a first down to the LSU 47.
Two incompletions and we move to 3rd and 10. Why not run the football?
Marshall gains 5 on the scramble and we are 4th and 5 on the LSU 42.
We go for it and Marshall throws the ball behind Fulse on a slant. Our announcers say that Nick Marshall does not look comfortable. His passing accuracy is not there. That could have been a throw and catch. Q says he is not setting his feet. Marshall must be rattled. That could have been a completion. Marshall mechanics are off Stan White says against a physical defense. He is not squaring his shoulders. I have often wondered why we don't throw more slants. Maybe we simply cannot do it. It looked the start of a good drive but it bogged down.
Frost is called for a horsecollar and we give LSU 15 yards.
Stan White says it's a good call.
I'm amazed at how LSU opens up such gaping holes in our defensive line.
LSU goes to 4th and 5 at the Auburn 36.
Bray faircatches the punt at the 10 with 5:26 left in the half.
There's a 7 yard completion to Louis and a 15yrd. unsportsmanlike on LSU.
With 4:01 left Auburn has to punt as a short pass to Davis is incomplete.
LSU faircatches at their 19.
We need a turnover real bad!
Instead we get a three and out with 2 sacks on that LSU possession.
AU gets the ball on their 44 after a relatively short punt.
The Tigers go to 4th and 3 just across midfield. Marshall overthrows another receiver.
Our defense has stiffened but our offense has regressed. We have moments of running football but we cannot complete passes mainly I think because Marshall consistently overthrows receivers. A more accurate passer and we could complete passes because our receiver can get open.
Clark punts into the end zone and the half ends.
The defense plays better in the second quarter but our offense is not there.
THIRD QUARTER
The second half starts with Auburn fire!
The pooch kickoff gives LSU the ball at their 43 but on the first play Whitehead intercepts at midfield.
Tigers push quickly running and passing for the touchdown Mason running it in from the 2 for the score.
We have ourselves quickly a new ballgame!
Auburn 7 LSU 21
You talk about getting what we needed! That'll do it.
LSU starts on the 25.
LSU moves quickly to a first down at their 47 and then a TD pass is called back on a holding call.
But there is another pass to a wide-open receiver an easy pitch and catch to the Auburn 8. All of a sudden our defense is defenseless.
We get a break and score but LSU comes right back down the field with wide-open receivers.
We stop their run but they have open receivers.
LSU punches it in and the Bengal Tigers answer the Auburn touchdown. We are back where we started the second half.
A busted coverage on their tight end is the big play in the drive.
Auburn 7 LSU 28
The Tigers start on the 25.
The Tigers go quickly 3 and out to a 4th and 5.
Not what we needed to stay in this game.
LSU is on their 37. Clark is not having a stellar night.
LSU fakes a 30-yd. FG attempt but Auburn holds.
We get the ball without LSU scoring but we are still down 3 touchdowns.
And we have to start on our 6.
The Tigers drive and there is a 52-yd. completion to Coates to the LSU one yard line!
But then we get a 5-yd. procedure penalty. NO!
Then Marshall throws a pass beyond the line of scrimmage.
Now just like that it's 2nd goal from the 9.
Grant sweeps to the 2. 3rd and goal from the 2.MASON RUNS UP THE MIDDLE FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!
The point after is good and the score tightens.
Can our defense respond?
Auburn 14 LSU 28
10 Plays. 94 yards. Mason a two yard run for the score
LSU starts on their 19.
How about another turnover?
Not coming.
LSU drives again to the Auburn 34.
The third quarter clock expires with LSU facing 3rd and 9. A big play coming to start the 4th quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
LSU converts and goes on to score again. We can't stop them.
Auburn 14 LSU 35
Auburn goes 3 and out.
LSU punts and we are backed up.
The Tigers try to move the ball to save some face.
From the AU 35 there is a long completion to Coates down inside the LSU 20.
There is a first down at the LSU 12.
CAP runs it in from there.
We cut the lead with 6:33 left. This team hasn't given up. This is a good sign.
10 plays. 88 yards.
Auburn 21 LSU 35
The Tigers recover the onside kick!
Parkey follows the ball and falls on it. Perfectly executed.
BUT on the replay they give ball to LSU.
Oh, my.
Our announcers say we are robbed. It is clear that the ball went 10 yrds and we recovered.
The call on the field was a recovery and there is supposed to be clear evidence to over turn and it is not there.
With 5:04 LSU stops the clock with an incompletion and they have to punt.
Bray drops the punt but gets the ball back on the 16.
We move the ball quickly to our 44 but then Marshall throws the interception on an underthrow.
