2015 Game 3 LSU

The facts are that Auburn comes into this game at Baton Rouge 2 and 0 but it's very shaky 2 and 0.  We beat Louisville 31 and 24 but had to go to overtime to beat Jacksonville State.  We could have lost last week which would have been one of the most embarrassing losses in Auburn football history.  LSU is about a 7 point favorite. LSU beat State 21 to 19 last week.   At least it's a 2;30 kickoff on CBS.  We are probably facing a better team.  I hope we get off to a good start.  I hope we come to play and we see a good Auburn performance win or lose.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn wins the toss and defers.  On the first play from scrimmage Leonard Fournette is off to the races.  He runs through a gaping hole up the middle to the Auburn 4.  We take them to 3rd and goal from the 2 but their QB Brandon Harris scores around left end on a option play.  Well, so much for a good start. Less than 2 minutes into the game LSU leads.

Auburn 0  LSU 7

AU starts on the 25.
The Tigers seem to be mounting a drive moving the ball out to their 45 but Jeremy Johnson does it again.  This time on second down back to pass the ball comes out of his hands behind him and it results in a huge loss and a 3rd and 29.  The Tigers punt to the LSU 22.
LSU marches methodically down the field controlling the line of scrimmage.
They do not have to throw the football.  Chain-moving power running.  This is their game.
On a 3rd and 7 their QB runs up the middle where there are no Tigers to the Auburn 10.
There's a run to the 2.
LSU is manhandling Auburn upfront.  The Fighting Tigers are overpowering Auburn.  This is what I expected.
From the 1 we stop the QB sneak.
On third down there is a TD pass to their tight end.  It looks easy for LSU.

Auburn 0  LSU 14

1:39 to go in the first quarter.  We were moving the football when JJ let the ball get away from him under no pressure for a huge loss that stopped the drive.   On the other hand, our defense shows no chance of stopping their offense.  LSU is showing total domination.
If our offense can't do something here this game is probably over.
The quarter ends as Auburn picks up a first down to the AU 47.

SECOND QUARTER

JJ throws another interception on another ill-advised throw.  Bad decision, bad throw.  Jeremy Johnson is having another bad game. How long before Malzahn puts Sean White in?  That's two major mistakes by JJ already.
LSU has the ball on their 28 early in the second quarter.
For the first time we hold on 3rd and 3 and LSU punts.
Marcus Davis fair catches on his 19.
What now?
13:06 left in the second quarter.
After one first down we have to punt from our 44.
The punt goes into the end zone.
We need a turnover.  We need a turnover.  We need a turnover.
BUT LSU drives again.  Nothing is going right for us so far.
This is too easy for LSU.  They are completely controlling this football game.
It's all physical.  We are stacking the line of scrimmage and they are still running the ball easily.
I like the way LSU plays offense: power, physical football.
We hold them to a 4th and 10 from the 15.
The FG is good.

Auburn 0  LSU 17

6:54 to go.
AU starts on their 36 after a pooch kick.
Then JJ loses 7 after a first down run by Peyton Barber.
We move to 3rd and 11.
There's a poor throw by JJ attempting to hit Duke Williams.
Our QB play is terrible.
The punt stops at the LSU 5 with 5:02 to go.
The only good thing about this team is our punter.
Can our defense force a 3 and out on their 3?
On a third and 3 they get a big run from Brandon Harris out to their 45.
Leonard Fournette runs 39 yards for the touchdown.

Auburn 0  LSU 24

This is a superior team playing with an inferior team.
2:10 to go.  LSU is physically dominating the line of scrimmage.
Fournette already has 169 yards.
Our offense cannot maintain a drive and we have had no explosive plays.
Auburn is 3 and out as we are lucky that LSU doesn't intercept again.  Their guy just dropped the ball.
We have to say that Jeremy Johnson is horrible.  Our defense is being manhandled but our offense is totally inept.  We cannot throw the ball downfield.  You can't trust Johnson to throw the ball down the field.
This is as bad as I've seen Auburn play since 2012.

THIRD QUARTER

Jeremy Johnson will start the second half.  How long before Sean White comes in?
Jeremy Johnson runs 65 yards up the middle on a quarterback draw for the touchdown!
The offense comes out fired up.  Just what we needed to at least keep the game respectable.
There's a score and it comes quickly.  4 plays 75 yards.  Finally there is an explosive play.

Auburn 7  LSU 24

Auburn pooch kicks to the their 37 but LSU has possession.
Alas, LSU goes right down the field dominating the line of scrimmage.
Fournette runs it in from the 30.  Our guys simply cannot tackle this guy.  He is a great running back.

Auburn 7  LSU 31

Auburn cannot stop the LSU running game.  They do not have to throw the ball.When
The Tigers are three and out.
When your punter Kevin Phillips is the bright spot you know you're in trouble.
LSU takes over after the punt at their 47.
LSU punts from midfield and we start at our 9 yard line.
On an obvious LSU offsides that is not called Johnson fumbles and they recover at the 5.
Our announcers are incredulous at the no call.
Fournette leaps over the pile from the one for the score.
Too bad on the no-call but still JJ dropped the ball though the off-sides rusher was on him as he received the snap.

Auburn 7  LSU 38

The Tigers drive for a touchdown. JJ is starting to look better with the game out of hand.
The score comes on a 9 yard pass from Johnson to Melvin Ray.

Auburn 14 LSU 38

The quarter ends with LSU in possession of the ball.

FOURTH QUARTER

LSU drives methodically for another touchdown.  Our defense is defenseless.
11:23 to go.
Auburn has been schooled in every phase of the game.
LSU has rushed for 409 yards.

Auburn 14  LSU 45

The Tigers drive for a touchdown with Jeremy Johnson still in the game.
It seems that Coach Malzahn is sticking with Johnson no matter what.
The score comes on a 10-yard pass to Duke Williams, his first touchdown reception of the year.

Auburn 21  LSU 45

The Tigers get the ball after a punt at the LSU 45.
Johnson is still in the game.
The game winds down and our offense can do nothing.
Jeremy Johnson simply cannot throw the ball downfield.
How can you have an offense like this?

So that's your final score.

It's going to be a long season.