Sunday, November 26, 2017
The 2017 Alabama Game
It's here, the game expected to be the biggest since 2013. Alabama is 11 and 0; Auburn is 9 and 2. The winner plays in Atlanta with a chance to be in the final four. Alabama is a 4 point favorite which is about what it was in 2013. My biggest question going in: can our offense be consistent enough to help the defense? That means being able to run the football and pass well enough to be balanced.
FIRST QUARTER
After the teams swap possessions the Tigers drive 94 yards to take lead.
On third and two from the three KJ hits Nate Craig-Myers on a TimTebow pop pass for the score.
Great play. Great play call.
Auburn 7 Alabama 0
Alabama gets the benefit of an interference call and pushes on to the Auburn 43.
A chop block backs them up.
Hurts fumbles and Tre Williams recovers!!!
Auburn on the Alabama 44 first and 10.
First down to the 19.
First down to the 6.
Kerryon Johnson to the four.
We move to the third and goal from the four.
Stidham drops the snap and Alabama recovers on the 9. Oh,my.
The quarter ends on a downer.
Stidham drops the snap and can't pick it up. Looks like he tried to pick it up rather than fall on it.
Bad, bad, bad in a game like this.
We miss a golden opportunity to go up early by two scores.
Maybe Stidham can redeem himself later.
SECOND QUARTER
The second period starts with Alabama first and 10 on their nine yard line.
This will be a four quarter game.
The Tide goes three and out . Yes!
Alabama gets a big bounce on the punt and we start on our 22.
Roberts should have fielded that punt.
Their punter has been their biggest asset so far.
Auburn goes three and out.
Alabama had a good rush on Stidham that time.
We are hurt by Roberts not fielding that punt.
Alabama takes the ball on their 40 with the clock just under 12 minutes.
Alabama to the AU 48.
Hurts is a good runner.
He is most of their offense carrying the ball on keepers.
The possession goes to 4th and 1.
Hurts runs for the first down. He is their offense.
Alabama on the Auburn 36.
First down TD pass. Our defender got turned around and their receiver catches the ball in the end zone. It was almost a hail Mary and our defender lost the ball.
8:31 to go and we are tied.
Auburn 7 Alabama 7
We've had the Stidham fumble inside their 5 and an offensive play by Alabama and we are tied.
A bad go by Dinson in the end zone on that TD pass.
Auburn starts on the 23.
KJ for only one.
First down pass to Davis to the 34.
First down run by KJ.
Gain of 7 by KJ.
First down run to the Alabama 45.
But there is a 4 yard loss by Malik Willis on a keeper.
AU moves to third and 12 just across midfield.
Auburn has to punt on 4th and 9. The Willis play put us behind the chains.
The punt is downed at the Alabama two! A good punt for once.
The Tide goes three and out and is punting from their seven.
Roberts fair catches at the UA 49.
KJ for four yards.
On a pass downfield Slayton is pushed down but there is no interference call.
Big time pass completion to the UA 22.
We move to third and eight from the 20.
Timeout with 48 seconds left.
A completion but only to the 16.
Timeout UA with five seconds left as Auburn lines up for the field goal attempt.
The 34 harder is good as the half ends. Auburn leads at the half.
Auburn 10 Alabama 7
THIRD QUARTER
Alabama receives and drives right down the field unimpeded by our defense all on the ground except for one short swing pass.
That was ugly. What happened to our run defense on that series? They ran thru gaping holes. Goodness! That was power running 79 yards right down the field.
Auburn 10 Alabama 14
AU starts around their 21 or 22.
This is a big point in the game.
If they stop this possession we could be in trouble.
We move to third and three.
There is a 21 yard completion to Hastings.
There is an incompletion to Slayton and once again no interference call.
We get a five yard substitution penalty though.
First down to the UA 45.
There is a 15 yard PF on Alabama.
The ball moves to the UA 29.
We move to third and 8 at the Alabama 27.
Alabama is getting pressure on our QB.
We move to a field goal attempt.
The kick is good! At least we answered with three.
Auburn 13 Alabama 14
Alabama is three and out after a great open field tackle by Stephen Roberts.
Auburn starts on their 31,
We move to third and five.
There is a completion to Ryan Davis to the UA 41.
We move to third and seven. They are getting too much pressure on Stidham.
Stidham scrambles for the first down to the UA 27.
Stidham scrambles to the Tide 12 on a quarterback draw.
KJ is close to the 10. We keep running Johnson between the tackles without much success.
Stove sweeps to the three and a third and one.
KJ runs to the one and a first down.
KJ up the gut for the score!
THAT was a statement drive. Auburn is in this game to the end.
KJ is one tough running back. He may have been nicked up on that last drive because he will lower his head and push. That was a big drive.
The Tigers have scored ten straight points after Alabama's opening touchdown.
Auburn 20 Alabama 14
On the kickoff we give up another long return.
Alabama sets up at our 39. Yikes!
Alabama backs up five on procedure.
Dad gum that kickoff return burns me.
Davis is called on interference when they did NOT call similar plays on them.
There's another unfortunate event. There was interference on Auburn but they did not call the same play on Alabama.
Alabama moves to third and 4 from our 13.
There is a deflected pass in the end zone ruled caught by Alabama and ruled a TD but the point of the ball was on the ground. The play is reviewed and correctly ruled an incomplete pass. Their QB threw it up for grabs. Alabama was lucky on that play.
The FG attempt is no good as the holder cannot handle a good snap!
AU starts at the 26.
The quarter ends as Auburn picks up a first down at the 36 on another completion to Ryan Davis.
Can Auburn win this game over the last 15 minutes?
FOURTH QUARTER
This will be a 4 quarter game, but we knew that going in.
The Tigers drive impressibly for the touchdown.
I'm so nervous I can list every play.
Stidham scrambles for the score around left end.
The Tigers go for two on the point after.
The try is no good. The play didn't work. Auburn still leads by 12. Still a worthwhile effort.
Auburn 26 Alabama 14
Still early in the fourth quarter. Plenty of time left.
Let's not give a big KO return please.
The kickoff goes out of the end zone thank goodness.
12:49 left.
From the 25 Alabama moves across the Auburn 40.
Alabama moves to third and 8.
Hurts runs for the first down to the AU 39.
Their QB is hard to contain.
UA is at the Auburn 33 on the next play.
We move to third and five.
There is a bad snap and a loss.
Here comes a big fourth down.
THERE IS ANOTHER BAD SNAP BACK AT THE ALABAMA 41 AS HURTS CAN DO NOTHING BUT FALL ON THE BALL!
THE CROWD AND THE PRESSURE GETS TO THE TIDE!
I LOVE IT!!!
The play is reviewed because there was an illegal snap as Auburn was getting players off the field.
Alabama could get the ball back with a 5 yard penalty for an illegal snap.
Alabama players were moving as the snap was made and Auburn was running players off the field.
They penalize Auburn even though Alabama had players moving.
Alabama gets another chance with a 4th and 4.
Alabama gets away with a snap with players moving.
AUBURN HAD 12 PLAYERS ON THE FIELD BUT THEY SNAP THE BALL WITH PLAYERS MOVING.
AUBURN GETS THE STOP!
Auburn regains possession at our 34.
We move quickly to a third and 4.
Stove is topped just barely for a yard gain.
Auburn is punting.
Alabama is offsides on the punt.
First down Auburn!
Alabama is making mistakes all over the field.
On the first down KJ goes down. He is hurt. He planted and went back left.
Timeout with 6:21 to go Auburn facing second and long.
KJ will go out not likely to return. No more KJ between the tackles. We still need to run the ball.
KJ does walk off the field under his own power however gingerly.
Second and 15.
Kam Martin runs to midfield and is slow getting up.
Now they are having to look at Kam Martin as he stays down. Goodness! Our running backs are dropping as we try to win this game.
We move to third down. A first down would be awesome.
Auburn is punting from midfield with 5:40 remaining. Stidham almost made the first down but there was a shoestring tackle to keep him short. That might have been the play of the game so far.
It's going to be up to the Auburn defense the rest of the way.
Alabama fair catches the punt at their 16.
Hurts runs for 9 out of bounds.
First down at the 5:12 mark.
To the AU 31.
4:57 to go.
We move to third and seven.
Keep an eye on Calvin Ridley.
Hurts runs just enough for the first down.
Second and seven.
There's a pass to Ridley to the AU 30.
The clock runs close to the 3 minute mark.
False start on Alabama with 3:15 left.
Second and 15.
Hurts is sacked for a loss of 7.
Third and long and Alabama takes their last timeout.
Hurts has problems when Ridley is not there.
Third and very long.
Two more plays and this game will be on ice.
Third and 22 for Alabama from the Auburn 42.
Pass incomplete.
4th and 22. This is the game right here.
Pass incomplete and Hurts was past the line of scrimmage !
Auburn takes the ball and Alabama cannot stop the clock.
Auburn runs the clock down to 14 seconds and calls timeout on 4th down and 12.
Auburn will punt with 14 seconds left and a 12 point lead.
The punt goes out of bounds with 8 seconds left.
The game ends after one long Alabama pass.
The Tigers win the West. The Tigers earn another match with Georgia.
The Tigers rip Alabama. How wonderful it is!!!
Saban has never beat an Auburn team with at least 9 wins.
FIRST QUARTER
After the teams swap possessions the Tigers drive 94 yards to take lead.
On third and two from the three KJ hits Nate Craig-Myers on a TimTebow pop pass for the score.
Great play. Great play call.
Auburn 7 Alabama 0
Alabama gets the benefit of an interference call and pushes on to the Auburn 43.
A chop block backs them up.
Hurts fumbles and Tre Williams recovers!!!
Auburn on the Alabama 44 first and 10.
First down to the 19.
First down to the 6.
Kerryon Johnson to the four.
We move to the third and goal from the four.
Stidham drops the snap and Alabama recovers on the 9. Oh,my.
The quarter ends on a downer.
Stidham drops the snap and can't pick it up. Looks like he tried to pick it up rather than fall on it.
Bad, bad, bad in a game like this.
