Philip Marshall on the Hugh Freeze hire

 #PMARSHONAU: The unbridled power of social media hits hard.

I have read and heard that new Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze harassed a sexual assault victim with direct messages on Twitter. Didn’t happen. The messages are easily available now. They are in response to the woman’s strong criticism on Twitter of Freeze and Liberty athletics director Ian McCaw. They include nothing out of line, nothing even bordering on harassment.

I have read and heard that Freeze was not tagged in the Twitter posts. He was tagged at least in the one leveling the vilest accusation of all. Check it out.

I have read and heard, even from reputable reporters, that Freeze gave up his Twitter account as a condition of employment at Auburn. Nope. That didn’t happen either. Freeze quickly denied it at his introductory press conference Monday with athletics director John Cohen sitting a few feet from him.

I have read and heard that Cohen left Mississippi State for Auburn just ahead of being pushed out. Sorry. That one didn’t happen either. Folks in the know at Mississippi State laugh at the notion.

I have read and heard that boosters and trustees forced Cohen to hire Freeze. Not true. Those people were calling others trying to find out what was going on. They were not involved in the search or the decision, Saying they were fits the popular narrative among some Auburn people that see a mean booster hiding behind every bush. It just isn’t true.

I have read and heard that Freeze personally cheated to get players to Ole Miss. I wasn’t there, but I can say that the NCAA found no evidence that he participated or knew it was happening. Thus, he did not receive a show-cause penalty.

Does anyone care that UCLA coach Chip Kelly left Oregon for the NFL with an 18-month show cause? Ever hear anybody say it meant he was a cheater who should not be hired? Didn’t think so.

I am mystified that the now public tweet/direct message exchange has seemingly been the main reason given for the outrage expressed by many and still being expressed by some. It’s OK to say Freeze would have been well-advised to not do it. But a reason to not hire him or proof that he can’t be trusted? That doesn’t even make sense.

But this isn’t all about whether Freeze was a good hire – I believe he was – or whether he should not have been hired. It’s about the unbridled power of the Internet in general, and social media in particular.

In the wide, wide world of social media, nameless and faceless people can make up stories, maybe with a kernel of truth and maybe with no truth at all. Those stories can soon come to be accepted as fact and even find their way into news stories. And that is a truly sad development for a business, truly a way of life, that has made it possible for me to make a living and take care of my family for more than half a century. And I fear it’s only going to get worse. I will be long gone, but I can’t imagine what it will be like 10-20 years from now.

I so fondly remember when reporters and their stories were consistently challenged by cranky editors who did not care if they hurt your feelings, when widely held journalistic standards were required to be honored, when second- and third-hand sources weren’t sources at all, when using the English language properly and using proper grammar was not just expected but demanded, when getting the story first was important but not as important as getting it right, when the circulation and advertising departments of the newspaper and the news-gathering part of the newspaper were separate entities, when there were no clicks to count (I don’t count them now), when quality mattered more than quantity, when openly cheering in public for a team you covered would get you fired, when writers’ opinions were confined to columns and to the editorial page, never to show up in news stories.

In the 38 years I spent in the newspaper business, I was not once asked to write a story to “sell newspapers.” Today it’s different almost everywhere. Clicks often matter more than quality and sometimes even more than accuracy.

Believe me, we all make mistakes. I have made my share, and every one of them has made me sick to my stomach. They still do. One of the benefits of working online is that, once alerted to mistakes, a reporter can repair them. In the newspaper days, there was not a thing to be done about it until the next paper came out 24 hours later. At least that was true most of the time.

When I was the sports editor of the Montgomery Advertiser, we produced an annual football section. I don’t remember the season, but we had a color drawing of an Auburn player and a drawing of an Alabama player on the cover. The section was printed in the wee hours of the morning, after the newspaper was printed. The publisher, a great and memorable newspaper man named Doyle Harvill, went to the pressroom to get a copy. I wasn’t there, but I heard what happened next.

Harvill immediately noticed that the Alabama player on the cover was blue and the Auburn player was red. He cut loose with a string of his favorite words, slung the copy he was holding to the floor and told the pressroom foreman to throw them all away and reprint it. That took away much of the profit margin from the ads in the section. He didn’t care. It had to be right.

