Stidham

The Auburn buzz of late has been all about former Baylor QB Jarrett Stidham who left Baylor and has been at a JC this fall though not playing football.  He is a former 5 start recruit who is supposed to be a dual threat quarterback.  He has committed to Auburn.  Also, we hear that Kamryn Pettway will be back.  As a third year sophomore he could have declared for the NFL.  Good news for us.

Beating UAB

I went down to  the Bartow Arena in the cold and rain to see Auburn and UAB.  It turns out that surprisingly the game is a sell-out.  I hang around for a while to see if a ticket turns up for me but then the rain picks up and I drive home.

Auburn wins 74 to 70.  We are playing a bunch of freshman.  Everyone is waiting for Austin Wiley to show up.   He is 6'11" at 250 pounds.  If he is the real deal, we will have ourselves an SEC competitive team.  We are lacking a strong inside presence.

Maybe this team will be NCAA worthy.

2016 Game 12 The Alabama Game

Here we go again---another Auburn-Alabama game.  Auburn is a big underdog in Tuscaloosa for a 2:30 kickoff on CBS.  I haven't thought too much about the game this week for I am still getting over that 13 to 7 loss to Georgia.  If we had won that game. . . but we didn't.  Sean White has been injured which hurt us in the Georgia game.  Will he start today or will senior Jeremy Johnson get a shot a redemption?  Can our defense keep us in the game?  Will our offense have any kind of consistency?  How strong will Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson be?  Can we throw the ball at all?  We'll see.

FIRST QUARTER
Auburn 3 Alabama 10
The Tigers score first after a 58 yard punt return by Stephen Roberts but Alabama totally dominates the quarter.  Auburn has yet to make a first down.  Our offense is a no-show.  Jeremy Johnson is our quarterback.

HALF
Auburn 9 Alabama 13
Defense and Daniel Carlson.  Auburn has only one first down but with 2 interceptions by Daniel Thomas and the best placekicker in the country we trail by only 4 at the half.  With any offense at all we would be ahead in this game.

THIRD QUARTER
Auburn 12 Alabama 27
Field goals won't win it.  Defense is doing the best it can.

FINAL SCORE
Auburn 12 Alabama 30
The game goes about as you would expect.  Our offense had no consistency.  You can't  win with 4 field goals.  The defense played well enough to give us a chance if the offense had done anything at all.  Kamryn Pettway played but was not a factor.  Jeremy Johnson was a nonentity.  Franklin came in the second half and completed a long pass to give us a spark but we had to settle for the field goal.
The Tigers finish 8 and 4.  We wait to see what bowl game.  Whatever.

2016 Game 11 Alabama A & M

I will not recount this game in detail.  Auburn is a prohibitive favorite.  The game is a 6:30 kick on the SEC network.  Jeremy Johnson will start his first game of the season.  Auburn has several starters including Pettway and White not playing.   I predict it will be sloppy and Auburn will win but not by the margin you should expect.

FIRST QUARTER
Auburn 14  AAMU 0

HALF
Auburn 24 AAMU 0

THIRD QUARTER
Auburn 48 AAMU 0

FINAL SCORE
Auburn 55 AAMU 0

After Georgia

The Georgia loss in 2016 is one of the worst losses in Auburn football history.  There is no way to sugarcoat it.  It is what is is.

2016 Game 10 Georgia

Here it is Georgia time again.  I have so many memories of this series.  Unfortunately most of the memories are bad ones.  The Bulldogs have won 8 of the last 10.  Auburn hasn't won in Athens since 2005.  The 7 and 2 Tigers are somehow a 10-point favorite over the 5 and 4 Bulldogs.  Kirby Smart is in his first year with UGA.  If Auburn wins, we play UA for the SEC West.  Kamryn Pettway is doubtful.  I think everyone else is good to go.

FIRST QUARTER

Here we go again.  It's about time we won again between the hedges.
Kamryn Pettway is not dressed out.
After the teams exchange possessions UGA drives to a first down at the Auburn 15 but on second down Tray Matthews intercepts in the end zone as their wildcat qb throws where on Matthews was stationed.
The Tigers move to a first down at the UGA 37.
Kerryon Johnson is in there but he is obviously not 100%.
The Tigers move to a first down at their 13.
Georgia calls TO as their defense is breathing hard.
First down to the 3.
With 28 seconds to go KJ runs it in on first down from the wildcat.
That was one impressive drive mixing up the run and pass off the Tray Matthews interception in the end zone  That was an 80 yard drive on 15 plays.

Auburn 7 Georgia 0

The clock expires with UGA facing 2nd and 4 from their 31.

SECOND QUARTER

Georgia moves to a first down to the AU 45.
Georgia moves no further and the Dogs are punting from there.
Auburn starts at their 15.
The Tigers move across midfield smartly but a big loss on third down leaves us punting from the AU 49.
The Bulldogs start from their 19 after Auburn drives but the drive bogs down.
UGA moves to the Auburn 45.
UGA moves to a first down to the AU 30 on a questionable third interference call on Auburn.
Their QB is crushed on third and 7.
That third down sack drives them out of field goal range.  Wow!
Georgia catches the punt at our 2 with 3:58 remaining.
After a first down to the 15 we are punting.
The punt goes out of bounds at the Auburn 47.
Plenty of time for the Dogs to score with 1:54 left.
There's a big sack on their QB on first down.
There's a good run on third down leaving them with 4th and 7 with 29 seconds left.
Georgia punts.
The ball rolls dead at the 8 with 17 seconds left.
The half will end with Auburn leading 7 to 0.
At the half it's anybody's game.  What else would  you expect at Sanford Stadium?

THIRD QUARTER

Having deferred the Tigers start the second half at the 25.
From there the Tigers open with two passes but on the third pass UGA intercepts and runs it back 34 yards for the touchdown.  Not the opening possession we desired and quickly we are tied with less than a minute expired in the second half.

Auburn 7 Georgia 7

Oh, my.  How will the Tigers respond?
I am surprised that we came out throwing.
Bad read by Sean White trying to hit Will Hastings.
First bit of adversity by the Tigers.  We have to overcome their momentum.
From the 32 we fail to convert on third down.
Auburn is punting.  This half is starting badly.
UGA fair catches on their 27.
Georgia is three and out and AU fair catches at our 31.
AU is three and out.
UGA moves out to around midfield where they punt.
AU is three and out again.
White is having a miserable night throwing and we don't have Pettway.
UGA has the ball again.  This game is moving away from us but we are still tied 7-7.
UGA is first down at their 43 with 3: 47 to go.
Georgia has all the momentum but we're still tied at 7-7.
Georgia converts a third down and they are in business at our 35.
We're in deep trouble.
After a penalty UGA is second and 15 at our 40.
Third and 9 at the 34.
First down pass to the 25 or so.
Our defense cannot get off the field.
UGA offense is in rhythm.
There is a bad snap or mishandle by their QB and a loss of 13 back to the 38 as the quarter ends.

FOURTH QUARTER

On fourth down UGA lines up for the field goal attempt.
The 45 yarder is good.  Georgia leads.

Auburn 7 Georgia 10

We have to find some offense somewhere.  We did not make a single first down in the third quarter.
It's crunch time.  Will Auburn respond in this longest running rivalry in the South?
13:44 to go.
From the 25 what can our offense do?
Pass incomplete.
Pass incomplete.
Third and 10.
Pass incomplete.
Auburn is quickly three and out.
Our offense has died in the second half.
There's a big punt return and UGA is at their 46.
Auburn has died in the second half.  It will take a 2013 type miracle to pull this one out.
The ONLY good thing at this point is that there is a lot of time left.
The Dogs drive to the AU 32 before they MISS a field goal attempt.
The Tigers get the ball back at the 32 trailing by three.  We have yet to pick up a first down in the half.
Can we come up with some offense to win the game?
Alas, we are three and out as Kam Martin drops a first down pass.
Still a lot of time left is the only good thing.
An interference call on the punt and UGA starts on their 31with 9:13 left.
This looks bleak.  As Coach Dye, there are no miracles on the football field.
Georgia drives to inside our 5 with 2:35 to go and a third and goal from the 4.
Incomplete pass into the end zone.
We have one TO left.  We still have a chance but it will take a miracle drive.
The field goal is good.

Auburn 7 Georgia 13

We have a little over 2 minutes left and one TO.
We have yet to make a first down in this half.
Our defense has yet to yield a  TD in this game but our offense is totally discombobulated.
We bring the KO out of the end zone but only manage the 13.
This will take a 2013 miracle and it's not likely.
We move to 4th and 2 at the 21 or so.
Over the middle pass incomplete.  That's the game.
When is the last time an Auburn team failed to make a first down in a half?
This is totally disappointing.  Sure, we missed Kamryn Pettway but you can't blame it on one missing player.  There is no excuse for the bad performance of our offense.  Unbelievable.  Perplexing.  So sad.  We needed a great game from Sean White and it didn't happen.
Over and out.  Auburn controlled its own destiny and failed.