We miss a golden opportunity to go up early by two scores.
Maybe Stidham can redeem himself later.
SECOND QUARTER
The second period starts with Alabama first and 10 on their nine yard line.
This will be a four quarter game.
The Tide goes three and out . Yes!
Alabama gets a big bounce on the punt and we start on our 22.
Roberts should have fielded that punt.
Their punter has been their biggest asset so far.
Auburn goes three and out.
Alabama had a good rush on Stidham that time.
We are hurt by Roberts not fielding that punt.
Alabama takes the ball on their 40 with the clock just under 12 minutes.
Alabama to the AU 48.
Hurts is a good runner.
He is most of their offense carrying the ball on keepers.
The possession goes to 4th and 1.
Hurts runs for the first down. He is their offense.
Alabama on the Auburn 36.
First down TD pass. Our defender got turned around and their receiver catches the ball in the end zone. It was almost a hail Mary and our defender lost the ball.
8:31 to go and we are tied.
Auburn 7 Alabama 7
We've had the Stidham fumble inside their 5 and an offensive play by Alabama and we are tied.
A bad go by Dinson in the end zone on that TD pass.
Auburn starts on the 23.
KJ for only one.
First down pass to Davis to the 34.
First down run by KJ.
Gain of 7 by KJ.
First down run to the Alabama 45.
But there is a 4 yard loss by Malik Willis on a keeper.
AU moves to third and 12 just across midfield.
Auburn has to punt on 4th and 9. The Willis play put us behind the chains.
The punt is downed at the Alabama two! A good punt for once.
The Tide goes three and out and is punting from their seven.
Roberts fair catches at the UA 49.
KJ for four yards.
On a pass downfield Slayton is pushed down but there is no interference call.
Big time pass completion to the UA 22.
We move to third and eight from the 20.
Timeout with 48 seconds left.
A completion but only to the 16.
Timeout UA with five seconds left as Auburn lines up for the field goal attempt.
The 34 harder is good as the half ends. Auburn leads at the half.
Auburn 10 Alabama 7
THIRD QUARTER
Alabama receives and drives right down the field unimpeded by our defense all on the ground except for one short swing pass.
That was ugly. What happened to our run defense on that series? They ran thru gaping holes. Goodness! That was power running 79 yards right down the field.
Auburn 10 Alabama 14
AU starts around their 21 or 22.
This is a big point in the game.
If they stop this possession we could be in trouble.
We move to third and three.
There is a 21 yard completion to Hastings.
There is an incompletion to Slayton and once again no interference call.
We get a five yard substitution penalty though.
First down to the UA 45.
There is a 15 yard PF on Alabama.
The ball moves to the UA 29.
We move to third and 8 at the Alabama 27.
Alabama is getting pressure on our QB.
We move to a field goal attempt.
The kick is good! At least we answered with three.
Auburn 13 Alabama 14
Alabama is three and out after a great open field tackle by Stephen Roberts.
Auburn starts on their 31,
We move to third and five.
There is a completion to Ryan Davis to the UA 41.
We move to third and seven. They are getting too much pressure on Stidham.
Stidham scrambles for the first down to the UA 27.
Stidham scrambles to the Tide 12 on a quarterback draw.
KJ is close to the 10. We keep running Johnson between the tackles without much success.
Stove sweeps to the three and a third and one.
KJ runs to the one and a first down.
KJ up the gut for the score!
THAT was a statement drive. Auburn is in this game to the end.
KJ is one tough running back. He may have been nicked up on that last drive because he will lower his head and push. That was a big drive.
The Tigers have scored ten straight points after Alabama's opening touchdown.
Auburn 20 Alabama 14
On the kickoff we give up another long return.
Alabama sets up at our 39. Yikes!
Alabama backs up five on procedure.
Dad gum that kickoff return burns me.
Davis is called on interference when they did NOT call similar plays on them.
There's another unfortunate event. There was interference on Auburn but they did not call the same play on Alabama.
Alabama moves to third and 4 from our 13.
There is a deflected pass in the end zone ruled caught by Alabama and ruled a TD but the point of the ball was on the ground. The play is reviewed and correctly ruled an incomplete pass. Their QB threw it up for grabs. Alabama was lucky on that play.
The FG attempt is no good as the holder cannot handle a good snap!
AU starts at the 26.
The quarter ends as Auburn picks up a first down at the 36 on another completion to Ryan Davis.
Can Auburn win this game over the last 15 minutes?
FOURTH QUARTER
This will be a 4 quarter game, but we knew that going in.
The Tigers drive impressibly for the touchdown.
I'm so nervous I can list every play.
Stidham scrambles for the score around left end.
The Tigers go for two on the point after.
The try is no good. The play didn't work. Auburn still leads by 12. Still a worthwhile effort.
Auburn 26 Alabama 14
Still early in the fourth quarter. Plenty of time left.
Let's not give a big KO return please.
The kickoff goes out of the end zone thank goodness.
12:49 left.
From the 25 Alabama moves across the Auburn 40.
Alabama moves to third and 8.
Hurts runs for the first down to the AU 39.
Their QB is hard to contain.
UA is at the Auburn 33 on the next play.
We move to third and five.
There is a bad snap and a loss.
Here comes a big fourth down.
THERE IS ANOTHER BAD SNAP BACK AT THE ALABAMA 41 AS HURTS CAN DO NOTHING BUT FALL ON THE BALL!
THE CROWD AND THE PRESSURE GETS TO THE TIDE!
I LOVE IT!!!
The play is reviewed because there was an illegal snap as Auburn was getting players off the field.
Alabama could get the ball back with a 5 yard penalty for an illegal snap.
Alabama players were moving as the snap was made and Auburn was running players off the field.
They penalize Auburn even though Alabama had players moving.
Alabama gets another chance with a 4th and 4.
Alabama gets away with a snap with players moving.
AUBURN HAD 12 PLAYERS ON THE FIELD BUT THEY SNAP THE BALL WITH PLAYERS MOVING.
AUBURN GETS THE STOP!
Auburn regains possession at our 34.
We move quickly to a third and 4.
Stove is topped just barely for a yard gain.
Auburn is punting.
Alabama is offsides on the punt.
First down Auburn!
Alabama is making mistakes all over the field.
On the first down KJ goes down. He is hurt. He planted and went back left.
Timeout with 6:21 to go Auburn facing second and long.
KJ will go out not likely to return. No more KJ between the tackles. We still need to run the ball.
KJ does walk off the field under his own power however gingerly.
Second and 15.
Kam Martin runs to midfield and is slow getting up.
Now they are having to look at Kam Martin as he stays down. Goodness! Our running backs are dropping as we try to win this game.
We move to third down. A first down would be awesome.
Auburn is punting from midfield with 5:40 remaining. Stidham almost made the first down but there was a shoestring tackle to keep him short. That might have been the play of the game so far.
It's going to be up to the Auburn defense the rest of the way.
Alabama fair catches the punt at their 16.
Hurts runs for 9 out of bounds.
First down at the 5:12 mark.
To the AU 31.
4:57 to go.
We move to third and seven.
Keep an eye on Calvin Ridley.
Hurts runs just enough for the first down.
Second and seven.
There's a pass to Ridley to the AU 30.
The clock runs close to the 3 minute mark.
False start on Alabama with 3:15 left.
Second and 15.
Hurts is sacked for a loss of 7.
Third and long and Alabama takes their last timeout.
Hurts has problems when Ridley is not there.
Third and very long.
Two more plays and this game will be on ice.
Third and 22 for Alabama from the Auburn 42.
Pass incomplete.
4th and 22. This is the game right here.
Pass incomplete and Hurts was past the line of scrimmage !
Auburn takes the ball and Alabama cannot stop the clock.
Auburn runs the clock down to 14 seconds and calls timeout on 4th down and 12.
Auburn will punt with 14 seconds left and a 12 point lead.
The punt goes out of bounds with 8 seconds left.
The game ends after one long Alabama pass.
The Tigers win the West. The Tigers earn another match with Georgia.
The Tigers rip Alabama. How wonderful it is!!!
Saban has never beat an Auburn team with at least 9 wins.
26 to 14
Thursday, November 23, 2017
After Monroe
The stage is set. Auburn is where it wants to be. Beat Alabama and win the SEC West. Beat Georgia in Atlanta and play for the National Championship. Alabama is a 3.5/4 point favorite at Jordan-Hare. We have a good QB for the first time since 2013. We have a good defense. Can we stop their run? Can we run the ball against their defense? Can Stidham pass well enough to get some offensive consistency? We shall find out on Saturday.
Saturday, November 18, 2017
2017 The Louisiana Monroe Game
Can the Tigers keep up their momentum against a 4 and 5 Monroe team that is supposed to have a pretty good passing offense? ULM is averaging 37 points a game but giving up 38 a game. They have an athletic QB and average passing 280 yards passing a game. Can we improve our special teams play? Avoid injuries? The game is a 11 a.m. kickoff on ESPN2.
FIRST QUARTER
The Tigers receive to start the game and promptly drive 80 yards for the touchdown mixing Kerryon Johnson carries and short passes. KJ runs up the middle 8 yards for the end zone.
Auburn 7 ULM 0
ULM drives to a first down to the AU 14. Our defense is soft so far.
On third and 12 there is an interference call on Auburn in end zone.
First down War Hawks at the two.
After a substitution penalty ULM faces 2nd and goal from the one and a half.
4th down from the one and a half after an incomplete pass.
Touchdown ULM on a reverse.
Auburn 7 ULM 7
From the 17 the Tigers cross midfield but then Stidham throws an interception at the ULM 14.
Bad toss by Stidham.
3:37 to go in the quarter.
The War Hawks go three and out. Better defense there.
Stephen Roberts fair catches at the AU 35.
Time for the offense to get going again.
First down to the AU 46.
Auburn moves to 4th down across midfield as the quarter ends.
SECOND QUARTER
After the impressive opening drive to open the game the first quarter turned into a sluggish game.
