For the first time this year Auburn will be an underdog next Saturday night in Oxford. The Rebels are minus 3. I kind of like playing as the underdog. We will be there to see it for ourselves.
Ole Miss lost to LSU so both teams are 6 & 1. Something will give Saturday night.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
The 2014 South Carolina Game
After a week off after the State loss the 5 and 1 Tigers face South Carolina at home on the SEC Network. Here we go with the last half the regular season. Auburn is something like a 19 point favorite. Auburn has yet to lose against Spurrier's Gamecocks.
FIRST QUARTER
The Gamecocks receive and drive 75 yards for the touchdown. The score comes on a 32 yard pass. This is not the start we wanted. USC moves the ball with short passes just like most teams do on our defense. I do not understand why our defense is good against the run but porous against the pass.
Auburn 0 South Carolina 7
From the 25 the Tigers have to punt from their 46.
The punt goes out of bounds at the Gamecock 26.
The Tigers don't look ready in this game. There is no intensity so far.
Quentin Riggins says we must get pressure on their QB with our front four.
South Carolina drives at will to the Auburn 10 before Cassanova McKinzy intercepts at the 8.
We sure needed that! The Tigers did get pressure on that play with Martravious Adams.
The Tigers march 92 yards for the tying score mixing the run and pass.
The score comes on a 3-yd. pass to Brandon Fulse.
THAT looked like the Gus Malzahn offense. That was great pace.
Auburn 7 South Carolina 7
The first quarter ends with USC facing 4th and 2 from their 33.
SECOND QUARTER
The Gamecocks go for it and on an an Auburn misalignment they are all the way to the Auburn 49.
The Gamecocks score on a 16 yard pass.
If it were not for the turnover Auburn would be in a world of trouble.
Their offense looks unstoppable by our inert defense. This game looks like big trouble.
So much for our defense improving from last year.
10 plays 75 yards.
Auburn 7 South Carolina 14
After a block in the back on the runback Auburn starts on their 7.
Just like the last possession the Tigers march smartly 93 yards for the tying score.
CAP barrels over from the 1 for the touchdown.
Roc Thomas and CAP do most of the damage. Nick Marshall is making smart reads.
At the moment with 8:19 to go in the half we are in a track meet.
Auburn 14 South Carolina 14
Whew!
South Carolina has had the ball three time. They have scored 2 TDs. We have stopped them with the interception at our 7 for our only stop.
Our defense is getting scorched with their passing.
After one first down the Gamecocks are punting.
Bray makes a great punt return BUT he fumbles at the Auburn 42 and they recover.
Boy, oh boy.
We hold them on third down but there is facemask call against us.
We are killing ourselves with mistakes.
Next play there is the TD pass on a wheel route of 27 yards.
Our defense should have been off the field twice but we fumble the punt and then give them a first down after holding them on third down with a discipline penalty and there is the touchdown pass.
Auburn 14 South Carolina 21
We gave them a touchdown on their last possession.
Can our offense respond once again? So far we cannot stop their offense and so our offense has to keep up.
The offense responses again as we drive 75 yards for the score. Nick Marshall keeps on a 37 yard scamper for the score. At least our running game is alive and well tonight.
Auburn 21 South Carolina 21
Our defense has to step up. Must step up for us to win this game.
The half ends with USC letting the clock run out.
Which side will make the best adjustments at the half?
South Carolina has dominated thru the air and Auburn has dominated on the ground.
Whew!
THIRD QUARTER
Corey Grant brings the kickoff out of the end zone and is dropped at the 12, but not to worry.
The Tigers march smartly down the 88 yards in 13 plays for the touchdown. Our run game is in high gear.
We do not have to throw the ball.
Marshall walks in from the 5 for the score.
Auburn leads for the first time in this football game.
Auburn 28 South Carolina 21
What will our defense do this half?
The Gamecocks score quickly with a long pass from around midfield. 51 yard completion.
Our defense simply has no answer for their passing. Spurrier is calling the right plays time after time.
First USC possession is our same old first half defense.
5 plays 72 yards.
Auburn 28 South Carolina 28
BOOM!
First play Ricardo Louis sweeps 75 yards around left end for the touchdown.
A one play drive. 11 seconds. Wow!
Auburn 35 South Carolina 28
We cannot stop their offense. They convert a 4th and 6 on their 35 and continue their march.
The TD pass comes from the 10.
Their offense is drilling our defense.
They are making our pass defense look silly. The Gamecocks make one pass play after another.
South Carolina has yet to punt in this game. They have scored every time except for the one turnover.
Auburn 35 South Carolina 35
South Carolina executes the onside kick. Our receiving team is not ready.
Auburn challenges the call but to no avail. The replay shows that USC did not touch the ball before it went 10 yards.
We are in trouble now. USC is taking to Auburn.
South Carolina can take the lead now starting from their 45.
USC gets a first down when a takedown on an Auburn player is not called.
Our crowd boos lustily.
The quarter ends with the Gamecocks driving.
FOURTH QUARTER
As the final quarter begins I would say that Auburn is in deep trouble.
The team that has the ball last may win this game.
This is NOT the type of game that I like.
Our defense has yet to show up.
The Gamecocks are calling and executing all of the right plays.
We surrender the initiative by giving up the onside kick.
On 2nd and 8 from the 18 Jones intercepts in the end zone!
There is the turnover we needed.
Auburn needed a turnover in the WORST way and we finally get it.
We had pressure finally on that play and that was what did it.
The TIGERS march 80 yards quickly for the touchdown.
Marshall strolls in from the 9 for the go-ahead score.
Nick Marshall is a wonder to watch when he is on his game. That was a great fake on the scoring run, faking to Thomas and keeping the rock.
Auburn 42 South Carolina 35
This game is far from over early in the 4th quarter.
The visitors move the ball down the field on the way converting a 4th and 7 from their 35.
They are now 5 for 5 on 4th down conversions.
I've never seen anything like this. Their offense plays with total confidence.
The Tigers are victimized by a terrible interference call in the end zone. The pass was clearly uncatchable.
USC is on the Auburn 15 first down.
USC moves to 4th and 14 needing the 5 yard line for the first.