That's that but again this team did not quit and we were the victim of a clear bogus overturn by the replay judge on a beautiful recovered onside kick by the Tigers.
If we had not gotten behind so early we could have won this football game.
We lose but we could have won this football game. No doubt.
This team did not quit. Last year's team would have quit.
With 2:54 LSU punts and Auburn gets another possession on the AU 31.
THESE Tigers drive with the clock winding down passing and running. The LSU defense is gashed.
Auburn drives to a first down at the LSU 4 yard line with 1:45 left.
A false start and we are back to the 9. Not good. Not good.
1:16 left 2nd and goal at the 9.
Marshall is dropped at the 17.
Now it's 4th and goal from the 17 with 42 seconds left.
Mason catches a short pass and is dropped at the 12.
LSU will win this game but Auburn fights to the end.
This team doens't quit.
This team played its heart out. If only we could have that first quarter back.
This team caught a lot of adversity early but it never quit.
I say WAR EAGLE!
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 21 LSU 35
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
LSU Preface
This has been a strange series. Before divisional play started in 1992 Auburn seldom played LSU. Since then we play them every year. This is one game where the unexpected can happen.
LSU is a solid 14 to 17 point favorite in Baton Rouge. There is no realistic reason to think Auburn will win this game. All we can say is that IF somehow the Tigers can do it how wonderful it would be to start the season at 4 and 0 with a bye week coming up.
I wonder what if anything Gus Malzahn has been saving for this game. Is Nick Marshall ready for the big lights of Death Valley? Will our defense hold up? Will this team come out ready to play or will this team be tentative? We need a good start. If we get behind early and it start to snowball it could be bad.
LSU is a solid 14 to 17 point favorite in Baton Rouge. There is no realistic reason to think Auburn will win this game. All we can say is that IF somehow the Tigers can do it how wonderful it would be to start the season at 4 and 0 with a bye week coming up.
I wonder what if anything Gus Malzahn has been saving for this game. Is Nick Marshall ready for the big lights of Death Valley? Will our defense hold up? Will this team come out ready to play or will this team be tentative? We need a good start. If we get behind early and it start to snowball it could be bad.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Mississippi State Game - Postmortem
It was just so good to beat Mississippi State. Since Dan Mullen showed up over there I have no use for that program.
How far will this team go this year? I am not thinking about it. We'll just and see without any expectations.
Now comes LSU in Baton Rouge. We have not won there since 1999. I do not expect to win this time. At the same time, I do not expect to get embarassed like we would be under Chizik. It was 12 to 10 last year. Who knows what might happen.
How far will this team go this year? I am not thinking about it. We'll just and see without any expectations.
Now comes LSU in Baton Rouge. We have not won there since 1999. I do not expect to win this time. At the same time, I do not expect to get embarassed like we would be under Chizik. It was 12 to 10 last year. Who knows what might happen.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The 2013 Mississippi State Game
Auburn has lost 10 straight conference games. Has this ever happened before? It needs to end tonight as the Tigers play the Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare on ESPN2. Auburn is something like a 7 point favorite. It would be nice to start the season 3 and 0 going to Baton Rouge next week. Since Dan Mullen showed up in Starkville, we have no love for the Bullies.
FIRST QUARTER
The Tigers receive and start at the 25.
AU drives smartly to the MSU 12 for a first down, mixing the pass and the run, but we are pushed back from there after a fumble and a sack. We have to settle for a 41-yd. FG. Gotta finish those drives.
Auburn 3 Mississippi State 0
MSU starts from their 25.
The Bulldogs drive smartly to a first down to the AU 18.
Our DBs are playing soft.
That's as far as the visitors get and the 35-yd. FG is wide right---not close.
Just like the first two games the defense bends but doesn't break. It's hard to deal with psychologically but this is the way of this Tiger defense so far this year.
Lightening strikes on 3rd and 6 from the 24 as Nick Marshall drops the low snap but then finds a wide-open Quan Bray for a 76-yd. TD pass!
The Tigers make the 2-pt. conversion as MSU doesn't line up correctly. How sweet it is!
Auburn 11 Mississippi State 0
MSU starts on their 25.
First play long pass play to the AU 14. OH, boy.
Next play a reverse leads to the TD run.
Both of these plays come at the expense of Ryan White playing in place of the injured Chris Davis. State goes for 2 and the play fails.
Auburn 11 Mississippi State 6
AU at their 25 with 4:09 to go in the quarter.
The Tigers move down the field and the quarter ends with AU inside the Bulldog 10.
