Malzahn Talk

Much talk about Malzahn's status.  Last night we heard that Auburn had contacted Bob Stoops about his possible interest in the job.  Stoops denies interest.  Suffice it to say that at this point Coach Malzahn's job status is is up in the air.  I am all for changing coaches if somebody really good is out there for Auburn somewhere.

The 2018 Alabama Game

The 7 and 4 Tigers are a huge 24 point underdog in Tuscaloosa for a 2:30 broadcast on CBS.  The favorite usually wins this game particularly with this big of a line.  I don't know what else to say.

FIRST QUARTER

On Auburn's second possession Shaun Shivers goes 75 yards for the touchdown but it's called back for holding.   Bad break for sure.

6:38 left Alabama runs 12 yards for the score after Auburn's 75 yard run was called back for holding and a roughing penalty on Auburn on the punt receiver gave Alabama good starting field position at the AU 34.

Auburn 0  Alabama 7

Auburn drives masterly for the touchdown from its 27 mainly running between the tackles.  One of our best drives of the year.  Schwartz sweeps around right end for 9 yards for the score.  Great uptempo on that drive.  Our offensive line is getting a push.

Auburn 7  Alabama 7

SECOND QUARTER

The quarter begins with UA first and ten at the Auburn 15 after a face guard penalty and after Carlson kicked of out-of-bounds to start the possession.  Auburn has almost 50 yards in penalties.  Our biggest liability so far.

Touchdown on a 4 yard screen pass.

Auburn 7  Alabama 14

Alabama drives for a 30 yard field goal after our offense goes three and out.  It seems that we need a good play on first down to get a drive going.  We continue to be plagued by penalties.

Auburn 7  Alabama 17

8:59 to go.  After one first down from a face guard penalty Auburn punts to the UA 16 after Stidham overthrows Slayton which would have been a first down.

On 4th and one Auburn blocks the punt.  First down at the UA 23.

TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!

A double pass from Ryan Davis to a wide-open Malik Miller at the 5 and into the end one.
2 plays 23 yards set up by the blocked punt and UA's three and out.

Auburn 14  Alabama 17

Our defense holds UA to another three and out.  Auburn makes one first down and lets the clock expire.  At the half we have a ballgame.

THIRD QUARTER

Alabama receives, crosses midfield, and gets a 46 yd. TD pass.  We are defensing their rushing but they are always dangerous with their passing attack.  First big play we've given up.  We avoided giving up big plays in the first half.  Our DBs have to be good to win this game.

Auburn 14  Alabama 24

It seems like we have not been very good in the second halves this year.
After our three and out UA starts from their 31 and after a face guard penalty there is a TD pass from the AU 35.  We are in dangerous territory now.  With 9:49 to go Alabama leads by 17.

Auburn 14  Alabama 31

Auburn mounts a drive but is stopped a yard short on fourth down to the 20 needing the 19.  We could not take advantage of two PF penalties on Alabama.  The fourth down was a trick play, a pass from Malik Willis to kicker Carlson.

5:06 to go in the quarter  as Auburn forces a three and out.  Auburn starts at their 40.

On third and two Stidham hits Slayton for a 52 yd. touchdown!  We have a game again.

Auburn 21  Alabama 31

Alabama responds quickly.  From their 25 they get a 40 yd. touchdown pass.  We get behind and it's just about impossible to catch up.  That took 69 seconds.

Auburn 21  Alabama 38

The Tigers go three and out pushed back to the 10.  Stidham can't get it done.  He can't step up in the pocket.  The punt goes out of bounds at the Auburn 43 with 45 seconds to go in the quarter.  We got back to within 10 but it's getting away now.  The quarter ends UA up by 17.

FOURTH QUARTER

Alabama scores again on a pass into the end zone to Ruggs.

Auburn 21  Alabama 45

Auburn slowly drives across midfield but then Stidham lobs up an interception.

First play a TD pass to Waddle.

Auburn 21  Alabama 52

The game slogs to an end as Auburn tries to run the clock by staying on the ground.

FINAL SCORE

52 to 21 Alabama.

Top 10 matchup against Duke!

"And I have lived long enough to see it." - Phillip Marshall on Auburn playing Duke tonight in a Top 10 matchup.

I can't agree more.

The 2018 Liberty Game

For a game that is supposed to be easy, this one may not be so easy.  Liberty, coached by Turner Gill, is a decent team.  The 6 and 4 Tigers should win, but it may be interesting.  I am only going to do a scoring summary.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn 3  Liberty 0
Anders Carlson a 53 yard field goal.

