2020 The Mississippi State Game

 We come to the end of a strange regular SEC football season.  Here we are playing in Starkville to finish up this disappointing season.  Auburn is 5 & 4 with Coach Malzahn facing increasing speculation about his future at Auburn.  A loss tonight with this 6:30 contest on the SEC network might finish him off despite the big buyout.  I think Auburn is favored but I don't think that means anything.  We face State's Mike Leach air raid offense.  Their defense is supposed to be improved over the season.  I am skeptical about winning this game.  I am off the Gus Bus.  If Auburn does fire him I hope they have somebody in mind so the hiring process doesn't stretch out for weeks.  I would even take Urban Meyer.

FIRST QUARTER

I remember games in David-Wade Stadium.  The memories are not pleasant.  It shouldn't be a tough place to play but somehow it can be for Auburn.  LSU-Florida is the other night game.

The teams exchange punts to start the game.

Our offense looks like it always does---inconsistent.

Our second drive results in the usual field goal.  

Auburn 3 State 0

This game will be a nail-bitter.  I can't understand why we can't get receivers open.   They must not be very good else the schemes are bad.  We will not win this game kicking field goals.

We keep State's drive alive with stupid penalties.  But we force a punt with no damage done.

We have to run the football.  It is obvious that we can't pass consistently.

While watching this game I am keeping up with AU/Memphis roundball online.

We start a promising drive crossing midfield then we get a holding penalty.  That's called stopping yourself.

Next thing you know it's fourth and nine just across midfield.  Our passing game just isn't there and hasn't been all year. Why???

Sooner or later the State offense will get going.

On this possessions there are two first downs.  The first quarter ends with State beginning to move.

SECOND QUARTER

The Auburn Tigers beat the Memphis Tigers 74 to 71.

State moves to the Auburn 45.  Our offense is going to lose us this game.

On third down from our 47 we get the interception by Pritchett.  We got pressure on their QB forcing him to run out of the pocket & he floats one down field with easy pickings crossing midfield.

But our offense cannot pick up a first down.  Our short passing looks covered every time.  We go for it on 4th & 4 but the pass is incomplete.  I just flabbergasted at poor our passing game is.  I am so disappointed at how poor and inconsistent our offense is.  There is no rhythm at all.

Fortunately State's offense isn't any better so far.  But we ruff their kicker allowing them to retain possession.  Another dumb penalty.

This is where State will score and take the lead most likely.  This is how it goes after a penalty allows a team to keep possession.

Again we keep State going with penalties.  This is not a fun game to watch.  You've got two boring lower rung SEC teams.  

The Bulldogs move to a 40 yard FG.

Auburn 3 State 3

This is a boring game to watch.  Neither team is any good.

We get a Stove kickoff return to midfield.

BUT no dice.  Three and out.  Our offense stinks.

We are going to lose this game.

Our punt goes into the end zone.  About four and a half minutes left in the half.

State has no running game except occasional draw plays.  It's hard to win that way except if you are playing Auburn.

Georgia beat Samford 79-74.

State is three and out with 3:24 left.

Bigsby breaks off a big rip off left tackle to the State 23.  Bigsby runs inside the 15.  The clock moves under 2 minutes.  But there's a hold penalty.  Wouldn't you know it?  1:28 left.  We are back to the 22.  Another FG attempt is obviously coming up.  We cannot complete simple short passes.  44 seconds.  Third and 18.  Again, we know what's coming.  Settling for field goals will lose us this game.  The FG attempt comes on the last play of the quarter.  The attempt is good and we into halftime tied.

Auburn 6 State 3

THIRD QUARTER

Starting the third I say we are going to lose this game with the usual inconsistent offense which has no consistent passing.  Heck, we don't even have an inconsistent passing offense.  The offense has no rhythm and yet we have an offensive head coach and an OC who is supposed to know what he is doing.

State receives and starts a drive.  Quickly they are inside our 30 mixing the run and pass.  Their offense looks juiced.  Their FG attempt is no good. No matter.  If our offense can't get going, and there's no reason to think it will, we will lose this game.

Three and out.  On third and sic we cannot compete a short pass.  NO passing game at all.

State starts on their 30 something.

Auburn interception.  Their QB likes to float passes up for grabs.  First down AU on the State 34.  First play Nix runs for almost a first down.  We move to third and two.  First down behind Bigsby to the 24.  We need a TD or else another FG will lose us this game with so much time time left.  Penalty man downfield.  Now second and 14.  Our lack of a passing game is truly embarrassing.  Nix is not an accurate passer and our receivers can't get separation.  Fourth and 14.  4:33 left.  The long FG attempt is good.

Auburn 9 State 3

Our defense will not hold up the rest of this game.  To win this game we are going to need a touchdown sooner or later preferably sooner.

Auburn regains possession on our eight.  Another three and out.  Our offense will lose us this game.  a poor punt and State starts inside the 50.

The quarter ends at 9-3.

FOURTH QUARTER

In the fourth State punts to inside the Auburn whereupon the Tigers drive 95 yards with the TD coming on a 42 yard completion to a single covered Seth Williams.

Auburn 16 State 3

BUT State gets a huge kickoff return to the Auburn 29.  Big letdown there.  First down to the 16 with 9 minutes left.  On second and one TD pass and we have a ballgame again.  

Auburn 16 State 10

Our offense is going to have to come thru again if we are to win this football game.

8:24 left the game on the line.  Auburn ball at our 25.  Bigsby a first down run on first down.  Bigsby another first down run.  7:40 left with a State player injured.  Ball on the State 45.  Long delay.  The State player has to be carted off the field.  Penalty on that player.  Auburn is on the State 30.  First down run by Bigsby to the State 6.  Bigsby inside the 5.  Auburn is riding the big running back.  There is another State player injured but he able to get off the field under his own power.   From the three Nix fakes and runs it in around left end.  Nifty footwork by our QB.  Then a quick slant pass for the 2 point conversion.  That's more like it.

Auburn 24 State 10

5:57 left.  State begins on their 20.  First down pass to the State 36.  State to midfield with 5:19 left.  There's a sack back the State 41.  Fourth and seven.  Big play here.  Incomplete pass.  Auburn ball with 3:45 left at the Auburn 46.

Timeout State with 2:54 left Auburn facing third and three.  Nix fakes but is dropped.  Timeout State with 2:45 left Auburn facing fourth and three.  State fair catches inside their 15.

WE SACK THEIR QB ON FIRST DOWN AT THE ONE!  With 35 seconds we sack their QB on the 10.  Auburn will win this game.

FINAL SCORE 

Auburn 24 State 10

2020 The Texas A and M Game

For the first time ever as far as I know we have two games left after Alabama.  The Tigers and the Aggies kick off in Jordan Hare at 11 on ESPN.  Auburn is 5 and 3 while TAMU has lost only one game and is ranked #5.  The Aggies are favored.  Big game for Auburn as will be MSU next week.  Is our coach safe or does he need to win today?  I do not know.