SECOND QUARTER
We get to the 2 but have to kick the FG. Okay.
Our offense has scored on its first 3 possessions but two are field goals.
Auburn 14 Mississippi State 6
After one first down MSU has to punt.
AU starts on their 33. Bray fumbles the punt after a short run but Auburn recovers.
The Tigers go three and out and punt for the first time to the State 16.
A penalty moves the ball to the 21.
MSU goes right down the field.
Their QB Prescott runs it in from the 5 on 3rd and goal.
The PAT is good. Here we go again!
Auburn 15 Mississippi State 14
5:02 to go in the half. What can our offense do now?
At times our offense seems to find its rhythm, but then it stumbles. We need sustained drives.
Kiel Frazier has had some snaps tonight including 4 yards on the first play in this possession.
The Tigers go three and out as Coates can't catch a ball right in his hands on third down.
State gets the ball back quickly on their 21 after the 48-yd. punt.
Our offense can't get it going.
State starts another drive. We can't stop Perkins. We can't stop the QB draw.
State punts from their 35 with 28 seconds left.
Bray runs the punt back to the AU 45 but State intercepts on the last long pass down the field as the half ends.
We go to halftime and it's anybody's game. This game could go either way. I can't predict what is going to happen in the second half.
THIRD QUARTER
MSU receives and starts on their 25.
Their QB Dak Prescott makes a huge run on the QB draw to the AU 11.
Our defense has no answer for the State QB running the football.
Our defense is on its heels on the first possession.
Their QB walks into the end zone from the two.
An unstoppable opening half drive by Mississippi State. We have to very concerned at this point.
This is bad, bad, bad.
6 plays. 75 yards. Our defense is standing still. No defense whatsoever.
Auburn 14 Mississippi State 20
What now?
I must admit I am flabbergasted by our comotose defense on that last drive. State can't be this good.
Something is wrong out there.
This is a team that scored 3 points against Oklahoma State.
Mason makes a mistake bringing the ball out and is dropped at the 11. Not good.
If we go three and out this game is over.
After a bizarre play in which Nick Marshall catches his own pass as a defender bats the ball back to Marshall and he makes a big run down the sideline, the Tigers bog down at the 30 and Parkay kicks the 47-yd. field goal. Well, at least we scored.
Auburn 17 Mississippi State 20
Our defense is getting pushed around. What will happen now?
From the 25 Bulldogs move the ball again and we cannot stop them.
The Tigers hold on 3rd and 4 at the State 48.
The punt goes into the end zone.
The defense makes a stop. Can our offense get it going again? We aren't going to win this game on field goals.
After a couple of first downs Tre Mason fumbles after a catching a pass and MSU recovers at the Auburn 48.
State goes 3 and out and we have a punt from around midfield.
The punt goes into the end zone. Here we go from the 20.
Quentin says our defense has gone conservative and we have to throw the ball.
One first down but now we are punting the big play being a sack on Marshall.
This offense simply cannot get it going.
At least the punt takes a big AU bounce to the Dog 9 yard line as the quarter ends.
FOURTH QUARTER
The final stanza starts with the outcome in doubt, our offense ineffective, and State with the lead starting a possession on their 9.
Our offense is stone cold with no rhythm and slow playing.
20 to 17 down to start the 4th quarter.
We have them backed on third and long but give up a run to a 4th and short just short of the 19.
I am amazed we let them close the first down on 3rd and long on a run by Perkins.
After a first down the Dogs punt 39 yards and AU has the ball at their 41.
A tipped ball and it's intercepted. We are in big trouble. State is on the Auburn 47. This is a critical mistake by Marshall and the receiver. The ball was headed nowhere near the receiver.
3rd and 3 at the AU 40.
4th and 2.
There is an easy run for 7 yards by the quarterback. Hard to understand why there was a big hole on the right side.
Back 5 yards on a procedure penalty.
Our defense holds but the bad news is that the punt is downed at the 3. OH, my.
The Tigers drive to midfield for a 3rd and 3 after Nick Marshall overthrows a wide-open Coates who could have walked into the end zone.
We cannot sustain the drive at midfield and State gets the ball back starting at their 20.
State goes for it on a 4th and one and picks up the first down after a 3rd and 10. Oh, my.
The click is ticking down. One more first down and this game may be over.
Now it's 3rd and 4 at the Bulldog 38.
What now?
We hold on third and now it's 4th and a yard and a half. State will punt with the clock winding down to the 2 minute mark.
Bray is dropped at the AU 12 as he stutters rather than run straight ahead.
1:58 left.