Auburn 10  Liberty 0
Darrell Williams 27 yard interception return for the score.

Auburn 12  Liberty 0
Blocked punt out of the back of the end zone by Jordyn Peters.

Auburn 15  Liberty 0
Anders Carlson 20 yard field goal.

SECOND QUARTER

Auburn 22  Liberty 0
Stidham one yard run on 4th down.

Auburn 25  Liberty 0
Anders Carlson 49 yard field goal.

Auburn 32  Liberty 0
22 yd. TD pass to Cammella in the end zone after a fumble recovery.

THIRD QUARTER

Auburn 39  Liberty 0
45 yd. TD pass to Seth Williams on the first possession of the half.

Auburn 46  Liberty 0
Shaun Shivers 25 yd. TD run up the middle.

Auburn 53  Liberty 0
Malik Willis 16 yd. great fake and run around right end.

FINAL SCORE

Auburn 53
Liberty   0

The 2018 Georgia Game

Auburn has not won at Georgia since 2005.  It is not likely to happen today in Athens.  The once-beaten Bulldogs are a 14 point favorite against the 6 and 3 Tigers.  Auburn had a brilliant final 7:14 last week at home to beat TAMU.  It will take much more than that to win today.  It will be surprising if our offense can sustain enough success to keep our defense from wearing down.  The game kicks off at 6 on ESPN.

FIRST QUARTER

44 degrees at kickoff.
Just before the game kicks off we see the conclusion of Washington State beating Colorado handily.

Auburn to receive as UGA defers.  Get off to a good start?  Stan White says we have to come out throwing.
First two plays we cross midfield but then we go backwards.
Auburn is punting from midfield after two first downs.
A good start ends quickly.
UGA starts around their 11 or 12.

Georgia comes out running.  They have great backs in Holyfield and Swift.
Georgia to the AU 42.
Georgia to our 17 after a good run by Holyfield.
Interference in the end zone which was totally unnecessary.
Ball placed at the 2 yard line.
First two plays our defense pushes them back leading to a third an goal at the 8 or 9.
Pass incomplete.  Defense holds and forces a FG attempt after Georgia had first and goal at the two.
FG good.

Auburn 0  Georgia 3

A small victory on that first Georgia possession but will probably be short-lived.
The problem is simply that Georgia can run the football and Auburn can't.

Auburn moves smartly to midfield.
First down to the UGA 37.
A complete pass and a roughness penalty moves the ball to the UGA 16.
TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!
Whitlow in the wildcat completes an end zone pass of 9 yards to a wide-open Shenker.
THAT was a nifty drive.  Mixing a few rules with short passes.

Auburn 7  Georgia 3

After our defense puts them into a third and eight we have a blown coverage and UGA crosses midfield.  That hurts.
We move to a third and six.
First down Georgia at the Auburn 23.  Too easy.
From there third and one as the quarter ends.
We have stopped their rushing on this possession but let them compete two big third down passes.

SECOND QUARTER

First down run to the ten.
On third and goal from the 9 we sack their QB but Bryant is called from targeting.
The targeting is upheld and Big Cat is disqualified.
What a massive game changer on that one play.
First down UGA from just inside the five.  Boy oh boy that was a tough deal.
The targeting was by definition targeting.  Just unintentional and unfortunate.
We move to third and goal from the three.
Fourth and goal from the three.  Once again our defense disallows the touchdown.  Their QB is stopped at the three with no one open .
The FG is good.

Auburn 7  Georgia 6

First down to the AU 47.
First down to the Georgia 31.
Five more yards to the Georgia 26 after the Dogs are whistled for ineligible participation.
First down to the 16.
First down to the 5.
Second down at the 4.
Third down at the 4.  Shenker was open but Stidham overthrew him.
Incomplete pass.  Williams could have caught it.
After a false start Anders makes the field goal with 7:46 to go in the first half.

Auburn 10  Georgia 6

The kickoff is short of the end zone and Georgia starts at their 41.
First down Georgia to the Auburn 35.
First down to the Auburn 20 as Georgia is committed to running the ball.
Second down at the 13.
There is a one yard loss as we stuff Swift.
Touchdown to the end zone.  Good throw and catch.