The pass in the end zone is incomplete.
Big mistake by Spurrier. Why not the field goal???
Spurrier gets greedy and pays for it.
We have the ball back on our 19.
We move out to midfield but with 1:18 to go we have to punt.
Oh, my, is this nerve-racking or what?
With 1:08 left USC starts on their 15 after a good punt.
On the next to the last play of the game the Gamecocks gets another gift from the refs with a call of hands in the face or something like that which gives them a chance at the Hail Mary from our 41. The ball hangs up in the air in the end zone and we get the interception on the last play of the game.
Whew!
We beat South Carolina 42 to 35. LSU beat Ole Miss 10 to 7.
Next Saturday night in Oxford somebody will be eliminated in the SEC race.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 42 South Carolina 35
FIRST QUARTER
The Gamecocks receive and drive 75 yards for the touchdown. The score comes on a 32 yard pass. This is not the start we wanted. USC moves the ball with short passes just like most teams do on our defense. I do not understand why our defense is good against the run but porous against the pass.
Auburn 0 South Carolina 7
From the 25 the Tigers have to punt from their 46.
The punt goes out of bounds at the Gamecock 26.
The Tigers don't look ready in this game. There is no intensity so far.
Quentin Riggins says we must get pressure on their QB with our front four.
South Carolina drives at will to the Auburn 10 before Cassanova McKinzy intercepts at the 8.
We sure needed that! The Tigers did get pressure on that play with Martravious Adams.
The Tigers march 92 yards for the tying score mixing the run and pass.
The score comes on a 3-yd. pass to Brandon Fulse.
THAT looked like the Gus Malzahn offense. That was great pace.
Auburn 7 South Carolina 7
The first quarter ends with USC facing 4th and 2 from their 33.
SECOND QUARTER
The Gamecocks go for it and on an an Auburn misalignment they are all the way to the Auburn 49.
The Gamecocks score on a 16 yard pass.
If it were not for the turnover Auburn would be in a world of trouble.
Their offense looks unstoppable by our inert defense. This game looks like big trouble.
So much for our defense improving from last year.
10 plays 75 yards.
Auburn 7 South Carolina 14
After a block in the back on the runback Auburn starts on their 7.
Just like the last possession the Tigers march smartly 93 yards for the tying score.
CAP barrels over from the 1 for the touchdown.
Roc Thomas and CAP do most of the damage. Nick Marshall is making smart reads.
At the moment with 8:19 to go in the half we are in a track meet.
Auburn 14 South Carolina 14
Whew!
South Carolina has had the ball three time. They have scored 2 TDs. We have stopped them with the interception at our 7 for our only stop.
Our defense is getting scorched with their passing.
After one first down the Gamecocks are punting.
Bray makes a great punt return BUT he fumbles at the Auburn 42 and they recover.
Boy, oh boy.
We hold them on third down but there is facemask call against us.
We are killing ourselves with mistakes.
Next play there is the TD pass on a wheel route of 27 yards.
Our defense should have been off the field twice but we fumble the punt and then give them a first down after holding them on third down with a discipline penalty and there is the touchdown pass.
Auburn 14 South Carolina 21
We gave them a touchdown on their last possession.
Can our offense respond once again? So far we cannot stop their offense and so our offense has to keep up.
The offense responses again as we drive 75 yards for the score. Nick Marshall keeps on a 37 yard scamper for the score. At least our running game is alive and well tonight.
Auburn 21 South Carolina 21
Our defense has to step up. Must step up for us to win this game.
The half ends with USC letting the clock run out.
Which side will make the best adjustments at the half?
South Carolina has dominated thru the air and Auburn has dominated on the ground.
Whew!
THIRD QUARTER
Corey Grant brings the kickoff out of the end zone and is dropped at the 12, but not to worry.
The Tigers march smartly down the 88 yards in 13 plays for the touchdown. Our run game is in high gear.
We do not have to throw the ball.
Marshall walks in from the 5 for the score.
Auburn leads for the first time in this football game.
Auburn 28 South Carolina 21
What will our defense do this half?
The Gamecocks score quickly with a long pass from around midfield. 51 yard completion.
Our defense simply has no answer for their passing. Spurrier is calling the right plays time after time.
First USC possession is our same old first half defense.
5 plays 72 yards.
Auburn 28 South Carolina 28
BOOM!
First play Ricardo Louis sweeps 75 yards around left end for the touchdown.
A one play drive. 11 seconds. Wow!
Auburn 35 South Carolina 28
We cannot stop their offense. They convert a 4th and 6 on their 35 and continue their march.
The TD pass comes from the 10.
Their offense is drilling our defense.
They are making our pass defense look silly. The Gamecocks make one pass play after another.
South Carolina has yet to punt in this game. They have scored every time except for the one turnover.
Auburn 35 South Carolina 35
South Carolina executes the onside kick. Our receiving team is not ready.
Auburn challenges the call but to no avail. The replay shows that USC did not touch the ball before it went 10 yards.
We are in trouble now. USC is taking to Auburn.
South Carolina can take the lead now starting from their 45.
USC gets a first down when a takedown on an Auburn player is not called.
Our crowd boos lustily.
The quarter ends with the Gamecocks driving.
FOURTH QUARTER
As the final quarter begins I would say that Auburn is in deep trouble.
The team that has the ball last may win this game.
This is NOT the type of game that I like.
Our defense has yet to show up.
The Gamecocks are calling and executing all of the right plays.
We surrender the initiative by giving up the onside kick.
On 2nd and 8 from the 18 Jones intercepts in the end zone!
There is the turnover we needed.
Auburn needed a turnover in the WORST way and we finally get it.
We had pressure finally on that play and that was what did it.
The TIGERS march 80 yards quickly for the touchdown.
Marshall strolls in from the 9 for the go-ahead score.
Nick Marshall is a wonder to watch when he is on his game. That was a great fake on the scoring run, faking to Thomas and keeping the rock.
Auburn 42 South Carolina 35
This game is far from over early in the 4th quarter.
The visitors move the ball down the field on the way converting a 4th and 7 from their 35.
They are now 5 for 5 on 4th down conversions.
I've never seen anything like this. Their offense plays with total confidence.