FIRST QUARTER

The Aggies receive and march right down the field mixing the run and short passes draining the clock of over 6 minutes as if our defense has no stopping power.  This is not starting well.

Auburn 0 TAMU 7

The Tigers go three and out as the first two short pass attempts look inept.  Malazhn elects to punt on 4th and less than one.  It looks like our offense has not come to play also.

From their 25 TAMU moves the ball easily again, but then stop themselves with a chop block penalty and punt.

The Tigers movie quickly on the ground across midfield.  Bigsby is not in the game.

First down to the TAMU 28 as the quarter ends.

Nix misses a wide open Stove for the 6.  So here comes the obligatory field goal attempt.

Auburn 3 TAMU 7

This could cost us the game.  How could Nix miss a receiver at least 8 yards from any defender.  Stove does a wheel route and no Aggie was near him.

14:11 left in the half.

Ronnie Brown focuses from the sideline on Nix's errant footwork.

TAMU is quickly running the ball gashing our defense,  The Aggies are at our 28,

Our defense has no answer for their rushing.  Poor tackling and poor technique.

TAMU is at the Auburn 6.  Just poor defense says Stan White.

TAMU at the Auburn 2.  They are simply pounding our run defense.  

Third and goal just inside the 2.  

The defense gets a stop.  We needed that.  The 29 yard FG attempt is NO GOOD.  TAMU has a dominating drive that results in no points.  Amazing.  They get down to the goal gashing us running the ball then try to throw the ball.  Their kicker pulls the FG kick wide left.

8:09 to go in the half.

Auburn at their 20.  Bigsby in the game for the first time.  

First down to the Auburn 45.  Long pass to Williams to the TAMU 27.

Nix runs to the 5 on the QB keeper.

No gain for Bigsby.

Nix makes an incredible play---- scrambles, eludes a 15 yard sack and dives to the end zone.  

Auburn 10 TAMU 7

3:36 left in the second quarter.

Can we stop them?

Two plays and the Aggies cross midfield.  The Aggies to the AU 29.  We simply cannot stop their rushing.    TAMU to the Auburn 13.  To the one.  Inside the one.  Mond qb sneak for the score but it was close.  Only 24 seconds left.  For some reason did use its timeouts as they regain possession.

Auburn 10 TAMU 14

The half ends as TAMU's ground game is the story.

THIRD QUARTER

Auburn receives and with two running plays reach the Aggie 29,

First down to the 17 with Nix keepers being the show stopper so far.

First and goal to the 3.  Nix on the keeper around right end for the score.  Nifty 75 yard drive by Auburn to start the third quarter.

Auburn 17 TAMU 14

NOW can we stop their run game???

After one first down the Aggies are punting.  The Tigers fair catch on the 22.  That was was a better effort by our defense.

The Tigers quickly move to a first down near midfield.

Bigsby runs to the 11with a shifty cut to his left.  Third and 6.  Fourth and 6.  We needed the 6 but don't get it.  FG good.  The big play in the drive was a long run by Tank Bigsby.

Auburn 20 TAMU 14

Aggie first down and then another one across midfield.  Aggie first down to the AU 34.  Aggie first down to the AU 11.  Just when I thought we might be slowing down their run game they start gashing us again.  But there's a chop block penalty on TAMU to push them back.  Back to the Auburn 38.  The quarter ends.

FOURTH QUARTER

Well, we have a competitive football game at least.

First down Aggies to the Auburn 20.  TD pass as the pass goes over a McLain tip to the receiver in the end zone.  Coulda and shoulda been intercepted.  Tough luck there.

Auburn 20 TAMU 21

Good kickoff return to the 32.  Alas, we go three and out.  The offense needed to respond but did not.  Now the pressure is really on the defense.  TAMU on their 23.  First down run for a first down.  If we cannot stop this the game is over.  First down pass to their 44.  Across midfield.  Our defense cannot stop their offense.  It's going to take a turnover to win this game.  Then there's a long completion to inside the 5.  My goodness!  Looks like their receiver got behind two of our guys.  Touchdown first play from the four.  Too, too, easy.  Now we are really in a hole.

Auburn 20 TAMU 28

8:12 left.  After a promising start, the half has turned ugly.

Auburn is quickly in a third and 12 and then it's fourth down as the offense shows no signs of life.  Our offense as always is so inconsistent.  Hard to figure.  No rhythm at all.  

The Aggies drive right down the field and our defense seems helpless as they grind it out on the ground as the clock winds down.  The result is obvious long before the game ends.  Let it be.  As Pat Dye used to say, there are no miracles on the football field.

With 1:13 left TAMU gets a game clinching FG as if they needed it.

Final Score

Auburn 20 TAMU 31

2020 The Alabama Game

 It's different in this COVID year.  The game is on the Saturday after Thanksgiving as normal we still have two game left.  This is not the traditional last game of the season.  We are watching the game together from Live Oak, Texas.

Alabama leads 21 to 3 the half.  Seth Williams couldn't bring in what would have been a touchdown catch toward the end the half.

Final score 42-13.  What we expected unfortunately.

Basketball vs. St. Joe

In Live Oak we watch the streaming of Auburn beat St. Joseph in the first basketball game of the year. It took overtime to pull out a 96-91 win. This will an exciting though highly inexperienced team to watch this year.