Our running between the tackles isn't there yet. Looks like the passing game will have open up the run in this game. The Tigers punt to open the quarter. ULM starts at their 20.
First down for ULM to their 32.
ULM is punting from their 30.
Robert fair catches at the AU 28.
The Tigers advance to the ULM 46.
The Tigers move to a 4th and 13 as pass to Slayton is just incomplete on the sidelines.
Auburn is not playing a sharp game so far.
ULM takes the ball on their 16.
First down ULM on a third down completion.
7:59 to go.
Not the game we desired so far.
First down to the their 49.
On third down we sack their QB back inside their 40.
On 4th and 20 Roberts can't hold on to the ball on the punt and it bounds OOB at the 15.
The Tigers are three and out. Our offense is not there so after that opening drive.
Conservative play calling running between the tackles or sweeps.
ULM starts at midfield after a short punt.
The War Hawks are playing with enthusiasm. Auburn is not playing likewise.
First down to the Auburn 39 as the half winds down.
ULM moves to 4th and 10 at the AU 39.
Auburn recovers the ball at their 4 a little more than 2 minutes left.
The Tigers are quickly out to midfield.
On first down Stidham hits Slayton for the 50 yd. touchdown completion!
That drive took less than 40 seconds.
Our offense finally woke up.
That was a 96 yard drive.
Auburn 14 ULM 7
1:27 to go. ULM starts on their 25.
Auburn has all 3 timeouts left.
Alas, we can't stop them to force a punt.
4th down at the ULM 45. WE almost block the punt but not quite.
The half ends.
ULM gets the ball coming out. Our offense hopefully came to life on the last offensive possession.
THIRD QUARTER
ULM receives and advances to the AU 48 before punting.
The War Hawks have won the punting battle as AU sets up at their five yard line.
The Tigers drive 95 yards for the touchdown entirely on the ground except for one short pass.
Kam Martin from the one for the score.
KJ had some impressive physical runs. KM came in to spell with one long run and plunging in from the one.
THERE was the running game finally. Impressive physical drive.
That's two straight impressive drives going back to the first half---drives of 96 and 95 yards.
Auburn 21 ULM 7
Three and out for ULM
Once again we start deep in our territory. Punting has helped keep the War Hawks in the game.
The Tigers move to their 35 and punt to the ULM 20. Better punt at least.
Auburn intercepts at the ULM 43.
After a 2 yard gain Stidham hits Kam Martin on the wheel route for a 41 yd. pass! Totally wide open.
I don't understand why we don't use Kam Martin. He has after burners when he gets a step.
Auburn 28 ULM 7
Auburn recovers a ULM fumble after a completed first down pass.
Nick Ruffin recovers. The play is reviewed which always make me nervous even though it looked clearly like a fumble. The call on the field is confirmed.
AU starts on the ULM 43.
The quarter ends with AU facing a 4th and two.
FOURTH QUARTER
KJ keeps on the wildcat and runs for the first down to the War Hawk 34.
First down to the 23.
Kam Martin dances down the sideline to the 11 running with fresh legs.
Kim between the tackles to the one. Where has this guy been all year?
First and goal from the one.
Kim fighting, fighting, not quite to the end zone.
Stidham comes under center and drops the snap.
ULM recovers at the 6.
On third and long from their 2 we get called for interference on Broussard.
9:51 to go.
First down ULM at their 17.
First down ULM to their 31.
Nick Ruffin intercepts and runs it back 45 yards into the end zone, zig-zagging to pay dirt.
Pressure on their QB paid off big time.
Auburn 35 ULM 7
ULM gets a 70 yard TD pass. It was a short completion but our defenders couldn't catch up with him.
Auburn 35 ULM 14
5:41 to go. Our announcers say that Kevin Steele is pounding the table in the booth next to them, not happy with that play. Unfortunate play with subs on the field, but no matter.
Auburn starts on the 26.
Maliki Willis is in the game.
Second play Malik Willis runs 62 yards after an amazing fake to Malik Miller.
From the 10 Miller runs to the four.
Miller to the one.
Malik Miller cracks the end zone. Tough stuff. Why hasn't he had more carries this year?
Malik Willis is a dynamic football player. He is going to be SOMETHING to watch in the coming years.
5 plays 74 yards on that brief drive.
Auburn 42 ULM 14
ULM hits midfield but runs out of downs and AU recovers the ball with 1:07 remaining.
The Tigers take a knee and the game is over.
The first half was sloppy after we scored on our first possession, but we took control in the second half. The fumble inside the 5 was unfortunate as was giving up the late touchdown but that's okay. The Tigers take care of business.
FINALSCORE
42 TO 14
FIRST QUARTER
The Tigers receive to start the game and promptly drive 80 yards for the touchdown mixing Kerryon Johnson carries and short passes. KJ runs up the middle 8 yards for the end zone.
Auburn 7 ULM 0
ULM drives to a first down to the AU 14. Our defense is soft so far.
On third and 12 there is an interference call on Auburn in end zone.
First down War Hawks at the two.
After a substitution penalty ULM faces 2nd and goal from the one and a half.
4th down from the one and a half after an incomplete pass.
Touchdown ULM on a reverse.
Auburn 7 ULM 7
From the 17 the Tigers cross midfield but then Stidham throws an interception at the ULM 14.
Bad toss by Stidham.
3:37 to go in the quarter.
The War Hawks go three and out. Better defense there.
Stephen Roberts fair catches at the AU 35.
Time for the offense to get going again.
First down to the AU 46.
Auburn moves to 4th down across midfield as the quarter ends.
SECOND QUARTER
After the impressive opening drive to open the game the first quarter turned into a sluggish game.
Our running between the tackles isn't there yet. Looks like the passing game will have open up the run in this game. The Tigers punt to open the quarter. ULM starts at their 20.
First down for ULM to their 32.
ULM is punting from their 30.
Robert fair catches at the AU 28.
The Tigers advance to the ULM 46.
The Tigers move to a 4th and 13 as pass to Slayton is just incomplete on the sidelines.
Auburn is not playing a sharp game so far.
ULM takes the ball on their 16.
First down ULM on a third down completion.
7:59 to go.
Not the game we desired so far.
First down to the their 49.
On third down we sack their QB back inside their 40.
On 4th and 20 Roberts can't hold on to the ball on the punt and it bounds OOB at the 15.
The Tigers are three and out. Our offense is not there so after that opening drive.
Conservative play calling running between the tackles or sweeps.
ULM starts at midfield after a short punt.
The War Hawks are playing with enthusiasm. Auburn is not playing likewise.
First down to the Auburn 39 as the half winds down.
ULM moves to 4th and 10 at the AU 39.
Auburn recovers the ball at their 4 a little more than 2 minutes left.
The Tigers are quickly out to midfield.
On first down Stidham hits Slayton for the 50 yd. touchdown completion!
That drive took less than 40 seconds.
Our offense finally woke up.
That was a 96 yard drive.
Auburn 14 ULM 7
1:27 to go. ULM starts on their 25.
Auburn has all 3 timeouts left.
Alas, we can't stop them to force a punt.
4th down at the ULM 45. WE almost block the punt but not quite.
The half ends.
ULM gets the ball coming out. Our offense hopefully came to life on the last offensive possession.
THIRD QUARTER
ULM receives and advances to the AU 48 before punting.
The War Hawks have won the punting battle as AU sets up at their five yard line.
The Tigers drive 95 yards for the touchdown entirely on the ground except for one short pass.
Kam Martin from the one for the score.
KJ had some impressive physical runs. KM came in to spell with one long run and plunging in from the one.
THERE was the running game finally. Impressive physical drive.
That's two straight impressive drives going back to the first half---drives of 96 and 95 yards.
Auburn 21 ULM 7
Three and out for ULM
Once again we start deep in our territory. Punting has helped keep the War Hawks in the game.
The Tigers move to their 35 and punt to the ULM 20. Better punt at least.
Auburn intercepts at the ULM 43.
After a 2 yard gain Stidham hits Kam Martin on the wheel route for a 41 yd. pass! Totally wide open.
I don't understand why we don't use Kam Martin. He has after burners when he gets a step.
Auburn 28 ULM 7
Auburn recovers a ULM fumble after a completed first down pass.
Nick Ruffin recovers. The play is reviewed which always make me nervous even though it looked clearly like a fumble. The call on the field is confirmed.
AU starts on the ULM 43.
The quarter ends with AU facing a 4th and two.
FOURTH QUARTER
KJ keeps on the wildcat and runs for the first down to the War Hawk 34.
First down to the 23.
Kam Martin dances down the sideline to the 11 running with fresh legs.
Kim between the tackles to the one. Where has this guy been all year?
First and goal from the one.
Kim fighting, fighting, not quite to the end zone.
Stidham comes under center and drops the snap.
ULM recovers at the 6.
On third and long from their 2 we get called for interference on Broussard.
9:51 to go.
First down ULM at their 17.
First down ULM to their 31.
Nick Ruffin intercepts and runs it back 45 yards into the end zone, zig-zagging to pay dirt.
Pressure on their QB paid off big time.
Auburn 35 ULM 7
ULM gets a 70 yard TD pass. It was a short completion but our defenders couldn't catch up with him.
Auburn 35 ULM 14
5:41 to go. Our announcers say that Kevin Steele is pounding the table in the booth next to them, not happy with that play. Unfortunate play with subs on the field, but no matter.
Auburn starts on the 26.
Maliki Willis is in the game.
Second play Malik Willis runs 62 yards after an amazing fake to Malik Miller.
From the 10 Miller runs to the four.
Miller to the one.
Malik Miller cracks the end zone. Tough stuff. Why hasn't he had more carries this year?
Malik Willis is a dynamic football player. He is going to be SOMETHING to watch in the coming years.
5 plays 74 yards on that brief drive.
Auburn 42 ULM 14
ULM hits midfield but runs out of downs and AU recovers the ball with 1:07 remaining.
The Tigers take a knee and the game is over.
The first half was sloppy after we scored on our first possession, but we took control in the second half. The fumble inside the 5 was unfortunate as was giving up the late touchdown but that's okay. The Tigers take care of business.
