2017 The Clemson Game

After starting the season with a 41 to 7 win over Georgia Southern, the Tigers meet Clemson, the defending national champions, at their version of Death Valley.  Clemson is favored by 7.  I cannot imagine Auburn winning this game.  Our defense might keep us in the game for a time, but the offense will not do its part and eventually the defense will wear down.  I expect to see the same offense I saw last week, and it will not be good enough.  Our new OC might be the real deal, but we won't see it tonight.  The passing game, if it comes, will come somewhere down the road.  The offense will not be balanced, not yet, as it must be to win this big games.

FIRST QUARTER

The Tigers receive and drive to a FG with the ball just outside the one yard line.  We were going for it on 4th from there but couldn't get a play off in time and we had to take the delay penalty.  Good drive; unfortunate that the drive ended in only three.  At least we showed we can move the ball against these people.  The drive took over 7 minutes off the clock.  15 plays.  Should have been 7.

Auburn 3  Clemson 0

After one first down we get a big sack on third down and Clemson punts from their 30.  The punt rolls dead on our 17.  Here comes our second possession.  Good stand by the defense on their first possession.
After an unfortunate grounding call Auburn punts to the Clemson 10 with 1:22 to go in the quarter.
On the first play from the 10 Clemson fumbles and Auburn recovers at the 10!
Pettway runs to the 6.  Stidham scrambles and fails to gain as the quarter ends.
We will start the second quarter with Auburn facing third and 6 at the 6.  It is possible barely to make a first down.

SECOND QUARTER

Stidham is dropped at the 11 and here we go again for another FG attempt.  The 28-yarder is good.  It seems to me that our receivers cannot get open.  Most plays Stidham has enough time to find an open receiver.

Auburn 6  Clemson 0

This game has started as we would have wished except for not taking full advantage of our red zone opportunities.
Clemson is three and out. Good job again by the defense.
The punt rolls dead at our 18.
AU goes three and out.  Conservative offense.  Nothing diversified.
Clemson starts on their 46.
Clemson drives to a long missed FG attempt.  Our defense holds.
At the end of the drive their QB Kelly Bryant goes down but leaves the field under his own power.
Can our offense get it going again?  In the past it seems that our defense never gets it going again once it fizzles.
The Tigers drive to their 45 but have to punt from there.  Our offense just cannot maintain any consistency.
Clemson fair catches at their 12.
They finally mount a drive completing short passes.
Clemson drives to a first and goal to the 9.
2nd goal from the 3 with less than a minute to go and a timeout.
Their QB Bryant runs it in from there.

Auburn 6  Clemson 7

The difference in the game is red zone woes.  Seems like we had this problem last year.  We should be leading 14 to 7 if we are going to win this game.
When you get inside the 10 you have got to get 6 to win especially on the road against a good team.
With 43 seconds left Auburn runs out the clock.
Clemson takes the momentum into the locker room and they receive to start the second half.
If Auburn is to win this game it will take a mighty momentum switch in the second half.

THIRD QUARTER

Clemson receives and drives 79 yards for the touchdown.  Their QB runs it in from the 27.  Their offense is in sync.

Auburn 6  Clemson 14

We have to pass to win this game.  Stidham has to win this game for us.  I doubt he can do it with our receivers.  Clemson has scored on their last 2 possessions.  Unless AU can miraculously get something going, this game is over.
Auburn punts and Clemson starts at midfield.
Clemson fumbles and Auburn recovers at their 44.  Big turnover!
First down to the Clemson 44 with 6:52 to go.
Still our passing game is so painful to watch.  It seems that we never have any easy throws.
Either we have no open receivers or else Stidham can't pull the trigger consistently.
The Tigers drive for one first down but on a 4th and 3 Stidham is sacked at midfield.  So sad.
OUR OFFENSE JUST CAN'T GET IT DONE.
First down Clemson to our 39.
After some good defense and a holding penalty Clemson is punting.
After a kick into the end zone we start at our 20.
If it weren't for our defense this game would be over.  It's kind of amazing that we still have a chance.
Alas, we are three and out punting from our 26.  We knew we need to win with the passing game but it simply isn't there.
Clemson fair catches at their 45 after just a 29 yard punt.
Clemson is three and out and we take the punt at our 12 as the quarter head to an end.
The quarter ends with AU facing a 2nd and 9 at their 13.

FOURTH QUARTER

We have to punt from our 7 but it's a good punt for once.  On the last play Stidham runs out of bounds at the 7 rather than throw the ball away.  I must say that Stidham is a big disappointment.  Why was this guy so hyped?  Are our receivers that bad?  What is it?  I wonder what would happen if they put Malik Willis in the game?
Clemson crosses midfield as our defense is tired.
Their QB is called for grounding moving the ball across midfield.
Clemson ends up punting from our 38 which AU fields at the 13.
It's shocking that we are only down by one score.
Apparently it will make no difference.
First down to the 26.
Pettway to the 30.
Gotta have more than Pettway between the tackles.  He is NOT going to break a long one.
After two completions we are punting from the 30.  Our offense is helpless it seems.
The punt is downed at the Clemson 35.
Clemson is three and out and a good return puts us starting at our 45.  One more chance for the offense.
The offense can't move the ball for the last time and Clemson runs out the clock.

FINAL SCORE

Auburn 6  Clemson 14