There is little of that kind of thinking these days. And we are all worse off for it.

-Philip Marshall

Let's Ride the Cadillac

 Alabama won the game because it had Bryce Young at quarterback. Everything else was even and the coaching might have favored Auburn.

The outcome turned on two fluke plays in the first half, both resulting in turnovers by Auburn. Take those away, and the Iron Bowl is a different game in the second half. With Cadillac as the coach, Auburn went 2-2 in November, but was one overtime against Mississippi State away from earning bowl eligibility. Oh, and that win against Texas A&M? Looks a lot better now after the Aggies upset SEC West champ LSU 38-23 on Saturday night.

-JOSEPH GOODMAN IN AL.COM

11-26-22 The Alabama Game

 2:30 kickoff from Tuscaloosa on CBS.  Alabama is a 21 point favorite

FIRST QUARTER

8:31 Auburn drives 80 yards in 6 plays featuring the running of Robby Ashford.  The score comes on a nifty 24 yd run by Ashford.

Auburn 7  Alabama 0

Alabama answers quickly staring with a long 55 yd completion to the Auburn 10.  Third and goal from the four and their QB runs it in.  62 yards 5 plays.

Auburn 7  Alabama 7

Alabama drives 65 yds 8 plays  for the touchdown on a pass from the 10  1:37 to go in the first quarter.

Auburn 7  Alabama 14

Alabama drives again after Hunter fumbles the ball away unforced.

SECOND QUARTER

6 yd run after the fumble near midfield.  48 yds in 4 plays,  

Auburn 7  Alabama 21

Auburn responds on a 20-yd throw to the end zone by Robby Ashford!  Amazing wheel route throw by Ashford.  Great throw!  75 yd drive.  9:34 to go in the second quarter.

Auburn 14  Alabama 21

Alabama drives overcoming a third and 19.  Two plays later a 33 yd completion in the end zone.  5:39 to go.  

Auburn 14  Alabama 28

Auburn has had six 5 yard penalties which have killed us.

Defense forces a third and out but Auburn fumbles the punt and Alabama recovers.  The call on the field is a fumble but it is reviewed maybe the receiver did not touch the ball.  Fumble call on the field is upheld.  A crucial turnover at the Auburn 37 after getting a three and out.  Yikes.

Auburn is not getting any pressure on Bryce Young.  Our run defense has been good but not our pass defense.

Screen TD pass from the 27 the receiver untouched.  Two turnovers in this half and both lead to touchdowns.

Auburn 14  Alabama 35

THIRD QUARTER

Auburn 21  Alabama 42

First and goal Auburn sat the 9.  14 yd run on the QB draw clearly made it into the end zone.  Second touchdown on the day for Robby Ashford.  7 plays 75 yards 3:19.  Auburn has run the ball well.  We just can't stop Alabama's passing.

Auburn 21  Alabama 42

The third quarter clock winds down with Auburn second and  ten from the Alabama 31.

FOURTH QUARTER

False start and another 5 yd penalty.  Yikes.  Second and 15 at the 36.

We move to 4th and four at the 24 but a face mask call and Auburn is at the 12.  Alabama is offsides.  First down at the 6.  Low snap and Robby had to field the ball with hie knee on the ground.  Oh, my.  Third and 9 from the 10.  Incomplete in the end zone.  Fourth and 9 from the 10.  We've had so many self-inflicted woulds in this game.  We are going for the field goal after another 5 yd penalty with our freshman kicker.  32 yd kick is good.  12:18 to go.

Auburn 24  Alabama 42

We need a stop but Alabama gets to the Auburn 30.  9:08 to go.  First down to the 18.  Bryce Young is tough to defend.  Starting to rain in this game.  Pappoe intercepts!!!  Reviewed but the pick stands.

First and ten Auburn from their 18.  About 6 minutes left.  Auburn is competing.  We move to third and six.  Ashford fails to pick up the first.  We move to fourth and 8 from the Auburn 20.   4:39 to go.  Timeout Alabama.  A confusing play with a Robby fumble but Alabama had 12 men on the field.  Fourth and three at the 25.  Ashford keeps and runs to the Alabama 44.  Hunter runs for six.  First down pass to the Alabama 25.  Screen pass gets 9 yards.  Ashford is sacked at the 22.  third and seven at the 22.  Fourth and seven at the 22.  Timeout Auburn just over 2 minutes to go.  A consolation touchdown would still be good.  Why are we trying a field goal but it's good from 39 yds.