FINALSCORE
42 TO 14
Monday, November 13, 2017
After Georgia
The turnaround between the disappointing loss at LSU and today is remarkable. We had sunk so low after LSU but now this team has everything in front of it. The task is daunting to reach the national playoffs but it can be done. Auburn can be the first two loss team to play for the national championship since LSU in 2007. The 2 losses don't matter since we would have to beat Georgia, Alabama, and win the SEC championship anyway. This team has improved dramatically but it can get better still. The 2017 Auburn Tigers are peaking at the right time.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
2017 The Georgia Game
It's Georgia time again. The game is the feature CBS game kicking off at 2:30 at Jordan-Hare. The Dawgs are a 2.5 point favorite. Georgia comes in at 9 and 0 under Kirby Smart; the Tigers are 7 and 2. Auburn must win to continue a magical season. I hope it's a doozy.
FIRST QUARTER
The game starts badly.
Georgia drives 70 yards for a touchdown going right thru our defense.
More passing than running. Not good at all.
Auburn 0 Georgia 7
The Tigers drive to the Georgia 37 but the drive stops there.
Daniel Carlson hits a 54 yard field goal. At least we scored in response to their opening touchdown.
Auburn 3 Georgia 7
Will our defense be there on Georgia's second possession?
From their 22 the Bulldogs quickly cross the 30 for a first down.
From the 35 we get a huge sack from Andrew Williams and Georgia punts on 4th and 18.
Roberts fair catches just inside the AU 40.
Good stand by the defense on that possession. Our defense was there.
Our offense needs to continue to move the football to keep the pressure off of our defense.
The Tigers move smartly to a first down at the Bulldog 15.
But then we face third and 10 from there as the quarter winds down.
False start and now it's third and 15.
We need touchdowns in the red zone to win this game.
We have to settle on another field goal attempt.
On that last series Georgia got pressure on Stidham.
The field goal is good.
Auburn 6 Georgia 7
Okay, but field goals are not going to win this game.
Gotta get 6 from inside the red zone.
UGA gets a good runback to their 47 as Carlson for the second time fails to get a touchback.
The quarter ends with Georgia facing third and three on this possession.
SECOND QUARTER
Roberts knocks down the third and 3 pass and Georgia punts to the Auburn 9.
The Tigers drive smartly to a first down at the Georgia 13 meshing the run and pass. KJ looks good.
Alas, we move to a third and 10 from there and a timeout.
These red zone difficulties have to stop if we are going to win this game.
No third down conversion and once again it's field goal time.
The 30 yarder is good.
Auburn 9 Georgia 7
The Tigers take the lead but it's bittersweet.
I don't know if our offense can continue to move ball like they have so far.
From their 27 Georgia goes three and out again.
We get an 11 yard sack on third down.
The punt goes to the Auburn 33.
Stidham is sacked on third and Auburn is punting from the 23.
Georgia is getting pressure on our QB. We've gotta shore up our pass protection.
First and 10 Georgia at their 34.
We'd had momentum lately but have managed only 9 points while forcing three straight three and outs.
On their next possession we stop them on third and one and Georgia punts.
Abetted by an interference call on the receiving of the punt Auburn starts at their 30.
We move to 4th and a punt but Georgia ruffs our kicker.
That's 15 yards and a first down Auburn.
The Tigers move to first down at the UGA 42. Let's go!
STIDHAM HITS SLAYTON ON A 42 YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS! SLAYTON CATCHES THE BALL ON THE ONE AND ROLLS OVER THE DEFENDER INTO THE END ZONE. WOW OH WOW!
Auburn 16 Georgia 7
Still over 4 minutes left in the half. Auburn gets the ball coming out.
Georgia converts a third and long to the Auburn 41, but we push them back to a 4th and 15.
Auburn assumes possession on our 10 with the clock running down in the half.
Georgia calls timeout with 43 seconds left as Auburn faces third and 7 from our 13.
Auburn faces 4th down with 36 seconds left.
We need a good punt and good punt coverage.
Alas it's a good punt but the coverage is terrible and Georgia is at our 26.
Georgia shows poor clock management as they run on first down and get off only one play before the FG attempt of 42 yards.
The kick is NO GOOD!
Auburn will take a 16 to 7 lead to the locker room.
Can we keep it going in the second half?
Is Georgia rattled???
THIRD QUARTER
The Tigers receive and drive to a 3td and 3 in Georgia territory and a first down completion but the refs take it away on a review. We clearly get robbed.
But Georgia muffs the punt and Auburn has the ball on the Bulldog 23.
The Tigers move methodically to the end zone as Stidham runs it in from the 7.
Yes!!!
Auburn 23 Georgia 7
We can't let up.
The kickoff is stopped at the 25.
We can't let up.
Georgia is not number one for nothing.
Still early in the third quarter.
We hold them on third down but get called correctly for offsides.
Georgia is on their 38.
A 10 yard sack! Their QB is separated from the ball but Georgia falls on it.
Georgia moves to 4th and 17.
False start for Georgia. I think Georgia is shook.
Ryan Davis runs the punt back to midfield! AU did some kind of trickery as Stephen Roberts pretended to catch the punt but Davis fielded the ball.
There is a dead ball penalty on Georgia.
Auburn has the ball on the Bulldog 35.
From the 33 on second down Stidham hits Ryan Davis on a screen pass and Davis winds his way to the end zone. Georgia blitzed and Stidham picked it up. Yes, yes, yes!
Auburn is dominating Georgia.
Auburn 30 Georgia 7
We are midway thru the third quarter.
We can't let up. We can't let up.
Georgia starts at their 25 even without the touchback.
On third down Georgia gets a completed pass to our 32. Bad defense.
The Dogs move to third and 9.
The possession moves to 4th and 9 from the 30.
The FG attempt is good.
Auburn 30 Georgia 10
We can't let up. Don't let Georgia back into the game.
We move to third and 5 from the 30.
False start so third and 10 from the 25.
Stidham loses 2 and Auburn has to punt.
A score by Georgia here and they are back into the game.
The punt only goes to their 45.
2:58 to go in the third.
Our defense needs to stand up.
Chubb runs for three.
Pass incomplete.
Pass incomplete.
Georgia is three and out.
The punt goes out of bounds at the three. Backed up, we need to be careful.
Kerryon Johnson runs up the middle for 9. Great first down play from our three.
First down Kerryon to the 17 as the third quarter clock winds down.
Kerryon to the 21 for a gain of 4.
There is a short pass inches short of the first down as the third quarter ends.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Tigers take a 20 point lead to the fourth quarter facing third and short.
What will happen now?
The Tigers pick up the first down and down the field we go running between the tackles.
Looks like we're moving for a 97 yard TD drive when Stidham bobbles a snap on third and one and we have to settle for a 37 yard Daniel Carlson field goal. Okay.
Auburn 33 Georgia 10
We can't let up.
10:06 to go. That last possession consumed almost 7 minutes.
Georgia fair catches the kickoff at their 21. That worked out well.
Fromm throw it away on first down under pressure.
A gain of one around left end.
Third and 9.
Our defense is drilling Fromm as the third down pass is harmless.
Our defense is getting after their offense.
Roberts provides a short punt return to the Auburn 26.
We can't let up.
9:13 to go.
Auburn is quickly out to the 38 for a first down.
The Georgia defense is wearing down.
Kj for 5 yards. He has rushed for 167 yards so far.
Stidham keeps for two.
Third and three.
BAM!!!
A short pass back to his left as Stidham rolls right and KJ has virtual clear sailing to the end zone.
What a play call! Turn out the lights, Georgia! You have been completely dominated.
Auburn 40 Georgia 10
How sweet it is! The Tigers ROLL over Georgia.
What a game!!!
Georgia gets the ball back trailing by 30 with 6:13 left.
Georgia moves the ball and on a close 4th down they are given the first down on a completion and a favorable spot. Coach Malzahn calls for a review. Auburn is correctly playing this game down to the end as if it's close. 3:38 to go. The Auburn players are dancing on the sidelines. The field ruling stands up. Okay, first down Georgia.
From the 24 an incompletion.
Second and 10.
A run and now third and 5.
4th and 1.
A measurement.
First down by an inch.
Auburn is still playing this game down to the end.
First down pass to the end zone from the 14.
Auburn 40 Georgia 17
Georgia has 46 yards rushing. This is phenomenal.
Rushing is supposed to be their strength. Where was Chubb and company? Our defense dominated them.
2:19 to go.
Georgia kicks it thru end zone. Good. No onside kick.
Malik Willis finishes the game.
Georgia scored on its first possession. Georgia scored on its last possession.
Auburn completely DOMINATED in-between.
How great it is!!
"I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!" COACH SAYS ON THE FIELD AFTER THE GAME.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 40 Georgia 17
FIRST QUARTER
The game starts badly.
Georgia drives 70 yards for a touchdown going right thru our defense.
More passing than running. Not good at all.
Auburn 0 Georgia 7
The Tigers drive to the Georgia 37 but the drive stops there.
Daniel Carlson hits a 54 yard field goal. At least we scored in response to their opening touchdown.
Auburn 3 Georgia 7
Will our defense be there on Georgia's second possession?
From their 22 the Bulldogs quickly cross the 30 for a first down.
From the 35 we get a huge sack from Andrew Williams and Georgia punts on 4th and 18.
Roberts fair catches just inside the AU 40.
Good stand by the defense on that possession. Our defense was there.
Our offense needs to continue to move the football to keep the pressure off of our defense.
The Tigers move smartly to a first down at the Bulldog 15.
But then we face third and 10 from there as the quarter winds down.
False start and now it's third and 15.
We need touchdowns in the red zone to win this game.
We have to settle on another field goal attempt.
On that last series Georgia got pressure on Stidham.
The field goal is good.
Auburn 6 Georgia 7
Okay, but field goals are not going to win this game.
Gotta get 6 from inside the red zone.
UGA gets a good runback to their 47 as Carlson for the second time fails to get a touchback.
The quarter ends with Georgia facing third and three on this possession.