2020 The Tennessee Game

Auburn entertains the Vols after a two week layoff, first the regular bye and then last week's postponement of the State game. The Tigers are 4 and 2 and are maybe a 10.5 point favorite. I do know that Tennessee has struggled as of late. A loss tonight with Alabama, TAMU, and State left would be tough. I will be skimpy in my narrative in order to just watch the game. FIRST QUARTER UT drives to a missed FG. After one first down AU punts. Bigsby might be a little shaken up. He runs so tough into contact. UT drives for a touchdown initially converting a third and long on a perfectly executed draw play. This is not starting well. The Vols look like the better whereas Auburn looks flat-footed. Auburn 0 Tennessee 7 The Tigers mount what looks like a promising drive but after a procedue penalty and third and 15 Nix floats an interception into the end zone. The offense is not looking sharp. Bigsby is on the sideline. I'm having flashbacks to 1980 when Tennessee came in beat us 42 to 0 with Auburn wearing the orange jersies for what I believe was the last time. The quarter ends with UT driving again. SECOND QUARTER The Vols extend their lead with a FG. Auburn 0 Tennessee 10 Long TD pass and we are on the board. Auburn 7 Tennessee 10 UT goes three and out we finally get some pressure on their QB. A Tiger drive leads to a short FG and we are tied. Auburn 10 Tennessee 10 The offense is showing signs of life but we have to keep it up. Williams and Shiver are getting the carries in place of Bigsby. The defense looked good on the last Vol possession. UT moves to midfield before punting. AU starts on their 27. Auburn moves to 4th and one with a little a minute left. UT regains possession as the clock moves under a minute. The half ends. THIRD QUARTER Auburn receives to start the half. The Tigers cross midfield. We need a touchdown now to win this game. Our offense sputters and sputters. Bigsby seems to be out of the game. The Tigers use up half of the quarter but only get three. Auburn 13 Tennessee 10 Tennessee moves right down the field. This game is up for grabs. It looks like UT will score when Smoke Monday intercepts in the end zone takes it to the house. Credited at as a 100 yard pick 6. Whew! Auburn 20 Tennessee 10 UT drives as if they are going to score but then they miss a 37 yard FG attempt. Auburn drives to the UT 37 running the clock. There is a brilliant pass to Seth Williams to the one first ruled incomplete, reviewed, upheld. But next DJ Williams runs 23 yards to inside the 15. Williams to the 9. Williams runs it in from the 9. DJ Williams is running like a wild man. 7:14 left. Auburn has scored 27 unanswered points after UT started the game leading 10 to 0. Auburn 27 Tennesee 10 UT drives inside the Auburn 5. Our defense is playing soft I guess. 4:17 left. Bigsby is out and in street clothes. A few other injuries. UT scores from the one. Auburn 27 Tennessee 17 4:07 left. Auburn recoverss the onside kick. Auburn moves to third and one and DJ Williams picks up the first down. First down to the UT 33. One more first down and the game is done. 2:21 left as UT takes its final timeout. Third and 5 at the 28. 1:32 to go facing 4th and 10. Ball on the 33. Amazing that we are trying a 50 yard FG. IT'S GOOD! Gutsy call and Carlson comes thru. 1:27 to go. Auburn 30 Tennessee 17 UT falls on the ball at their 24. UT called for holding. 1:21 left. 43 seconds left. 39 seconds left. Sack! Game over. Auburn dominates the second half to win this football game. Not sure about the injury toll. We'll see. Auburn ourscores UT 30 to 7 in the last 3 quarters. Still a good win. 30-17

2020 The LSU Game

This game always scares because unusual things happen in this historic rivalry. Auburn is a 3 point underdog at home. A win would be huge. A loss would be bad. This is the afternoon game on CBS. FIRST QUARTER The teams swap possessions before Auburn punts to the LSU one. The teams swap possessions again as Auburn can only get to midfield on its second possession. No score at the end of the first quarter. SECOND QUARTER First play of the quarter LSU misses a 54 FG attempt. So far it lookds like this kind of game where a little here or there could decide it. Nothing exciting about either team. AFter the missed FG our offense finally shows some life. There is a completion to Seth Williams who loses possession off the ball as he steps out of bounds at the oe. The call on the field is completion. The LSU player recovered the ball in the end zone. The call on the field is overturned and LSU gets possession on a touchback. Weird plays like this happen all the time in this game. If we lose this play will be big. Pritchett gets a big interception. Initial call was a 52 yard return to the end zone. Review should he stepped out of bounds on the 5. Bigsby to the one but guess what. Illegal formation moves us back five. But on the next play Stove takes the short pass to paydirt. Auburn 7 LSU 0 LSU crosses midfied before punting to the end zone. Auburn punts it back inside the LSU 25. The LSU QB fumbles and Christian Tutt scoops at the 20 and runs it in. Defense is dominating for the Tigers. Auburn 14 LSU 0 LSU punts to our one but on the first play Bigsby runs out over the 25. The Tigers push to the LSU 34. Auburn drives 99 yards for the touchdown. The score coming on a short compeltion into the end zone to a wide open Capers. Well designed play. Auburn 21 LSU 0 On the last play of the half LSU gets a 51-yd. field goal. Auburn 21 LSU 3 THIRD QUARTER Auburn marches right down the field mixing the run and the pass. First and goal on the five Nix fakes to Bigsby and runs it in around left end. We are seeing the Auburn offense come alive in this game. Auburn 28 LSU 3 First play from scrimmage on a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage, Big Kat grabs it, and AU starts at the LSU 20. First and goal at the 6. Bigsby powers in from the 2 on third down. Auburn takes advantage of another LSU turnover. Auburn 35 LSU 3 LSU changes quarterbacks and goes three and out. The Tigers drive across midfield thanks to the nifty feet of Bo Nix. First down to the 12. Bigsby runs it in from the 4 untouched. All of a sudden this is the Auburn offense we've been waiting for. 69 yards in 12 plays as the third quarter winds down. Auburn 42 LSU 3 The quarter ends with Auburn in command. FOURTH QUARTER Auburn ball after LSU punts to start the fourth quarter. First play from the 9 Nix hits Schwartz in stride for a 91 TD pass. He was several steps behind the defender. I have been waiting for this for a long time! Auburn 48 LSU 3 Loy comes in to finish the game and Bo sits down after passing for exactly 300 yards and running for 81. LSU gets a touchdown pass. Auburn 48 LSU 11 LSU regains possession and drives to the Auburn 25 but run out of downs as the Tigers get a big sack on 4th and 7. Our Tigers run out the clock. FINAL SCORE AUBURN 48 LSU 11 That was a good one on both sides of the ball and no turnovers. Big day for Bo Nix and the defense.

