2018 The Alabama State Game

I always have mixed feelings about these kind of games---games we are supposed to win handily because if we do win handily, what does it prove, and if we struggle, it is usually a bad sign.  Anyway, at least I'd rather play an instate program in this kind of game than an out-of-state team.

FIRST QUARTER

The telecast is delayed on the SEC Alternate as Ole Miss blowing out SIU is allowed to continue to the end.  OM wins 76 to 41.
Auburn receives and goes three and out.
ASU goes three and out.
Second possession AU starts on the Hornet 46.
A drive starts but Whitlow fumbles the ball away on the 19.
A red zone turnover.  Bad, bad, bad.

ASU hits an open receiver down to the Auburn 30.
Is Auburn into this game mentally?  Not yet so far.
From the AU 26 the field goal attempt is wide left.

The Tigers drive to the ASU 25 running the ball.
The Tigers move to first and 10 from the 11.
From the 6 Stidham strolls into the end zone around left end.

Auburn 7  Alabama State 0

6:09 to go in the quarter.
After one first down ASU punts.
Auburn starts at the 19.

The Tigers move to a first down at their 43.
There's a 57 yard TD pass to the freshman Anthony Schwartz!  Beautiful play as this freshman runs past the defender wide open.

Auburn 14  Alabama State 0

First play by ASU and Daniel Thomas takes the ball out of the air and runs to the end zone!
Pick Six!

Auburn 21  Alabama State 0

ASU runs the KO back all the way but ASU is called for a block in the back.
ASU from their 15.
The quarter ends with the Hornets facing second and 9 from their 26.

SECOND QUARTER

Two first downs and ASU punts and then punts again after a procedure penalty.
Auburn starts at the 11 after a terrific punt.

First play completion to Ryan Davis to the 35.
Whitlow runs to midfield on the next play.
Whitlow again with a bullrun to around their 35.
Whitlow again inside the 30.
Stidham misses a wide-open Asa Martin on a wheel route.
Penalty on ASU moves the ball to the 19.
Kam Martin runs to the 4.
Kam Martin next play for the touchdown!
Finally our offense is playing against an outmanned opponent like it should.

Auburn 28  Alabama State 0

ASU punts from their 30 with 9:53 to go.

Schwartz jet sweeps for a first down for the first time this year.
After one first down AU is punting.
ASU starts at their 16 with 8:44 to go.
ASU goes three and out.
Auburn blocks the punt.  Devan Barrett picks up the ball and runs into the end zone.
Big-time punt block, scoop, and touchdown!

Auburn 35  Alabama State 0

ASU from their 30.
Thomas intercepts on a quick screen.  Great diving INT, the second of the game, by Thomas.
The Tigers are in business on the 23.
First play Anthony Schwartz scores untouched on a reverse!
This Anthony Schwartz is going to be a special player---fast, fast, fast, and he can catch the football.

Auburn 42  Alabama State 0

The Hornets go three and out.
Lots of different faces out there on defense.
The punt hits the ground and goes all to the Auburn 4 with 4:48 to go.

First play Malik Willis goes down in the end zone for a safety.
Willis never had a chance.

Auburn 42  Alabama State 2

ASU will start after the safety kick at their 35.
ASU picks up a first down on a picky ruffing the QB call on Auburn and Davidson.
There is a sack on third down and ASU is punting from their 37.
The punt goes all the way to the end zone.

Whitlow makes a determined run to almost midfield.
The clock moves under a minute.
The half ends.

END OF FIRST HALF
Auburn 42  Alabama 2

THIRD QUARTER

ASU drives to a 4th and 4 to the AU 36 but we sack the QB on the 44.  Auburn ball.

We need to get Malik Willis going at quarterback.  He is always one play from being forced into the game.
Asa Martin runs to midfield.
Asa Martin fumbles and ASU recovers at their 41.  Not good.
He didn't seem to be hit very hard to lose the ball.

First play holding call on the Hornets.
Three and out for ASU.
Christian Tutt takes the punt to the ASU 49

A bust up the middle for Shaun Shivers to the 35.
Harold Joiner runs for the first down to the 25 on a fourth and four.
Shivers bursts inside the 10.
Shivers goes to the four.
Shivers to the two.
Harold Joiner back in for the wildcat.
Joiner walks into the end zone.
Joiner is going to be a good one.

Auburn 49  Alabama State 2

ASU drives to a punt which Auburn muffs on the 16.
We get a sack back on the 30 but on the next play the Hornets get a TD pass into the end zone.

Auburn 49  Alabama 9

Spencer Nye takes the pooch kick to the AU 39.
Cord Sandberg is the QB.
The quarter ends with Auburn facing 2nd and 6.

FOURTH QUARTER

Two lost running back fumbles and one punt muff are the big negatives in this game.
Shivers runs to the ASU 38.
Sandberg to the 31.
Matthew Hill runs inside the 10 on the jet sweep before getting stripped of the ball.
ASU takes the ball on their 13.
Too many turnovers in this game.  Inexperienced players losing the ball in this game.  This has to stop.  Four lost balls will doom us against LSU.

Auburn gets a three and out.
AU on their 46.

First down Auburn at the ASU 28 with Shivers running the football.
SHIVERS to the two yard line.  Little but runs HARD.
Shivers walks in from the two.  He is fun to watch!  Small but runs with heart.

Auburn 56  Alabama State 9

Auburn intercepts at our 37 by Sherwood.

Auburn quickly to the ASU 27.
Two straight keepers by Sandberg the second one to the 14.
Malik Miller walks into to the end zone from the 14.
Good for him!

Auburn 63  Alabama State 9

ASU fumbles the KO return and Auburn recovers at the 14.
A penalty and Auburn starts at the 9.
Auburn is stopped on fourth down at the five.

ASU goes nowhere and punts with 1:35 left.

Auburn takes a knee or two and the game is over.

FINAL SCORE
Auburn 63  Alabama State 9