The Tigers are victimized by a terrible interference call in the end zone. The pass was clearly uncatchable.
USC is on the Auburn 15 first down.
USC moves to 4th and 14 needing the 5 yard line for the first.
The pass in the end zone is incomplete.
Big mistake by Spurrier. Why not the field goal???
Spurrier gets greedy and pays for it.
We have the ball back on our 19.
We move out to midfield but with 1:18 to go we have to punt.
Oh, my, is this nerve-racking or what?
With 1:08 left USC starts on their 15 after a good punt.
On the next to the last play of the game the Gamecocks gets another gift from the refs with a call of hands in the face or something like that which gives them a chance at the Hail Mary from our 41. The ball hangs up in the air in the end zone and we get the interception on the last play of the game.
Whew!
We beat South Carolina 42 to 35. LSU beat Ole Miss 10 to 7.
Next Saturday night in Oxford somebody will be eliminated in the SEC race.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 42 South Carolina 35
Friday, October 24, 2014
Tim Hudson Ready for World Series Debut at age 39 on Friday Night
Although I am pulling for the Royals to win the World Series, I am proud of Tim Hudson. He makes his first World Series start tonight. He has the most career victories of any active pitcher in MLB and, until this season, had 15 consecutive winning seasons. I hope Hudson wins tonight, then the Royals take the series.
BY Mark Inabinett
24 October 2014
Tim Hudson expects to be calm when he takes the ball on Friday night for the San Francisco Giants in Game 3 of the World Series against the Kansas City Royals. But he was anything but calm when the Giants secured their World Series spot, sending Hudson to the Fall Classic for the first time after 16 Major League seasons.
"I was beside myself," Hudson said of his feelings when San Francisco eliminated the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. "I had emotions going through my body that I never knew could happen."
The former Auburn star wasn't the only one.
"I've never seen my wife cry so hard in her life," Hudson said of his wife, Kim. "It was awesome. A lot of tears of joy for me and her."
The Giants and the Royals meet with the best-of-seven series tied 1-1. Game 3 starts at 7 p.m. CDT Friday on FOX.
"I feel like things will just fall into place when I get out there,'' Hudson said. "I can't wait. There won't be a person on the field more ready to get the game going than me, I can tell you that."
At 39, Hudson will become the third-oldest pitcher to make his first World Series start. He had played on six teams eliminated in their first round of the baseball playoffs before advancing through the wild-card game, the Division Series and the NLCS with the Giants this season. No player has ever gone more than six postseasons from the start of his career without winning at least one playoff series.
"Obviously, this is something I've never had to deal with at this point in my career," Hudson said at a press conference on Thursday. "It's something that I've always looked forward to. I've always hoped and dreamed that this opportunity would happen for me, and here I am on the eve of, obviously, the biggest game I've ever pitched. ...
"Early on, it wasn't quite as frustrating because I thought that I'd be there every year. I thought I'd have an opportunity every year to get to the playoffs and have a chance to win. But as you start playing with some teams and you have that playoff drought of a few years in a row, you start realizing how hard it is to get here every year and how hard it is to compete against a lot of teams in baseball. So that's when it started becoming a little bit more, a little frustrated. One day, you see this window starting to gradually shrink throughout your career. It was 16 years without getting to the World Series. Was a long time. I played with a lot of guys throughout my career that had not only gotten to the World Series but have won rings, and I'm really happy for those guys, but at the same time I'm really jealous."
Hudson's 2013 season with the Atlanta Braves ended early when he broke his right ankle in July covering first base. He signed a two-year contract with the Giants during the offseason, and he finished as the runner-up to the Miami Marlins' Casey McGehee for The Sporting News National League Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Hudson went to the All-Star Game for the fourth time in his career, but a sore hip bothered him in the second half of the season. The Majors' active leader with 214 career pitching victories, Hudson finished the 2014 season at 9-13 with a 3.57 earned-run average. It broke a streak of 15 consecutive seasons with a winning record, tied with Pedro Martinez and Cy Young for the second-longest in history behind Grover Cleveland Alexander's 19 in a row.
Hudson bounced back from his second-half slump in the postseason. He pitched 14 innings in two extra-inning victories by the Giants, striking out 13 without walking a batter.
As happy as Hudson is to reach the World Series for the first time, his teammates have seemed just as glad to have helped him get there.
"He's a big key to our identity, especially for a guy who just came in this year," two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum said. "It just kind of fell into place. He quickly picked up on who we were as the Giants. He fit in really well here. He's a guy who's going to tell you what's on his mind. He's going to give it to you real, and that's what you need in a clubhouse."
Hudson led Glenwood School in Phenix City to the AISA baseball title in 1993, Chattahoochee Valley to the AJCCC Division II championship in 1994 and Auburn to the College World Series in 1997. At Auburn, he became the first player to be selected All-SEC at two positions in same season as a pitcher and an outfielder. Hudson's 95 RBIs in 1997 still rank second on Auburn's single-season list, and he had a 20-5 pitching mark in two seasons on the Plains.
In addition to his drive to get to the World Series this season, Hudson has been trying to turn teammate Jake Peavy from an Alabama fan into an Auburn supporter. Peavy had planned to attend Auburn after earning the state's Class 4A Player of the Year Award at St. Paul's in 1999. Instead, he turned pro in the San Diego Padres organization.
"I'm Auburn, through and through," Hudson told espn.com. "Jake's an Alabama fan, but he's not the typical fan who bleeds (crimson). I'm trying to convert him. He signed with Auburn, so the door is cracked."
Peavy is about six years younger than Hudson.
"When I was getting ready to go to college, Timmy Hudson was a huge part of me wanting to go to Auburn," Peavy said. "He was a guy I looked up to and wanted to be like. I was even a little jealous when he got to pitch in Atlanta, so close to our home. It's funny to think that after all those years, we have a chance to share this and we're locker mates now. It's been a really cool friendship."
BY Mark Inabinett
24 October 2014
Tim Hudson expects to be calm when he takes the ball on Friday night for the San Francisco Giants in Game 3 of the World Series against the Kansas City Royals. But he was anything but calm when the Giants secured their World Series spot, sending Hudson to the Fall Classic for the first time after 16 Major League seasons.
