2019 The Oregon Game

Here we go again!   Lots of talk about Bo Nix, the true freshman---first freshman QB to start for Auburn since the legendary Travis Tidwell in 1946.  Lots of talk about what this game means for the PAC 12.  You'd almost think those west coast teams have in inferiority complex vs. the SEC.

The key for the offense is to be able to run the football to help Nix develop the passing game.  I am skeptical.  Lots of talk about Boobee.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Run to set up the pass.  Gus Malzahn football.

The defense needs help from the offense or it will eventually wear down.  Like most football games it will be won in the trenches.  Which lines will dominate?

From AT and T Stadium in Arlington the game begins at 6:30 on ABC.

FIRST QUARTER

Oregon wins the toss and receives.  They want their QB Justin Herbert to handle the ball first.
The Ducks march right down the field passing.
There is a 47-yrd. completion to the 3 yard line, the big play in the drive.
We move to third and four after a loss.
Their QB rolls right and dives to the end zone.  The call on the field is touchdown but the play is reviewed.  The TD call is reversed, knee down at the half yard line.
Run over left side for the score.  Our defense was not ready on the snap.  Our defense was looking at the sidelines for the defensive call when Oregon snapped the ball.
The Ducks start with an impressive drive with a moving pocket and short passes but with a 47 yarder to inside the give to set up the score.

Auburn 0  Oregon 7

Well.  Nothing like a freshman QB coming out for the first time already trailing.

Auburn starts first and 10 after the touchback on the kickoff.
Shivers runs for three and but then going quickly our right tackle moves early.
The Tigers go three and out.  Our offense cannot move the football.
Good punt return and Oregon starts on our 45.  Not a good start for Auburn.

As in the initial drive Oregon is moving the ball easily on quick passes.
Quick passes and half rolls.
The Ducks move to third and goal from the two.  We are getting badly outplayed.
More finesse it seems to me than physical but Oregon is totally dominating.
Incomplete pass to the back of the end zone.  Open receiver but he cannot come down with it.
The chip shot FG attempt is NO GOOD.
Marlon Davidson limps off the field.

Can our offense come to life now?

First down and a 37 yard completion to Hastings.
Next play Nix runs for 20 yards.
Virtual no gain for Whitlow.
We move to third and nine.
Incomplete and we move to fourth and nine.
The 40 yard field goal is good by Carlson.

Auburn 3  Oregon 7

It wasn't a touchdown, but at least we respond.

First down long running play plus a face guard.
Just like that Oregon is on the Auburn 23.
Second play TD pass into the end zone.  A tall Duck receiver out jumps our defender.
This is not going well.

Auburn 3  Oregon 14

Oh, my.  It looks we are playing a better team.

Auburn starts from the 20.
The quarter ends with Auburn on the move.

SECOND QUARTER.

If this game is to be a shoot-out, I don't like it.

The quarter begins with Auburn on the Duck 44.
First down by Whitlow to the Duck 40.
A wheel route to Joiner 28 yards to the 12.
On second down Nix throws the interception.  Oh, no.
An interception in the red zone.  Not good.
Nix and Williams couldn't connect.

Oregon begins on their 12 after the takeaway.
The Oregon offensive line is having their way with our defensive front.
Finally we get a stop from their 33.
After a bad block in the back call on the punt Auburn begins backed up on our 13.

The Tigers move to their 41 but have to punt from there.
There is huge punt return to the Auburn 9.

First play from the nine their QB fumbles and Big Cat Bryan picks it up and rambles to the Duck three yard line!

Stove loses one to the four.
Nix fumbles the snap but luckily falls on the ball.  Oh, my goodness!
Now it's third and goal from the seven.
Incomplete pass into the end zone.
First and goal from the three and we have to kick the field goal.

Auburn 6  Oregon 14

Sounds familiar.  We have to settle for two field goals so far.
Still I like what we see from Bo Nix.  He is going to be a good one.

On their next possession Oregon punts from their 20.
Auburn begins on their 25.  Oregon has a good punter.

From our 45 Nix floats an interception.  Oregon regains possession on their 25.

1:34 to go.

The Ducks quickly go three and out and they are punting with 1:07 left.

Big punt return by Tutt and a late hit to boot and AU is on the Duck 26 yard line with two time outs left.

First down incompletion.
47 seconds left.
Second down incompletion.
Nix scrambles to the 13.
Next play Nix is dropped at the 21.
24 second left.
Williams is dropped at the 25.
Auburn takes their last time out.
19 seconds left.
Third down with a first down possible at the three.
Incompletion to Seth Williams in the end zone.
FG attempt is wide right.
Another offensive failure.

This game is going exactly as I thought it would with our offense not being able to produce as the previous years just like last year.  We've had our chances but the offense has not changed in not being able to produce in the Red Zone.

The Tigers trail 14 to 6 at the half.  Auburn receives coming out.

THIRD QUARTER

Auburn receives, goes three and out, an after another good punt return the Ducks start almost at midfield.  Like they started the game, the Ducks move impressively for the score mixing short passes, a moving quarterback, and just enough running.  The score comes on a run from the six.

Auburn  6  Oregon 21

It will take a monumental turnaround to win this game.

The offense punts after one first down.  Kam Martin doesn't make a difference.  There is absolutely no rhythm to our offense.  The offense looks helpless.  Looks familiar.  Still I like Bo Nix.

Oregon goes three and out helped by a grounding penalty.

After the punt we start at our 43.  Is there any hope left?

Finally!  Stove jet sweeps to the 10.  Next play TD pass to a lightly covered Stove.  Touchdown!

Auburn 13  Oregon 21

Our defense holds again.  The punt booms into the end zone.

The quarter ends with Auburn on their 39.   We have the momentum going into the fourth.

FOURTH QUARTER

No gain on third down attempting a reverse to Shivers.   We have to punt.  Oregon on their 19.

Oregon punts from their 24.  Big stop for the defense.
Tutt returns the punt to the AU 31.

Auburn moves the football.  Whitlow takes the offense on his back.  Three big runs with the last one taking the ball inside the one with 9:57 to go.  Whitlow is down with an injury timeout.  Big turnaround by the offense, now wearing down the Oregon defense.
From inside the one Gatewood comes in on the short wildcat.  I am screaming DON'T FUMBLE JOEY!  Gatewood dives to the end zone extending the ball.  Risky, but touchdown!
Alas, we get a procedure call on the 2 point attempt and settle for the one.

Auburn 20  Oregon 21

We have a ballgame.

Auburn gets a dramatic 4th and one stop at our 42 but our offense goes three and out.

We move to Oregon third and fourteen from their 24.

Oregon punts from their 30 with 2:21 left.

Poor punt goes OOB at the Auburn 40 with still over 2 minutes left.

Bo Nix has a chance to be a hero in his first game.

We move to 4th and three with 1:28 left.  Nix carries for a measurement.   First down Auburn at midfield!

31 seconds left.  Third and one from the Oregon 41.   Still need to closer for a FG attempt.

First down from the 38.  Nix spikes the ball.

incompletion with 21 seconds left.

First down completion to Williams at the 26.

Touchdown Auburn!  Nix to Seth Williams at the goal line and into the end zone!
Bo Nix just entered Auburn legendary status.

We get a 15 yard celebration penalty on the kickoff.
Oregon returns to the Auburn 35 with 3 seconds left.
Their last pass goes way out of the back of the end zone!!!

Auburn wins a thrilling, thrilling, thrilling come from behind football game.

Wow, just wow!  This one will be talked about in Auburn lore forever.
Finally, we got ourselves a quarterback!

Auburn 27  Oregon 21