It's Simple

Auburn beats Georgia and Alabama and goes to the SEC Championship game.  The Final Four for the playoff takes care of itself.  But first, Georgia.

2016 Game 9 Vanderbilt

After a 1 and 2 start the Auburn football has caught fire having won 5 straight.  Will it continue today against Vanderbilt?   The Dores come in 4 and 4 with what we read is a good defense that could challenge our run game.  The game is an 11 kickoff on ESPN at Joran-Hare.  Auburn is a 20 point plus favorite.

FIRST QUARTER

Just before kickoff we hear that Sean White will not be starring due to an undisclosed injury.  He did not take reps this week.  How could we not have heard about this?
Vanderbilt receives and moves right into Tiger territory one first down after another.
The Commodores move to a 52 yard field goal.

Auburn 0 Vanderbilt 3

Here go with JFIII.
The Tigers march from their 37 to a first and goal at the 6.
Franklin has had two good runs so far.
Kerryon Johnson runs around right end and stretches to the chalk line for the touchdown after a review.
It was all on the ground.  No passes.

Auburn 7 Vanderbilt 3

Vanderbilt drives to a 4th and 2 but our defense holds and we assume possession inside our 40.
We go three and out with a third & 4 pass to Macus Davis and he can't bring it in.
The Dores and three and out and after a poor kick AU is in business at the Vandy 41.
First play and Franklin fumbles the ball back to Vanderbilt.  Not good.  Franklin fumbles.
You cannot turn the ball over when you are playing a team you are supposed to beat.
Vanderbilt gets 16 yards on first down as the quarter ends.

SECOND QUARTER

 The Tigers are sluggish so far.  I still don't understand how it didn't come out that Sean White didn't take any reps this week.
The Commodores are at midfield at the start of the second quarter.
Vanderbilt moves to a first down at the 25.
This game is not going as expected early.
First down to the AU 14.
There is a touchdown pass from the 8 on an uncovered receiver.
This is not good.  Goodness, gracious.

Auburn 7 Vanderbilt 10

Vanderbilt is impressive.  Auburn is comatose.
From the 25 a promising drive ends in a 45-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson.

Auburn 10 Vanderbilt 10

What now?
Another pooch kick for some reason and VU starts at their 27 or so.
Vanderbilt is moving the ball again.
This game is going exactly like the Commodores wanted.
VU is first down at the AU 33.
I do not understand this.
(DeShaun Davis was ejected earlier for targeting.  Tre Williams was already out)
They are successful running and with the short passes.
As I type this MSU is leading TAMU 28 to 7.  If we lose this game it will be a tragedy.
First down Vanderbilt at the Auburn 20.
This is not good.
We finally hold for a field goal attempt.
The 34 yard attempt is good and Vandy leads.

Auburn 10 Vanderbilt 13

Auburn fumbles the kickoff on an attempted trick play and AU is backed up on the 7.
No chance to advance the ball from the 7.
This is Vandy's game so far.
JFIII is a problem.  Linebackers being out is a problem.  We are missing Sean White.  We seem to have no passing opportunity without him.

THIRD QUARTER

The Tigers are to receive and this could be the most important possession of the year so far.
From the 25 Sean White comes out despite not taking snaps this week in practice we were told.
Auburn moves to a first down at midfield but there is a holding call.
Auburn drives neatly but Pettway fumbles and Vandy recovers sat their 25.
That's two turnovers.  Behind Sean White we were moving the ball as we've come to expect but two turnovers so far have loomed large.  Pettway always drives for extra yards but he has to hold on to the ball.  Goodness, gracious.
The play is reviewed and the fumble call is overcalled.  AU retains possession.  Big deal for us!
Auburn is at the 25.
White to Slayton from the 21 for the touchdown!
What a big difference to have Sean White back!!!

Auburn 17 Vanderbilt 13

Not having practiced all week, White comes in and looks as sharp as ever.
After one first down VU punts and Auburn drives for a 53 yard field goal.
The offense is so much more fluid with White in there.

Auburn 20 Vanderbilt 13

Here comes Vanderbilt's second possession of the half.
From the 25 there's a first down pass to the Vandy 40.
Third and 5 from their 45.
Early movement makes third and 10.
First down pass to our 49.
First down pass again to the 33 on a third and 14.  Oh, my.  Great passing execution by them.
Vanderbilt has converted on third down all game long.  End of the quarter with Vanderbilt driving.

FOURTH QUARTER

This game is too close for comfort.  I'd hate for it to go down to the buzzer but it certainly could.
Third and 5 at the Auburn 28 for VU.
Auburn is supposed to be good on third down but not today.
Auburn holds on third down for once and they have to go for the 3.
Wow, the 47 yard attempt is good.

Auburn 20 Vanderbilt 16

This is anything but easy.  The Vegas line is way off.
KJ runs the kickoff back to our 42.
Auburn is quickly inside the VU 20.
From the 15 we have settle for the field goal attempt.
It's good as usual.

Auburn 23 Vanderbilt 16

We just cannot get separation and have to settle for field goals.
It's about time for a turnover.
After one first down we finally force a punt.
The punt goes into the end zone and with 8:15 to go Auburn starts at their 20.
One more score is desperately needed here.
What will our offense do?
Two consecutive dubious holding calls begins to disrupt this possession.
From the 25 we have third down.
Incomplete pass.  Holding calls and an incomplete pass to to Marcus Davis and AU is punting.
VU will have their ball on their 30 with 6:29 to go.
This Vandy possession maybe be the ballgame.
Time for a turnover.
Our defense steps and Vandy is punting on 4th and 15 and a three and out.
The punt stops dead inside our 20.
Come on offense!
Bubba Pettway breaks a long one all the way to the 11.
Pettway comes out favoring a leg at the end of the play.  Don't know the story on this injury.
We have to settle for the FG attempt without Pettway.
On the attempt an offsides against Vandy is not called as one of their players jumped over our center before the snap.  Unbelievable!  FG blocked on a blatant no call on the obvious offsides.
The Dores move to the AU 30.  Goodness!!!
INTERCEPTION!!! BY HOLSEY!!!
The game is closed won.  Thank goodness.
The no-call on the obvious offsides might have cost us.
Justice is served.

AUBURN 23 VANDERBILT 16

We hope that Pettway is okay.  Auburn is in control of its own destiny in November as TAMU loses at MSU.
Boy, oh boy

Toward Vanderbilt

The Tigers ride a 5 game winning streak into Saturday's home game against Vandy.  The Commodores are not the Vandy of old.  The Dores are 4 and 4 with a good defense though they seem to struggle to score points.  The Tigers cannot take anyone for granted.  After a rough start, at this point this is an exciting football season.

Cubs Win!

I always hoped to see the Cubbies win a World Series. It finally happened last night, in extra innings of Game 7. Good for David Ross, former Auburn player, who at 39 will retire as a World Series champion.

Tigers Are Rolling

The Tigers win their 5th straight game outlasting Ole Miss 40 to 29 last night.  This team is on fire!

2016 Game 5 Louisana-Monroe

The 2-2 Tigers are a 30 point plus favorite at home against Monroe with a 2:30 kickoff on homecoming.  I don't like games like this especially at homecoming because historically the Tigers win though they slop around (as I put it).  Let's win and not junk it up.

FIRST QUARTER

ULM receives and after one first down punt to the AU 30.
The Tigers drive 70 yards for the touchdown mainly on the ground.
On third and goal from the 3 White rolls right and dives into the end zone.
By golly we score a touchdown in the red zone.

Auburn 7  ULM 0

ULM goes 3 and out after a punt return by Marcus Davis to midfield our offense can't complete passes and we miss a 56 yd field goal attempt that is partially blocked.   Our passing game is still not there.  Neither is the offense as a whole actually.
The War Hawks complete a third pass into Auburn territory but have to punt from the AU 45.
The punt stops dead at the Auburn 9.
After Kerryon Johnson runs us out to the 35 Sean White is dropped and fumbles the ball away at the 21.
On the first play ULM fumbles it back to us!
AU is at their 17.
KJ runs to the 39.  He is running HARD.
From the War Hawk 48 White hits Kyle Davis for the touchdown.  He was WIDE open.  We need explosive plays like that.

Auburn 14 ULM 0

ULM makes one first down across the 35 but we push them back to the 28 where they punt.
Marcus Davis takes the punt at the 28.
The quarter after White keeps the ball after a fake for 7 yards.

SECOND QUARTER

The Tigers move sharply to a first down at the 11.
KJ runs to the 7.
KJ runs to the 1 and a first down.
Second snap from there and Kerryon walks into the end zone.

