2015 Game 11 Idaho

The 5 and 5 Tigers need one more win to become bowl eligible.  We need to get it done today against 3 and 7 Idaho.  Auburn is a 30 point plus favorite.

FIRST QUARTER

The Tigers receive and march down the field for the touchdown.  Jeremy Johnson completes two passes to Tony Stevens and keeps the ball once on a nice run.  Peyton Barber scores from the 2 up the middle.

Auburn 7  Idaho 0

First play from scrimmage Idaho completes a long pass down to inside the Auburn 5.  First play from there touchdown Idaho.  This is not starting well.  On that long pass completion we had zero pressure on their quarterback.

Auburn 7  Idaho 7

The Tigers cross midfield but the possession dies and we have to punt.  Looks familiar.
The Vandals go three and out.
Another promising AU drive ensues.  Kerryon has an impressive run.
But there's a loss.  How will this drive bog down?
The Tigers drive for the TD running football.  The star is Jovon Robinson.
He runs around right end for 13 yards for the score.

Auburn 14  Idaho 7

I do not want this game to be a track meet.
But it sure looks like that's what we have.
Idaho is both running and passing their way down the field again.
Our porous defense is making their offense look good.
First and goal at the one.
2nd and goal.
3rd and goal.
We push them back on third down to force a field attempt as the quarter ends.

SECOND QUARTER

On the first play of the quarter the 25 yard attempt is good.

Auburn 14  Idaho 10

The offense needs to keep it going.
At least our defense did not allow the touchdown after they had first and goal on the one.
Run heavy the Tigers power down the field helped by a fake punt.
On 4th and 7 from their 43 Phillips easily runs 24 yards for the first down.
On first and goal from the one Johnson keeps around left end untouched.

Auburn 21  Idaho 10

First play from scrimmage we recover a fumble.  The offense is in business at the Vandal 24.
First down to the 11.
After a procedure penalty Johnson hits a wide-open Ricardo Louis for a 16 yd. touchdown.
I am happy to see Johnson get a TD pass.

Auburn 28  Idaho 10

On 3rd and 9 for Idaho Rudy Ford intercepts and returns 48 yards for the touchdown!  I mean Rudy weaves and follows his blocking for the end zone seemingly running more than 48 yards.

Auburn 35  Idaho 10

Alas, the visitors move down the field for a touchdown.  At times it seems like our defense is passive. They have to be really animated to stop the offense.

Auburn 35  Idaho 17

In situations like this our offense usually goes three and out and such is the case here.  There is a long pass to Ricardo Louis ruled complete on the field but incomplete on replay which is correct.
The Tigers get the ball back with less than a minute to go but the clock expires.

THIRD QUARTER

Idaho gets the ball first.  Will the Tigers have a second half swoon?
Starting from their 25 the Vandals go for it on 4th and three and our defense holds.
First down Auburn on the Idaho 32
First down at the 5.
TD pass to Tony Stevens on a fake to the running back and a quick throw.
The Tigers score quickly though receiving the opening kickoff.

Auburn 42  Idaho 17

It looks for all the world like Idaho is methodically marching for touchdown as they move into the Red Zone, but Jonathan Jones intercepts in the end zone and after a block in the back on the play we scrimmage from the 18.  First play Johnson hits Louis for a long completion to the Idaho 35.
From the 3 Johnson fakes to the running back and he walks into the end one.  Slick move by JJ.

Auburn 49  Idaho 17

The Vandals drive for a field goal.  Surprised they settled for a 3 pointer.

Auburn 49  Idaho 20

The Tigers go three and out and Idaho may be moving the ball again as the quarter ends.

FOURTH QUARTER

On third and 12 from around midfield we get a sack
After the punt Roc Thomas sweeps right for 56 yards down the right sideline for the score.  He turns the corner and turns on the speed.  Of our running backs Thomas is certainly our homerun hitter.

Auburn 56  Idaho 20

Idaho comes back and drives for another score.  Our defense is soft.

Auburn 56  Idaho 27

Tucker Tuberville comes in and the Tigers straight backward.  We punt and they drive for another score.  This is what I hate: this game gets sloppy at the end.  I know we have lots of substitutions on the field but I hate this kind game ending.

Auburn 56  Idaho 34

A little over 5 minutes still remaining.  Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.
TT is back in the game.
Let's at least run some of the clock off before giving it back to them.
We do pick up a couple of first downs but have to punt and the clock finally mercifully expires.
This game seemed to last an eternity.  The crappy 4th quarter made it seem so long.
Auburn is bowl eligible.  Some consolation.

FINAL SCORE

56 TO 34