Auburn vs. Ole Miss highlights

2020 The Ole Miss Game

It seems to me that the season is in peril. At 2 & 2 the season is on the brink. Lose this one and the reaction will be ugly. It was bad last week losing to South Carolina, a team we clearly should have beaten. Somehow Auburn is a 3.5 favorite at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The game kicks off at 11 on the SEC Network. The Rebs are 1 and 3. How did they lose to Arkansas last week? They can score points. I do not see how the Tigers can keep up. FIRST QUARTER Both teams go three and out to start the game. Ole Miss is trying to run early. The Rebels drive to a third and goal from the four when Auburn intercepts in the end zone on a poorly thrown pass. From their five Auburn is quickly out over their 30 behind the Tank. First down to midfield. First down to the Ole Miss 39. First down to the 19. First down to the 8. Nix to the four but loses the ball. Call on the field is that he was down. The play is reviewed and the call on the field stands. Close! Bigsby scores on the next play thru the line standing up. That was a nice drive on the ground with only one pass that I can remember. Smash mash football. Auburn 7 Ole Miss 0 The Rebels get a big run by the QB on third and 4 and are all the way to the Auburn 32. Like Auburn they are running the football. The quarter ends with OM just inside the Red Zone keeping the ball on the ground and having success. SECOND HALF TD pass from the 7 on third down. Auburn 7 Ole Miss 0 It looks like our defense cannot stop their offense which I figured would be the case. The really disappointing thing is that all of their success is on the ground. Their run game is gashing our defense. Can our offense keep up? I don't see it happening. This is exactly how I figured this game would go only I did not think they would run the ball like this. The Tigers punch out two quick first downs behind Shivers runs. First down to the OM 20. First and goal from the 4. Touchdown Bo Nix on the keeper around left end. Auburn 14 Ole Miss 7 The Rebs try to draw Auburn offsides on 4th 5 but it doesn't work. The Rebs go for it anyway and pickup the first down. Then we are called for interference in the end zone. First down OM at our 25. OM keeps converting third downs. Not good. And they continue to gash us on the ground. Touchdown Ole Miss. Auburn 14 Ole Miss 14 3:35 left in the half. This is a low-grade shootout so far. I continue to doubt our offense can keep up. WE drive to midfied but the drive stalls with 46 seconds left. The punt leaves the playing field on the 10. 36 seconds left. One play and the clock expires. At the half this is truly anybody's game. THIRD QUARTER Bigsby runs the kickoff back the distance but AU is called for holding. We begin on the 20. We get to our 49 before running out of downs. This is the problem. We cannot sustain drives like they can. And NOW our punter cannot handle a high snap. Ole Miss is one our 25. This is a turnover, the last thing we needed to open the second half. Our defense holds bringing up 4th and 5. It's a fake FG attempt and we stuff it! That is HUGE! We move to 4th and less than a yard and we punt. I am disappointed but we back OM up to their 11 on the punt. We will look back if we lose this game to offensive ineffectiveness early in the half. Quickly Ole Miss gets a long completion and they are inside our 10. We will be behind shortly and to play catch up. They had a receiver wide open with no defender around. First play inside the 10 touchdown. Ole Miss goes 89 hards in three plays. Yikes. Auburn 14 Ole Miss 21 We are behind now. It will be very difficult to win this game since our defense cannot stop their offense and our offense cannot keep up. This is just what I predicted. We drop the kickoff and start on our 12. If we don't score here the game is over. One first down. Two first downs. Third first down inside the OM 40. Long completion to Williams at the one. Shivers runs it in on the next play. We have to have this! Auburn 21 Ole Miss 21 The defense gets a big stop. Ole Miss is punting on their 37. The Tigers begin on the 20. The quarter ends with Auburn at second and 8 from the 22. The Tigers drive to the 18 where Bigsby runs it in around left end. Tank Bigsby is a winner. But then our holder can't handle the high snap and the point after fails. Oh my, this could cost us the ball game. Auburn 27 Ole Miss 21 10:04 left. Likely OM will go the distance and our offense will have to do it again. OM gets to our 20 the clock winding down to 6:32. First and goal OM from the 5. Touchdown. Auburn 27 Ole Miss 28 We are a missed point after from losing this game. Can our offense win the game for us? We get called for holding. First and 20. No gain second and 20. Third and 20. We are in real trouble if we cannot maintain possession. Incomplete pass. Fourth down. Ole Miss regains possesion on their 45. Barring a miracle this game has slipped away with 4:50 to go. Our defense holds. OM ppunts to the end zone. We start on the 20 with 2:25 to go. Nix is sacked on the first play. Third and short. First down just across the 30. First down incompletion. First down with 1:21 to go. TOUCHDOWN AUBURN! Nix to Williams who rambles 40 yards after the catch for the score. TWO POINT CONVERSION IS GOOD! AUBURN 35 OLE MISS 28 1:11 to go. OM fair catches the kickoff. First pass incomplete 1:08 left. QB runs just enough for the first down. Clock winds under a minute. OOB play with 26 seconds left. QB runs out of bounds, 17 seconds left around midfield. Incompletion. 13 seconds left from our 40. Completion to the 29 with 8 seconds left. Now comes the throw to the end zone and I hope we do not get called for interference. Incompletion. Open recever can't come up with the ball. 3 seconds left. Last play Auburn intercepts game over!!! Big win for the Tigers. Seth Williams make the play. Catches the ball around the OM 40, turns and runs it in. The play of the game. Seth Williams is a gamer!!! Auburn 35 Ole Miss 28

2020 The South Carolina Game

 The game kicks off at 11 on ESPN.  Auburn comes in at 2-1 and USC is 1-2.  I do not know the line for sure but AU maybe favored by 3.   This game could go either way from their field.  I would favor Auburn at home but on the road who knows.

FIRST QUARTER

USC goes three and out.

The Tigers drive to the USC 21 mainly thru the air.  The 35 yd. FG attempt is good.

Auburn 3 South Carolina 0

The Gamecocks have a long TD run nullified by an obvious holding call.

From the 25 the Tigers push them back to the 10 on another 3 and out.

The Tigers set up at their own 44.

First down to the 11.

On second Seth Williams can't hold on to the ball as he hits the ground in the end zone.

On third down Nix to Stove for the touchdown.

Auburn is having tremendous success with slant passes.

Surprisingly Auburn goes for two on the wildcat but Pegues pass into the end zone is incomplete.

Auburn 9 South Carolina 0

USC pushes out to their 46 but the punt rolls to the Auburn 2.

First down completion to the 25.

Third and 6 from the AU 29 as the quarter ends.

SECOND QUARTER

Third and 11 after a false start.

USC throws an interception at the Auburn 29.

Bad throw by Nix.  His passing accuracy leaves something to be desired.

First down Gamecocks to the Auburn 16.

First down the Auburn 3/4.

Touchdown South Carolina.  The turnover changes the momentum quickly.

Auburn 9 South Carolina 7

Wow!  Long 44 yd. completion to Seth Williams.  To the USC 15.  The ball hung up there and Seth went up and got it.

On second down Bigsby runs near the goal line but fumbles into the end zone.  The ruling on the field is no fumble.  The play is reviewed and the call on the field is upheld.  Tank Bigsby is the rugged RB we need.

Bigsby walks into the end zone from the one.  That's the answer we needed from the offense.

Auburn 16 South Carolina 7

After one first down USC is punting.

We let the punt hit the ground and it rolls to the 5.

First downs out to the 34.

On third and six the ball bounces off of one of our receivers and USC intercepts at midfield.  Tough break.  Nix tried to force the ball into a covered receiver.

The Gamecocks drive.  This game is not much fun to watch because I think we have the better team but we could easily lose the game.  The tough-luck interception that stated this drive show this.

The score comes on a rush from the one with 35 seconds left.  Both Carolina scores come after turnovers.

Auburn 16 South Carolina 14

The Tigers reach midfield but the clock dies.

It's anybody's game at the half.

THIRD QUARTER

Initial possession Auburn drives for a FG.

Auburn 19 South Carolina 14

USC drives to the Auburn 25.

USC moves inside the Auburn 10.