Auburn 21 ULM 0

ULM drives to a 42 yard FG attempt but Montravious Adams blocks it!
From their 39 after the block the Tigers complete some passes and with Kerryon Johnson carrying the mail the Tigers march into the end zone.  The score comes on 2 yard untouched run by KJ.  The Tigers are in command so far in this one.

Auburn 28 ULM 0

Despite the lead we let the War Hawks drive down the field with the big play being a long pass completion.
All the way to the 6 yard line.
First down with 12 seconds left to the 3.
With 2 seconds left from the 2 the pass is complete for the touchdown.
That was a struggle as the Tigers did try to preserve the shutout but it didn't happen

Auburn 28 ULM 7

Auburn dominated the first half except for the last 4 minutes.  We receive to start the second half. Can our offense assert itself?
Yes!
From their 12 the Tigers drive quickly the score coming on a 48 strike to Tony Stevens.  Kerryon had some nice gains during that drive.

Auburn 35 ULM 7

After a three and out the Tigers start at their 24
The Tigers march down the field for the touchdown again.  Stevens makes another big catch.
Malik runs it in from the 4.  So far the offense is great in the second half.

Auburn 42 ULM 7

After one first down we get the ball on our 15.
John Franklin III comes in.
On the second play from the 20 Franklin takes it to the house after the fake.  Once he gets to the line scrimmage he explodes down the ride side.  He is an electric player.  That was fun to watch.  He is fast, fast, fast.

Auburn 49 ULM 7

There's a big interception down the field by Javarius Davis!
The Tigers have the ball back at their 25.
Again the Tigers drive impressively.
Franklin III delivers a 39 yard TD pass to Nate Craig-Myers.  Great pass by Franklin.

Auburn 56 ULM 7

The quarter ends with ULM at their 45 with a first down.

FOURTH QUARTER

The War Hawks drive to the Auburn 13 but the 4th down pass is incomplete.
The Tigers drive inside the minute mark and inside the ULM one yard line with #30 a senior last name Lewis, but on 4th down he is stopped just short of the goal line.  Too bad!  It would have been a feel good moment for the this senior to have scored.  Oh, well.  That was an 11 play drive but no points running out much of the quarter.
There is a fumbled snap and the Tigers get a safety!  The safety is by Gary Walker whose father also played for Auburn.  I remember the name.

Auburn 58 ULM 7

The Tigers rush for over 400 yards.  The Tigers were ready today.  This game could hardly have gone any better.  Lots of guys got on the field.  Now on to StarkVegas next week.  Game over.  The Tigers look good winning 58 to 7.

2016 Game 4 LSU

All week long we've heard what a big game this is.  Auburn needs a win in the worst way against one of our biggest historical rivals.  Gus Malzahn needs a win for job security.  Funny things happen in this series.  What will happen tonight?  The game kick off at 5 on ESPN at Jordan-Hare.  LSU is a 3.5 point favorite.  Will our defense continue to play well?  Will our offense show up?  Not likely on the latter. I'll be shocked if our offense sustains any kind of momentum and rhythm.   I'll be very surprised if we win this game.

FIRST QUARTER

The Tigers receive but go three and out as Tony Stevens drops a 3rd and 1 pass that would have been a first down.
After one first down LSU is punting though their big running back looks tough.
AU begins their second possession at their 40.
First play there's a loss of ten on a sack.  2nd and 20 right off the bat.
We cannot overcome the loss on first down and punt on 4th and 1 from the 49.
That's 2 straight three and outs.  Kyle Davis should have had the first but he juked instead of going straight ahead and was tackled a hard short.  Tony Stevens should have caught a first down pass on the first possession and Davis should have the first down on the second one.
LSU will start after the punt at their 13.  We should have gone for the first down near midfield.
LSU goes three and out again.
Auburn gets the ball back at the 49 where they had 4th and 1 before.
First down pass to the 34 to Stevens.
Alas, as usual, we move to 4th down and a long FG attempt.
One of our many offensive problems is negative plays.  A failed statue-of-liberty play on that series for example.
Daniel Carlson drills a 51-yd field goal.  Thank goodness for our place kicker!

Auburn 3 LSU 0

LSU gets a long run all the way to our 10 with a 52 yard run and they punch it in.  Their alternate running back pops thru a crease and away he goes.   Their power running game is superior to our defensive front.  LSU answer our score like good teams do.

Auburn 3 LSU 7

In the first quarter I see LSU winning this game easily.
Our offense needs to answer but we have not done this so far this season.
The Tigers drive to a 2nd and 7 at the LSU 35.

SECOND QUARTER

Pettway runs us down to the 13 on consecutive runs.
Pettway again to the 9 for a first and goal.
We move to third and goal at the 4.
White goes down on a sack at the 13 as he rolls to his left and holds the ball too long.
Once again Carlson is good.
First and goal at the 9 and we have to again kick the three.
We have to score touchdowns on first and goals.

Auburn 6 LSU 7

First play from the 25 Fournette runs all the way to the AU 40.  That was too easy.
Their drive is sustained by an unfortunate targeting call against Tre Williams.  Our announcers disagree.  Bad call!
Two straight losses including a Lawson sack pushes them to a 51 yard missed field goal!
Despite the bad officiating we stop them.
From the 34 two Pettway runs leads to a first down at the 44.
First down pass to the 18 to Slayton.
We move to third 4 at the 12.
End zone pass incomplete to Stevens.  He should have caught it Stan White says.
Carlson makes the 29-yd. field goal.  If you can't the 6 you have to at least get the 3.

Auburn 9 LSU 7

5:14 to go in the half.
After one first down LSU is punting at their 45.
Auburn starts at their 19.
What will our offense do from their with 3:10 to go.
A long pass completion to Johnson at the LSU 41.
Johnson runs to the LSU 28.
First down behind Kerryon Johnson at the 5.
We move to third and goal at the one foot line as KJ is just short on second down.
On 4th and goal from the one Johnson is stopped short.  Too bad.  We should have tried the outside instead of four times between the tackles.  Easy to say from here.  :)
If KJ had leaped he might have made it but he lowered his head instead.
The half ends.
We dominate the second quarter and lead but it should be a bigger lead.

THIRD QUARTER

LSU receives and after one first down they punt to our 14.
The Tigers drive handsomely.
First down at the LSU 20.
A clear helmet to helmet hit on White is reviewed and not called.
Our annoucers are laughing because it was CLEARLY helmet to helmet hit.  Unbelievable.
The drive ends as usual with a Daniel Carlson field goal.  Too bad once again.

Auburn 12 LSU 7

LSU goes marching down the field.
Those field goals rather than touchdowns are going to kill us.
LSU is first down at the 12.
Fournette runs to the 8.
After a loss on Fournette LSU is forced to a 29 yard attempt.
The kick is good.

Auburn 12 LSU 10

5:36 to go in the quarter.
On our ensuing possession White fumbles on the 16 and LSU gets the ball.
First turnover of the game.  The last thing we needed: a turnover.
LSU overs to third and 3 at the 8 and a timeout.
Our defense holds them to a short field goal.

Auburn 12 LSU 13

Once again our failures in the Red Zone are costing us big.
Can our offense answer?  Not likely.
Two Pettway runs between the tackles and we move to third and 5.
We have to do something other than running between the tackles.
First down pass to the 42 to Kyle Davis.
We move to another third and 5.
The quarter ends.

FOURTH QUARTER

Check down pass to Johnson and AU is first down at the 29.
Same song, different verse.
Carlson is good again this time from 37 yards.

Auburn 15 LSU 13

That's 5 field goals and no touchdowns.  I find it hard to believe we will win this game without finding the end zone before it's over.
12.36 to go in the football game.
First play and LSU runs to our 41.
FUMBLE!!!  on a bad attempted handoff,
Auburn recovers at their 31.
Two incomplete passes and there's a TO third and 10 at our 31.
Alas, we have to punt.
LSU fair catches at their 30.
Well, like I've said, sooner or later we will have to find the end zone to win this game.
LSU has Fournette.  I would hand it to him every play.
A chop block on the first play moves them back to the 15.
2nd and 25 as Holsey almost intercepts.
Short completion to 3rd and 18.
9:40 to go.
LSU will have to punt from their 29.
Good defense after we get the fumble and go three and out.
Auburn starts at their 37.
We are too predictable on offense.
First down to the LSU on a completion to Ryan Davis.
Competion to Ryan Davis to the 36.
Kerryon Johnson runs to the 20.
BUT again Carlson is called on again and is true from 29 yards.

