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
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