The score comes on a pass to the end zone from the 10.  Point after on a 2-pt. try no good.

Auburn 19 South Carolina 20

This game so far fills me with dread because we should win this game but we probably won't.

The Tigers go three and out.  This game is slipping away.  Our offense has gone cold.  A dropped pass here and an errant throw next.

The Gamecocks drive to the AU 21 where Auburn gets a big interception as the ball bounces into the air and our player picks it up before it hits the ground.  The clock is under 2 minutes in the quarter.

First down across the 30 but we move to third and 7.

THEN  Nix throws another interception that's run back inside the Auburn 10.  If we lose this game you can pin it on Bo Nix.  First play TD USC.  This game is going south in a hurry.  This is probably Nix's worst game ever.

Auburn 19 South Carolina 27.

54 seconds left in the quarter.

We can't get anybody open and Nix is having to force his throws.  Our offense has completely vanished.

The quarter ends with Auburn facing third and 16 after a holding call.

FOURTH QUARTER

We get a long completion to Seth Williams but there is another holding call this time on Capers.

Auburn is punting on 4th and 4.  USC will scrimmage from their 21.

Our defense is wearing down.

The Gamecocks kick a 30-yd. FG.  We are in serious trouble.

Auburn 19 South Carolina 30

9:13 left

We need big plays.

Bigsby runs to the Gamecock 45 on the first play from the 25.

The Tigers are moving the ball inside the 10 quickly.

Third and goal from the 4.

Fourth and goal from the 4.

We settle for the FG.  Not a satisfactory end to a great drive.

Auburn 22 South Carolina 30

USC runs some clock but our defense holds and we regain possession at our 25.

We are at the Gamecock 35 with 1:37 left first down.

First down at the USC 17.

Nix commits grounding senselessly.  Why does he do this time after time?  It's dumb.

We are back to the 23 with 23 seconds left.

28 seconds on the clock.

Nix runs OOB leading to 4th down at the 13 with 9 seconds left.  Nix's scramble ran too much time off the clock.  4th and 5.

The game ends.  Bad loss.  We should be better than South Carolina.  

FINAL SCORE 

30-22 Carolina

Auburn vs. Arkansas highlights

2020 The Arkansas Game

 After a drubbing by Georgia the Tigers return home to face the Razorbacks with their new coach who replaced our OC who shocked Mississippi State last week for their first SEC win in forever.  This is a dangerous game for Auburn.  A loss today would be disastrous.  I am very nervous.  I just do not know what to expect.  The Tigers must improve on both sides of the ball.  Auburn is a 13.5 favorite.  The game begins in the rain at Jordan-Hare on ESPN.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn wins the toss and defers.  Arkansas goes three and out.

Good punt return ruined by a holding call.  Auburn starts on their own 28.

After one first down Auburn is punting.

Arkansas fair catches the punt on the ten.

After one first down the Razorbacks are punting.  

Auburn fair catches on the 16.

So far this looks like two teams playing in slow motion.

The rain continues to fall.

On two running plays Auburn is out to their 44.

First down to the Arky 46.

4th down on the Arky 44 as the rain affects the last two passes.

The punt is downed at the Arkansas 3.  A field position game early.

Arkansas is three and out punting from inside their five.

AUBURN BLOCKS THE PUNT AND RECOVERS IN THE END ZONE!  JORDAN PETERS blocks the punt.  BARTON LESTER FALLS ON THE PUNT IN THE END ZONE.

AUBURN 7 ARKANSAS 0

The rain continues harder.  Kickoff out of bounds.  Arkansas at their 35.

Another Arkansas three and out.  The AU defense is showing up right now.

AU starts at the 23.

DJ Williams explodes for 41 yards the Arkansas 36.

On 4th and three Carlson makes a 47 yard field goal!  Auburn increases its lead with 36 seconds left in the quarter with the weather deteriorating.

AUBURN 10 ARKANSAS 0

The quarter ends with the Razorbacks facing second and seven.

SECOND QUARTER

One first down and Arkansas is punting.

Tutt has to dive on the ball at the 20 with no return.

Tank Bigsby runs for two straight first downs.

First down running the ball to the Arkansas 36.

Auburn is running football with Bigsby and Williams and I like it.

First down behind Bigsby to the 15.

Nix around right end from the 15 for the end zone.

80 yards on that drive in ten plays ALL on the ground.

AUBURN 17 ARKANSAS 0

After a kickoff out of bounds and abetted by an Auburn facemark penalty Arkansas drives for a score which comes from a short pass from around the five.  The point after is no good.  The ball never got off the ground.

AUBURN 17 ARKANSAS 6

6:24 left in the half.

Kickoff return to the Auburn 33.

The Tigers reach midfield before the drive fizzles.

Bad punt by Nix.  Arkansas starts at their 25 with a little more than four minutes to go.

We need a turnover.

BUT there is a long completion to the Auburn 30.  Yikes!

Arkansas shows offensive sizzle all of a sudden.

Arkansas completion to the AU ten.  I don't like this.

Arkansas to the seven.

Touchdown Arkansas.  Just like that four minutes ago Auburn was up 17 and now the Razorbacks score two straight touchdowns.  They have gone to a hurry up offense the last two drives.  It's anybody's game.

The two point attempt fails as their receiver cannot hold the ball in the end zone.

AUBURN 17 ARKANSAS 12

From the 35 Bigsby runs on the first play to the Arkansas 39.

Completion to Williams to the Arkansas nine!

Quickly we move to third and goal at the seven.

We lose a yard and we have to go for the field goal.

41 seconds left.

We go right down the field but have to settle for the FG attempt.  Good.

AUBURN 20 ARKANSAS 12

38 seconds left.

Arkansas runs out the clock.

It's anybody's game.

THIRD QUARTER

The Tigers receive to start the half and drive to the Arkansas 38 before the usual trouble starts.

Back we go from there.  We have had success running the ball but little success throwing the ball.  Nix either has to run for his life or his short passes are not accurate.  Our passing game in nonexistent.  We cannot sustain a drive.  One of our scores came on a blocked punt.

Arkansas gains possession on the punt inside their 15.  This game is not going well at this point.

Arkansas starts moving the ball like they did at the end of the second quarter.

Coach Steele better do something.  Coach Morris better do something.

The Hogs cross midfield.  Their offense is having success against our porous defense.  Our defense looks lethargic.

Arkansas moves to our 17.  They convert third downs unlike Auburn.

We are not getting any pressure on their QB.

We will be lucky to win this football game.

First and goal from the nine.  We sack the RB for a loss but get called for facemask.  Auburn is doing everything it can to lose this game.

Touchdown Arkansas.  This is totally disgusting.  They are making great offensive play calls against our defense which looks lifeless.  At least the 2-point attempt is not good.