Auburn 18 LSU 13

That is 6 field goals for Mr. Carlson.
LSU will have to score a touchdown to win this game.
It will be up to our defense to hold a 4 point lead.
This is scary stuff, but what do you expect from Auburn and LSU?
2;56 to go.  LSU begins as usual on their 25.
First down to the 37.
First down to our 47.
2nd and 8 from the AU 45 and a timeout with 1:43 left.
3rd down and 8.
1:38 to go.
Their qb scrambles for the first down to our 28.  Bad play for us.
Completion to the 18.
Third and one with 58 seconds to go.
First down to the 14.  Oh, my!
44 seconds to go.
What can our defense do?
2 and 10 with 28 seconds to go.
Lawson sacks their QB at the 20.
Third down with 24 seconds to go at the 20.
LSU uses its last timeout.
WHAT AN ENDING!
With one second to go the clock expires before LSU can get their last snap off.  The refs let the play go forward anyway.   Their pass is complete for the touchdown called on the field BUT on review it was CLEAR that the game ended before they got the snap off.  Clearly!  I would have blown a gasket if the refs had let that touchdown stand.
Thanks to Daniel Carlson.  Thanks to our defense.
It was an old-fashioned type of game but we win and that is all that matters.
I am happy for our players. I am happy for Kevin Steele. He has our defense playing well.   Weird things have always happened in this series.  It's the nature I guess of Auburn-LSU.

Brandon Marcello Says

Malzahn needs to break this streak of seven straight losses to Power 5 teams, including six to SEC opponents, at home. He needs his offense to score more than two touchdowns for the first time during that SEC stretch and he needs to prove that he can overcome any perceived deficiencies Auburn might have on offense and show that he can out-scheme and out-coach his opponents once again.

A loss tonight would only put 2013 further in the rearview mirror, which is crazy to think. It feels like that magical season was a decade ago following nearly two years of struggles by Malzahn’s offense against SEC opponents.

What happened? Where is the old Gus Malzahn? We might get our answer tonight in what is the biggest game of his career — not because of the stakes in the standings, but because of his own future.

Motivation? Malzahn should have it. Everyone is wondering about his future and if that isn’t enough or the offensive guru to coach his tail off tonight and out-maneuver a strong LSU defense, what will?

Something tells us Malzahn will have a solid game plan in place for LSU tonight.

LSU time

The pressure ratchets up on Gus Malzahn.  He needs to beat LSU, but I wouldn't bet on it happening.

Franklin Time

After the loss to TAMU it's time to give John Franklin III a chance.  The offense will not improve under Sean White.  It's time to roll the dice.

2016 Game 3 Texas A and M

Auburn is a 3.5 point favorite.  We are 1 and 1 while TAMU is 2 and 0.  The visiting team has a habit of winning this game.  We need that streak to stop tonight at JH.  The game is a 6 p.m. kickoff on ESPN.  Can we outscore the Aggies?  Can our defensive front dominate their offensive line?  Can we contain their great defensive end? Can we get pressure on their QB?   Can we defend their good receivers? We can't let receivers get loose in the secondary.   Did last week's 706 total yardage output signal a return to a Malzahn offense?  Let us see.

FIRST QUARTER

The Tigers are three out moving to 4th and 1 after Sean White is sacked on the first play.  The punt gives TAMU possession on their 26.
After one first down we push them back on an 11 yard sack on third down.  AU regains possession on the 20.
So far we getting pressure on their good quarterback.
The Tigers drive 80 yards for the touchdown mixing the run and short passes.  That. Was. A. Great. Touchdown. Drive!  Kamryn Pettway runs it in from the one untouched.  Pettway is a running bulldozer.   That was a great looking offense.

Auburn 7 TAMU 0

TAMU goes three and out from their 25 punting from their 34.
A great punt pins us on our seven with 5:58 to go in the first quarter.
After one first down Auburn is punting.
The Aggies drive to a 46-yd. field goal.

Auburn 7 TAMU 3

The quarter ends with AU having a 2nd and 8 at the Auburn 43.

SECOND QUARTER

We are punting on 4th and 8 after two incomplete passes.
The Aggies fair catch at their 8.
A long pass gets them to the AU 7.
2nd and goal from the 5.
TD pass from there.  Too easy on that one.

Auburn 7 TAMU 10

After that touchdown drive our offense has become inconsistent as we have in the recent past.
Tigers end up punting from their 47 on a 4th and 11.
The punt goes into the end zone.
Our offense cannot sustain another drive.
The Aggies have the ball again.
Our defense needs to step up.
Our offense is passive again.
This game is boring so far.
Without a defensive stand or break we are in trouble.
We get a defensive stand.
Punt from the 20 and we start from our 44.  Almost a blocked punt.
BUT on the first play from scrimmage Ryan David fumbles at the Aggies are at our 40.
The worst has happened after good field position.
Aggie ball on our 40.
They are quickly at our 14.
Third and 8 from the 12 and a timeout.
Pass incomplete.
4th and 8.
At least we hold them to a field goal with 5:38 to go.

Auburn 7 TAMU 13

We cannot turn the ball over again in this game.
Our offense must get going.
We have 14 yards of offense in the second quarter.
After a 12 yard run by Pettway our offense sputters again.
Luckily the punt rolls to their 9.
3:52 to go.
But a penalty forces another punt after a Phillips 49 yard punt.  That is unfortunate.  Huge.
The next punt goes only 23 yards.  When it rains it pours.  The Aggies start at their 40.  Little things like get you beat.
First play to the Auburn 20.  We are in a lot of trouble here in the closing minutes of the half.
Fortunately we hold them to a field goal with 1:56 to go.

Auburn 7 TAMU 16

Our defense is holding its own.  Our offense looks like last year: inconsistent, cannot sustain drives.  A fumble gives them good field position.  Barring a big offensive turnaround we will lose this game handily.
Auburn is at the Aggie 35 with 22 seconds left and one TO remaining.
As the game clock hits zero Carlson hits a 37 yard field goal.
That's big, but our offensive still has to pick it up considerably in the second half if we have a chance.
This game situation is not promising.

Auburn 10 TAMU 16

THIRD QUARTER

The Aggies get the ball to start the second half.  If they get a touchdown on their first possession we will be in big trouble.  Big opening possession for them to start the half.  The 3 points at the end of the first half might be big.  We hope so.
At the half the coach says we have to run the football.  Maybe so, but I think it's more important to complete passes.  It seems like we hack and hack up the middle with limited success.  We need some big plays also.  We need to stay out of third and long.
It seems we aren't getting the pressure on their QB that we need.  They have good receivers so we must get some pressure on their quarterback.
TAMU goes from the 25 after the touchback.
We get the three and out that we need.  The Aggies are quickly punting on their first possession.
Davis fair catches at our 35.
Two running plays and we're at third and 10.  We need to throw on first down.
There's a first down throw to Kyle Davis.
We move to their 44 but the offense dies again and we are punting on 4th and 10.
We had an unfortunate delay penalty and could not recover.
Our offense is so weak that we cannot over come mistakes.
TAMU will start on their 21 after a less than desirable punt.
At this point in the game I see that we will lose.  Our offense cannot sustain anything.  Why think it will change?
Our defense forces another three and out.  That's 2 straight by our defense to start the half.
The Tigers start at their 42 after a poor punt.
Two straight three and outs.  Where, or where, is our offense?  We cannot keep off the scoreboard the rest of the game.
Maybe James Franklin III needs a series.
Pettway between the tackles for only a tackle.
Pettway around right end setting up a third and about 4.
Incomplete pass on third and four.
Well, here we go again as the Tigers cannot take advantage of good field position.
The Aggies take over on their 18 after the punt.
This is not good.  We cannot keep their offense down the entire rest of the half.
Another three and out for the defense!
The Aggies punt from their 20.
A good punt and we start at our 23 with 7:23 to go in the third.
If our offense doesn't get going we can say clearly that the offense lost this game as the defense starts the second half with three straight three and outs.
There's a first down pass to Ryan Davis to the 30.
An interference call places the ball around midfield.
Now White gets called for grounding.
Well, we get a break but there is another negative play for the offense as we go to 2nd and long.
Another drive dies as we go backward after getting an interference call.
The offense is bad, bad, bad.  Very ugly.
After the punt TAMU starts at their 26.
This is probably where their offense gets going if I had to guess.
Sure enough, the Aggies starts moving the ball across midfield.
I can't get over how bad our offense is.  The offense will lose this game for us.
TAMU moves to 4th and 3.  The field goal would be 50 plus.
They go for it after a timeout, getting the TO all at the last split second.
3:09 to go in the quarter.
First down pass over the middle.  Easy completion.  Easy pitch and catch.
This game is getting away from us.
TAMU moves to a first and goal to our 8.
Their offense is showing up; ours isn't.
Third and goal from the 7.
4th and goal from the 7.
The chip shot FG is good.