SECOND QUARTER
Roberts knocks down the third and 3 pass and Georgia punts to the Auburn 9.
The Tigers drive smartly to a first down at the Georgia 13 meshing the run and pass. KJ looks good.
Alas, we move to a third and 10 from there and a timeout.
These red zone difficulties have to stop if we are going to win this game.
No third down conversion and once again it's field goal time.
The 30 yarder is good.
Auburn 9 Georgia 7
The Tigers take the lead but it's bittersweet.
I don't know if our offense can continue to move ball like they have so far.
From their 27 Georgia goes three and out again.
We get an 11 yard sack on third down.
The punt goes to the Auburn 33.
Stidham is sacked on third and Auburn is punting from the 23.
Georgia is getting pressure on our QB. We've gotta shore up our pass protection.
First and 10 Georgia at their 34.
We'd had momentum lately but have managed only 9 points while forcing three straight three and outs.
On their next possession we stop them on third and one and Georgia punts.
Abetted by an interference call on the receiving of the punt Auburn starts at their 30.
We move to 4th and a punt but Georgia ruffs our kicker.
That's 15 yards and a first down Auburn.
The Tigers move to first down at the UGA 42. Let's go!
STIDHAM HITS SLAYTON ON A 42 YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS! SLAYTON CATCHES THE BALL ON THE ONE AND ROLLS OVER THE DEFENDER INTO THE END ZONE. WOW OH WOW!
Auburn 16 Georgia 7
Still over 4 minutes left in the half. Auburn gets the ball coming out.
Georgia converts a third and long to the Auburn 41, but we push them back to a 4th and 15.
Auburn assumes possession on our 10 with the clock running down in the half.
Georgia calls timeout with 43 seconds left as Auburn faces third and 7 from our 13.
Auburn faces 4th down with 36 seconds left.
We need a good punt and good punt coverage.
Alas it's a good punt but the coverage is terrible and Georgia is at our 26.
Georgia shows poor clock management as they run on first down and get off only one play before the FG attempt of 42 yards.
The kick is NO GOOD!
Auburn will take a 16 to 7 lead to the locker room.
Can we keep it going in the second half?
Is Georgia rattled???
THIRD QUARTER
The Tigers receive and drive to a 3td and 3 in Georgia territory and a first down completion but the refs take it away on a review. We clearly get robbed.
But Georgia muffs the punt and Auburn has the ball on the Bulldog 23.
The Tigers move methodically to the end zone as Stidham runs it in from the 7.
Yes!!!
Auburn 23 Georgia 7
We can't let up.
The kickoff is stopped at the 25.
We can't let up.
Georgia is not number one for nothing.
Still early in the third quarter.
We hold them on third down but get called correctly for offsides.
Georgia is on their 38.
A 10 yard sack! Their QB is separated from the ball but Georgia falls on it.
Georgia moves to 4th and 17.
False start for Georgia. I think Georgia is shook.
Ryan Davis runs the punt back to midfield! AU did some kind of trickery as Stephen Roberts pretended to catch the punt but Davis fielded the ball.
There is a dead ball penalty on Georgia.
Auburn has the ball on the Bulldog 35.
From the 33 on second down Stidham hits Ryan Davis on a screen pass and Davis winds his way to the end zone. Georgia blitzed and Stidham picked it up. Yes, yes, yes!
Auburn is dominating Georgia.
Auburn 30 Georgia 7
We are midway thru the third quarter.
We can't let up. We can't let up.
Georgia starts at their 25 even without the touchback.
On third down Georgia gets a completed pass to our 32. Bad defense.
The Dogs move to third and 9.
The possession moves to 4th and 9 from the 30.
The FG attempt is good.
Auburn 30 Georgia 10
We can't let up. Don't let Georgia back into the game.
We move to third and 5 from the 30.
False start so third and 10 from the 25.
Stidham loses 2 and Auburn has to punt.
A score by Georgia here and they are back into the game.
The punt only goes to their 45.
2:58 to go in the third.
Our defense needs to stand up.
Chubb runs for three.
Pass incomplete.
Pass incomplete.
Georgia is three and out.
The punt goes out of bounds at the three. Backed up, we need to be careful.
Kerryon Johnson runs up the middle for 9. Great first down play from our three.
First down Kerryon to the 17 as the third quarter clock winds down.
Kerryon to the 21 for a gain of 4.
There is a short pass inches short of the first down as the third quarter ends.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Tigers take a 20 point lead to the fourth quarter facing third and short.
What will happen now?
The Tigers pick up the first down and down the field we go running between the tackles.
Looks like we're moving for a 97 yard TD drive when Stidham bobbles a snap on third and one and we have to settle for a 37 yard Daniel Carlson field goal. Okay.
Auburn 33 Georgia 10
We can't let up.
10:06 to go. That last possession consumed almost 7 minutes.
Georgia fair catches the kickoff at their 21. That worked out well.
Fromm throw it away on first down under pressure.
A gain of one around left end.
Third and 9.
Our defense is drilling Fromm as the third down pass is harmless.
Our defense is getting after their offense.
Roberts provides a short punt return to the Auburn 26.
We can't let up.
9:13 to go.
Auburn is quickly out to the 38 for a first down.
The Georgia defense is wearing down.
Kj for 5 yards. He has rushed for 167 yards so far.
Stidham keeps for two.
Third and three.
BAM!!!
A short pass back to his left as Stidham rolls right and KJ has virtual clear sailing to the end zone.
What a play call! Turn out the lights, Georgia! You have been completely dominated.
Auburn 40 Georgia 10
How sweet it is! The Tigers ROLL over Georgia.
What a game!!!
Georgia gets the ball back trailing by 30 with 6:13 left.
Georgia moves the ball and on a close 4th down they are given the first down on a completion and a favorable spot. Coach Malzahn calls for a review. Auburn is correctly playing this game down to the end as if it's close. 3:38 to go. The Auburn players are dancing on the sidelines. The field ruling stands up. Okay, first down Georgia.
From the 24 an incompletion.
Second and 10.
A run and now third and 5.
4th and 1.
A measurement.
First down by an inch.
Auburn is still playing this game down to the end.
First down pass to the end zone from the 14.
Auburn 40 Georgia 17
Georgia has 46 yards rushing. This is phenomenal.
Rushing is supposed to be their strength. Where was Chubb and company? Our defense dominated them.
2:19 to go.
Georgia kicks it thru end zone. Good. No onside kick.
Malik Willis finishes the game.
Georgia scored on its first possession. Georgia scored on its last possession.
Auburn completely DOMINATED in-between.
How great it is!!
"I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!" COACH SAYS ON THE FIELD AFTER THE GAME.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 40 Georgia 17
Monday, November 6, 2017
After TAMU
After beating the Aggies 42 to 27 we are down to basics. Once more in early November as the brown and orange leaves begin to cover the roads it's Georgia time again. The Bulldogs are unbeaten and ranked #1 in the playoff rankings. Auburn is 7 and 2. I hope it's another classic Auburn-Georgia game with a Tiger victory. Georgia appears to be a 1 or 2 point favorite. Jordan-Hare should be electric. This is what it's all about.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
How 30 for 30's 'Nature Boy' became a reality
By Rory Karpf
ESPN
3 November 2017
I grew up a huge wrestling fan during the 1980s. I lived right outside Philadelphia. I used to beg my dad to take me to see the NWA. The WWF used to come to The Spectrum in Philadelphia, which wasn't exactly a lap of luxury, but the Civic Center, where NWA ran shows, made The Spectrum look like a palace.
My dad took me one time to see Ric Flair -- May 4, 1986. He was wrestling Ricky Morton for the NWA world heavyweight championship. I was a little kid, 8 years old. I kind of pushed and shoved my way down to the aisle as Flair was walking down to ring. I remember I held my four fingers up and gave him a loud, "Woooo!" He actually turned right at me and stared. I'll never forget what he said.
"Don't 'Woooo' at me you little brat."
I thought, "Wow. What a jerk." I always remembered, though, what a loyalty he had to his character. I always found him to be a very fascinating figure in this world of professional wrestling -- a world where you're never sure what's real and what's not, and that was especially true in the 1980s. Ric Flair was real. As a filmmaker, I found that incredibly interesting.
So fast-forward about 30-odd years, and I'm making a 30 for 30 film titled "I Hate Christian Laettner." I'm looking for a pop culture figure to interview to talk about what makes a good villain, and to me, the greatest villain of all time is the Nature Boy.
Flair is a huge sports fan too, so we set up an interview, and the one clip of him that appeared in the film was at the very beginning -- and it created a big buzz on social media. Lots of people were into it, lots of tweets like, "Wow, Ric Flair's in this movie. Nature Boy. Woooo!"
John Dahl of ESPN Films noticed it. For the longest time I had been pitching them wrestling films and having it kind of fall on deaf ears. But John said, "You know, I really am intrigued by the reaction Ric Flair had gotten. He seems very relevant today. What do you think about doing a film on Ric?"
I practically jumped out the window, I was so excited. I said, "Definitely."
I reached out to Ric's management at the time, in the spring and summer of 2015, and they were very interested. That kind of got the ball rolling. We had a couple of hoops to jump through -- mainly that ESPN wanted some assurances that WWE would cooperate with footage -- and luckily, WWE was incredibly cooperative from the beginning.
Our first interview for the film was with Ric in October 2015. We sat down in Atlanta for roughly five hours and interviewed him inside of a wrestling ring. He was incredibly forthcoming, and very excited that he was a part of a 30 for 30. The fact that this was going to be the first 30 for 30 feature-length film on a wrestler, and it was on Ric, he understood the magnitude.
So that was kind of our jumping-off point, but there were so many places to go from there. You have to understand, Ric Flair has had a career that has lasted about 40 years, so there's a very wide net of people you can talk to. Being a wrestling fan, I had a list of specific people, some more famous than others with whom I wanted to speak.