"I was beside myself," Hudson said of his feelings when San Francisco eliminated the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. "I had emotions going through my body that I never knew could happen."
The former Auburn star wasn't the only one.
"I've never seen my wife cry so hard in her life," Hudson said of his wife, Kim. "It was awesome. A lot of tears of joy for me and her."
The Giants and the Royals meet with the best-of-seven series tied 1-1. Game 3 starts at 7 p.m. CDT Friday on FOX.
"I feel like things will just fall into place when I get out there,'' Hudson said. "I can't wait. There won't be a person on the field more ready to get the game going than me, I can tell you that."
At 39, Hudson will become the third-oldest pitcher to make his first World Series start. He had played on six teams eliminated in their first round of the baseball playoffs before advancing through the wild-card game, the Division Series and the NLCS with the Giants this season. No player has ever gone more than six postseasons from the start of his career without winning at least one playoff series.
"Obviously, this is something I've never had to deal with at this point in my career," Hudson said at a press conference on Thursday. "It's something that I've always looked forward to. I've always hoped and dreamed that this opportunity would happen for me, and here I am on the eve of, obviously, the biggest game I've ever pitched. ...
"Early on, it wasn't quite as frustrating because I thought that I'd be there every year. I thought I'd have an opportunity every year to get to the playoffs and have a chance to win. But as you start playing with some teams and you have that playoff drought of a few years in a row, you start realizing how hard it is to get here every year and how hard it is to compete against a lot of teams in baseball. So that's when it started becoming a little bit more, a little frustrated. One day, you see this window starting to gradually shrink throughout your career. It was 16 years without getting to the World Series. Was a long time. I played with a lot of guys throughout my career that had not only gotten to the World Series but have won rings, and I'm really happy for those guys, but at the same time I'm really jealous."
Hudson's 2013 season with the Atlanta Braves ended early when he broke his right ankle in July covering first base. He signed a two-year contract with the Giants during the offseason, and he finished as the runner-up to the Miami Marlins' Casey McGehee for The Sporting News National League Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Hudson went to the All-Star Game for the fourth time in his career, but a sore hip bothered him in the second half of the season. The Majors' active leader with 214 career pitching victories, Hudson finished the 2014 season at 9-13 with a 3.57 earned-run average. It broke a streak of 15 consecutive seasons with a winning record, tied with Pedro Martinez and Cy Young for the second-longest in history behind Grover Cleveland Alexander's 19 in a row.
Hudson bounced back from his second-half slump in the postseason. He pitched 14 innings in two extra-inning victories by the Giants, striking out 13 without walking a batter.
As happy as Hudson is to reach the World Series for the first time, his teammates have seemed just as glad to have helped him get there.
"He's a big key to our identity, especially for a guy who just came in this year," two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum said. "It just kind of fell into place. He quickly picked up on who we were as the Giants. He fit in really well here. He's a guy who's going to tell you what's on his mind. He's going to give it to you real, and that's what you need in a clubhouse."
Hudson led Glenwood School in Phenix City to the AISA baseball title in 1993, Chattahoochee Valley to the AJCCC Division II championship in 1994 and Auburn to the College World Series in 1997. At Auburn, he became the first player to be selected All-SEC at two positions in same season as a pitcher and an outfielder. Hudson's 95 RBIs in 1997 still rank second on Auburn's single-season list, and he had a 20-5 pitching mark in two seasons on the Plains.
In addition to his drive to get to the World Series this season, Hudson has been trying to turn teammate Jake Peavy from an Alabama fan into an Auburn supporter. Peavy had planned to attend Auburn after earning the state's Class 4A Player of the Year Award at St. Paul's in 1999. Instead, he turned pro in the San Diego Padres organization.
"I'm Auburn, through and through," Hudson told espn.com. "Jake's an Alabama fan, but he's not the typical fan who bleeds (crimson). I'm trying to convert him. He signed with Auburn, so the door is cracked."
Peavy is about six years younger than Hudson.
"When I was getting ready to go to college, Timmy Hudson was a huge part of me wanting to go to Auburn," Peavy said. "He was a guy I looked up to and wanted to be like. I was even a little jealous when he got to pitch in Atlanta, so close to our home. It's funny to think that after all those years, we have a chance to share this and we're locker mates now. It's been a really cool friendship."
Thursday, October 23, 2014
The Stretch Run
After an off-week Saturday begins our stretch run with the treacherous last 6 games starting with South Carolina. The Gamecocks have been disappointing so far but this is Spurrier's team and Auburn needs to play well and turn up the intensity. We shall what happens.
Buddy McClinton
Buddy McClinton is the person who gave us those Florida tickets in 1994.
Former Auburn defensive back Buddy McClinton, a three-time All-American, has
made the College Football Hall of Fame ballot, which was released by the
National Football Foundation on Wednesday.
McClinton was a consensus first-team All-American in 1969. He is Auburn’s all-time leader in interceptions in a season (nine, 1969) and career (18). The 18 picks also set a Southeastern Conference record.
McClinton, who was born in Montgomery, Ala., was the 1968 Sun Bowl Most Valuable Player.
He is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
Auburn great McClinton on College Football HOF ballot
McClinton was a consensus first-team All-American in 1969. He is Auburn’s all-time leader in interceptions in a season (nine, 1969) and career (18). The 18 picks also set a Southeastern Conference record.
McClinton, who was born in Montgomery, Ala., was the 1968 Sun Bowl Most Valuable Player.
He is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
After Mississippi State
After losing to State the positive is that this team can still win the rest of them. The negative is that we could still lose more games. We're in the same position we were in last year with one loss. I am a firm believer that each season stands on its own and this same position situation has no real meaning. After an off week we entertain Spurrier's bunch. Time will tell what happens after the State loss. The Bulldogs are ranked #1 for the first time in their history. Bully for them!
Saturday, October 11, 2014
2014 Mississippi State
Does it get any bigger than this vs. MSU? I think not. Both teams are 5 and 0. Auburn is ranked#2 and State is ranked #3 in the country. The winner could vault to #1. State is good, a very good football team. Auburn will have to play well today in Starkville to win this game which is a 2:30 kickoff on CBS.