Auburn 10  Georgia 13

Auburn has 2:47 to work with.
A runback and fumble but Auburn recovers at the 17.
That could have been disastrous.
We fail to convert on third and two and Auburn has to punt.
Georgia fair catches at their 30 with 2:00 left.
Time for a turnover.

First play Swift runs to the Auburn 45.
We move to third and seven from there with 1:15 left.
We move to fourth and three as the clock winds down.
Timeout Georgia with 29 seconds left.
The FG attempt would be 50 plus.
Complete pass over the middle and that's a killer as the runner runs to the end zone.
That was brutal.  That's a backbreaker.  Bad technique by our defender.  Almost a gimme.

Auburn 10  Georgia 20

Bad conclusion to the end of the first half.  We had them fourth and three and we give up a cheap TD with bad play by our pass defense.
With only 21 seconds left Auburn can't do anything.
Down by 10 at the half.  Bad, bad end of the half.

THIRD QUARTER

At the half on the radio Coach Malzahn says Georgia's first possession is the ballgame.  That's laying it on the line!  This is it.  Down 27 to 10 on the road and this game is probably over.

Georgia is three and out.  Okay, good start.  Nick Coe is on the ground after third down.
After the punt AU has good field position at their 48.

After an 8 yard run we move to fourth and two.  Costly miscommunication on third down.  Two passes on second and two.  Why not run the football to pick up two yards.
Nice punt but we get an appropriate interference penalty as Georgia starts on their 26 after the 15 yard step off.  A boneheaded play by Marquis McClain.  After stopping UGA on their first possession we give the ball right back to them.

Third and 16 and we have a blown coverage.  First down almost to midfield.  That was a killer play with a lack of discipline on our defense.  Giving up a first down on third and 16 is brutal.
We move to a third and seven and another first down for Georgia.  Our defense is dropping back to far allowing the short completions. We are allowing the underneath throws.  Basically giving them the firs down.
First down to the Auburn 25.  Jamel Dean intercepts at the 19!  Big play!!!

First play trick play an attempted pass becomes a fumble.  A negative play on first down.
Then Shivers bursts to the AU 45.
We move to third and nine.
We move to fourth and nine as Stidham couldn't let go of the ball.
Punt into the end zone.

Georgia continue to have success running the football.
The Bulldogs move to fourth and five at the Auburn 40.
Georgia downs the punt at the one.  Tough break.

One yard gain for Whitlow on first down.
Timeout before second down as we couldn't get the snap off in time.
First down pass to the 12.
Whitlow for five to the 17.
We move to third and one.
Whitlow to the 29 for the first down.
We move to third and seven.  Ryan Davis was open but Stidham didn't see him.
Fourth and eight as the clock expires in the third quarter.
We have some underneath open receives Stan White says but Stidham doesn't see them evidently.
i do believe that Stidham is the major problem with the offense.  I will be glad when he is gone.

FOURTH QUARTER

Auburn is punting to start the fourth quarter.
Georgia gets a 77 yard touchdown run by Swift on a second and thirteen.  Game, set, match.
Our offense couldn't keep up and sooner or later our defense would give up another score.  Very predictable.

Auburn 10  Georgia 27

Our offense has been the same all year.  It will not change this year.  We see only very occasional glimpses of a real offense.
After one first down the offense is punting again.
Sad to watch.  Very sad.
Stan White says we seldom throw to the middle of the field and there should be possibilities.
The offense has died in the second half.
All Georgia has to do is to keep running the football.  This will get ugly before it's over.

Georgia works the clock to under four minutes before FAKING a short field goal attempt with a 27 to 10 lead.   Bush league!  I just lost all respect for Kirby Smart.  A certain lack of class.  One day we will OWE him one.

One final helpless possession for Auburn and it's over.

FINAL SCORE

Auburn 10  Georgia 27

2018 The TAMU Game

For the third straight game we kick off at 11 a.m. this time on ESPN.  The Aggies come into Jordan-Hare with Auburn favored by 4.5 or so.  The Tigers are 5 and 3.  Is Malazhn still coaching for his job?  I do not know.  In a reversal of recent years,  under Jimbo TAMU leads the league in run defense.  This is not good for an Auburn team that struggles to run the football.  On the other hand, I read that their pass defense is not good.  Can Auburn take advantage of that?  Turnovers?  Always a big factor.  Auburn comes in after their off-week.  A factor?  I do not know.  TAMU has a dual QB in Kelley Mond.  From what I've seen he is not the swiftest but we struggle with dual threat quarterbacks.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn receives and promptly goes backwards after two attempted Schwartz ends sweeps leading to a third and 21 and a 4th and 17.
TAMU fair catches on their 34.  So much for a fast start.