I started just reaching out to people -- some cold calling, and others where Ric would pass on their contact info for me. For instance, The Undertaker, that was a huge get for us. He's not someone who does very many interviews, let alone where he breaks character. Ric shared his contact information with me over the iPhone and it came through as Undertaker. So, I was very nervous calling, because I didn't even know how to address him; certain wrestlers find it disrespectful if you call them by their given name and you don't know them.
So I called him up, half expecting him to answer like, "For whom the bell tolls," or something really intimidating. But he just said, "Hello?" like anyone else. He was very friendly. I said, "Oh, hey Mr. Taker. This is Rory, the filmmaker." Luckily Ric had already spoken to him, and he's obviously well-revered by his peers, so people wanted to talk to us.
It was just a yearlong process of reaching out to some of the biggest names in wrestling, including Shawn Michaels, Sting, Ricky Steamboat and Triple H, just gathering a lot of content. There were some lesser-known names who were big in the NWA during the 1980s, such as Nikita Koloff, George South and Baby Doll, all of whom added a lot of great context.
When it was all said and done, we did, I believe, 46 interviews. About 23 or 24, about half, made it into the film. We were able to secure, for the very first time on camera, Ric's first wife Leslie. She was one of the first people to know Ric before he was the Nature Boy. He was simply Richard Fliehr to her. Ric's son David helped set that up.
We did some other non-interview shoots with Ric, too. We filmed him and his daughter, Ashley, at an autograph signing. We filmed Ric in his home in Atlanta, and then we shot some b-roll of Ric in one of his robes coming out to the ring; a lot of the shots that you see in the open and close come from that last shoot. We also spent some time going through pictures and old home movies with him. So, it was kind of like I was in and out of his life for about two years.
The very first thing we did for the film was with Ric Flair, and the very last interview done for the film, conducted in February or maybe March 2017, was also with Ric Flair. We did all that, but along the way Ric was getting a little impatient, wondering when the movie was going to come out. I told him, "Please be patient. This is a marathon, not a sprint."
Then it came down to cutting everything together, and it took a lot of effort to mold everything into the finished product everyone will see. The film actually went through three totally different versions. The very first version of the film I edited myself, and when I turned it in, the folks at ESPN -- mainly John Dahl -- were not thrilled with it. He felt that I didn't really take many risks and it was kind of a "by-the-book" presentation. That was disheartening.
We went back and did a second cut that was very centralized on the 1980s, where the '80s as a decade were more the main character than Ric Flair. John really disliked that cut. But then I edited a new open that he did really like, and that shaped the way the film ultimately turned out. It was a very personal open -- just Ric in his own words.
John said, "You know, I really like this idea of the film being personal, where we're really hearing more of Ric." He also said, "I really like your conversation with Ric from the first interview. You guys kind of have an interesting back and forth. ... I think you should do another interview with him."
I was planning on doing a final interview anyway, but John really pushed for something different. "On this one, I think you definitely should have an angle where you film yourself as well." It wasn't a suggestion based out of wanting to put myself in front of a camera or in the film. It was more so that some of Ric's reactions to the questions were very interesting, and you kind of needed to hear the question that his answer had context.
The more conversational feel that John pushed for wound up being great for the film. I hired a good friend of mine, Charlie Askew, as the editor, and working together with him, he kind of cultivated what you see right now, which is the third version of the film in its entirety.
Another crucial element of the film came together by necessity. During the interviews, there were some incredible stories told, and we had to decide the best way to visualize the stories for the viewer. We could've used pictures, like Ken Burns' style of storytelling, but there really weren't pictures that illustrated some of the stories we were telling. Another technique we considered were recreations with actors, but I couldn't really envision using an actor to play Ric Flair.
Then a filmmaking mentor of mine, Jim Jorden, suggested using animation. I really liked how animation was used in the 30 for 30 film "Benji". And the world of wrestling during the 1980s was a bit cartoonish too, so animation seemed as if it could be the perfect solution. I reached out to various companies and decided to go with Six-Point Harness Animation out of Los Angeles. The guys over there are huge wrestling fans, and I feel they really made many of the stories told in the film come to life. As a filmmaker, I don't have a distinct style. I'm willing to use whatever technique tells the best story possible, and I'm really happy with how those animations ultimately turned out in the film.
It was all lining up, and then Ric had his health scare. We discussed how to handle the film as the situation evolved, and talked quite a bit about how it might affect how the story was told. There was a time when it looked as if Ric wasn't going to make it, and that definitely would have impacted the ending of the film and how we presented it. We wanted the film to be evergreen, so that it could last forever. But fortunately he recovered. The future was uncertain, but he was stable.
We thought about it, and we decided to address the health situation in a director's statement, which will run during a commercial break. Once it looked as if he was going to make a full recovery, we decided to not actually put it in the body of the film. We like where the film ends right now, with Ric living vicariously through his daughter and her wrestling career. That's not changing. That has already happened, and that's how he views himself.
My goal from the beginning was to make a film that appealed to wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans alike. Something that doesn't talk down to wrestling fans, but at the same time, if you don't like wrestling or know much about it, you can still enjoy the film. I was hopeful that it would get a good reaction, and with the New York and Atlanta premieres, and the other people who've seen it, so far it has been good. I wasn't sure how Ric was going to react to it, because there are some tough things to hear for him in the film -- especially from his children.
We first screened the film with him, before he got sick, at San Diego Comic-Con at the end of July. Talk about an interesting experience. We're sitting in his hotel room while people are saying in the film that he has a drinking problem, and we're watching the film while he's drinking.
But he really liked it. Some parts were upsetting to him, but to his credit, he didn't want to change anything or gloss over anything. So, that was fulfilling.
It's important to note that this is not a chronology of Ric Flair's greatest matches or career. That already exists in the WWE's archives. This is really a film that tries to encapsulate who Ric Flair was, and is, and at the same time, it's about wrestling and the appeal of what he did within that business.
Most of what I've seen on wrestling has either been incredibly tragic, where they just look at the underbelly of the industry, or it's just not breaking any new ground. Hopefully our film is something that appeals to a wide audience, and does break new ground -- stands the test of time as something that, if you want to understand what wrestling was in the 1980s, the appeal of it, the appeal of Ric Flair and why he relevant today, you can look at this film.
ESPN
3 November 2017
I grew up a huge wrestling fan during the 1980s. I lived right outside Philadelphia. I used to beg my dad to take me to see the NWA. The WWF used to come to The Spectrum in Philadelphia, which wasn't exactly a lap of luxury, but the Civic Center, where NWA ran shows, made The Spectrum look like a palace.
My dad took me one time to see Ric Flair -- May 4, 1986. He was wrestling Ricky Morton for the NWA world heavyweight championship. I was a little kid, 8 years old. I kind of pushed and shoved my way down to the aisle as Flair was walking down to ring. I remember I held my four fingers up and gave him a loud, "Woooo!" He actually turned right at me and stared. I'll never forget what he said.
"Don't 'Woooo' at me you little brat."
I thought, "Wow. What a jerk." I always remembered, though, what a loyalty he had to his character. I always found him to be a very fascinating figure in this world of professional wrestling -- a world where you're never sure what's real and what's not, and that was especially true in the 1980s. Ric Flair was real. As a filmmaker, I found that incredibly interesting.
So fast-forward about 30-odd years, and I'm making a 30 for 30 film titled "I Hate Christian Laettner." I'm looking for a pop culture figure to interview to talk about what makes a good villain, and to me, the greatest villain of all time is the Nature Boy.
Flair is a huge sports fan too, so we set up an interview, and the one clip of him that appeared in the film was at the very beginning -- and it created a big buzz on social media. Lots of people were into it, lots of tweets like, "Wow, Ric Flair's in this movie. Nature Boy. Woooo!"
John Dahl of ESPN Films noticed it. For the longest time I had been pitching them wrestling films and having it kind of fall on deaf ears. But John said, "You know, I really am intrigued by the reaction Ric Flair had gotten. He seems very relevant today. What do you think about doing a film on Ric?"
I practically jumped out the window, I was so excited. I said, "Definitely."
I reached out to Ric's management at the time, in the spring and summer of 2015, and they were very interested. That kind of got the ball rolling. We had a couple of hoops to jump through -- mainly that ESPN wanted some assurances that WWE would cooperate with footage -- and luckily, WWE was incredibly cooperative from the beginning.
Our first interview for the film was with Ric in October 2015. We sat down in Atlanta for roughly five hours and interviewed him inside of a wrestling ring. He was incredibly forthcoming, and very excited that he was a part of a 30 for 30. The fact that this was going to be the first 30 for 30 feature-length film on a wrestler, and it was on Ric, he understood the magnitude.
So that was kind of our jumping-off point, but there were so many places to go from there. You have to understand, Ric Flair has had a career that has lasted about 40 years, so there's a very wide net of people you can talk to. Being a wrestling fan, I had a list of specific people, some more famous than others with whom I wanted to speak.
I started just reaching out to people -- some cold calling, and others where Ric would pass on their contact info for me. For instance, The Undertaker, that was a huge get for us. He's not someone who does very many interviews, let alone where he breaks character. Ric shared his contact information with me over the iPhone and it came through as Undertaker. So, I was very nervous calling, because I didn't even know how to address him; certain wrestlers find it disrespectful if you call them by their given name and you don't know them.
So I called him up, half expecting him to answer like, "For whom the bell tolls," or something really intimidating. But he just said, "Hello?" like anyone else. He was very friendly. I said, "Oh, hey Mr. Taker. This is Rory, the filmmaker." Luckily Ric had already spoken to him, and he's obviously well-revered by his peers, so people wanted to talk to us.
It was just a yearlong process of reaching out to some of the biggest names in wrestling, including Shawn Michaels, Sting, Ricky Steamboat and Triple H, just gathering a lot of content. There were some lesser-known names who were big in the NWA during the 1980s, such as Nikita Koloff, George South and Baby Doll, all of whom added a lot of great context.
When it was all said and done, we did, I believe, 46 interviews. About 23 or 24, about half, made it into the film. We were able to secure, for the very first time on camera, Ric's first wife Leslie. She was one of the first people to know Ric before he was the Nature Boy. He was simply Richard Fliehr to her. Ric's son David helped set that up.
