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