FIRST QUARTER
Before the game starts I can hear the cowbells in the background as our announcers talk.
AU wins the toss and defers so State receives.
State starts at the 25 as the kickoff goes thru the end zone.
The Bulldogs go three and out as our defense starts strong.
Bray fair catches at the Auburn 34 with an additional 5 yards due to a motion penalty.
On the first play the pass is tipped at the line and State intercepts with the ball at the 35.
On 3rd and 11 with strong Auburn pressure there is the 34-yd. touchdown pass. Good defense. We blitz and don't quite get to the QB before he is able to release the ball.
Auburn 0 State 7
So State converts the turnover into 7. On that interception Williams was wide open but the ball was deflected at the line.
There is another turnover on the first play from scrimmage as our receiver catches the ball but fumbles. It was a bang bang play that is not reviewed. State is on the Auburn 32.
We are off to a tough start in this football game.
On third and 5 there is a complete pass to the 2. We leave a wideout uncovered. Touchdown on the first rush from there.
This team has to collect itself. We give up 2 quick touchdowns on turnover.
The bleeding has to stop now.
Auburn 0 State 14
Two Auburn possessions. Two quick turnovers on two plays from scrimmage that turn into scores. This has to stop.
We are told that Auburn doesn't get rattled. Now we shall really see if this is true.
After one first down we get a pass to Duke into State territory but the play is negated by a holding penalty. Everything is going against us. We end up punting to the State 29. What else can go wrong? I still think we are in this game but our defense needs a stop.
State drives down the field for another score. They are out-executing Auburn. There is a bad call on Trovon Reed in end zone that puts the ball on the 2 yard line.
Two turnovers and penalities are killing us. We are still in this game. I still believe this. We are still in the middle of the first quarter.
Auburn 0 State 21
Our offense can come back from this and our defense can get it together. This game is not over.
The good news is that our offense finally moves the ball to a first down at the State 11 BUT Carlson misses the easy field goal attempt. What else can go wrong? This is unbelievable. I cannot believe what I am seeing. Carlson hooks it bad left.
Finally our defense holds State to a 3 and out.
EXCEPT that amazingly State fakes the punt and Auburn intercepts at the State 36. Why did Mullen do such a dumb thing.
There is a complete pass to Duke to about the 11, but we move to a 3rd down at the 5. We keep running CAP up the middle and it doesn't work until maybe the fourth quarter.
We move to 4th down at the four as the quarter ends.
State has dominated. We needed a TD here but it looks like we will settle for another field goal attempt.
SECOND QUARTER
If we end up winning this football game we will have overcome incredible adversity.
At least Carlson makes the short field goal. We have to claw our way back Stan White says.
Auburn 3 State 21
On the second play after they start at their 25 from the State 31 Jonathan Jones intercepts!
Our offense is in business again. It's time to find the end zone.
From the State 46 we move to a first down to the 7.
On third and five we get a TD pass but Coates stepped out of bounds in the end zone and came back in to make the catch. We have to settle for the FG attempt and it's good.
Auburn 6 State 21
From their 25 State marches right down the field. We cannot stop them.
From the AU 13 Jonathan Jones gets another pick in the end zone! Wow!
You talk about a key turnover. If we win this game we can look back to this State possession.
That's three State turnovers.
After one first down Auburn has to punt.
We have three turnovers but only 6 points to show for it.
State muffs the punt and Auburn recovers at the State 22. Come on, offense!
Marshall runs to the 11.
On third down from the 9 Marshall throws a bullet into the end zone to Duke. Finally we take advantage of a State turnover for 7. We are in this game to the end.
Auburn 13 State 21
5:26 to go in the half. State starts at their 25.c
State converts on a 3rd and 12 and then Prescott rambles to the Auburn 35. We have not been good on third downs. That third down completion was a killer. Timeout Auburn with State at the Auburn 35. We need another red zone stop.
There is a screen pass to the 16.
On third down Prescott runs up the middle untouched for the touchdown.
We had them stopped twice on this drive with third and long and we give up a first down and then a touchdown. Oh, my. Our defense plays well and then gives up big yardage on third down.
Auburn 13 State 28
The Tigers go three and out and with 3:09 left State will have another chance with the ball.
The punt goes to the 15 with 2:43 to go and State with all three timeouts left.
We cannot left them score here.
Prescott goes the 26 for a first down.
The rain is coming down in sheets.
The half ends with the rain ripping down and State letting the clock expire.
With everything that went against us in the first half we are still in this game. We get the ball coming out of the half. It's not over till it's over.
THIRD QUARTER
We receive and get a big 76 yard completion to Coates but Coates is called for offensive interference in one of the worst calls I have ever seen in my 40 plus years watching college football. Unbelievable. The so-called interference occurred at about the 30 but the ref didn't throw the flag until Coates was in side the 10 with the catch. Coach Malzahn rips the officials; that's all he can do. Calls like this do make you wonder.
We have to punt and hold the Bulldogs but they get a punt inside our one. I have never seen a team have as much bad luck as Auburn in this football game so far.
We get out to the 15 on an obvious pass interference call on Coates. Another first down to the 30.
The Tigers start a drive.
The Tigers march to the State 17.
Roc Thomas gains three.
Marshall hits Duke for the 16 yard touchdown pass. Great throw. Great stretch by Duke Williams.
That's a 99 yard drive. Our offense is back.
Auburn 20 State 28
After one first down with 4:43 to go in the quarter State punts.
Bray fair catches at the AU 20.
The Tigers move to the 47 but have to punt from there.
The punt is fair caught at the State 14.
After one first down Prescott is sacked on 3rd and 10.
Bray fair catches at the AU 36.
The third quarter clock winds down and Auburn faces 4th and 6 to start the final stanza.
How is this game going to end? I wish we had scored again before the end of the third.
FOURTH QUARTER
State starts on their 22 with 14:54 to go in this game.