Auburn 27  Alabama 42

Auburn has rushed for over 300 yards tonight.

Alabama gets the onside kick.  2:04 left.  1:55 left Auburn timeout.

Our announcers say the muffed punt was a bad call.  Our punt person did not touch the punt.

Alabama outscored Auburn 21 to 7 in the second quarter the difference in the game.

Next play 24 yd touchdown run.

Auburn 27  Alabama 49

1:48 left.

FINAL SCORE

49-27 

11-19-22 The Western Kentucky Game

 Auburn at 4 and 6 takes on Western Kentucky 7-4 at Jordan-Hare with 3 p.m. kickoff on the SEC Network.  I think Auburn is maybe a 5 point favorite.  The visitors can certainly win this game.  They are a pass oriented team with quick passing that always gives us trouble.

FIRST QUARTER

The Tigers kick off to start the game.  WKY is quickly to our 32 all passing.  The  50 yd FG attempt is no good.

One first down to midfield, back five, leading to 4th and 3.  First down to the WKU 35.  First down to the 25.  Faceguard call on WKY.  First downs at the 12.  No gain.  Incompletion.  Third and 10 from the 12.   First down completion to the one.  Tank in on the next snap.

Auburn 7  Western Kentucky 0

On third down the Hilltoppers complete a pass close to midfield.  We are not getting any pressure on their quarterback.  We move to fourth and five.  Pass incomplete.  Auburn ball.

First down close to midfield.  To the Hilltoppers 49.  Third down conversion to the 34.  Loss back to the 40.  Ashford misses a wide open Tank in the flat.  We move to 4th and 14.  The long FG attempt is good.  The freshman kicker looks good.

Auburn 10  Western Kentucky 0

The quarter ends with Hilltopper ball.

SECOND QUARTER

The visitors are punting.Auburn on their 42.  Loss of two.  Ashford is then sacked.  Our passing game is still not good.  Fourth and 21 after a dropped pass.  Punting from our 30.   WKY starts on their 44.  They advanced to the Auburn 40.  There's a completion to the Auburn 14.  We move to fourth and five. The kick is good.

Auburn 10  Western Kentucky 3

Good kickoff return to the 34.  Across midfield. First down to the 23.  TD pass. Reviewed but the call stands.

Auburn 17  Western Kentucky 3

WKU on the move abetted by a foolish OOB personal foul.  TD pass to an uncovered receiver.

Auburn 10  Western Kentucky 10

We are punting with 3:51 left.  Not good.  WKY on their 18.  Our passing game is painful to watch.

The Hilltoppers drive.  We are going to have to keep scoring to win this game.  Screen pass completion for the touchdown.  We have a tie game going into halftime.

Auburn 17  Western Kentucky 17

THIRD QUARTER

This game doesn't feel good at the half.  

First possession three and out.  Not good.   WKU starts on their 29.  

Second play Auburn interception.  As much as they throw the ball I was waiting for this to happen.

But unless we can complete some passes we are going to lose this game.

Quickly it's fourth and four.  Ashford is not a passer.

We have no offense not under Cadillac just like Harsin all because our QB has no passing plan.

I see their sharp passing game and I do not understand why we cannot do the same thing.

The Hilltoppers go three and out.  Their QB is not always accurate either.  We start across our 40.

First and goal from the nine.

Low snap and we move to third and goal.  Now fourth and goal and field goal time once again.  We simply do NOT have a strategic passing game.  We line sup for the short FG attempt and somebody jumps.  The kick is good but we are not going to win this game with field goals.

Auburn 20  Western Kentucky 17

WKU is punting on fourth and four.

Auburn ball on our 22.  

The Tigers try to get it done on the ground.  Good run by Ashford to the WKU 35.  First play from there Tank to the house.  Yay!

A 35 Yd dash.

Auburn 27  Western Kentucky 17

1:02 in the third.

The quarter ends with WKU first down across their 40.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Hilltoppers move to fourth and 7 from their 46.  Auburn fields the punt on the 15.  

Ashford can't hit the broadside of a barn.  If he could only complete short easy passes he would be a good quarterback.