The Tigers drive to a first down at the Dog 25.
The clock is stopped with 34 seconds left.
3rd and 10 from the 25.
Marshall runs to the 14.
21 seconds left.
We're at the 11 with 15 seconds left.
TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!
Marshall finds Uzomah in the end zone with 10 seconds left.
Auburn 24 Mississippi 20
Marshall to Uzomah for the win. This is one we will remember for a long time.
FIRST QUARTER
The Tigers receive and start at the 25.
AU drives smartly to the MSU 12 for a first down, mixing the pass and the run, but we are pushed back from there after a fumble and a sack. We have to settle for a 41-yd. FG. Gotta finish those drives.
Auburn 3 Mississippi State 0
MSU starts from their 25.
The Bulldogs drive smartly to a first down to the AU 18.
Our DBs are playing soft.
That's as far as the visitors get and the 35-yd. FG is wide right---not close.
Just like the first two games the defense bends but doesn't break. It's hard to deal with psychologically but this is the way of this Tiger defense so far this year.
Lightening strikes on 3rd and 6 from the 24 as Nick Marshall drops the low snap but then finds a wide-open Quan Bray for a 76-yd. TD pass!
The Tigers make the 2-pt. conversion as MSU doesn't line up correctly. How sweet it is!
Auburn 11 Mississippi State 0
MSU starts on their 25.
First play long pass play to the AU 14. OH, boy.
Next play a reverse leads to the TD run.
Both of these plays come at the expense of Ryan White playing in place of the injured Chris Davis. State goes for 2 and the play fails.
Auburn 11 Mississippi State 6
AU at their 25 with 4:09 to go in the quarter.
The Tigers move down the field and the quarter ends with AU inside the Bulldog 10.
SECOND QUARTER
We get to the 2 but have to kick the FG. Okay.
Our offense has scored on its first 3 possessions but two are field goals.
Auburn 14 Mississippi State 6
After one first down MSU has to punt.
AU starts on their 33. Bray fumbles the punt after a short run but Auburn recovers.
The Tigers go three and out and punt for the first time to the State 16.
A penalty moves the ball to the 21.
MSU goes right down the field.
Their QB Prescott runs it in from the 5 on 3rd and goal.
The PAT is good. Here we go again!
Auburn 15 Mississippi State 14
5:02 to go in the half. What can our offense do now?
At times our offense seems to find its rhythm, but then it stumbles. We need sustained drives.
Kiel Frazier has had some snaps tonight including 4 yards on the first play in this possession.
The Tigers go three and out as Coates can't catch a ball right in his hands on third down.
State gets the ball back quickly on their 21 after the 48-yd. punt.
Our offense can't get it going.
State starts another drive. We can't stop Perkins. We can't stop the QB draw.
State punts from their 35 with 28 seconds left.
Bray runs the punt back to the AU 45 but State intercepts on the last long pass down the field as the half ends.
We go to halftime and it's anybody's game. This game could go either way. I can't predict what is going to happen in the second half.
THIRD QUARTER
MSU receives and starts on their 25.
Their QB Dak Prescott makes a huge run on the QB draw to the AU 11.
Our defense has no answer for the State QB running the football.
Our defense is on its heels on the first possession.
Their QB walks into the end zone from the two.
An unstoppable opening half drive by Mississippi State. We have to very concerned at this point.
This is bad, bad, bad.
6 plays. 75 yards. Our defense is standing still. No defense whatsoever.
Auburn 14 Mississippi State 20
What now?
I must admit I am flabbergasted by our comotose defense on that last drive. State can't be this good.
Something is wrong out there.
This is a team that scored 3 points against Oklahoma State.
Mason makes a mistake bringing the ball out and is dropped at the 11. Not good.
If we go three and out this game is over.
After a bizarre play in which Nick Marshall catches his own pass as a defender bats the ball back to Marshall and he makes a big run down the sideline, the Tigers bog down at the 30 and Parkay kicks the 47-yd. field goal. Well, at least we scored.
Auburn 17 Mississippi State 20
Our defense is getting pushed around. What will happen now?
From the 25 Bulldogs move the ball again and we cannot stop them.
The Tigers hold on 3rd and 4 at the State 48.
The punt goes into the end zone.
The defense makes a stop. Can our offense get it going again? We aren't going to win this game on field goals.
After a couple of first downs Tre Mason fumbles after a catching a pass and MSU recovers at the Auburn 48.
State goes 3 and out and we have a punt from around midfield.
The punt goes into the end zone. Here we go from the 20.
Quentin says our defense has gone conservative and we have to throw the ball.