The Bulldogs drive to the red zone and on a 4th and 8 get the benefit of ANOTHER bad interference call against from the same official who called the offensive interference on Coates. Unbelievable. It's hard to win against a good opponent on the road especially when you get robbed by bad officiating. The Bullies get the field goal
Auburn 20 State 31
Louis fumbles the kickoff and State recovers. The play is reviewed. Unfortunately the call is fumble and the ruling on the field is confirmed. On this day in this stadium we are not going to get any calls.
State punches it in. Turnovers and officiating have killed us.
Auburn 20 State 38
Both teams have turned the ball over, and State has taken advantage: 21 points off of turnovers.
The Tigers drive to a 42-yd. field goal. It's back to 2 score game with less than 9 minutes to go.
Auburn 23 State 38
Do we onside kick? No, we kick deep.
We get the ball back at our 30 with 4:56 to go.
We need to score in a hurry.
We get to the State 34 with a big run by CAP.
The Tigers drive to a first down to the Bulldog 11 but on the next play a tipped pass is intercepted.
We gave it a shot on that last possession but in the long view of this game the Tigers could not overcome the adversity of turnovers, bad calls, and last of success in the red zone. We lost 66 yards on that bogus call against Coates and the other kept State alive on a 4th and 8 that led to a touchdown.
It wasn't meant to be. It just wasn't meant to be today in Starkville, Mississippi.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 23 State 38
FIRST QUARTER
Before the game starts I can hear the cowbells in the background as our announcers talk.
AU wins the toss and defers so State receives.
State starts at the 25 as the kickoff goes thru the end zone.
The Bulldogs go three and out as our defense starts strong.
Bray fair catches at the Auburn 34 with an additional 5 yards due to a motion penalty.
On the first play the pass is tipped at the line and State intercepts with the ball at the 35.
On 3rd and 11 with strong Auburn pressure there is the 34-yd. touchdown pass. Good defense. We blitz and don't quite get to the QB before he is able to release the ball.
Auburn 0 State 7
So State converts the turnover into 7. On that interception Williams was wide open but the ball was deflected at the line.
There is another turnover on the first play from scrimmage as our receiver catches the ball but fumbles. It was a bang bang play that is not reviewed. State is on the Auburn 32.
We are off to a tough start in this football game.
On third and 5 there is a complete pass to the 2. We leave a wideout uncovered. Touchdown on the first rush from there.
This team has to collect itself. We give up 2 quick touchdowns on turnover.
The bleeding has to stop now.
Auburn 0 State 14
Two Auburn possessions. Two quick turnovers on two plays from scrimmage that turn into scores. This has to stop.
We are told that Auburn doesn't get rattled. Now we shall really see if this is true.
After one first down we get a pass to Duke into State territory but the play is negated by a holding penalty. Everything is going against us. We end up punting to the State 29. What else can go wrong? I still think we are in this game but our defense needs a stop.
State drives down the field for another score. They are out-executing Auburn. There is a bad call on Trovon Reed in end zone that puts the ball on the 2 yard line.
Two turnovers and penalities are killing us. We are still in this game. I still believe this. We are still in the middle of the first quarter.
Auburn 0 State 21
Our offense can come back from this and our defense can get it together. This game is not over.
The good news is that our offense finally moves the ball to a first down at the State 11 BUT Carlson misses the easy field goal attempt. What else can go wrong? This is unbelievable. I cannot believe what I am seeing. Carlson hooks it bad left.
Finally our defense holds State to a 3 and out.
EXCEPT that amazingly State fakes the punt and Auburn intercepts at the State 36. Why did Mullen do such a dumb thing.
There is a complete pass to Duke to about the 11, but we move to a 3rd down at the 5. We keep running CAP up the middle and it doesn't work until maybe the fourth quarter.
We move to 4th down at the four as the quarter ends.
State has dominated. We needed a TD here but it looks like we will settle for another field goal attempt.
SECOND QUARTER
If we end up winning this football game we will have overcome incredible adversity.
At least Carlson makes the short field goal. We have to claw our way back Stan White says.
Auburn 3 State 21
On the second play after they start at their 25 from the State 31 Jonathan Jones intercepts!
Our offense is in business again. It's time to find the end zone.
From the State 46 we move to a first down to the 7.
On third and five we get a TD pass but Coates stepped out of bounds in the end zone and came back in to make the catch. We have to settle for the FG attempt and it's good.
Auburn 6 State 21
From their 25 State marches right down the field. We cannot stop them.
From the AU 13 Jonathan Jones gets another pick in the end zone! Wow!
You talk about a key turnover. If we win this game we can look back to this State possession.
That's three State turnovers.
After one first down Auburn has to punt.
We have three turnovers but only 6 points to show for it.
State muffs the punt and Auburn recovers at the State 22. Come on, offense!
Marshall runs to the 11.
On third down from the 9 Marshall throws a bullet into the end zone to Duke. Finally we take advantage of a State turnover for 7. We are in this game to the end.
Auburn 13 State 21
5:26 to go in the half. State starts at their 25.c
State converts on a 3rd and 12 and then Prescott rambles to the Auburn 35. We have not been good on third downs. That third down completion was a killer. Timeout Auburn with State at the Auburn 35. We need another red zone stop.
There is a screen pass to the 16.
On third down Prescott runs up the middle untouched for the touchdown.
We had them stopped twice on this drive with third and long and we give up a first down and then a touchdown. Oh, my. Our defense plays well and then gives up big yardage on third down.
Auburn 13 State 28
The Tigers go three and out and with 3:09 left State will have another chance with the ball.
The punt goes to the 15 with 2:43 to go and State with all three timeouts left.
We cannot left them score here.
Prescott goes the 26 for a first down.
The rain is coming down in sheets.
The half ends with the rain ripping down and State letting the clock expire.
With everything that went against us in the first half we are still in this game. We get the ball coming out of the half. It's not over till it's over.
THIRD QUARTER
We receive and get a big 76 yard completion to Coates but Coates is called for offensive interference in one of the worst calls I have ever seen in my 40 plus years watching college football. Unbelievable. The so-called interference occurred at about the 30 but the ref didn't throw the flag until Coates was in side the 10 with the catch. Coach Malzahn rips the officials; that's all he can do. Calls like this do make you wonder.
We have to punt and hold the Bulldogs but they get a punt inside our one. I have never seen a team have as much bad luck as Auburn in this football game so far.
