2018 The Tennessee Game

There was a time when Auburn played the Vols every year.  This game was always an early season test.  Those years are long past.  Tennessee comes up this year on the league's rotating schedule.  One thing is the same: it's a test.
Auburn is supposed to beat a struggling Tennessee team today, but Auburn is struggling also.  Which will be the last team standing?  Auburn must win this game somehow.

FIRST QUARTER

The Tigers receive and promptly drive 75 yards for a touchdown the score coming from the one.
14 plays.  Chandler Cox with the one yard run.
Good start at least.

Auburn 7  Tennessee 0

The Vols start their own drive and cross midfield with two first downs.
After a good drive by our offensive UT is gashing our defense.
First down to the AU 29.
Tennessee moves to 4th and six.
The 42 yarder is good.

Auburn 7  Tennessee 3

The Tigers are quickly inside the UT 40.
First down at the UT 32.
First down to the 15.
Stidham to the three on a keeper.
Alas, the drive dies at the two.  This can get you beat.
The short FG is good.

Auburn 10  Tennessee 3

So far we see more passing to set up the run.  It has worked so far.   But a common red zone failure at the end of that impressive drive.

UT moves to the AU 34 on a long pass completion as the quarter ends.

SECOND QUARTER

So far we see an improved offense but our defense giving ground to the Vols.  Go figure.
We need a turnover.

UT attempts a long FG and it's BLOCKED!
Auburn starts at the Vol 46.

On second down Stidham throws a short pass in desperation and UT intercepts.
Stidham continues to struggle.  Should NOT have thrown that ill-advised ball.

UT sets up at their 41.
There is a long completion but it's called back on an ineligible receiver downfield.
We cannot allow these long completions.
First down pass completion to the Auburn 43.  Our pass defense is vulnerable today so far.
We're good on run defense but giving up yards thru the air.
There is a wide-open receiver from the 42---busted coverage---down the middle of the field and this game is tied.  Our pass defense is sleep-walking after a big blocked punt and a Stidham interference miscue.  Not good.  Tennessee came to play.  Our defense is making their offense look good.

Auburn 10  Tennessee 10

Our kick returners do not communicate and we start backed up at our 11.
We started this game smooth but not now.
First down pass to Seth Williams at the 27.
We move to third and four.
Completion to Slayton over the middle across midfield.
A razzle play leads to Stidham throwing a foolish interception again.
UT at the AU 37.
I can't believe Stidham.  The man is killing us.
We need a new quarterback.

We move to third and eighteen for UT.
Coe sacks their QB on a big-time stick.
4:18 to go.
UT punts from their 45.
The punt rolls dead around the Auburn 20.

Just like last week Auburn is killing themselves with mistakes.
Stidham hits Schwartz for a 76 yard touchdown pass. Schwartz catches it about 15 yards downfield and away he goes.  Like they say, there is no substitute for speed.  We needed that big play.

Auburn 17  Tennessee 10

Tennessee goes three and out.
1:47 left as UT sends the punt team out.
The punt bounces over the head of Ryan Davis and rolls all the way to the two.

UT stops the clock with 52 seconds left and Auburn on our 6.
Stidham throws out of bounds and we have to punt with 51 seconds left.
UT takes possession at their 48 with less than 50 seconds to go.

UT to the Auburn 35.
UT to the Auburn 29.
We are giving up too many passing yards.  I do not understand this.
Third and three with 17 seconds left.
Fourth and three with 17 seconds left.
The 45 attempt is good.

Auburn 17  Tennessee 13

It's anybody's game going into the second half.

THIRD QUARTER

UT receives to start the half.
The Vols cross midfield.  We cannot stop their passing.  We cannot stop them on third down.
We move to fourth and a length of the football short inside the Auburn 40.
The middle of defense stands up and UT comes up short.  Big stop to open the half by the defense.

Auburn at their 39.
Quickly Auburn is at third and six.
Pass incomplete.  Stidham is high again though the pass was catchable.
Offense goes three and out on our first possession.
UT starts at their 14 after a good punt and coverage.

