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