One first down but now we are punting the big play being a sack on Marshall.
This offense simply cannot get it going.
At least the punt takes a big AU bounce to the Dog 9 yard line as the quarter ends.
FOURTH QUARTER
The final stanza starts with the outcome in doubt, our offense ineffective, and State with the lead starting a possession on their 9.
Our offense is stone cold with no rhythm and slow playing.
20 to 17 down to start the 4th quarter.
We have them backed on third and long but give up a run to a 4th and short just short of the 19.
I am amazed we let them close the first down on 3rd and long on a run by Perkins.
After a first down the Dogs punt 39 yards and AU has the ball at their 41.
A tipped ball and it's intercepted. We are in big trouble. State is on the Auburn 47. This is a critical mistake by Marshall and the receiver. The ball was headed nowhere near the receiver.
3rd and 3 at the AU 40.
4th and 2.
There is an easy run for 7 yards by the quarterback. Hard to understand why there was a big hole on the right side.
Back 5 yards on a procedure penalty.
Our defense holds but the bad news is that the punt is downed at the 3. OH, my.
The Tigers drive to midfield for a 3rd and 3 after Nick Marshall overthrows a wide-open Coates who could have walked into the end zone.
We cannot sustain the drive at midfield and State gets the ball back starting at their 20.
State goes for it on a 4th and one and picks up the first down after a 3rd and 10. Oh, my.
The click is ticking down. One more first down and this game may be over.
Now it's 3rd and 4 at the Bulldog 38.
What now?
We hold on third and now it's 4th and a yard and a half. State will punt with the clock winding down to the 2 minute mark.
Bray is dropped at the AU 12 as he stutters rather than run straight ahead.
1:58 left.
The Tigers drive to a first down at the Dog 25.
The clock is stopped with 34 seconds left.
3rd and 10 from the 25.
Marshall runs to the 14.
21 seconds left.
We're at the 11 with 15 seconds left.
TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!
Marshall finds Uzomah in the end zone with 10 seconds left.
Auburn 24 Mississippi 20
Marshall to Uzomah for the win. This is one we will remember for a long time.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Mississippi State Preface
I am reading this week that playing Mississippi State has become a rivalry for Auburn. I cannot disagree more. A rivalry is two teams that are equal, that over time can lose as much as they win. Mississippi State, however, is not on par with Auburn. We should beat the Bulldogs every year. That is not what I call a rivalry.
I hear too that Mississippi State is a barometer game, that somehow winning or losing will tell us something significant about our Tigers. I believe that only halfway. If we lose, then we learn Auburn has problems because losing to Mississippi State is an embarassment. If we win, then, well, we have done only what we should do, and how do you learn anything from that?
I hear too that Mississippi State is a barometer game, that somehow winning or losing will tell us something significant about our Tigers. I believe that only halfway. If we lose, then we learn Auburn has problems because losing to Mississippi State is an embarassment. If we win, then, well, we have done only what we should do, and how do you learn anything from that?
Monday, September 9, 2013
The Arkansas State Game - Postmortem
The Tigers beat Arkansas State as they should have. There is no way an SEC school should ever lose to a Sunbelt school.
This team is certainly improving. How much more can it improve? We'll soon find with SEC opponents Mississippi State and LSU coming up.
Nick Marshall can improve the passing game. Our linebacker play can improve. The tackling is certainly better than in the Chizik years, but it can get better.
Mississippi State is a measuring stick. We should always beat these guys. If you can't beat these Bulldogs, you are certainly in the bottom of the SEC pack.
We will be somthing like a 7-point favorite at home. We need to win this game to be 3 and 0 going to Baton Rouge.
This team is certainly improving. How much more can it improve? We'll soon find with SEC opponents Mississippi State and LSU coming up.
Nick Marshall can improve the passing game. Our linebacker play can improve. The tackling is certainly better than in the Chizik years, but it can get better.
Mississippi State is a measuring stick. We should always beat these guys. If you can't beat these Bulldogs, you are certainly in the bottom of the SEC pack.
We will be somthing like a 7-point favorite at home. We need to win this game to be 3 and 0 going to Baton Rouge.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
The 2013 Arkansas State Game
Gus Malzahn faces the team he coached a year ago. That was a good Arkansas State team a year ago, and this team may be good also. They belted poor Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week. Arkansas State is supposed to a big running team. This is supposed to be a different challenge from last week's pass happy Washington State team. The Tigers beat WSU 31 to 24 last week. Auburn is something like an 11 point favorite at home with a 6:30 kickoff. Before the game Stan White says we need good linebacker play and we can't let the Red Wolves have long drives. The offense needs to continue to evolve and improve with improved passing from Marshall and no dropped passes please!