Auburn 10 TAMU 19

Now they have a 2 score lead.  It's a shame our offense is so bad because our defense has played well enough so far to win this game.
This is painful to watch.  We are going to lose this game.
Sean White is not good throwing the ball.
Three and out again.
Our offense is sputtering so bad.  It's downright ugly and embarrassing.
Auburn surrenders the ball with 15 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Our offense is horrible.  Our defense has given great effort.
First down Aggies around midfield.
15 minutes left for a miracle.

FOURTH QUARTER

The final quarter begins with the Tigers trailing by 9 and the Aggies at midfield.  As Pat Dye says, there are no miracles on the football field.
Our offense just isn't there.  We cannot run between the tackles and it seems that if we can't do this we have no sustainable offense.
Once again our defense holds them to a field goal attempt.  The Aggies make their 5th FG of the game.  Our defense has allowed them only one touchdown.

Auburn 10 TAMU 22

John Franklin III comes in and makes a good run.  Pettway breaks one up the middle.  The Tigers drive to a 4th and 3 at their 13 but Franklin is stopped and we give up the ball on downs.  We have a momentary spark but it amounts to nothing.  On the 4th and 3 Chandler Cox doesn't block his man and Stan White doesn't understand why.  The play should have worked.  Oh, well.
The Aggies promptly get an 89 yard TD run and the game is blown to pieces.  Still I do not blame our defense.  With 6:52 to go it's over for sure.

Auburn 10 TAMU 29

How sad.  So sad.  How can our offense be so bad?
Our announcers point out how bad we are on first down.
Hit and miss on our offense?  Mostly miss after only ONE TD drive, the first score of the game.
Franklin comes in and leads the Tigers to a consolation TD.
Kerryon Johnson runs it in from inside the 5.

Auburn 16 TAMU 29 FINAL SCORE

The onside kick fails.  We get the ball back again and the game mercifully ends as our last possession ends at the 40 and the Aggies take a knee.

After that first TD drive our offense never gets back into that opening rhythm.  Our offense shows no improvement from last year.  Something HAS to change with our offense.  I think it's the lack of an adequate quarterback.

After Arkansas State

It always feels good after a win especially after a loss and a game we could have won the week before.  Now comes TAMU and LSU, the letter schools.  All we can do is see what happens.

2016 Game 2 Arkansas State

After last Saturday night's 19 to 13 loss to Clemson the Tigers take on Arkansas State, which lost handily to Toledo last Saturday.   The game kicks off at 6:30 on the SEC network.  Auburn is a 19 point favorite. After last week's 3-quarterback messiness,  Sean White is supposed to be the guy now with Franklin second.  I wonder if we will see more and more of Franklin as things move along.   I think Auburn will win the game, but it won't be pretty.

FIRST QUARTER

ASU receives and after one first down they punt to our 22.
We mount a drive but Kerryon Johnson fumbles unforced and they recover on their 26.  We cannot have this.  We start with some success but now this.
The Red Wolves drive into Auburn territory but we stop them on 4th and 2 and get the ball on our 34.
NOW can our offense sustain a drive?
On a third and 5 White flips the ball to KJ as he is going and Kerryon reverses his field and goes 47 yards for a touchdown.  An electrifying run!  Makes up for the fumble.  Great individual effort.  If Coach Malzahn looks for explosive plays he got one there.

Auburn 7 Arkansas State 0

Lo and behold they get a long 69 yard pass to a wide open receiver in the middle of the field and ASU is inside our one yard line.  Next play their QB punches it in from a half yard out.  We make a big play to score then give up an even bigger play and they tie the game.

Auburn 7 Arkansas State 7

Kyle Davis makes a spectacular one-handed catch at the 5 yard line IN TRAFFIC!
There is your freshman wide receiver.  An amazing catch!  42 yard reception.
Kerryon Johnson wildcats it in from the one.

Auburn 14 Arkansas State 7

The Red Wolves go three and out.
The Tigers start at their 47.
Our offense seems to be in something of a rhythm now.
Auburn is driving as the quarter ends.

SECOND QUARTER

It is announced that Kerryon's 47 yard score has been ruled a lateral.  Whatever.
The touchdown comes from the 24 on a pass to Tony Stevens.
Our offense is looking good at this point.

Auburn 21 Arkansas State 7

The Red Wolves go three and out.
Marcus Davis fair catches at the 28 yard line.
The Tigers drive again.
Kamryn Pettway is running hard, and Sean White is impressive running up the middle.  He is not running the zone read, but he is showing running ability scrambling and quarterback drawing.
We move to a 4th and 5 from the 20 after an exchange of penalties.
There's a stunning fake FG attempt as the holder flips the ball back to Daniel Carlson and he runs it around right end and there were NO Red Wolves there!  You will NEVER see a better fake FG attempt than that one.

Auburn 28 Arkansas State 7

Well, that woke everybody up!  You see your field goal kicker running untouched into the end zone and it's exciting!
ASU is punting from their 44.  They make a first down or two but then we stop them.
The kick goes into the end zone with 5:04 left.
The offense continues to move the football running and passing.  Here we go again.
From the 29 White hits a wide open Will Hastings down the left side for the touchdown.

Auburn 35 Arkansas State 7

We have around 400 yards of total offense so far.
We are under 2 minutes in the half.
Auburn forces a punt with 33 seconds to go and a final timeout called.
The Tigers regain possession on our and 34 and Kamryn Pettway runs like he's shot out of a canon down to their 2 yard line.  Wow!  Pettway run straight up the middle and he was in their backfield in 2 seconds and he was off to the races.
After an offsides we are their one yard line with 7 seconds left and no timeouts.
White misses a wide open Slayton in the back of the end zone.
4 seconds left.
We go for the field goal and extend the lead on the last play of the half.
But what an explosive burst by Kamryn Pettway.  Wow!
At the half Auburn has 452 yards of total offense.

Auburn 38 Arkansas State 7

Auburn receives and on the first play from scrimmage Pettway runs for 29 yards to the 49.  Kamryn Pettway looks impressive.
The drive ends with a 37-yd. Carlson field goal.

Auburn 41 Arkansas State 7

We seem to have this game in control.  I hope we don't get sloppy now.
The Red Wolves are three and out and the Tigers start on their 29.
9:47 to go in the quarter.  As best I can recall, we have not punted in this game.
In only our second offensive failure of the night we miss on a 4th and short and ASU takes the ball on their 47.
A complete pass and the Red Wolves are on our 40.
The defense gets sloppy as they get a 4th down pass to our 5 and their QB runs in on the next play

Auburn 41 Arkansas State 14

From our 18 the offense moves the ball.
Pettway continues to look good.  He's a power runner but he has a great burst once he hits the hole.
The Tigers are first and 10 at the 20 after a great third down completion to Slayton.
First and goal at the 8.
TD pass to Stevens in the right corner of the end zone on first down.  Great pitch and catch!

Auburn 48 Arkansas State 14

Less than a minute to go in the third.  603 total yards so far.
The quarter ends with AU in control.

FOURTH QUARTER

They drive to our 16, but Carl Lawson gets a big sack on third down and they miss the field goal.  Auburn continues to lead 48 to 14 early in the 4th quarter.
The Tigers send in John Franklin III and he electrifies the crowd.  When he keeps the ball and heads upfield he is hard to stop.
The drive stops at the 25 but Carlson does it again hitting a 42-yarder.

Auburn 51 Arkansas State 14

That drive was with mostly freshmen on the field.
7:07 left.
 ASU drives inside our 30 but the 4th down pass is incomplete.
Auburn is at our 26 with 5:02 remaining.
Down the field we running ball with Franklin at quarterback.
We drive close to the 10.  Franklin takes a knee.  Auburn comes back from last week racking up 706 yards of offense.
I know it's Arkansas State but I am pleased.  An overall great performance, a dominating performance and a total team effort.  We have some momentum heading into TAMU next week.
All right!

From Here

I have learned over the years that you can never predict what is going to happen in a football season.  Last Saturday night proved this once again.  Where will this team go from here?  I do not know and therefore I cannot predict and therefore won't predict.  All we can do is wait and see.

How bad was the offense?

Auburn vs. Mississippi State, 2008
315 total yards of offense
(Auburn won 3-2)

Auburn vs. Clemson, 2016
262 total yards of offense

2016 Game 1 Clemson

Here we go again.  The 2016 football season begins on a Saturday night at Jordan Hare as the Tigers take on the Clemson Tigers.  The game is on ESPN so we have to wait till 8 for kickoff.  Clemson starts the season ranked #2 and they are a 7.5 favorite.  Auburn is not ranked.  They have the great QB Deshaun Watson, the favorite for the Heisman.  We will have our hands full.  A lot of things need to go right for us to win this game.  We always hear talk of the mystique of night games at Jordan Hare, but I don't put too much faith in that.