We move to fourth and 5 all because our passing is so egregious.  

WKU on their 34.  To our 41.  To our 25.  Big loss we almost recover the fumble.  Fourth and 23 from our 38. Fourth and 23.  

Auburn ball.  Big run across midfield.  Next play to the WKU 40.  Next Hunter to the house!!!  A simple eye formation toss sweep around the right side.  

Auburn 34  Western Kentucky 17

Pick 6!  Pressure finally on their QB and the throws right to our man.  Yay!

Auburn 41  Western Kentucky 17

WKU drives looking like they are going to score leading to 4th and 9 from our 20 with 32 seconds left after their timeout then we sack their backup quarterback to end their possession.

Lots of celebrating on the Auburn sideline.  The game looked to be close at the half but the Tigers closed strong in the fourth quarter.  The Cadillac is jumping around.  He and the players have to be be pleased.  

FINAL SCORE AUBURN 41  WESTERN KENTUCKY 17

.  

11-12-22 The Texas A & M Game

Most of the talk has been about this being Cadillac's first home game as interim HC.  The Cadillac is getting a lot of Auburn love.  With a 3 & 6 record Auburn is facing its second straight losing season.  TAMU also has six losses as Aggie troubles expose Jimbo.  Auburn is a slight favorite.

FIRST QUARTER 

Our freshman kicker kicks off OOB.  :)

TAMU punts to our 10 yd line.

The Tigers starting from their 10 cross midfield mixing runs and passes.  The drive stalls at the Aggie 35.  The punt is fielded just inside the 10.

The Tigers get the ball back at their 38.  A good streak down the right sideline by the Tank puts us inside the 20.  Next play to the end zone with JJ.

Auburn 7  TAMU 0

Next kickoff goes out of the end zone.

The quarter ends the Aggies in ball possession.

SECOND QUARTER

Auburn intercepts but it's reviewed and the call on the field is reversed.

After the punt we start inside our 10.

Two runs and we are at our 40.  

We move on to the Aggie 46.

11:57 in the second.

The drive ends at the Aggie 40.

TAMU to our 45.  

TAMU punt to our 12.  

A PF call on the Aggies keeps us from punting from our 10.

Big run by Hunter.  If only our passing game were better we would have a good offense.  We move to the Aggie 30 with 1:08 left.  The drive dies.  We have no passing game.  That is the problem.  The clock expires as Ashford hurls the proverbial Hail Mary in the end zone in vain.

7 - zip Auburn at the half.

THIRD QUARTER

We start a drive, cross midfield, but as usual the drive leads to a long FG attempt which is no good.  Our freshman kicker misses his first attempt.

TAMU goes three and out.

A holding call negates a long run by Hunter.  Ashford misses a wide open receiver who had nothing but green grass ahead.  Ashford in not an accurate passer.  He just isn't.

TAMU can't go anywhere.  This is a shame.  I am shocked at how bad the Aggies are and yet they may win this game.  

Another big run by Hunter and we are at the Aggie 25.  Then Ashford pitches the ball back to Tank rather than hand it to him.  The ball is on the ground and TAMU recovers.  Unbelievable how this team continually shoots itself in the foot.  This is a long game.

Still the Aggies have no offense and go three and out.  We get good field position around our 35.  Alas, we go three and out also.  They way this game is going we are going to lose.  Sooner or later the Aggies will score.  This is saad to watch.  Our punt rolls dead inside the five.

TAMU is three and out.  Their offense is worse than ours so far.  

Wow we start from around the Aggie 30,  It's time to score.  First two running plays go nowhere.  A third down pass completion to Hunter leaves uf 2 yards short of the first down.  The FG is good.  Thank goodness.

Auburn 10  TAMU 0

FOURTH QUARTER

The Aggies punt from their end zone after their QB another ball and has to scramble to recover it.  We start from our 34.  Then on third down Ashford throws a short pass to an Aggie defender.  The visitors get possession on our 40.  Oh, my.  The Aggies gets a field goal.

Auburn 10  TAMU 3

After a 15 yd run we face 4th and less than one but the measurement shows first down.  Ashford pushed at the point of contact to reach the line to make.