We did some other non-interview shoots with Ric, too. We filmed him and his daughter, Ashley, at an autograph signing. We filmed Ric in his home in Atlanta, and then we shot some b-roll of Ric in one of his robes coming out to the ring; a lot of the shots that you see in the open and close come from that last shoot. We also spent some time going through pictures and old home movies with him. So, it was kind of like I was in and out of his life for about two years.
The very first thing we did for the film was with Ric Flair, and the very last interview done for the film, conducted in February or maybe March 2017, was also with Ric Flair. We did all that, but along the way Ric was getting a little impatient, wondering when the movie was going to come out. I told him, "Please be patient. This is a marathon, not a sprint."
Then it came down to cutting everything together, and it took a lot of effort to mold everything into the finished product everyone will see. The film actually went through three totally different versions. The very first version of the film I edited myself, and when I turned it in, the folks at ESPN -- mainly John Dahl -- were not thrilled with it. He felt that I didn't really take many risks and it was kind of a "by-the-book" presentation. That was disheartening.
We went back and did a second cut that was very centralized on the 1980s, where the '80s as a decade were more the main character than Ric Flair. John really disliked that cut. But then I edited a new open that he did really like, and that shaped the way the film ultimately turned out. It was a very personal open -- just Ric in his own words.
John said, "You know, I really like this idea of the film being personal, where we're really hearing more of Ric." He also said, "I really like your conversation with Ric from the first interview. You guys kind of have an interesting back and forth. ... I think you should do another interview with him."
I was planning on doing a final interview anyway, but John really pushed for something different. "On this one, I think you definitely should have an angle where you film yourself as well." It wasn't a suggestion based out of wanting to put myself in front of a camera or in the film. It was more so that some of Ric's reactions to the questions were very interesting, and you kind of needed to hear the question that his answer had context.
The more conversational feel that John pushed for wound up being great for the film. I hired a good friend of mine, Charlie Askew, as the editor, and working together with him, he kind of cultivated what you see right now, which is the third version of the film in its entirety.
Another crucial element of the film came together by necessity. During the interviews, there were some incredible stories told, and we had to decide the best way to visualize the stories for the viewer. We could've used pictures, like Ken Burns' style of storytelling, but there really weren't pictures that illustrated some of the stories we were telling. Another technique we considered were recreations with actors, but I couldn't really envision using an actor to play Ric Flair.
Then a filmmaking mentor of mine, Jim Jorden, suggested using animation. I really liked how animation was used in the 30 for 30 film "Benji". And the world of wrestling during the 1980s was a bit cartoonish too, so animation seemed as if it could be the perfect solution. I reached out to various companies and decided to go with Six-Point Harness Animation out of Los Angeles. The guys over there are huge wrestling fans, and I feel they really made many of the stories told in the film come to life. As a filmmaker, I don't have a distinct style. I'm willing to use whatever technique tells the best story possible, and I'm really happy with how those animations ultimately turned out in the film.
It was all lining up, and then Ric had his health scare. We discussed how to handle the film as the situation evolved, and talked quite a bit about how it might affect how the story was told. There was a time when it looked as if Ric wasn't going to make it, and that definitely would have impacted the ending of the film and how we presented it. We wanted the film to be evergreen, so that it could last forever. But fortunately he recovered. The future was uncertain, but he was stable.
We thought about it, and we decided to address the health situation in a director's statement, which will run during a commercial break. Once it looked as if he was going to make a full recovery, we decided to not actually put it in the body of the film. We like where the film ends right now, with Ric living vicariously through his daughter and her wrestling career. That's not changing. That has already happened, and that's how he views himself.
My goal from the beginning was to make a film that appealed to wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans alike. Something that doesn't talk down to wrestling fans, but at the same time, if you don't like wrestling or know much about it, you can still enjoy the film. I was hopeful that it would get a good reaction, and with the New York and Atlanta premieres, and the other people who've seen it, so far it has been good. I wasn't sure how Ric was going to react to it, because there are some tough things to hear for him in the film -- especially from his children.
We first screened the film with him, before he got sick, at San Diego Comic-Con at the end of July. Talk about an interesting experience. We're sitting in his hotel room while people are saying in the film that he has a drinking problem, and we're watching the film while he's drinking.
But he really liked it. Some parts were upsetting to him, but to his credit, he didn't want to change anything or gloss over anything. So, that was fulfilling.
It's important to note that this is not a chronology of Ric Flair's greatest matches or career. That already exists in the WWE's archives. This is really a film that tries to encapsulate who Ric Flair was, and is, and at the same time, it's about wrestling and the appeal of what he did within that business.
Most of what I've seen on wrestling has either been incredibly tragic, where they just look at the underbelly of the industry, or it's just not breaking any new ground. Hopefully our film is something that appeals to a wide audience, and does break new ground -- stands the test of time as something that, if you want to understand what wrestling was in the 1980s, the appeal of it, the appeal of Ric Flair and why he relevant today, you can look at this film.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
2017 The TAMU Game
This is a big game. They're all big now. This is November and it's down to basics. Auburn has a daunting task ahead, and it begins today. The Tigers are favored in College Station. The visiting team has a habit of winning this game. Let us hope this trend continues today.
FIRST QUARTER
Auburn wins the toss and defers. TAMU drives to 39 yard FG. The defense played well except for giving up one long run of about 35 yards over their left side. There is was nobody in our second line of defense on that play.
Auburn 0 TAMU 3
The Tigers drive to a 4th and a half yard. The fake on the 39 yard attempt goes for the first down BUT Golson is called for holding. The 49 yard attempt is blocked and that's a tough break on the road. The game is not starting well on the road. The offense showed it can move the ball. Why did't we go for it on 4th and less than a yard instead of the fake FG attempt? A big special teams breakdown here.
After the blocked FG the Aggies go three and out quickly. There was a sack on first down.
Auburn fair catches the punt on the Tiger 24.
Stidham is sacked for a 4 yard loss on first down. TheAggies are supposed to be a good sack team.
Auburn is quickly three and out as the Tigers end up in 4th and 14.
This team cannot afford to get behind the chains on third and long.
The punt rolls out of bounds at the Aggie 30.
TAMU is quickly three and again. That's three three and outs in a row by both teams.
Auburn fair catches at the 16.
On a 12 yard gain on first down Auburn is called for holding.
Stidham is sacked on second down and the Tigers are punting from the 18.
Penalties have been our nemesis so far.
The Aggies fair catch at their 35.
The quarter ends with TAMU facing third and 6.
SECOND QUARTER
So far all I can say is that this will be a close game.
Our offense has got to get it going mixing the run and pass.
No one-dimensional.
TAMU is getting too much pressure on Stidham. Two penalties have hurt the most.
TAMU is three and out again. Good job by the defense if only our offense can help the defense.
AU fair catches on their 25.
Finally the offense moves the football on the ground smartly.
First down to the Aggie 19. Kim Martin has some good runs. One breakaway by KJ.
After a two yard gain time out Auburn with 2nd and 8.
First down pass to Hastings to the four.
KJ to the three.
TD pass to KJ as Stidham rolls right and hits Johnson in the flat.
That's the way to do it! Mostly on the ground but still mixing it up.
Auburn 7 TAMU 3
TAMU is three and out for the their straight time.
AU fair catches on the 14 after a booming punt.
After one first down Auburn is punting.
The punt goes into the end zone on a 70 yard punt.
7:12 to go.
TAMU changes quarterbacks and picks up a first down.
The Aggies move thru the air to the Auburn 39.
All of a sudden with a new QB the Aggies are moving the ball.
First down to the 29.
There is huge run to the Auburn two.
Big difference with the new redshirt QB.
Yikes. TAMU is poised to take the lead.
Firt and goal for the Aggies at the Auburn two.
Touchdown TAMU as their runner bounces off an attempted tackle in the backfield.
Auburn 7 TAMU 10
The thriller is on. The Aggies made the right call in changing quarterbacks. Can Auburn respond?
4:01 to go.
The Tigers go three and out from the 25 on three straight incompletions.
After a poor punt TAMU starts at midfield,
First play on a middle screen the Aggies are immediately inside our ten.
Oh, my. TAMU has all the momentum. Gut check time.
Third and goal from the seven.
Fourth and goal from the seven.
Fortunately our defense stiffens and only gives up the three.
Auburn 7 TAMU 13
From the 25 after two first downs Stidham hits Slayton on a 53 yard TD pass.
That's how you do it!
The strike comes on a 2nd and one. You can do wonders on a second and one.
Auburn 14 TAMU 13
TAMU has 90 seconds to work with from their 20 with three timeouts.
The Aggies go three and out and line up to punt with 29 seconds to go.
THE KICK IS BLOCKED! THE KICK IS BLOCKED! THE KICK IS BLOCKED!
A bevy of white shirts surround the ball in the end zone and Malick Miller recovers in the end zone for the 6. Wow! A special teams touchdown is a big deal.
Auburn 21 TAMU 13
What a way to end the first half!
The Tigers get the ball coming out in the second half.
THIRD QUARTER
Auburn starts at the 25. Get to what looks like an inch or two short of the 35 on third down, but after a measurement the officials signal first down. The play is reviewed. Never seen this before. It does look like the chains were not originally lined just right. The ruling on the field is overturned. We were short of the 35 but the on the field ruling was first down because the chains said first down.
TAMU starts on their 19.
TAMU is quickly three and out.
Roberts returns the punt to the AU 36.
Second Auburn possession of the half coming up.
First play short pass to Stove down to the TAMU 35.
Stidham keeps to the 11 on the next play.
KJ loses two back to the 13.
Stove to the 5 off a short pass.
Third and 4 from the 5.
TD PASS TO THE RYAN DAVIS WITH STIDHAM ROLLING RIGHT. GREAT TOUCH PASS.
That's the way to do it!!!
Auburn 28 TAMU 13
TAMU is again three and out. 4th and 4 from their 29.
9:49 to go in the third with a timeout.
The punt goes off the back of one of their players and AU starts on the Aggie 47.