Before our game I enjoy seeing South Alabama beat Mississippi State 21 to 20.  I enjoy seeing Houston beat OU.   Wisconsin beats LSU 16 to 14.  I had mixed feelings about this one. Arkansas survives a scare with La. Tech.  I was rooting for those Bulldogs from Louisiana all the way on that one.  TAMU beats UCLA 31 to 24 in overtime. Georgia beats North Carolina.  This is the biggest opening weekend of intersectional games that I can remember.

FIRST QUARTER

Clemson wins the toss and elects to receive.  Why not with DeShaun Watson?
Clemson drives to the Auburn 32 and our defense holds on 4th and 5.
Big stop by the defense!  Almost a pick 6 by Ford.  Should have been.
The Tigers backwards and punt on 4th and 12.  There was a procedure penalty that hurt.
Not the start that we desired with our offense.  Got to do better on offense.
After the punt Clemson starts at their 33.
After one first down Clemson punts from their 48.
Marcus Davis fair catches at the AU 14.
We need some offense.
John Franklin is in at quarterback.
White is back in on third down.
The Tigers go three and out.
So far we have no offense.  Two possessions.  No first downs.
We get a big roll on the punt---68 yards---and Clemson starts on their 18.
Our defense is playing well, but if our offense doesn't get going this is going to be a long game.
We have no running game and haven't attempted a throw downfield.
One first down and Clemson punts from their 41.
Punt goes into the end zone.
Will we get a first down starting from our 20?  This is once again not the Gus Malzahn offense we expect.
Two possessions so far we have 3 total yards.
We can't keep sending our defense back out there without some help from the offense.
Jeremy Johnson is the QB on this possession.
All three quarterbacks have played.  Now I see why the coaches had to wait so long to name a quarterback.  None of the three look effective.
We cannot run the ball and still no throws down the field.  I hope Johnson doesn't throw an interception.  You can't help but think this.
On third down JJ throws a first down pass to Will Hastings just across the 30.
The quarter ends with Auburn facing 3rd and 10 from just across the 30.
We've had too many negative plays and 5-yd. penalties.

Auburn 0 Clemson 0

SECOND QUARTER

There's a first down pass to Hastings to the 41 on third and 10.
There's a pass to Marcus Davis to the Clemson 40.
JJ is looking good at the moment.
We move to a third and 6 at the Clemson 36.
Clemson is clogging the middle daring us to pass.
Pass incomplete on 3rd down to Stevens.
Daniel Carlton kicks a 53 yard field goal!  What a weapon Carlson is.
We get points.  JJ has been the most effective QB so far.

Auburn 3 Clemson 0

Clemson starts on their 16.
Clemson mounts an effective drive.
They are so effective with the throw and catch.  Very slick.
Clemson is first and 10 at the 13 with 10:09 to go in the half.
Carlton Davis gets his bell rung but is hopefully okay.
On third and 11 from the 14 they call a hold on Ford.  Wow!  We hold them and a penalty puts the ball at the 7 first and goal.  Bad break.  Sad. Had them stopped and we get a holding call in the end zone on a pass that couldn't be caught.  Hard luck I suppose.
We move to 4th and goal from just inside the one yard line.
Nick Ruffin goes down.  Carlton Davis has yet to return.
Clemson will go for it.  Why not?
The rush from 1 is easy for the touchdown.

Auburn 3 Clemson 7

We get the benefit of a kickoff out of bounds, but we go sharply backwards and after JJ gets sacked twice we are punting from the 15.  That was a bad, bad, offensive set.  Jeremy Johnson is still ready for prime time.
I do not understand how our offense can be so bad.  How can a Gus Malzahn offense be this bad? Clemson brings big pressure and Johnson cannot handle it.
With 5:44 the visiting Tigers start at their 49 after the punt.
Clemson has execution with their offense and we don't.
On third down after a complete pass for the first the receive fumbles and we recover on our 34.
The play is reviewed but the fumble recovery is upheld.
Sean White comes in but we go three and out.  Their defense is whipping our offense at the line of scrimmage.  Their defense is showing greater effort than our offense.
3:25 to go.  After the punt Clemson starts at their 22.
We are lucky to be trailing by only 4 points given how poorly our offense is playing.
Clemson drives for a 30 yard field goal.  They were aided with a questionable pass interference call on Auburn giving them a first down on a third and seven.  This is an ACC crew.

Auburn 3 Clemson 10

We have exactly 38 total yards in the first half.  This is amazing.
We 37 yards in penalties.  I think they have 10. Penalties kept both of their scoring drives going.
After their kickoff we are at the half.  Auburn gets the ball coming out in the second half.  It hurts to see the defense holding a high scoring team to 10 points at the half and our offense so bad.

THIRD QUARTER

If our offense doesn't show up, this game will end up being a runaway.  Because of sacks we had 1 yard rushing in the half.  How can this be happening?  How can our offense be this bad?  What has happened to Gus Malzahn?  We had 3 first downs in the half.  We have no offensive rhythm and GM offense is all about rhythm.   The only thing I can think of is that we do not have a good quarterback and cannot pass the football so their defense gangs up to stop the run and Clemson is doing a good job of that to say the least.

Right off the bat we have runback out close to midfield BUT there is block in the back call and we start on the 5.  So sad.
Kerryon Johnson is dropped for a loss at the two.
Clemson is killing our offensive line.
Now we are back to the one yard line.
Two straight negative plays to start the series from the give.
We get back to the original line at the five and we are punting.  The penalty on the great kickoff return takes a toll.  This game is already going downhill.
How could you predict such a terrible offense?
Clemson starts on the AU side of the field.
They drive to a 40 yard field goal.

Auburn 3 Clemson 13

Last kickoff we had a runback close to midfield but a block in the back made us start at the 5.  What will happen this time?
10:36 to go in the third.
Still 38 total yards.  Our announcers are dumbfounded.
Finally Kerryon Johnson makes some runs into Clemson territory but Jeremy Johnson floats in interception at the Clemson 8.  I hope we never see him again.
We get the ball back on an interception at the Clemson 34.
Kerryon Johnson gets a catch down the one but a review negates the reception.  It was a close play as to whether it was a catch.
We move to 4th and one at the Clemson 15.
Chandler Cox runs for the first down at the 13.
We move to another 4th and 1.
Jeremy Johnson is stopped short and Clemson holds inside the 5.
We are not going to win this game.  That clinched it.
I don't think it mattered that it was JJ carrying the ball but still I wouldn't have him in there.
Our offense just cannot get it done.  We finally show some life but cannot score from inside the 5.
Our defense will have to win this game but I don't think they can score 10 points on their own.
Clemson is three and out.
As the third quarter ends Auburn is on the Clemson 15 with a 2nd and 7.  The offense is finally showing some life, but can we score in the red zone.  Clemson leads 13 to 3.

FOURTH QUARTER

We have been shuffling quarterbacks.  I did not expect this.
Here we go in the fourth quarter.  We can still win this game.
We settle for the field goal early in the fourth.  We got down to the 11 but got pushed back to the 15 for the FG attempt.  Our offense still can't score a touchdown but at least we are in the this game.  We surely wanted to be in the game in the 4th with a chance to win.

Auburn 6 Clemson 13

Clemson answers with a drive and a 17 yard TD pass.  On third and goal from the 17 we come with an all-out blitz but their good QB hits a receiver in the left corner of the end zone.  That was a big gamble on the blitz and we get burned by it. 10 plays 75 yards.  Why did we blitz?  The PAT is no good.

Auburn 6 Clemson 19

White hits Kyle Davis on a pass down to the Clemson 34.
First down on the 24.
We continue to rotate quarterbacks.
First down pass to Hastings to the 7.
We move to 4th and goal at the 8 with Sean White at QB.
White throws an interception at the goal line and Clemson has the ball at their two.
Same story, different verse.  We are finally moving the ball in the second half but simply cannot find the end zone.  Wasn't this the story last year all year?
First and goal at the 7 and we can't get the end zone.
The offense lost his game pure and simple.  This is the same offense we saw last year.  No improvement.
Clemson is three and out and we get the ball at their 36.
4:44 left.
Kerryon Johnson runs to the 18 on the first play.
A late hit against White moves the ball to the 9.
From the 9 Kerryon wild cats the ball into the end zone.
With 3:22 to go it's a 6 point game.

Auburn 13 Clemson 19

No onside kick.  Clemson starts at their 25                                                                                           Alas, our defense cannot hold them.
Our announcers point out that every time Auburn scores Clemson answers.
Still our defense has played a great game.
Watson competes pass after pass to their best receiver Mike Williams, mostly back shoulder catches.
Clemson drives into the red zone but we get the ball back on our 15 with 40 seconds left as they show poor clock management.
We move to the 39.
With 6 seconds left we have one chance left into the end zone.
The ball is tipped up but one of their players knocks it down.
We have a chance at the end but the Hail Mary as is the case most of the time is incomplete.
We had a chance at the end.  At least that.
We had red zone chances like last year but were not successful enough.
The offense finally got it doing but it was too little too late.
But boy, you gotta say the defense played winning football.
If the defense continues to improve and the offense comes along we could still a good time before it's over.