Then unbelievably we fumble and luckily retain possession.  Whew!  We are at midfield third and 10 moving ro 4th and five and we are punting.  The punt goes into the end zone but almost went OOB short of the end zone.  This is a close game that should not be close.  Our defense will have to win it.

Yep.  Our defense strips their QB back to pass and a blue shirt recovers.  Yes!  We are on the Aggie 30.  Tank rips to the 15.  We move to third and two.  Tank is stuffed. Fourth down.  Short FG attempt.with a rookie placekicker.  It's good with 3:02 left.

Auburn 13  TAMU 3

On TAMU'S second and 10 we get called for targeting.  Bridges.  Not sure who this player is.   Upon review the targeting call is reversed.  TAMU is third and 1.  Their runner bursts almost to midfield.  Another third and one.  Another long run and third and one as the runner breaks thrsu the stacked line of scrimmage.  New play TD pass into the end zone.  Yikes.!  17 yard strike.

Auburn 13  TAMU 10

What now?  Onside kick that's what.  Auburn recovers.  Whew!  First play no gain timeout with 1:28 left.  Auburn is now in victory formation  Time out Auburn with 44 seconds left.  Run those 4 seconds then take a knee and it's over.

There is an exciting Auburn sidelines as Ashford hits the turn and the 40 seconds elapse.  

FINAL AUBURN 13  TEXAS A & M 10

Cadillac is happy.  All Auburn people are happy.  It was ugly but so what?

I did not see our coach shaking Jimbo's hands.  Ha, ha, ha!

11/5/22 The Mississippi State Game

 Meanwhile, Auburn’s football team prepares for a game like few others in its history. Cadillac Williams, an Auburn icon who coaches running backs, is the interim head coach. The offensive staff has been reshuffled. Was a week enough time to prepare for such major changes. Of course it wasn’t, but in such times, you have to make do. No doubt, the Tigers will play very hard.  Philip Marshall

On ESPN2 from Starkville 6:30 the first game in the short-lived Harsin era, the short-lived Harsin era with Cadillac Williams serving as the interim coach with no word yet on the permanent coach and after a fired OC and tight ends coach.  Should be interesting if nothing else.  State is a double digit favorite.  I will shocked if there is an upset.

FIRST QUARTER

AU KICKOFF.

State drives for a FG.

State 3-0

Presure on their QB only in the Red Zone.

First possession AU is three and out.  Same looking offense.

Second State possession right down the field.  This is going to be a blowout.

Second AU possession 3 and out again.  Nothing there.

SECOND QUARTER

State 17-0

Auburn strips their QB.  First and goal at the eight.  On 4th and goal inside the five and we get a 5 yd penally and have to settle for the three.

State 17-3

MSU returns the kickoff the he touchdown.

24-3 State

Then a good-looking drivel until we go backwards.

State 24-6

Auburn gets another QB fumble strip we cannot advance the ball at midfield.  We have no passing game whatsoever.

Half 24-6 State.

Fired

 Auburn fires Coach Harsin on this Monday morning as John Cohen is to be named as AD coming over from Mississippi State.

10-29-22 The Arkansas Game

 10/29/22 The Arkansas Game

11 am kickoff on ESPN from Jordan-Hare.  Auburn is 3 and 4 as Coach Harsin’s job is hanging in the balance.  The Razorbacks are 4 and 3.  Almost every picker is picking Arkansas.  Not sure what the line is.

FIRST QUARTER

7-3 Arkansas

Poor open field tackling.

Obvious from the beginning that Arkansas is going to win.

Auburn misses a 46 yd FG attempt.

Auburn makes the next 46yd attempt.

Arkansas drives 75 yard for a touchdown

SECOND QUARTER

14-3 Arkansas

14-10 Arkansas 42 yd TD run by Tank Bigsby

17-10 Arkansas

17-13 Arkansas

THIRD QUARTER

24-13 Arkansas

31-13 Arkansas

FOURTH QUARTER

38-13 Arkansas

38-20 Arkansas

41-20 Arkansas

41-27 Arkansas

10-15-22 The Ole Miss Game

11 AM kickoff from Oxford.

FIRST QUARTER

Ole Miss receives.

The Rebels drive but Auburn holds on fourth one at the 29.

After one first down Auburn is punting.

The punt rolls dead at the Ole Miss 6.