AUBURN 20 ARKANSAS 18

The Tigers drive to the Arkansas 17 finally completing a few passes.

There is a holding call and back we go.

The quarter ends with Auburn facing third and ten from the 17.

FOURTH QUARTER

First play Schwartz takes the short completion to the end zone.  We needed that one.

AUBURN 27 ARKANSAS 18

Here comes Arkansas again.  It looks like our defense is not going to stand up.

Arkansas moves inside out five as they complete a shuffle pass against our blitz.

We move to fourth and goal from about the five.

The FG attempt is good.

AUBURN 27 ARKANSAS 21

This is what you call a fourth quarter game.

On our first play from  scrimmage Bigsby fumbles and Arkansas recovers.  The play is reviewed and Bigsby is luckily ruled down.  It looked like the review could have gone either way but the call on the field was fumble.

But Auburn is punting from just outside our 20.  Arkansas has scored something like 4 straight times.  What can our defense do?

The punt goes to the Razorback 30.  Scary stuff here for sure.

Our defense hasn't stopped Arkansas since early in the second quarter.  They have kept our defense off balance mixing runs and throws.

Arkansas drives for the touchdown converting a 4th and 6 and on the next play throwing the end zone for the touchdown.  Now this really is hairy.

AUBURN 27 ARKANSAS 28

We are headed for a wild finish.

The Tigers hold the Hogs and get the ball back after the punt at the Arkansas 45.

With 28 seconds left we face 4th down at the  after Nix drops the snap under center and clocks the ball immediately called for grounding.

Sanders hits the FG with 7 seconds left on the clock.  Whew!

AUBURN 30 ARKANSAS 28

OH, MY!  Glad to win.  It was one of those games.  Just glad to win this one.  It could have gone either way in the rain at Jordan-Hare with a Covid crowd negating our home field advantage.  Let's move on.  this Auburn team needs much improvement to handle this 10 game SEC schedule.

2020 The Georgia Game

 So here we are in this strange 2020 football season with COVID-19 and each SEC team playing ten conference games which leads to Auburn and Georgia playing the second game of the season in October in Athens where Auburn has not won since 2005.  Strange, indeed!  In my lifetime we have always played Georgia in November, part of what Coach Dye used to call "Amen Corner."  The Bulldogs seem to be about a 7 point favorite.  They beat Arkansas last Saturday and we beat Kentucky.  Kickoff is at 6:30 on ESPN.  I hate waiting around all day for these night kickoffs.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn wins the toss and defers.  Georgia goes three and out from their 43.

The punt goes into the end zone.

Auburn gets two straight penalties---false start---and we have to start from the 10.

Tank Bigsby is the starting tailback.

The Tigers go three and out.

Georgia starts on their 42.

On the punt return Smoke Monday is ejected for targeting on the punt returner.  Huge loss.  Jaylin Simpson is already unavailable.

The Bulldogs scrimmage from the AU 43.

First down to the 31 and then first down to the AU 15 as the Dogs convert a third and ten.

First down Georgia to the AU three as UGA converts another third down.

The score comes from the one.

Auburn 0 Georgia 7

The Tigers give up two third down conversions after the targeting penalty gives the Dogs good starting field position.

Can our offense respond?

We cannot afford a slow start in this game.

Again we go three and out quickly.

A slow start indeed.  We need a turnover.  Their defense is dominating our offense so far.

UGA starts on their 37.

First down to midfield.

UGA is gashing us between the tackles.  

First down to the 28.  The Dogs are getting a big push up the middle with pure power running.

Georgia is powering the ball between the tackles and we can't stop them.

First down to the Auburn four.

On third and goal from the four the pass into the end zone is deflected.  Why is UGA trying to pass the ball from the four after gashing us between the tackles right down the field.  They get the field goal but are still dominating the game.

Auburn 0 Georgia 10

First first down to the Auburn 45.

We move to fourth and three from the UGA 48.  UGA fair catches at the 16.

Georgia has 6 first downs; Auburn has one.

48-22 UGA rushing advantage.

First down to the UGA 39.

The first quarter ends.  It doesn't look good early.

SECOND QUARTER

Georgia is driving again and we cannot stop them.

First down Georgia to the Auburn 32.  The Georgia ground game is dominant.

Georgia is completely dominating the lines of scrimmage.  This is ugly.  Power running big time.

On third and nine the TD pass goes to Pickens from the 21.  Auburn tried to single cover Pickens and we can't do it.  That was too easy Stan White says.  Georgia is making the right calls and executing.  Oh, my.

Auburn 0 Georgia 17

If we can't score on this possession we have no chance.

Alas, we go three and out. 

UGA starts around their 28.

We desperately need a turnover.  Somehow we have to stop the bleeding.  We are getting beat so bad physically I don't see how.

Quickly UGA gets a 49 yard completion to the Auburn 12 as their QB has all day to throw.  This is ugly, ugly, ugly. 

The Dogs move inside the five.  To the one yard line.  Touchdown Georgia.  Total domination for Georgia at the line of scrimmage.  They are making it look easy.  No way to sugarcoat this.  I did not anticipate this.  Our defense is simply getting physically beaten.  Our offense can't get started.

Auburn 0 Georgia 24

Finally we get some movement.  First down across midfield.  An almost completion to Williams at the fourteen.  From the UGA 31 Bigsby takes a reception to the UGA 12.  We move to third from the 15.

Timeout with 3:54 left.

Georgia is called for targeting.  First down Auburn at the seven.

Third and goal from the four.

Fourth down from the three and we have to settle for the FG attempt.

The kick is good.

A disappointing end to that drive but at least points.  65 yards in 12 plays.

Auburn 3 Georgia 24

1:38 left.

Sanders kicks out of bounds.  We surely didn't need that.  UGA has two timeouts left.

Georgia is quickly to the 48 as the clock drops under a minute.

Our defense holds.  Georgia punts.  Auburn takes the ball at the 13 with 18 seconds left.  The half ends.

24 to 3 Georgia dominates.

THIRD QUARTER

The Tigers get the ball coming out in the second half.

Two first downs and we are just across midfield.

First down to the UGA 34.

First down to the UGA 23.

We move to third and 10.

We move to a long field goal.  Better than nothing, but we need touchdowns.

Auburn 6 Georgia 24

Unless we stop the UGA offensive dynamo we have no chance.  Can Coach Steele dial up something to keep us in the game?

The answer is no.  Georgia moves right down the field.  They are more physical than our defense.  When you run the football like and stop the other team from running you will win every time.  At least we force the field goal attempt.

Auburn 6 Georgia 27

We have pretty much gone to empty backfield sets.

The Tigers cross midfield on short passes.

We move to third and ten at the Georgia 49.

We move to fourth and one.

First down just across the line to make.

Bigsby runs for 9.

Third and one.