Auburn 13 Clemson 19

Cole Cubelic's Thoughts on the Clemson Game

Cole Cubelic has a nice video on al.com.  He shows how Auburn can get the running game going against Clemson and basically it's based on their aggressive defense and how they fly to the ball.  Put a hat on a hat and one cut by the running back can result in big games.  Just break the line of scrimmage and the running game can go.  We just need the receivers to have a good game, not necessarily a great game, and help out their QB.

Looking Forward to Saturday Night

The start of another football season is dead ahead.  I only wish it weren't an 8 p.m. kickoff.  I hate waiting all day for an Auburn football game.

Clemson is a 7.5 favorite.  Given what I read about them, I wonder why they are not more of a fave than that.  They have the great QB and lots of players back from last year.  Auburn just named its quarterback.  Sean White is an SEC caliber QB, but he is not an elite signal caller.

I can't imagine winning this game.  Just hope we play a good game and it is a good game to the end.

Second Pelham Game

My hopes for Pelham football turned to ashes last night.  For some reason I drove out to Morris, whatever that is, only to leave at the half with Pelham trailing 28 to 14.  Later I saw that the final score was 42 to 14.  The Panthers are not a well-coached team.  They make mistakes.  They seem snake-bit.  Add it all up and this team might not win a game.  Last year's bunch went 1 and 9.  So sad.

Being at this game out in the middle of nowhere freaked me out.  The Mortimer Jordan stadium and high school is truly hidden away.  Finding it was tortuous.  I did not desire to have to drive out of there after the game to find my way back to civilization.  People do actually live out in the sticks like this.  It takes a trip like this to realize this truth.  I never did see if there is actually a town of Morris.  No matter.  I will never ever go out there again.

I knew at the half that Pelham was going to lose.  Made it easier to leave.

Starting QB

Late word comes that it's  Sean White.  No mention of a #2.

First Pelham Game

Last year Pelham went 1 & and 9.  I would say there is room for improvement.  Last night I enjoyed watching Pelham and Homewood at Samford.  I saw improvement even though the Panthers lost 21 to 14.

I was amazed to see a full house at Seibert Stadium.  No wonder they didn't play at Homewood!  It was such a pleasurable venue to watch a high school football game.  Makes me wish I were a Samford fan because this is such a great stadium to watch a football game.

Pelham took a 14 to 0 lead in the third quarter, but the Patriots made it 14 to 7 at the end of the quarter.  The fourth quarter belonged to Homewood as they came on strong to win 21 to 14.

The program is improving.  There are better days ahead.  I'm thinking I'll go to the Thompson game in the middle of the season.

Who will be Auburn's Starting QB?

We expect an announcement this week.  My guess is that it's between Sean White and John Franklin III.  White would be the conservative choice.  Our defense might, we hope, be stout enough to beat some of our opponents with White.  But to beat Clemson, we will have to score lots of points. The more athletic Franklin would be a roll of the dice. But the longer this goes on, the more I think it just might be Franklin.  Is the Coach waiting for him to win the job?   I would play both in the opener and get a real judgement as to who should the permanent number one.  We shall see.

Shocker

Jovon Robinson is dismissed for not meeting the coach's standards.  Just saw this online.

Football Netherworld

In this football netherworld in the dog days of July before another football season starts I am trying to cool it.  It will come when it comes.

Auburn Preseason Bash

Last night at the annual preseason bash put on by the Jefferson County Auburn Club I heard Coach Malzahn speak.  Here's what he said.

The starting QB will be one of the three.  Which one who knows.  He will name someone as soon as he can after the start of fall practice.  The key factor in the upcoming season is the quarterback season.  It's that simple.  Somebody has to step up big-time at that position.

It seems to me the offensive line should be pretty good.  It is obvious he likes Coach Hand.

Kerryon Johnson has put on about 20 pounds.  We need him to blossom.

It seems to me that one or two of the 4 freshman wide receivers need to play.  Coach seems to like Kodi Burns.  I would really like to improvement at that position.

The strength of the defense is the defensive line.  The d-line must be good.  Depth is the biggest asset there.

Carlton Davis is our most talented defensive back.  He can control one side of the field.

The first five games are at home.  Let's get off to a good start.

Sixth Game: Oklahoma 2 Auburn 1

Here we go for the national championship.  One game for glory.  After last night's heroics, can we do it one more time?

The Tigers get off to a shaky start.  Auburn fails to score in the top of the first and Oklahoma gets two runs across on two untypical errors by Emily Carosone and a slow throw to first by our shortstop Oklahoma 2 Auburn 0.

Our ladies get the first two batters on with singles in the top of the second,  but there is a force out at third and two strikeouts ends it.  The Sooners get a single but strand the runner at first. Oklahoma 2 Auburn 0.

In the top of the third the Tigers load the bases on 2 singles and an error by their highly touted picture, but the highly touted pitcher retires the next 3 batters concluding with a 6-4-3 double play.  Oklahoma fails to score in the bottom of the third.  Oklahoma 2 Auburn 0.

After three innings, we've had some base runners but cannot bring them home.  Shaky fielding yielded 2 runs in the first.  Makayla Martin is doing a good job so far in the circle.  Our hitters seem to be taking more pitchers than usual,

In the top of the 4th first batter Jade Rhodes launches a rocket over the left field fence for our first run.  Haley Fagin walks.  Nobody out.  But that's it in the 4th.  The Tigers cut the lead but Oklahoma still leads going into the bottom of the 4th.  OU is scoreless in the bottom of the inning.  Oklahoma 2 Auburn 1.  Tight game as you would expect.  We have to get to their highly touted pitcher.

As we go to the 5th I'm thinking that if we can hold them to two runs we will win this game.

Top of the order up for Auburn.  Tiffany Howard is out on a close play at first.  Kasey Cooper flies out to right.  The count goes to 3 and 1 on Emily Carosone and she takes a called third strike.  Big downer of an inning.  Will Carosone get another chance at the plate?  It's getting late and we trail by a run.  Are we waiting for another dramatic Auburn finish?  It's hard to believe it will happen this time, but are going to need some late innings fireworks.  Oklahoma goes down in order in the fifth.  Oklahoma 2 Auburn 1.

Hitters 4, 5, and 6 up for Auburn to start the 6th.  Something has to happen soon.  But we go in order and OU is scoreless in the bottom of the 6th.

We go to the climactic 7th and Auburn hitters 7,8,and 9 go down in order.  Oklahoma wins the national championship.

If you had told me before this game that Oklahoma would only score 2 runs, I would have bet anything that we would win, but it didn't happen.  Makayla Martin them scoreless for 5 innings, but those 2 errors in the first leading to two runs did us in.

Still a great season for the Auburn softball team.

Fifth Game: Auburn 11 Oklahoma 7

The Tigers face a win or go home situation.  Having lost the first of a 3 game series the Tigers must win tonight to play a final game for the national championship.

The game starts about as bad as it could.  The Sooners get a run in the top of the first after an error by our shortstop lets the lead off batter reach and that batter comes around to score.  1 to 0 after one.

In the second inning the Sooners put up a 6 spot and we are down 7 to 0 going into the bottom of the inning.  Lo and behold the Tigers respond with a 5 spot and it's 7 to 5 after two innings.  The bad thing is that Auburn leaves the bases loaded as Jade Rhodes strikes out.

Neither team scores in the third.  Oklahoma leads 7 to 5.

In the bottom of the 4th Auburn evens the score as Kasey Cooper hits a 2-run homer well over the right field wall.  After getting down 7 to 0 in the top of the second, the Tigers have evened the score. We go into the 5th 7-7.

Neither team scores in the 5th.  We go to the 6th tied at 7-7.

In the Sooner top of the 6th Tiffany Howard makes the fielding play of the game.  With a runner on she makes a spectacular catch in left field, catching what could have been a 2-run homer.  She leaps and the ball lands in her glove beyond the fence, and she brings it back.

In the bottom of the inning we leave 2 runners on and we go to the 7th tied at 7-7.  Will the final inning in regulation be a lucky 7 for somebody?  The drama in this game is outstanding.

The Sooners are scoreless in the top of the 7th.  Auburn has a chance to win this game in dramatic fashion.  Alas, we go down in order in the bottom of the 7th.

To extra innings we go.  Oklahoma goes down in order in the top of the 8th

Magic happens big time in the bottom of the 8th.

After one out the the Tigers load the bases and EMILY CAROSONE launches a rocket on the first pitch over the right field fence.  GRAND SLAM!

Auburn rocks the Sooners, winner of 31 straight games coming into tonight, 11 to 7 with an unbelievable walk-off grand slam.