Ole Miss drives to midfield and surprises everyone by punting into the end zone.

After two first downs Ashford throws the interception on a high throw to Bigsby on a screen pass which would have been a big gain on a great play call.

Auburn’s typical self-inflicted wound leads to a 35 yd TD pass on the second play after the turnover.

7-0 Ole Miss

Auburn goes three and out as Ashford drops the ball on a big loss and a would be first down pass to JJ is errant.  Auburn is punting on 4th and 12.  Ole Miss starts on their 35.

23 yd TD pass.

14-0 Ole Miss

Finley comes in and fumbles on third down.  The play is reviewed and ruled a fumble.  Still in the first quarter Auburn has committed two turnovers and had a 9yd loss when Ashford dropped the ball and recovered is own fumble.  Ole Miss on the Auburn 22.  Ole Miss on the Auburn 11 as the quarter winds down.  The quarter ends with OM on the Auburn 6.  This is a blowout already.

SECOND QUARTER

The score comes on a rush from the three.

21 to 0 Ole Miss

Long pass completion of 43 yards to the Ole Miss 22 to Koy Moore from Ashford.

From the 22 a completion to Amari Kelley to the two.  Ole Miss timeout.

Ashford around left end for the score on first and goal from the two.

75 yards on 9 plays.

21 to 7 Ole Miss

Auburn marches down the field with big runs between the tackles from Bigsby and Hunter.  Wow.  76 yards on 8 plays all on the ground.  Two solid touchdown drives in a row.

21 to 14 Ole Miss

Alas, OM gets a kickoff return to their 40, convert a 4th & 3 on an interference call on Auburn, and an unsportsmanlike call on the Auburn bench, to a third and goal from the Auburn 7.From the 7 their tailback goes in motion, our defense doesn’t cover him, and he walks into the end zone.

28 - 14 Ole Miss

Auburn goes three and out as Ashford loses yards on a third and two with a minute and half to go.  Holding on OM on the punt return.  1:21 to go at the OM 27.

First play Auburn intercepts and Auburn is on the Ole Miss 33 with 1:13 to go.

We move to 4th and short for a FG attempt.  JJ was wide open on a post route but Ashford doesn’t see him.  The FG attempt is good.  The first half comes to a close.

28-17 Ole Miss

THIRD QUARTER

Holy Cow!  Auburn receives and Tank Bigsby takes it to the house from 50 yards out.  75 yards in 3 plays.  Wow!

28-24 Ole Miss

THIRD QUARTER

Holy Cow!  Auburn receives and Tank Bigsby takes it to the house from 50 yards out.  75 yards in 3 plays.  Wow!

28-24 Ole Miss

Ole Miss goes right down the field gashing us with the run.  Nothing fancy.  Lots of missed tackles.  Derrick Hall is on the ground.

OM drives the ball on the ground but starts throwing the ball in the red zone and has to settle for the short field goal.

31 - 24 Ole Miss

Goodness!  Ole Miss executes a successful onside kick.  The ball goes 11 yards—-good enough.  Good coaching.  Lane Kiffin is nothing if not a gambler.

Ole Miss gets the momentum back catching our receiving team sleeping plus Auburn has had many, many, missed tackles today most of them in the open field.

The Rebels run right down the field the score coming on a rush from the five.  Poor defense with the offense showing some life.

38 - 24 Ole Miaa

The offense responds. 11 yard touchdown run by Ashford.   We’ve got a shootout.

38 - 31 Ole Miss

We go to the fourth quarter as on fourth and one their running back moved  before the snap but it wasn’t called.

FOURTH QUARTER

OM makes a 41 FG.

41 - 31 Ole Miss

Down by 10 with 12:28 to go.

First play Bigsby rambles 50 yards to the OM 25.

20 yards for Hunter to the Ole Miss 4.

Ashford runs into his offensive lineman but goers down at the 6.  Should have a touchdown.

False start on Auburn after a flagrant non call on Ole Miss.

Last three plays bad play calling and execution.

First and goal on the four and we can’t get into the end zone.

The FG is good with 9:05 to go.

41 - 34 Ole Miss

On third and one from the Auburn 41 there is a touchdown run.  We can’t stop their offense.

48 - 34 Ole Miss

And now with 6:26 to go there is a weather delay of at least 30 minutes.