We get out to the 15 on an obvious pass interference call on Coates. Another first down to the 30.
The Tigers start a drive.
The Tigers march to the State 17.
Roc Thomas gains three.
Marshall hits Duke for the 16 yard touchdown pass. Great throw. Great stretch by Duke Williams.
That's a 99 yard drive. Our offense is back.
Auburn 20 State 28
After one first down with 4:43 to go in the quarter State punts.
Bray fair catches at the AU 20.
The Tigers move to the 47 but have to punt from there.
The punt is fair caught at the State 14.
After one first down Prescott is sacked on 3rd and 10.
Bray fair catches at the AU 36.
The third quarter clock winds down and Auburn faces 4th and 6 to start the final stanza.
How is this game going to end? I wish we had scored again before the end of the third.
FOURTH QUARTER
State starts on their 22 with 14:54 to go in this game.
The Bulldogs drive to the red zone and on a 4th and 8 get the benefit of ANOTHER bad interference call against from the same official who called the offensive interference on Coates. Unbelievable. It's hard to win against a good opponent on the road especially when you get robbed by bad officiating. The Bullies get the field goal
Auburn 20 State 31
Louis fumbles the kickoff and State recovers. The play is reviewed. Unfortunately the call is fumble and the ruling on the field is confirmed. On this day in this stadium we are not going to get any calls.
State punches it in. Turnovers and officiating have killed us.
Auburn 20 State 38
Both teams have turned the ball over, and State has taken advantage: 21 points off of turnovers.
The Tigers drive to a 42-yd. field goal. It's back to 2 score game with less than 9 minutes to go.
Auburn 23 State 38
Do we onside kick? No, we kick deep.
We get the ball back at our 30 with 4:56 to go.
We need to score in a hurry.
We get to the State 34 with a big run by CAP.
The Tigers drive to a first down to the Bulldog 11 but on the next play a tipped pass is intercepted.
We gave it a shot on that last possession but in the long view of this game the Tigers could not overcome the adversity of turnovers, bad calls, and last of success in the red zone. We lost 66 yards on that bogus call against Coates and the other kept State alive on a 4th and 8 that led to a touchdown.
It wasn't meant to be. It just wasn't meant to be today in Starkville, Mississippi.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 23 State 38
Friday, October 10, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Mississippi State
The epicenter of the college football world is in StarkVegas this Saturday. StarkVegas? Yes, believe it or not! What should we be thinking about this game? Here are my thoughts...
Mississippi State has a mediocre pass defense. I am glad that we had passing success against LSU. I expect that we will need to move through the air to score points this weekend. However, can we stop MSU from scoring? They put 48 points last Saturday on TAMU, albeit an average TAMU defense at best. The game could be a high scoring affair if our offense can start fast.
Gus said this week he hopes for a fast start against MSU. That is always what you want, but it may be particularly needed for this Auburn offense to be successful. We started slowly against KState and scored only 20. Auburn relies on tempo and rhythm, and starting fast is important to establishing that.
This is a big game for MSU. If they win, then they could be setup for the biggest season in Bulldog history. If they lose, then all of the excitement thus far will be for nothing. The pressure is on MSU more so than Auburn, to me. I said last week that I hope MSU beats TAMU because the Bulldogs are not used to the hype and spotlight of a #3 ranking. I hope that the added pressure of their highest ranking ever and Gameday on campus becomes too much.
Although the game is big for MSU, is the game big for Auburn? We are used to big games. We have been there. All games, especially SEC games, are big, but I think this game is big for MSU in a way that it is not for Auburn. How can MSU really be taken seriously by Auburn fans? It is still MSU. For MSU, Auburn is a behemoth, in the same way that we see Georgia or Alabama. For Auburn, however, MSU is more on par with Kentucky than a Georgia or Alabama.
What scares me most is MSU scoring points and the dual threat of Dak Prescott. Can we stop them?
To this point, Malzahn seems capable of designing an offense that can beat anybody. We have not seen him truly bumfuzzled yet. That gives us confidence. However, I said before KState that nobody can stop us, and we scored only 20. Hopefully, these words will not bite me.
Rumor is, Auburn fans will be bringing their own cowbells to StarkVegas. Is this a smart idea? I don't know.
Is it amazing that in 2008, these teams played a 3-2 game, and now the teams are ranked #3 and #2?
More thoughts to come...
Mississippi State has a mediocre pass defense. I am glad that we had passing success against LSU. I expect that we will need to move through the air to score points this weekend. However, can we stop MSU from scoring? They put 48 points last Saturday on TAMU, albeit an average TAMU defense at best. The game could be a high scoring affair if our offense can start fast.
Gus said this week he hopes for a fast start against MSU. That is always what you want, but it may be particularly needed for this Auburn offense to be successful. We started slowly against KState and scored only 20. Auburn relies on tempo and rhythm, and starting fast is important to establishing that.
This is a big game for MSU. If they win, then they could be setup for the biggest season in Bulldog history. If they lose, then all of the excitement thus far will be for nothing. The pressure is on MSU more so than Auburn, to me. I said last week that I hope MSU beats TAMU because the Bulldogs are not used to the hype and spotlight of a #3 ranking. I hope that the added pressure of their highest ranking ever and Gameday on campus becomes too much.
Although the game is big for MSU, is the game big for Auburn? We are used to big games. We have been there. All games, especially SEC games, are big, but I think this game is big for MSU in a way that it is not for Auburn. How can MSU really be taken seriously by Auburn fans? It is still MSU. For MSU, Auburn is a behemoth, in the same way that we see Georgia or Alabama. For Auburn, however, MSU is more on par with Kentucky than a Georgia or Alabama.
What scares me most is MSU scoring points and the dual threat of Dak Prescott. Can we stop them?
To this point, Malzahn seems capable of designing an offense that can beat anybody. We have not seen him truly bumfuzzled yet. That gives us confidence. However, I said before KState that nobody can stop us, and we scored only 20. Hopefully, these words will not bite me.
Rumor is, Auburn fans will be bringing their own cowbells to StarkVegas. Is this a smart idea? I don't know.