First down just across the line to make.  So far a long and sustained drive.

First down at the 27.

We get a holding call.  Not what we needed.  I could see #71 holding.

Then Nix is sacked and we face third and forever.  Will there be a miracle like 2013?

Third and 28.

Fourth and 12.  Hey, that's manageable.  :)

Nix is intercepted.  Well, that about does it as the third quarter ends on that play.

FOURTH QUARTER

FINAL SCORE

27-6 Georgia

Auburn vs. Kentucky highlights

 

2020 The Kentucky Game

This strange 2020 football season begins today as the Tigers entertain Kentucky.  Because of COVID the SEC opted to play 10 conference games instead of the planned schedules.  The Tigers and Wildcats get it started today the 26th of September with an 11 kickoff on the SEC Channel.  Auburn is favored by 10 according to one source.  I expect this to be a fourth quarter game.  Our offensive line is rebuilt and will surely struggle.  Our defensive line is rebuilt and will struggle.  Our starting linebackers are back I think.  Bo Nix is back.  Only 20,000 spectators will be allowed into the game.  No Tiger Walk.  It must feel strange to be on campus today.  (Freddy tells me that he has seen the line to 7.5)

FIRST QUARTER

17,000 students are in the stands spread out impressively throughout Jordan-Hare.  No War Eagle flight today.

Auburn receives after KY wins the coin flip and defers.

From their 35 Auburn drives across midfield but Nix punts to the Wildcat 7 on 4th and 1.

You can tell that there will be more short and quick passes this year.

KY pushes out to their 43.  Unable to stop them on a 3rd and 9.

KY first downs to the Auburn 42.

On a third and three with an Auburn misalignment KY rushes 30 yards for the touchdown.  Kentucky scores on its first possession.  Not good.  The Wildcats look like a poised, well-coached, well-prepared team.

Auburn 0  Kentucky 

After a running first down there is completion to Seth Williams.  "Worm" runs to the KY one.  Man, is he fast.  After an incompletion DJ Williams is into the end zone.  The offense looks GOOD on that drive.  The offense may have to carry us today.   THEN Auburn surprises Kentucky with Grant Loy hitting an open Shenker in the end zone for two.  How about that!

Auburn 8  Kentucky 7

Kentucky moves to their 39 as Auburn continues to give up first downs on third down.

The Wildcats convert a third down again and move to the AU 45.  Kentucky is 5 for 5 on third downs.

The quarter ends with Auburn stopping Kentucky on third down for the first time, the Wildcats facing 4th and short around the Auburn 39.

SECOND QUARTER

Kentucky goes for it on fourth and three but the pass is incomplete.  Auburn starts from their 39.

First play completion to Seth Williams to the KY 43.

First down Auburn to the KY 25.

Nix for 9 to the 16. 

We move to 4th and one after an incompletion.

DJ Williams cannot get to the line.  Both teams have now failed on 4th down.  Too bad.

Kentucky starts on their 16.  

Kentucky to the AU 40.

Kentucky to the AU 30.

Back to the 40 after holding call on the Wildcats.

Sack pushes them back to the 43.

Third and 28 for KY.

Incompletion!

First punt of the day coming for their award winning punter.  Into the end zone.  First and ten Auburn at their 20.

No go this time and Auburn punts from the 25.

From their 35 after the punt KY moves to the Auburn 12 as the clock runs under 2 minutes.

KY to the AU three with third and one.

1:14 to go.

First and goal from the one.

Just short of the goal line on the first down carry but it looked like the runner was in the end zone.  The replay seems to show touchdown but the call on the field stands.

Their QB is stopped short.  TO Kentucky with 24 seconds left the ball inside the Auburn one.

Kentucky attempts an ill-conceived pass into the end zone on third down inside the Auburn one and Roger McCreary picks it off in the end zone and takes down the sideline for the touchdown.  The play is reviewed to make sure McCreary didn't step out of bounds going down the sideline.  No, the play is reviewed for possible targeting by an Auburn player!  The play review leads to a targeting call against Auburn.  A 100 yard interception return for a touchdown is nullified.  Hall is ejected from the game.  With Big Cat Bryan not on the field the Auburn defense is seriously wounded.  Wow, oh wow.  What a disappointing finish to the first half.

At the start of this game I never thought the half would end 8 to 7.  KY gets the ball coming out in the second half.

Wow, oh wow.  What an eventful first half!

THIRD QUARTER

At the half coach says we have to get off the field on third down and our offense needs to keep the ball on third down and "we'll be okay."  Our defensive end position is thin.  Big Cat Bryan, who hasn't played yet, is trying to see if he an play on the sidelines say our announcers.

Kentucky goes three and out as Auburn holds on third down.

Auburn begins on their 24.

A completion to Seth Williams on second down to the KY 43.

But after an advance of one yard Auburn punts, but Nix punts to the KY two.  Nicely done on that.

KY is three and out again.  The Tigers almost had a safety as the Cats punt from the one.

Their Ray Guy award winning punter rips off a 75 yarder to the Auburn 24.

First play competition to Seth Williams at the AU 49.

The Tank is in the game in the backfield.

Competition to Stove to the 37.

Auburn gets a 10 yd. advance on penalties enforced on both teams.

To the 22 but procedure moves us back to the 27.

Nix runs for 13.

A run by Bigsby to the 8.

We quickly move to third and goal from the 11.

Touchdown Seth Williams in the end zone.  Williams climbs the ladder to the sky for the catch.

Auburn 15  Kentucky 7

Starting from their 27 KY drives for the touchdown with short, quick passes.  The score comes on a third down pass to the end zone from the AU 8.  The point attempt is no good and Auburn retains the lead with a minute to go in the third.

Auburn 15  Kentucky 13

FOURTH QUARTER

Auburn drives to their 47 but a poor snap leads to a punt.  KY starts at their 26.

The defense has to rise up.

It does.  On third and five from their 31 their QB gives up the ball and Sherwood recovers.  We are quickly to the KY 15.  Then down to the 6.  First and goal.

We move to third and goal from the four.

Pass to end zone to, who else, Seth Williams.  The fumble recovery leads to 7.

Auburn 22  Kentucky 13

With 4th and 5 at their 30 their punter tries to run for the first down and is tackled at the 27.  Very dumb play by Kentucky.

Second play 21 yd. TD pass to Stove in the end zone.  This game is trending our way big time set up by defense.

Auburn 29  Kentucky 13

Kentucky is three and out as we get a sack on third and nine.

Auburn gets the ball at their 40 after a short punt by their great punter.

Punt rolls to the 8.  Good deal.

Kentucky goes down the field with quick complete passes.

To the Auburn 29.

To the Auburn 13.

2:17 to go with the clock running.

To the five on a penalty play.

Back to the 15.  First play from there fumble! and Auburn recovers with 1:47 left.  That oughta do it.