FIRST QUARTER
Auburn receives to start the game.
Bray returns to the AU 33. Good return.
The Tigers move to a first down at the Red Wolf 28 thanks to a long pass completion to Trovon Reed.
First down at the 12.
From the 12 Mason sweeps right end for the TD but holding is called.
Now a false start. We are back to the 25.
The score comes from the 18 from Marshall to freshman Marcus Davis in the end zone, his first catch!
Great opening drive by the Auburn Tigers. For one we score first.
Auburn 7 Arkansas State 0
ASU starts from their 25.
First down at the 36.
First down at the Red Wolf 48.
Converting 3 straight third downs, there is a first down at the AU 34.
A pass completion moves the all to the AU 17.
4th and 10 at the 17.
The 34-yd. FG is good.
Auburn 7 Arkansas State 3
Mason runs the KO back to the 28 but there is a holding call.
The Tigers start at the 15.
The Auburn Tigers drive IMPRESSIVELY for the touchdown.
Nick Marshall makes two impressive runs.
The scores comes off the speed sweep for 17 yards by Corey Grant.
Grant turns the corner and virtually waltzes into the end zone.
That was a terrific balanced 85-yrd touchdown drive.
Auburn 14 Arkansas State 3
Quentin Riggins says "what a difference a week makes. Our defense is smooth so far tonight."
The Arkansans start at their 25 the return starting 9 yards deep in the end zone.
ASU drives to the AU 21 but our defense holds on 4th and 1. Great job stuffing David Oku.
3rd and 13 for the Tigers. The quarter ends with AU facing a 4th and 1 after a 12-yd. run by Tre Mason.
SECOND QUARTER
Auburn punts to the Red Wolf 20 after a 50-yd. punt.
The Red Wolves drive to the AU 45
We are stopping their runs but giving up passes.
10:45 to go in the half.
The Tigers hold on 4th and 5 at the AU 25!
We go 3 and out and have to punt from the 32.
There is a terrible 25-yd. punt by Stephen Clark.
The Red Wolves get the ball back quickly at their 43. What a poor punt by Clark. No reason for that.
ASU trails but is dominating time of possession. AU has been rotating a lot of defensive players.
Our starting offensive rhythm is gone. Our defense so far has stopped them when it had to.
14 to 3 with 6 minutes and something left. But ASU has moved the ball between the 20's.
Our offense has to get going again.
Our DBs are playing tighter this year. Stan White likes this.
The Red Wolves drive but once again our defense really stiffens. Truly our defense has given up yards but when crunch time comes they rise up.
They punt into the end zone. AU starts at the 20 with 3 minutes plus left.
Lightening strikes as Marshall hits Sammie Coates in stride for a 68-yd. TD pass!!!
Wow oh wow! Great play action and great throw by Nick Marshall.
Auburn 21 Arkansas State 3
Parkey kicks off thru the uprights.
With 1:35 ASU has to punt on 4th and 5.
Chris Davis returns the punt to midfield but there is a holding call.
Au has start on the 6.
The Tigers punch it out to the 40 before a holding penalty moves it back as the first half ends.
We have to be pleased with the first half with Auburn leading 21 to 3, the offense showing signs of balance, and the defense rising up when it had to. Let's hope it continues in the second half.
THIRD QUARTER
Having won the toss and deferred, the Red Wolves get the ball to start the second half.
The visitors start on the 12 after another 15-yd. penalty for not wearing white.
The Wolves are quickly across midfield.
The Wolves are at the AU 28.
The Wolves are at the AU 12.
The Wolves are inside the AU 5.
Our defense stiffens again but gives up the short FG.
Auburn 21 Arkansas State 6
The Red Wolves took it to our defense to start the second half. We can't have this the rest of the game.
A bend but not break defense has sufficed so far but this game is far from over.
Touchback. Auburn starts at the 25.
Marshall drops the ball at the 17 and ASU recovers.
Oh my. This is a disastrous start to the second half.
ASU is set to tighten this game.
Our defense stiffens again but gives up the FG as we push them back for a 42-yarder.
Auburn 21 Arkansas State 9
After one first down we have to punt from our 39. Marshall misses a wide-open Uzomah. Fair catch at the 24 with 5:40 to go in the quarter. This is not going well in the second half. Our offense is sputtering.
3 and out as we push them back after a big sack on 3rd down.
Bad punt and we get the ball on the AU 46.
Hard running to a first down at the 10 and Mason runs it in from there!! Now THAT was a great drive running between the tackles.