Is it amazing that in 2008, these teams played a 3-2 game, and now the teams are ranked #3 and #2?
More thoughts to come...
I Say
I do not know if we will beat Mississippi State or not, but IF we do, I say we will run the table. This is the biggest game of the year so far and then we have a week off to get ready for the second half of the season. The rest of the teams on our schedule are beatable. The schedule sets up nicely if we win on Saturday.
What I Can't Figure Out
All I read and hear is how great MSU is, and maybe they really are a great football team and maybe we'll get run over in Starkville. So why is Auburn a 2 or 3 point favorite?
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
My Top 4
Since everybody is naming their four playoff teams, I am joining the fray. This is my prediction of the top four at the end of the year, not who I think the playoff teams would be if the season ended today (in no special order).
1. Auburn
2. Florida State
3. Michigan State
4. Oklahoma
1. Auburn
2. Florida State
3. Michigan State
4. Oklahoma
2 vs. 3
The drama is building. Number 2 Auburn vs. Number 3 Mississippi State. The biggest game in Bulldog college football history. This may be MSU's date with destiny year. They are unlikely to ever have another year potentially like this one. We hope that Auburn will continue under Coach Malzahn to be at the top of college football year after year. This game should be something to watch.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Auburn Favored?
I see that Auburn is something like a 3-point favorite vs. MSU. We've heard so much about how good the Bulldogs are. How can this be? I mean to read about this team with their QB and their defense you'd think THEY would be favored by two touchdowns.
The Tigers are ranked second in all of the polls. FSU is still #1, but our team is getting some number one votes. State is tied with Ole Miss in one poll for third.
StarkVegas will be the place to be next Saturday!
The Tigers are ranked second in all of the polls. FSU is still #1, but our team is getting some number one votes. State is tied with Ole Miss in one poll for third.
StarkVegas will be the place to be next Saturday!
Sunday, October 5, 2014
LSU 2014
On this morning after we reflect in the aftermath of Auburn's rout of LSU in Jordan-Hare 41 to 7. I was worried about this game because, after all, it was LSU and they had beaten us 6 of the last 7. In retrospect there was no need to worry.
We were there to see our Tigers start fast with a 17 to 0 first quarter lead and a 24 to 7 lead at halftime. We cruise in the second half. The defense looked great. The offense was balanced. The defense held LSU 0 for 13 on third down. Most important things: the defense flexed its muscle. Our run defense is getting stout, and our pass defense is improving. McKinzy and Frost didn't start, but no matter. Nick Marshall had a great day passing. Sammie Coates came to life. It feels so great to thump LSU!
This sets up an amazing game next week. The country will looking at the Tigers going to StarkVegas. The Bullies ripped TAMU. We hit the daily double as Ole Miss beat the Updikes. What a weekend of college football!
Oregon lost. Oklahoma lost. Alabama lost. For what it's worth, Auburn will surely be ranked #2 in the polls. Next week's game against State could be the most decisive game of the year.
We get there early, visit with Ben in his apartment, then wander over to the Student Union for lunch and to watch the UAT/Ole Miss game. We leave for the stadium at the half of that game with Alabama leading 14 to 3. I never dreamed that the Rebels would roar back to win 23 to 17. I kept watching the score on inside the stadium and the AU crowd roared when the end of the game was shown on the screen. We hit the daily double!
We buy two tickets quickly for $75 a piece. I am stunned to see that face value if $95. It's a full house of course. We are at the mezzanine in plenty of time to see the pregame festivities. Bo Jackson is honored.
We enjoy the mezzanine as usual. There is a man there dressed with shoulder pads and a helmet to provide side entertainment.
We say goodbye to Ben in his parking lot and head for home. We are hungry by the time we drive thru Arby's in Sylacauga. We return home with a big win over LSU!!!
We were there to see our Tigers start fast with a 17 to 0 first quarter lead and a 24 to 7 lead at halftime. We cruise in the second half. The defense looked great. The offense was balanced. The defense held LSU 0 for 13 on third down. Most important things: the defense flexed its muscle. Our run defense is getting stout, and our pass defense is improving. McKinzy and Frost didn't start, but no matter. Nick Marshall had a great day passing. Sammie Coates came to life. It feels so great to thump LSU!
This sets up an amazing game next week. The country will looking at the Tigers going to StarkVegas. The Bullies ripped TAMU. We hit the daily double as Ole Miss beat the Updikes. What a weekend of college football!
Oregon lost. Oklahoma lost. Alabama lost. For what it's worth, Auburn will surely be ranked #2 in the polls. Next week's game against State could be the most decisive game of the year.
We get there early, visit with Ben in his apartment, then wander over to the Student Union for lunch and to watch the UAT/Ole Miss game. We leave for the stadium at the half of that game with Alabama leading 14 to 3. I never dreamed that the Rebels would roar back to win 23 to 17. I kept watching the score on inside the stadium and the AU crowd roared when the end of the game was shown on the screen. We hit the daily double!
We buy two tickets quickly for $75 a piece. I am stunned to see that face value if $95. It's a full house of course. We are at the mezzanine in plenty of time to see the pregame festivities. Bo Jackson is honored.
We enjoy the mezzanine as usual. There is a man there dressed with shoulder pads and a helmet to provide side entertainment.
We say goodbye to Ben in his parking lot and head for home. We are hungry by the time we drive thru Arby's in Sylacauga. We return home with a big win over LSU!!!
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Over Time Some Things and Some Teams Don't Change
Saturday is the biggest scheduled day of the SEC this year. There was a time when Alabama and Ole Miss would not have been a big game. There was a time when Mississippi State and Texas A and M wouldn't have been a big game (the Aggies are so new in the conference). There was a time when Florida-Tennessee would have been the biggest matchup in the conference, but not this year. BUT it seems that Auburn-LSU has always been a big game. Nothing has changed here.
Impossible to be Objective About this Game
Given the opponent, it is impossible for me to be objective about LSU. This series has been too unpredictable. If we win it will be close. This is all I can say.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
High Anxiety
Next to Alabama, LSU causes me the most pregame anxiety. For some reason I handle Georgia better than LSU. I guess it's because of the history of the series.
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