KJ loses one.
There is another deep completion to Slayton to the Aggie two.
Kerryon Johnson lowers his head from the two for the score.
Auburn 35 TAMU 13
At the moment Auburn has taken over this game.
Seven straight three and outs and our offense has come alive.
TAMU hits a slant route for a long TD pass with 6:09 to go in the third.
It's not over yet as I knew it wouldn't be.
It looked like our defense wasn't lined up quite right on that play.
Auburn 35 TAMU 20
AU begins at the 17.
The Tigers drive to a 52 yard field goal attempt but the kick is blocked and TAMU starts at the AU 46.
This game is far from over.
Their possession to a third and 5.
First down to the AU 31.
This game is far from over.
First down to the 12.
After Auburn scores 28 straight TAMU has come back and we have a ballgame going into to the fourth.
FOURTH QUARTER
The final stanza starts with the Aggies first and 10 on our 12.
It's time for some Auburn heroics.
Kyle Field must be rocking.
TAMU moves to 4 and 2 from the four.
Closer to three than two.
Incomplete pass! Our defense holds. TAMU goes for it rather than kick the easy FG.
First down Auburn from their four.
The Tigers drive 96 yards for the touchdown in one of the great Auburn drives that I have seen.
THAT was a championship drive to hopefully ice this game.
KJ did most of the legwork running determinedly and making a one-handed catch on a third down.
Stove sweeps right end on third and goal from the four for the score.
What drive!!!
13 plays 8:17 off the clock. 96 yards.
Auburn 42 TAMU 20
The kick is returned to inside our 40. Our kick-off coverage needs some work. We are so used to touchbacks we seem unprepared for returns.
The Aggies move to a first and 10 from the eleven. thanks to an unfortunate interference call on Davis. Bad call.
On 4th TAMU gets the passing touchdown with 3:11 to go.
After the KO return they only had 28 yards to go.
Auburn 42 TAMU 27
We've too many special teams plays in this game. Here comes the onside kick. Auburn catches the pooch kick. Our ball.
AU starts on the TAMU 49.
8 yard KJ run on first down.
Third and two.
First down on the KJ wildcat.
The Tigers run the clock out.
Big win! Big, big win!
Now it's on possible glory.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 42 TAMU 27
FIRST QUARTER
Auburn wins the toss and defers. TAMU drives to 39 yard FG. The defense played well except for giving up one long run of about 35 yards over their left side. There is was nobody in our second line of defense on that play.
Auburn 0 TAMU 3
The Tigers drive to a 4th and a half yard. The fake on the 39 yard attempt goes for the first down BUT Golson is called for holding. The 49 yard attempt is blocked and that's a tough break on the road. The game is not starting well on the road. The offense showed it can move the ball. Why did't we go for it on 4th and less than a yard instead of the fake FG attempt? A big special teams breakdown here.
After the blocked FG the Aggies go three and out quickly. There was a sack on first down.
Auburn fair catches the punt on the Tiger 24.
Stidham is sacked for a 4 yard loss on first down. TheAggies are supposed to be a good sack team.
Auburn is quickly three and out as the Tigers end up in 4th and 14.
This team cannot afford to get behind the chains on third and long.
The punt rolls out of bounds at the Aggie 30.
TAMU is quickly three and again. That's three three and outs in a row by both teams.
Auburn fair catches at the 16.
On a 12 yard gain on first down Auburn is called for holding.
Stidham is sacked on second down and the Tigers are punting from the 18.
Penalties have been our nemesis so far.
The Aggies fair catch at their 35.
The quarter ends with TAMU facing third and 6.
SECOND QUARTER
So far all I can say is that this will be a close game.
Our offense has got to get it going mixing the run and pass.
No one-dimensional.
TAMU is getting too much pressure on Stidham. Two penalties have hurt the most.
TAMU is three and out again. Good job by the defense if only our offense can help the defense.
AU fair catches on their 25.
Finally the offense moves the football on the ground smartly.
First down to the Aggie 19. Kim Martin has some good runs. One breakaway by KJ.
After a two yard gain time out Auburn with 2nd and 8.
First down pass to Hastings to the four.
KJ to the three.
TD pass to KJ as Stidham rolls right and hits Johnson in the flat.
That's the way to do it! Mostly on the ground but still mixing it up.
Auburn 7 TAMU 3
TAMU is three and out for the their straight time.
AU fair catches on the 14 after a booming punt.
After one first down Auburn is punting.
The punt goes into the end zone on a 70 yard punt.
7:12 to go.
TAMU changes quarterbacks and picks up a first down.
The Aggies move thru the air to the Auburn 39.
All of a sudden with a new QB the Aggies are moving the ball.
First down to the 29.
There is huge run to the Auburn two.
Big difference with the new redshirt QB.
Yikes. TAMU is poised to take the lead.
Firt and goal for the Aggies at the Auburn two.
Touchdown TAMU as their runner bounces off an attempted tackle in the backfield.
Auburn 7 TAMU 10
The thriller is on. The Aggies made the right call in changing quarterbacks. Can Auburn respond?
4:01 to go.
The Tigers go three and out from the 25 on three straight incompletions.
After a poor punt TAMU starts at midfield,
First play on a middle screen the Aggies are immediately inside our ten.
Oh, my. TAMU has all the momentum. Gut check time.
Third and goal from the seven.
Fourth and goal from the seven.
Fortunately our defense stiffens and only gives up the three.
Auburn 7 TAMU 13
From the 25 after two first downs Stidham hits Slayton on a 53 yard TD pass.
That's how you do it!
The strike comes on a 2nd and one. You can do wonders on a second and one.
Auburn 14 TAMU 13
TAMU has 90 seconds to work with from their 20 with three timeouts.
The Aggies go three and out and line up to punt with 29 seconds to go.
THE KICK IS BLOCKED! THE KICK IS BLOCKED! THE KICK IS BLOCKED!
A bevy of white shirts surround the ball in the end zone and Malick Miller recovers in the end zone for the 6. Wow! A special teams touchdown is a big deal.
Auburn 21 TAMU 13
What a way to end the first half!
The Tigers get the ball coming out in the second half.
THIRD QUARTER
Auburn starts at the 25. Get to what looks like an inch or two short of the 35 on third down, but after a measurement the officials signal first down. The play is reviewed. Never seen this before. It does look like the chains were not originally lined just right. The ruling on the field is overturned. We were short of the 35 but the on the field ruling was first down because the chains said first down.
TAMU starts on their 19.
TAMU is quickly three and out.
Roberts returns the punt to the AU 36.
Second Auburn possession of the half coming up.
First play short pass to Stove down to the TAMU 35.
Stidham keeps to the 11 on the next play.
KJ loses two back to the 13.
Stove to the 5 off a short pass.
Third and 4 from the 5.
TD PASS TO THE RYAN DAVIS WITH STIDHAM ROLLING RIGHT. GREAT TOUCH PASS.
That's the way to do it!!!
Auburn 28 TAMU 13
TAMU is again three and out. 4th and 4 from their 29.
9:49 to go in the third with a timeout.
The punt goes off the back of one of their players and AU starts on the Aggie 47.
KJ loses one.
There is another deep completion to Slayton to the Aggie two.
Kerryon Johnson lowers his head from the two for the score.
Auburn 35 TAMU 13
At the moment Auburn has taken over this game.
Seven straight three and outs and our offense has come alive.
TAMU hits a slant route for a long TD pass with 6:09 to go in the third.
It's not over yet as I knew it wouldn't be.
It looked like our defense wasn't lined up quite right on that play.
Auburn 35 TAMU 20
AU begins at the 17.
The Tigers drive to a 52 yard field goal attempt but the kick is blocked and TAMU starts at the AU 46.
This game is far from over.
Their possession to a third and 5.
First down to the AU 31.
This game is far from over.
First down to the 12.
After Auburn scores 28 straight TAMU has come back and we have a ballgame going into to the fourth.
FOURTH QUARTER
The final stanza starts with the Aggies first and 10 on our 12.
It's time for some Auburn heroics.
Kyle Field must be rocking.
TAMU moves to 4 and 2 from the four.
Closer to three than two.
Incomplete pass! Our defense holds. TAMU goes for it rather than kick the easy FG.
First down Auburn from their four.
The Tigers drive 96 yards for the touchdown in one of the great Auburn drives that I have seen.
THAT was a championship drive to hopefully ice this game.
KJ did most of the legwork running determinedly and making a one-handed catch on a third down.
Stove sweeps right end on third and goal from the four for the score.
What drive!!!
13 plays 8:17 off the clock. 96 yards.
Auburn 42 TAMU 20
The kick is returned to inside our 40. Our kick-off coverage needs some work. We are so used to touchbacks we seem unprepared for returns.
The Aggies move to a first and 10 from the eleven. thanks to an unfortunate interference call on Davis. Bad call.
On 4th TAMU gets the passing touchdown with 3:11 to go.
After the KO return they only had 28 yards to go.
Auburn 42 TAMU 27
We've too many special teams plays in this game. Here comes the onside kick. Auburn catches the pooch kick. Our ball.
AU starts on the TAMU 49.
8 yard KJ run on first down.
Third and two.
First down on the KJ wildcat.
The Tigers run the clock out.
Big win! Big, big win!
Now it's on possible glory.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 42 TAMU 27
November
"November is here. Redemption is here. How you are remembered is here. Will you be an all-time great, an Auburn legacy, a team that dethroned their greatest rivals? Or will mediocrity reign? As unfair as it may be, there’s really very little ground in between."
- Rob Pate
- Rob Pate
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Spread
I'm surprised we are a 15 point favorite on the road at Texas A&M. Vegas must not think much of the Aggies. I would have expected being a touchdown or less favorite. I hope Vegas is right.
After Arkansas
The Tigers will come off a week to play in College Station. Auburn is something like a 15 point favorite. The season is in front of this team. Win out and the Tigers will play in Atlanta. Despite two losses they could be in the 4 team playoff after winning in Atlanta. I don't expect it, but it's all there in front of this team.
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