2018 The Southern Miss Game

Auburn is a big favorite on Homecoming.  Historically Auburn wins homecoming but typically it's a sloppy game.  Today will be no exception with our offense struggling.  We could lose this game.  SM is supposed to have a good passing game.  The game kicks off at 3 on the SEC Network.

FIRST QUARTER

USM receives and reaches the AU 45 helped by a major distance penalty against Auburn.
The punt goes into the end zone.

Auburn is three and out from the 20.

USM from their 32.
The Golden Eagles go three and out.
A bad snap to a punt defender and Auburn has the ball on the USM 33.

Whitlow to the 30.
Incomplete pass into the end zone.
Third and 7.
Holding on Auburn.
Our offense is off to a horrible start.
Stidham either can't find anyone open or our receivers cannot get open.
Another penalty false start.
The offense is going backwards big time from their 33.
Fourth down at the USM 40.
We go backwards 7 yards.  So sad to see. Same old ineffective offense.
Auburn catch the punt at the USM three with 5:19 left in the first quarter.
Two offense possessions and two three and outs.  Our offense is nonexistent.
Auburn is averaging 1.7 yards per play so far.

Three downs and the Eagles are punting from their five.
The punt goes OOB at the USM 47.

Whitlow for a yard.  No offensive line push.  None whatsoever.
THERE'S A 46 YARD TD PASS TO SETH WILLIAMS WHO GOES UP AND CATCHES THE BALL!  There is an explosive play we need since we have trouble driving the ball and we have trouble in the Red Zone.  The freshman Williams is our best wideout so far this season.

Auburn 7  USM 0

On the kickoff AU is penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike.  Four penalties 45 yards so far.
Jeremiah Dinson intercepts the long pass back on our 11 yard line!  Dinson had it the whole way.

Holding against AU makes it third and long from inside the 10.  Penalties, penalties, penalties.
Before the snap we have movement on a false start.  That's about 60 yards already.  Amazing.
The Tigers are punting from inside our five.
Except for the long TD pass our offense keeps going backwards.
USM starts at the Auburn 47.
No improvement in our offense so far as the quarter is slipping away.

The quarter ends with USM facing second and long.
Defense plays well.  Offense terrible except for one big play.

SECOND QUARTER

The Golden Eagles move to a 40 plus yd. FG.

Auburn 7  USM 3

Auburn luckily recovers the pooch kick at the 27.
The Tigers move quickly to the USM 47.
First down pass to Whitlow to the USM 29
A gain and a loss and a snap infraction and we move to third and 15.
First down pass to the 17 to Martin.
Kam Martin runs to the 8.
Third and short.
Martin for the first down to the 6.
From there Schwartz sweeps around the right side untouched.
Touchdown Auburn!  That was a decent drive for once.

Auburn 14  USM 3

As we finish the quarter we hear that Boobie Whitlow is being medically evaluated and will not return for this game and there is suddenly a weather delay for lighting in the distance.  There is at least a 30 minute pause.

With 4:27 to go in the second quarter we a 2 and 1/2  hour rain delay.

Auburn has the ball but punts on 4th and 8 as play resumes.

As the quarter winds down USM gets the ball at their 30 after a punt.

USM gets an end around to the Auburn 42 with under 3 minutes left.
USM moves to 4th down at the Auburn 41.
Ryan Davis fair catches at the AU with 1:36 left in the first half.

Our offense goes nowhere and Auburn is punting.  Stidham looks horrible.  He looks uncomfortable.  He is not playing well for sure.
Running into the kicker is called and Auburn retains possession just across the 20.
Stidham hits Slayton across the AU 40.  Clearly on replay a catch but it's reviewed.  Amazing.  1:02 on the clock.
First down on the AU 42.
Our offense is not good.  Stidham gets pressured.  Or he has time and either can't find anybody open or he just can't pull the trigger or our receivers can't get separation.  All of the above.
We move to 4th down.  Our offense is pathetic.
The punt goes into the end zone with 36 seconds to go.
The first half mercifully ends.

Auburn 14  USM 3

THIRD QUARTER

Thank goodness it's a 15 minute halftime.  Let's get this game over with ASAP.
Coming out at the half Malzahn says we got to get the run game going.  It won't happen.  Whitlow is out for the rest of the game.

The Tigers move to the USM 42 but the drive ends there.  The punt dies at the USM three.

From the three USM gets a completion across the 30.
There's a completion across the 40.
This game is far from over.
The Golden Eagles are moving the ball.
USM is down the Auburn 30.  Our defense is giving ground.
USM goes to the Auburn 18 with short passes.
Our defense has gone underground.
Our defense comes alive and pushes them back to the 32.
4th down at the 35.
Wow!  The 51 yard FG is good.

Auburn 14  USM 6

Auburn starts at the 29.
There is a long, long completion to Slayton to the USM 12.
Can our offense take advantage?
Interference against Slayton in the end zone.
First down at the two.
Pass to Chandler Cox in the end zone after a fake to Malik Miller.

Auburn 21  USM 6

Our defense gets aroused pushing back and USM punts from their 5.
First down Auburn at the Golden Eagle 39.

First down to the 27 but we move to third and eight from there.
Jack Driscoll is on the ground.
Stidham is sacked at the 37.
The long FG attempt is partially blocked with 59 seconds to go in the quarter.

USM gets a long completion to the AU 37 as the third quarter clock expires.

FOURTH QUARTER

I wish this game were over.  Just get it over with.

Complete pass to the 15.
From the 13 there is a TD pass to a wide-open receiver.

Auburn 21  USM 13

From the 25 our offense goes backwards.

USM gets good field position after the punt at their 48, but our defense forces a three and out.
Auburn starts at their 15 after the Golden Eagle punt.  Twiddle dee, twiddle dum.

Our offense has no consistency.  This would be a good time to find some.
Our offensive line is now a patchwork with some injuries.
Martin runs to the 29 from the 15.
We move to third and six.
Pass incomplete.  Auburn is punting again.
The punt is dead at the USM 25.  This is not fun.

USM is three and out.
Auburn gets the punt at their 41.

One first down and Stidham is hit as he tries to release a pass and USM recovers the fumble at midfield.  Oh, my.

On second and 17 Christian Tutt intercepts.
Auburn is at the USM 25.  Could be a game saver.

4:44 to go.
Martin to the 21 for four.
Martin fights to the 15 and a first down.
Martin has 21 carries tonight.
Martin to the 11.
Martin loses back to the 17 or 18 with 2:25 left as the Eagles call timeout.
Third and eight.
Martin runs to the five and the spot is reviewed.  The ruling on the field is first down.
The review takes away the first down.  What else would you expect?
On 4th and short the short FG is good on a high snap.

Auburn 24  USM 13

Our announcers think that it should have been a first down but these reviews always seem to go against us.

USM starts at their 13.
No gain on first down.
No gain on second down OOB with 1:06 left.
Sack on third down.
Fourth and 13 with 22 seconds left.
The game with USM completing a few short passes.

Final Score

Auburn 24  USM 13