This is the kind of drive we needed to give the offense its swagger back and rest our defense.
Auburn 28 Arkansas State 9
The Red Wolves start at their 11 as Oku runs it out from deep in the end zone.
The Red Wolves cross midfield as the quarter ends helped by a 15-yd. penalty and ejection on Frost.
FOURTH QUARTER
Once again our defense holds and ASU punts into the end zone.
It is amazing from what heard about this offense that the Red Wolves have yet to cross the goal line.
13:58 to go.
We move the ball smartly down he field but have to settle for a 35-yd. FG. That's okay.
Auburn 31 Arkansas State 9
The Tigers take over on downs after the Wolves fail on 4th down at the Auburn 42.
We three and out as a blatant interference is not called on Ricardo Louis. That was a horrible missed call.
The Wolves start on their 20 after the punt into the end zone.
Carl Lawson puts a hit on their QB, he fumbles, and AU recovers at the Auburn 45.
Wallace is in at quarterback.
Cameron Artis-Pakyne runs it in from the 11.
Auburn dominates this football game.
Our opponents have yet to cross the goal line with 1:43 to go.
Auburn 38 Arkansas State 9
The game ends with the Wolves running out the clock still not finding the end zone.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 38 Arkansas State 9
You have to be happy about this game. This team certainly improved on both sides of the ball. The offense found some rhythm but the biggest credit should go to the defense. The only major negative I see is 81 yards in penalities with the usual calls that go against us while the other guys get away with stuff.
FIRST QUARTER
Auburn receives to start the game.
Bray returns to the AU 33. Good return.
The Tigers move to a first down at the Red Wolf 28 thanks to a long pass completion to Trovon Reed.
First down at the 12.
From the 12 Mason sweeps right end for the TD but holding is called.
Now a false start. We are back to the 25.
The score comes from the 18 from Marshall to freshman Marcus Davis in the end zone, his first catch!
Great opening drive by the Auburn Tigers. For one we score first.
Auburn 7 Arkansas State 0
ASU starts from their 25.
First down at the 36.
First down at the Red Wolf 48.
Converting 3 straight third downs, there is a first down at the AU 34.
A pass completion moves the all to the AU 17.
4th and 10 at the 17.
The 34-yd. FG is good.
Auburn 7 Arkansas State 3
Mason runs the KO back to the 28 but there is a holding call.
The Tigers start at the 15.
The Auburn Tigers drive IMPRESSIVELY for the touchdown.
Nick Marshall makes two impressive runs.
The scores comes off the speed sweep for 17 yards by Corey Grant.
Grant turns the corner and virtually waltzes into the end zone.
That was a terrific balanced 85-yrd touchdown drive.
Auburn 14 Arkansas State 3
Quentin Riggins says "what a difference a week makes. Our defense is smooth so far tonight."
The Arkansans start at their 25 the return starting 9 yards deep in the end zone.
ASU drives to the AU 21 but our defense holds on 4th and 1. Great job stuffing David Oku.
3rd and 13 for the Tigers. The quarter ends with AU facing a 4th and 1 after a 12-yd. run by Tre Mason.
SECOND QUARTER
Auburn punts to the Red Wolf 20 after a 50-yd. punt.
The Red Wolves drive to the AU 45
We are stopping their runs but giving up passes.
10:45 to go in the half.
The Tigers hold on 4th and 5 at the AU 25!
We go 3 and out and have to punt from the 32.
There is a terrible 25-yd. punt by Stephen Clark.
The Red Wolves get the ball back quickly at their 43. What a poor punt by Clark. No reason for that.
ASU trails but is dominating time of possession. AU has been rotating a lot of defensive players.
Our starting offensive rhythm is gone. Our defense so far has stopped them when it had to.
14 to 3 with 6 minutes and something left. But ASU has moved the ball between the 20's.
Our offense has to get going again.
Our DBs are playing tighter this year. Stan White likes this.
The Red Wolves drive but once again our defense really stiffens. Truly our defense has given up yards but when crunch time comes they rise up.
They punt into the end zone. AU starts at the 20 with 3 minutes plus left.
Lightening strikes as Marshall hits Sammie Coates in stride for a 68-yd. TD pass!!!
Wow oh wow! Great play action and great throw by Nick Marshall.
Auburn 21 Arkansas State 3
Parkey kicks off thru the uprights.
With 1:35 ASU has to punt on 4th and 5.
Chris Davis returns the punt to midfield but there is a holding call.
Au has start on the 6.