First play Mond runs for 12 yards.  Big QB.  Gotta tackle him today.
It looks like Auburn hasn't woke up yet.
TAMU moves down the field.  Early on Auburn is not yet in the game.
First down on a methodical drive dominating the line of scrimmage to the 19.
On one pass so far and it was incomplete.
On second and six TAMU is called for grounding.
Third and 14 from the 23.
Mond is dropped at the 17 and it's FG time.
The 35 yarder is good.

Auburn 0  TAMU 3

Is Auburn ready to wake up and play football?
Malik Miller started the first series at running back.  Whitlow was questionable coming into the game.
Whitlow is in there on the second series.
First down to the Auburn 47 on third and four after a 16 completion on a screen pass to Miller.
TAMU is supposed to have a poor pass defense but Stidham can't find a receiver to throw to.
We move to fourth and one and the punting team comes on as the crowd boos.
The punt is downed at the Aggie three hard line.  What now?
It looks like trouble for the offense.  You expect the run game to be spotty.  I can't understand why Stidham either can't find an open receiver or he is reluctant to let go of the ball.

From the three TAMU is quickly out to the 24.
FUMBLE! Auburn recovers at the TAMU 20.

First play a short pass and then a pass into the end zone to Caminella on the same play.  A little trickery with the double pass behind the line of scrimmage to Ryan Davis and then the TD pass to a wide-open receiver for six.

Auburn 7  TAMU 3

First possession Mond scrambles for a first down.  We have to control this scrambling QB and historically we struggle with this.
The quarter ends with TAMU crossing midfield at the AU 45.

SECOND QUARTER

On the second play of the quarter TAMU gets a 39 yd. touchdown run.  The runner ran thru a hole at the line of scrimmage and there was nobody in front of him.  Our defense is getting dominated between the tackles.  You just never know what is going to happen.  I would not have predicted this.
5 plays 75 yards.  All on the ground.  They are running the ball down our throats.

Auburn 7  TAMU 10

This game is setting up disastrously.
Auburn is three and out on a third and four.
TAMU is running ball and Auburn cannot run the ball.
Run the football and stop the other team from running the ball.  The old formula and the Aggies are dominating.

TAMU from their 25.
First down to the 36.
Fourth and one and TAMU punts to a fair catch at the ten with 10:31 to go in the half.

Three and out.  First play long pass to Slayton,  Should have been caught.  On third down Stidham overthrows Seth Williams.  We are showing the same old offense.  We need a better quarterback.  Stidham can't cut it.

The only thing surprising so far in this game is our defense with poor run defense.  The offense is what we've come to expect.
TAMU goes three and out.
Ryan Davis goes down at the 20 after a 51 yard punt.

Starting this series Auburn is minus 5 yards rushing.
First down to the AU 32.
Whitlow loses two yards.
Long completion to Slayton to the TAMU 36.
Schwartz sweeps to around the 20.
Shivers to the 11.
We move to third and two.
TD pass in the end zone to Seth Williams.
Beautiful throw and catch on that one with Williams high pointing the ball in the corner of the end zone.  That is how it's done.

Auburn 14  TAMU 10

Unfortunately TAMU quickly starts a drive crossing midfield with ease.
TAMU moves to the AU 26 after a pass interference call.
After a sack there is a completion to the 14 with a long gain.
We can't stop these guys.
1:49 to go.
Screen play goes for the TD from the 14 after DeShaun Davis can't make the tackle.
Mond is good on the short throws.

Auburn 14  TAMU 17

1:09 to go in the half.
We have to fall on the kickoff fortunately at the 17.
First play Stidham is sacked and Auburn is called for holding.
The clock expires.
Difficult game to win.  Could go either way in the second half.
Odds favor TAMU to win this game.

THIRD QUARTER

TAMU receives and is quickly at the Auburn 25 after a long pass completion.
TAMU goes to the AU 10 after a face mask penalty.
TAMU continues to push our defense around.
We move to third and goal from the five.
An amazing pass interference call against Auburn.  Bad call.  Ball uncatchable.  Receiver was not touched.  Unbelievable.
Touchdown from the one.  Crowd booing.  A baffling interference call leads to the score.