Wow!

Game three for all the marbles tomorrow night.

Fourth Game: Oklahoma 3 Auburn 2

Here is the championship series.  In only his third season Clint Myers has his team playing for the softball national championship.

Lexi Davis is our surprise starting pitcher.  But for one pitch she delivers a great performance.  Third inning: a single, a walk, and a 3 run homer.

Trailing 3 to 0 in the final inning, the Tigers get a 2-run homer from Jade Rhoades.  We have runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out.  Their first baseman knocks down a ground ball and throws out our runner at home.  We leave the tying run at third as a popup ends it.

Our 7th inning rally falls short.  Need to win tomorrow night to keep this thing going.

Third Game: Auburn 8 Florida State 7

The Auburn softball team is headed to the College World Series final best of 3 games against either Oklahoma or LSU.  No Auburn softball team has been this far before.  Most likely we will play the Sooners.  After our game tonight OU will only need to beat LSU once to advance and they will have by far the most fans in the stands tomorrow night.

The Tigers took a 7 to 4 lead into the 7th.  All of our runs came on homers.  There were two 3-run blasts and a solo shot.

FSU tied it on a three-run homer to send the game into the 8th inning.  In the top of the 8th the Seminoles left the bases loaded.  I knew with Rachel Walters pitching it would get hairy before it was over, but I didn't think they would tie it send the game into the 8th inning.

We get a single to start the 8th.  Their leftfielder can't handle the ball cleanly and our runner scoots around to third.  There is a short grand ball to the their third baseman,  but the throw to home is high and before the catcher can get the glove down our runner slides in for the winning run.  Wow!  What an ending to send Auburn to the finals which will start either tomorrow night or the next night.

Second Game: Auburn 4 Georgia 3

On ESPN2 we see the Tigers win a thriller and move to within one win of advancing to the championship round of he 2016 College Softball National Championship.
The Tigers get a run in the top of the first but trail 3 to 1 going into the 7th.  Two singles and a Bulldog error and the Tigers hold the 4 to 3 lead in the bottom of the inning.  That's quite a 7th inning rally!  Three runs in the final inning to win it.  The Dogs get two runners on base in the bottom of the inning but the game ends on a grounder back to our pitcher.
The winning run comes in a bizarre manner.
With runners on first and second there's a ground ball to the second baseman.  She tries to tag the runner going to second rather than go for what would have been an inning ending double play.  She finally flips the ball to get the force out but the runner on third comes on with the go ahead and winning run.
Our runner going to second is actually called out by going too far our of the baseline.  Our runner on first left the bag thinking that was the third out and she was called out when our first base coach touched her to get her back to the bag.  There was momentary confusion on the field, but the run counted because the third called out at first came AFTER the run scored.
WHEW!
That was exciting.  Now on to tomorrow.

First Game - Softball CWS

Auburn 10 UCLA 3
The Tigers make short work of the Bruins jumping out to a 5 to 0 first inning lead cruising from there.  Next up is Georgia tomorrow.  The Bulldawgs beat FSU in the first game today.

Fact

Clint Myers has coached 11 Division I seasons between Arizona State and Auburn, winning at least 50 games 8 times.

To OKC

Our amazing softball team wins the super regional against Arizona at Jane B. Moore field today sweeping the doubleheader.  After losing yesterday 5 to 3 the team had to win today and win they did, winning the first one 4 to 1 and the clincher 6 to 1.  The pitching was terrific and the hitting was good enough.

Now it's on to Oklahoma City and the softball world series.  Auburn will play the winner of the Oregon-UCLA game.  Georgia and Florida State are also in our bracket.  Four SEC teams are in the tournament.

We have more softball to watch next weekend!

SEC Softball Champs

With great pleasure we watch our softball team win the SEC Tournament for the second straight year.  Not only that, but in doing so the team beat Alabama, Florida, and LSU in the last 2 days.  How often do you get the chance to beat three of your biggest rivals in 2 days?  This is unprecedented.  Yesterday it was UAT and Florida in the same day due to a Thursday rainout and then the finish today against LSU.

Auburn 7
LSU      1

How wonderful!

Summer Blues

The summer blues will soon be upon us.  The baseball team is going nowhere.  Spring training is over.  We will have no idea about the 2016 team until Clemson shows up at Jordan-Hare.  The only drama is who will start at QB.  No matter who it is it will be a challenge.

2016 A-Day

The defense dominates in a 19 to 10 score.  Daniel Carlson kicks 5 field goals in a windy stadium.   He should be the best placekicker in the country.  Jovon Robinson has one long run.  Kamyrn Pettway has a good run.  Malick Miller has a long run.  The consistent passing isn't there.  If this offense is going to dominate like Malzahn teams in the past somebody has going to step forth at QB and we've got to throw the football better even if the power running is there behind a good offensive line.  I see no clarity in the quarterback situation.  The fact that the QBs have on non-contact orange shirt is a factor so we didn't to see what John Franklin III can do on the zone read, but I see nothing to indicate he can be an effective passer.  The starting quarterback against Clemson will either be Franklin or Jeremy Johnson.  The latter has good moments and bad moments.  I see the same quarterback that I saw last season.  The defense should be solid with depth.  I'd rather have a solid defense than a solid offense to start with.  Anyway, it is what it is.

The Big O

Word comes that James Owens, Auburn's first black football player, has passed away.  I remember James Owens well as he was there when I was a student.   I remember him being called "The Big O."  He had a kind of plodding, stomping way of running the football.  How difficult it must have been for him during those days to break the football color barrier.  He was a good Auburn man.

Lady Tigers are Dancing

Spring So Far

Excepting the girls softball team which has lost only one game, it's been a lousy spring so far.  The basketball team is getting worse.  We beat Alabama at home, we beat Kentucky, and we beat Arkansas on the road.  Other than that, it's been awful  The baseball team can't hit  They have gone 17 innings in a row without a run.  Oh well!

Football Coaching Changes

I was shocked to see that Dameyune Craig is leaving for LSU.  I don't like to see one of our own leaving.  No doubt he's a great recruiter.  Those 4 receivers that are coming have to be a good sign.  We've lost 5 coaches since the bowl game.  Muschamp and Robinson I can understand.  Kevin Steele for Lance Thompson is one I do not understand.  The change in offensive line I don't know enough to understand wither.   I was so impressed with our defense in the bowl game.

Yet I am not sure about the on-the-field coaching of our wide receivers.   Overall our receivers haven't been that good in action.

Of course only time will tell what will happen now.  Maybe Kodi Burns will be great.  Who knows?

Auburn Defeats Alabama in Gymnastics For First Time since 1979

BY Walt Austin
College and Magnolia
12 February 2016

117 matches. Just shy of 37 years. That's how long it's been since Auburn Gymnastics defeated Alabama.

Tonight, in front of the second sellout crowd this season and only the third in Auburn Gymnastics history, the streak ended.

I can't do justice to what this means to those girls. I'll let Megan Walker do that for us as soon as she's able to write something. Here's what she had to say in her preview of the meet for tonight. This should at least give you a great idea of just what this victory means in terms of the direction of the program and how it will increase the national perception and prowess of the team.

It was such an intense match-up of two very excellent squads. They were giving their all throughout the whole night and it came down to the wire. Auburn needed a 9.925 on the final floor exercise to steal the victory. With something like that on the line there's no one better than Caitlyn Atkinson for Auburn. The senior pulled it out right on the money earning a 9.925, the All-Around Title, and the victory for Auburn Gymnastics. The final score was a razor thin margin of 197.275 - 197.250.

The trajectory Coach Graba has this team on is amazing. When a national powerhouse like Florida turns to one of his assistants to take over their program, you know he's doing things right. He took the team all the way to the Super 6 last year. Tonight he earned a win even bigger in the eyes of the Auburn Family. He ended just over three and a half decades worth of watching The Streak increase every year.

It's over. These ladies gave their heart and soul tonight to see it happen. WAR. DAMN. EAGLE.

They'll next be back in action at home on the 26th against Missouri. Let's make it two sellouts in a row!

Recruiting

Another recruiting cycle ends. Another day of hoopla about 17 year-olds. Besides getting Derrick Brown, I don't see much newsworthy. Now I can return to ignoring the incessant recruiting banter.

The Basketball Team

After beating Kentucky and Alabama the team gets blown out at Florida.  I do not understand this team.

Pearl celebrates beating the Bammers

Beating Kentucky

I enjoy seeing the Tigers beat Kentucky 75 to 70 at Auburn Arena.  No doubt this is the biggest victory in the Bruce Pearl Era so far.

Auburn Baseball

Since the basketball season seems to be a lost cause, it's time to get excited about Auburn baseball.  The first series starts February 19.

Beating Tennessee

The Tigers beat the Vols 83 to 77 to begin SEC play.