Very impressive second half by the Auburn Tigers!!!

The Tigers run out the clock to win on opening day 2020.

FINAL SCORE

AUBURN 29  KENTUCKY 13

A very satisfying win by the Tigers.  After the cats closed to 15-13 our cats took charge.  I like the offense.  Maybe we finally have the right OC.

Pat Dye

He sent Bo over the top. He sent Tillman in reverse. He brought the greatest rivalry to the Plains. It was oh, so sweet, wasn't it Coach Dye?

Spring 2020

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the NCAA basketball season ended abruptly with the cancellation of the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.  There will also be no spring football practice.  Baseball is over for the spring.  At this moment even the fall football season might be question.

The Auburn Basketball Team

After ripping UGA 82 to 60 today our basketball team is 15 and 0.  The only other undefeated team in the country is San Diego State.  Who would thunk it?  Isaac Okoro is the real deal, our freshman starter.  I hope he comes back for at least one more season.  Austin Wiley is finally starting to show something.  Sooner or later this team might go through a tough stretch, but it seems to have the character to deal with it.  Auburn basketball is nationally relevant and it feels great.

The 2020 Outback Bowl Auburn vs. Minnesota

I have to admit that playing the Minnesota Golden Gophers doesn't exactly quicken my pulse.  Yet this IS a good football team at 10-2 with a vaunted passing game that will surely challenge our defense.  The team is wearing a #7 on the helmet to honor Pat Sullivan. Nice gesture.  Never want to mess with the AU uniform unless it's something special like this.  Auburn is a 7 point favorite.

FIRST QUARTER

First Gopher possession and Javarius Davis intercepts on third and two.
First down on the Gopher 12.
We cannot convert on third and 4.
Short field goal good.

AUBURN 3 MINNESOTA 0

Minnesota drives to a first down at the Auburn 35.
First down to the Auburn 24.  Good mix of run and pass.
The drive stops on the AU 22.
The field goal is good.

AUBURN 3 MINNESOTA 3

#4 runs the kickoff back for the touchdown!  How about that !!!
The Auburn speed shows up quickly.

AUBURN 10 MINNESOTA 3

The Gophers quickly go three and out.
Then we muff the punt!  Oh, my, why?  Tutt tries to making a running catch running toward the ball.
Minnesota starts on our 40.  How horrible!

First down toss to the AU 16.
Sixteen yard for the score.  Goodness!

AUBURN 10 MINNESOTA 10

Score tied.  Minnesota has had the ball almost the entirely of the first quarter.
4:05 left in the first.

Short kickoff.  Auburn starts on the 35.
The Tigers go tempo.
Just across midfield we are going for it on 4th and two but get a procedure penalty.
We are making mistakes early on.
The punt goes OOB at their 10.

There's a first down run on the first play from the 10.
Minnesota punts from their 27.

SECOND QUARTER

Auburn from their 35 to start the second quarter.
One first down and Nix short punts to inside their 10.
As usual our offense needs to get doing.  No rhythm so far.

So far Minnesota looks like the better team.
The Gophers move the ball relentlessly on the ground.  This is very troublesome.
First down to the Auburn 32.
On third and nine there is a screen pass off a blitz that goes to the Auburn two  Well executed by them.
First run from there touchdown.  This is not looking good if our offense cannot do anything.
The play is reviewed and the runner ruled down before the goal line.
Next play TD anyway.
The play is reviewed like the previous play and the runner ruled down before the goal line.
Third and less than one.
Fourth and less than one.  Might have lost a little bit as we stuff the line.
Timeout Minnesota.
There's a pass to an open tight line for the score.

AUBURN 10 MINNESOTA 17

This would a good time for our offense to show up.
We cross midfield leading to a fourth and 5 at their 38.
Hastings can't come up with what have been a first down on third down.
TOUCHDOWN AUBURN 38 yd. completion to Cannella.
The play is made by Nix's scramble to give him time to find the receiver.
Nix has the ability to extend plays.

AUBURN 17 MINNESOTA 17

4:15 left in the half.  Minnesota starts on their 25.
The Gophers move to a first down to the AU 30.  Not good.
A loss on first down from there.
There is a first down.  Minnesota is physical and effective in running the football.  Very disappointing.
First down run to the 17.
First down to the 2.
Their offense is eating our defense up.
TD toss to the back of the end zone.  Foot barely in bounds.  Play reviewed and call on the field upheld.
We let them drive for the touchdown.  Very disappointing.

AUBURN 17 MINNESOTA 24

32 seconds left in the half.
Minnesota clearly looks like the better team.  An uphill battle to win this one.
Mercifully the half ends.
Tough half.  Disappointing is all I can say.

THIRD QUARTER

It will take a huge turnaround to win this game.  It doesn't look likely.

We start just across our 30.
On third and three Nix is sacked.  Here she goes.
Can't run, can't protect the qb, what can you do?
Minnesota will start around their 26.
Our offense shows nothing.

Minnesota can run the ball.  Auburn cannot.  Big difference.
There is a running first down.
After one first down the Gophers are punting.
Fair catch on our 13.

The Tigers drive to a first down to the Gopher 31 finally a little bit of life.
First down inside the 15.
First down inside the 5.
Whitlow wildcats for the score leaping into the end zone from the three.
We have a game again.
Quick pace.  Tempo.  We had it on that drive.

AUBURN 24 MINNESOTA 24

Starting from their 25 Minnesota punts from their 28.
Auburn on their 20 after a 15 yd. penalty against us.
First down across the 35.
First down Whitlow across the 45.
We move to third and 11.
We move to 4th down at our 49.
We try a surprise 4th down pass from punt formation that is incomplete.
The quarter ends with the Gophers having the ball after a carry close to the Auburn 40.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Gophers go for it on fourth and less than a yard and our defense holds.
Big defensive stand.

The Tigers start on their 32.
We go three and out and punt from the 37.  Shucks!
That hurt.
Minnesota starts on their 27.
First play from the 27 a long touchdown pass to a wide open receiver.  Busted coverage or something.  OH, my.  That hurts.

AUBURN 24 MINNESOTA 31

We start on our 34.  One first down.
We move to 4th and 7 from midfield.  We cannot protect when they blitz.
The punt goes into the end zone.
The Gophers are out to their 40 from the 20.
We will need a turnover to win this game.
First down at midfield.
Minnesota moves to 4th and short,
They go for it and get a one-handed catch for the first down.  Their receiver made a play.
That'll about do it with a little over 3 minutes left.
Oh, well.
We can't a step late in the game when we need it.
Minnesota's offense wears out our defense, which didn't get enough help from our offense.
With 1:35 the Gophers have a first down on our 9 and they go into victory formation to end the game.

FINAL SCORE

AUBURN 24 MINNESOTA 31