Auburn 14  TAMU 24

Such adversity.  Can Auburn overcome it?  If so, this will be a great win.  A good drive by the Aggies but definitely helped by the officiating.

From the 25 AU moves to the AU 47.
Quickly we are third and eight after two runs.
Seth Williams drops a wide-open first down pass and Auburn is punting.
The punt goes into the end zone.
It looks dire already.

From their 20 TAMU converts a third and 10 to their 38.
TAMU is outplaying and out-coaching Auburn.
TAMU runs to midfield.  We can't stop them.  A score on this possession and this game is over.
TAMU to the AU 38.
Auburn has no answer for the short passes.
Auburn has not answer for their opponent.
TAMU moves to another their and long from around midfield.
Incomplete pass and we get the stop but around midfield.
Ryan Davis fair catches at the 15.

From the 15 after losing a yard Auburn is punting.
Our offense cannot run the football.  Our offense cannot pass the football.  Our defense has been pushed around physically by TAMU.  It's this simple.
TAMU assumes the possession from their 36.

One quick burst for 19 yards and TAMU is rolling again.
On third and 22 Mond is ripped as he throws the incompletion.
TAMU to punt with 8 seconds left in the third.
Ryan Davis catches the punt inside the five and is dropped.  Did he forget where he was.  Davis makes a huge mistake.  First and ten Auburn from their two.  When it rains, it pours.

FOURTH QUARTER

From the two after an 8 yard gain on first down Auburn cannot convert a second and two and punt to the TAMU 43.
The Aggies start banging again.  Our defense is whipped.
TAMU marches to the AU 30 with nothing more than between the tackles running.
This is a sad spectacle to watch.

From our 20 TAMU has to settle for the FG attempt.
The kick is not good, wide left.

Auburn has the ball back on their 20.
Long pass incomplete to Slayton.  Tough chance.
Complete screen pass but for a loss.  So many negative plays today.
Stidham is sacked at the five.
Three and out from the 20 back to the five.  Our offense is ridiculous.  Hard to fathom.

TAMU starts at the Auburn 45.
Auburn intercepts at the AU 29.
7:14 left in the game.
In two plays Auburn crosses midfield.
First down to the TAMU 36.
First down pass to the 22.
Complete pass to Slayton at the one yard line called a touchdown on the field.
Played reviewed.  A catch at the one but not a touchdown.  First and goal at the one.
Chandler Cox powers over on the first play and Auburn is back in the game with 5:14 left.

Auburn 21  TAMU 24

TAMU starts at their 25.  Auburn has all three timeouts left.
First play first down to the 36.  Short passes have killed us all game.
We move to third and one on another short pass completion.
3:05 left and a timeout TAMU.
Five yard gain on 3rd and one and a first down.
A loss and Auburn calls timeout with 2:31.
We must stop them here.  Another first down and it's over.
A fumble and an Auburn player falls on it but the ball squirts away,\.
Third and 15 for TAMU.
Mond throws foolishly incomplete.
With 2:15 left the Aggies must punt.
Tutt runs the punt back to the Auburn 42.  Clever putting Tutt back there as they kick away from Davis.  Their punter makes a touchdown saving tackle.

First play Ryan Davis takes an underneath pass the TAMU 11.
From the 11 Stidham to Seth Williams in the corner of the end zone.  Touchdown!!!  Amazing.
Auburn has come live in the closing minutes of this football game.
1:41 left.  We finally realized that we had to throw the football and it happened.  Left for dead, Auburn has rallied to take the leave.

Auburn 28  TAMU 24

A pooch kick and TAMU starts at their 17 with 1:35 left.
Third down from their 39 with 49 seconds left.
We move to fourth and five with 41 seconds left and TAMU out of timeouts.
Stistcically we should not be in this game, but we have won the turnover battle.
Fourth and five for the Aggies at their 41.
First down pass to the Auburn 49.  The clock is running.
We move to TAMU from their 41 after a penalty with 12 seconds left.
The clock expires and left for dead Auburn finds a way to win.
The interception started a 14 point run for the winners.  A miraculous turnaround for Auburn.
The Tigers had only 19 yards rushing.
BUT the clock is reviewed and the ruling is that there is time left for one more play.
From their 31 TAMU has one more play.
On the final play Nick Coe rips down Mond.
Ugly win, but an amazing win.  We'll take it!!!
The home team finally wins this game.  Good for us!
An amazing game and win.

AUBURN 28  TEXAS A and M 24