UT moves to the Auburn 25.  We are stopping their run BUT we cannot third down sideline completions.
On third down AGAIN a completion this time in the end zone.  Our DBs are getting schooled.  I cannot believe what I am seeing.  Our cornerbacks are helpless against normal fade routes one on one.  This is ALL they have going on offense but it's enough so far.  Sad to see.
And Jeremiah Dinson is ejected for targeting.
This game is looking ominous as three plus minutes remain in the third quarter.

Auburn 17  Tennessee 20

Luckily Auburn recovers the pooch kick at the 25.  That would have been a disaster.
The problem with a "rhythm" offense is that with this team when it's out of of rhythm it is awful.
On second down Stidham fumbles, the ball rolls into the end zone, and Tennessee recovers for the touchdown.  Stidham doesn't take care of the ball.  Stidham is pathetic.  Auburn is getting embarrassedly out-played.  This is maddening.  I am watching a football team implode.  There are no miracles on the football field, and there will not be one today for Auburn.

Auburn 17  Tennessee 27

Our secondary is getting exposed.  Stidham and the offense is pathetic.  Three turnovers.  This game is still winnable.  We have to throw the ball.  Tennessee has 14 points off of turnovers.  UT has scored 14 straight points.

A rare runback to the 24.
With our offense we are probably done for in this game.
I can't see our offense scoring again.
Either Stidham overthrows or our receivers drop the ball.
There is a first down but a throw away on first down.
We move to third and long as our offensive line is getting whipped.
There is a completion to Seth Williams to the UT 40.
A holding call moves us back to first and fifteen at midfield.
Second and fifteen after a short incompletion to Ryan Davis.
We move to fourth and five as the quarter ends.

FOURTH QUARTER

Auburn will attempt the long field goal and it's way wide right not even close.  I would have gone for it.
UT will start at their 36 as the quarter starts.

All UT has to do is play conservative and they will win this game because we will not score again.
UT is three and out to their 43.
Ryan Davis is charged with calling for a fair catch and then trying to run with the ball.  We are backed up inside our five.  Auburn has made every mistake in the book.  What mistake is left to make in this game?  12:55 to go.

From the four yard line our offense is helpless.
Trying that long field goal was foolish.
Martin for a hard.  UT will have good field position after this possession.  One more score and it will be definitely over.
Auburn is punting after three helpless downs with an open Seth Williams ignored.
UT fair catches at the Auburn 49.  It's not dark yet, but it's getting there.

First play there is a long completion to the Auburn 7.  Their receiver goes up and grabs the ball.
The clock moves toward 10 minutes.
A touchdown will certainly end this game.
Second and goal from the six.
Third and goal from the two.
Fourth and goal from the two.
The field goal is good.

Auburn 17  Tennessee 30

Down by two scores, but at this point it doesn't seem to matter for this offense.  We are very unlikely to score again in this football game.
9:04 left.
Slayton drops what would have been a TD pass.  It's not all Stidham's fault.
The Tigers pass their way to the UT 31.
The Tigers move to fourth and four.
Stidham not sharp on that short pass attempt.
Stidham is sacked.  And that's that.  Game over.

UT ball at their 32.  So sad to see this game wind down.   No reason for the Vols take any chances.
First down Vols close to midfield.  Not a very good Tennessee team but better than Auburn today.
So said to watch this.

First down UT to the Auburn 40.  Our defense cannot stop their simple sideline throws.
The said thing is that we stuff their run.
Last week MSU ran for over 300 yards.  UT has about 75 at this point, but they have passed for probably over 300 yards.
The game winds down like a bad toothache even though we score at the end.
UT punts with 2:33 left where Ryan Davis falls on the ball at the 12.

Auburn drives and with 37 seconds to go Auburn gets the TD pass in the end zone to Seth Williams.

Auburn 24  Tennessee 30

Tennessee recovers the onside kicker as the kick bounces right to one of their players.

FINAL SCORE

Auburn 24  Tennessee 30

I have nothing more to say except that Tennessee outplayed Auburn.  Sad to see for sure.