The Tigers punch it out to the 40 before a holding penalty moves it back as the first half ends.
We have to be pleased with the first half with Auburn leading 21 to 3, the offense showing signs of balance, and the defense rising up when it had to. Let's hope it continues in the second half.
THIRD QUARTER
Having won the toss and deferred, the Red Wolves get the ball to start the second half.
The visitors start on the 12 after another 15-yd. penalty for not wearing white.
The Wolves are quickly across midfield.
The Wolves are at the AU 28.
The Wolves are at the AU 12.
The Wolves are inside the AU 5.
Our defense stiffens again but gives up the short FG.
Auburn 21 Arkansas State 6
The Red Wolves took it to our defense to start the second half. We can't have this the rest of the game.
A bend but not break defense has sufficed so far but this game is far from over.
Touchback. Auburn starts at the 25.
Marshall drops the ball at the 17 and ASU recovers.
Oh my. This is a disastrous start to the second half.
ASU is set to tighten this game.
Our defense stiffens again but gives up the FG as we push them back for a 42-yarder.
Auburn 21 Arkansas State 9
After one first down we have to punt from our 39. Marshall misses a wide-open Uzomah. Fair catch at the 24 with 5:40 to go in the quarter. This is not going well in the second half. Our offense is sputtering.
3 and out as we push them back after a big sack on 3rd down.
Bad punt and we get the ball on the AU 46.
Hard running to a first down at the 10 and Mason runs it in from there!! Now THAT was a great drive running between the tackles.
This is the kind of drive we needed to give the offense its swagger back and rest our defense.
Auburn 28 Arkansas State 9
The Red Wolves start at their 11 as Oku runs it out from deep in the end zone.
The Red Wolves cross midfield as the quarter ends helped by a 15-yd. penalty and ejection on Frost.
FOURTH QUARTER
Once again our defense holds and ASU punts into the end zone.
It is amazing from what heard about this offense that the Red Wolves have yet to cross the goal line.
13:58 to go.
We move the ball smartly down he field but have to settle for a 35-yd. FG. That's okay.
Auburn 31 Arkansas State 9
The Tigers take over on downs after the Wolves fail on 4th down at the Auburn 42.
We three and out as a blatant interference is not called on Ricardo Louis. That was a horrible missed call.
The Wolves start on their 20 after the punt into the end zone.
Carl Lawson puts a hit on their QB, he fumbles, and AU recovers at the Auburn 45.
Wallace is in at quarterback.
Cameron Artis-Pakyne runs it in from the 11.
Auburn dominates this football game.
Our opponents have yet to cross the goal line with 1:43 to go.
Auburn 38 Arkansas State 9
The game ends with the Wolves running out the clock still not finding the end zone.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 38 Arkansas State 9
You have to be happy about this game. This team certainly improved on both sides of the ball. The offense found some rhythm but the biggest credit should go to the defense. The only major negative I see is 81 yards in penalities with the usual calls that go against us while the other guys get away with stuff.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Auburn Talk
Driving thru Montgomery today affords the chance to listen to some Auburn talk on Montgomery radio. I hear that Nick Marshall is being brought along slowly and that he should be very good by the end of the year. He has to be relieved of the gunfighter mentality that he had last year in junior college. Montravius Adams is going to be a great defensive tackle. And really, the WSU game was about what we expected. They ran the ball on better than they should have. We'll have see how that gets fixed.
Monday, September 2, 2013
The Washington State Game - Postmortem
Auburn wins 31 to 24. I saw some good things. I saw some things this football team needs to improve on.
The defense is certainly improved. This will not be a dominating defense, but it will be better than last year and it will, I think, get better. Getting all hands on board will help.
The offense will improve. Our QB is going to have to improve his passing accuracy and our receivers are going to have to make catches. Marshall can run, he can make things happen, and he has a cannon for an arm. He just needs to hit open receivers.
Corey Grant will be exciting to watch. A freshman named Montravious Adams may be our best defensive tackle. I don't know whether he's that good or the others are not so good! Maybe some of both. Adams will be dominating before he's through at Auburn.
The defense is certainly improved. This will not be a dominating defense, but it will be better than last year and it will, I think, get better. Getting all hands on board will help.
The offense will improve. Our QB is going to have to improve his passing accuracy and our receivers are going to have to make catches. Marshall can run, he can make things happen, and he has a cannon for an arm. He just needs to hit open receivers.
Corey Grant will be exciting to watch. A freshman named Montravious Adams may be our best defensive tackle. I don't know whether he's that good or the others are not so good! Maybe some of both. Adams will be dominating before he's through at Auburn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)