The Tigers cannot advance to the end zone.  An interception on 4th and 10 ends our last possession.

Two early turnovers leading to two touchdowns.  Down 21 to 0 the Tigers fight back.  A successful onside kick to stem Auburn’s comeback momentum.  Poor tackling all game.  A powerful Rebel run game.

FINAL SCORE

48-34 OLE MISS

10-8-22 The Georgia Game

 It's still strange to be playing Georgia in October.  No more Amen Corner.  Auburn hasn't won in Athens since 2005.  Auburn will not win today.  The line is about 29.  Surely this is the biggest Auburn-Georgia line ever.  Auburn is 3 & 2.  The Bulldogs are undefeated and ranked #2.  I will record only the barest facts.

FIRST QUARTER

No score.

SECOND QUARTER

7-0 Georgia 11:42 left

14-0 Georgia 8:45 left

THIRD QUARTER

14-3 Georgia 11:51 left

21-3 Georgia 7:07 left

FOURTH QUARTER

28-3 Georgia 14:49 left

35-3 Georgia 11:10 left

35-10 Georgia 9:51 left

42-10 Georgia 4:45 left

Final Score

10-1-22 The LSU Game

Here we go again with another chapter in the zany Auburn-LSU series going back many years with so many strange unpredictable games.  Coach Harsin is under serious fire and speaking of fire is not expected to be retained.  Auburn is a 7 point underdog at home.  Every picker in the country is picking LSU and rightly so.  The game is on ESPN in the 6 pm slot.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn receives with Robby Ashford at QB and the freshman Grenier the backup.

On the kickoff Auburn receiving an LSU player has to be carted off the field.  

First play injury.  Slow start to this game.

Auburn comes out playing fast.  

First down the AU 45.  Now dropping the fast play.

On third and 8 from the Auburn 47 Ashford scrambles and throws the 53 TD pass to a wide-open Ja-Varrius Johnson.  The Tigers throws the first punch.

Auburn 7  LSU 0

LSU goes three and out with 3 incomplete passes.

Auburn has come out throwing.

Three and out for the Tigers.

The punt rolls dead at the LSU 25.  A clock in the back moves the ball back.

LSU is playing fast.

We give up a third nd 7 to get LSU just across midfield.

LSU punts from our 44.

Auburn is punting from our 30 after one first down.  Our offense continues to be inconsistent.  LSU starts on their 25.

Sack on third and 11.  LSU is three and out.

The LSU punt rolls dead on the one.  We have faced this yr some awfully tough punting.

There is a clutch third completion to JJ to the 25.

The first quarter is history.

7-0 Auburn

SECOND QUARTER

Good first quarter start but we've done this before before fading.

First play of the quarter a long completion to the LSU 18.

Next play pass to the end zone to wide open receiver Camden Brown.

Auburn has come out slinging the ball down the field.

Auburn 14  LSU 0

LSU is three and out again.

JJ returns the punt across our 40.

First down to the LSU 49.

Completion to the LSU 18 but immediately back five yards on the next snap.

We move to third and four with a timeout.

We move to 4th and 4 for the FG attempt.

Auburn 17   LSU 0

9:38 left

LSU is out to their 40.

LSU moves to fourth and six.  The punt is caught on the 15 but LSU is flagged for interfering with the fair catch.

Disaster strikes as it usually does at some point in this series.  Ashford is stripped of the ball before he can get the pass off and it is ruled a fumble.  An LSU defender scoops and scores.

Auburn 17  LSU 7

Auburn is first and 10 just across midfield.

Auburn is on the LSU 24 first down.

Now we face third and nine.

We move to fourth down.

The 40 yarder is just wide right.  Carlson is not having a good year.  1:56 left.

We stop them on third and 10 but sure as the world the refs bail LSU out with a penalty on us.

LSU moves to midfield.

LSU moves to third and 6 just across midfield.

LSU moves to first and goal with 33 seconds left with a completion to a wide-open receiver.

With 18 seconds left at the one yd line line their QB fakes to the

 RB and scoots in on the right side.

Auburn 17  LSU 14

THIRD QUARTER

LSU starts three and out.  Auburn starts on the 33.

The Tigers are three and out just short of the first down though there was a penalty on us.

We sure needed a drive there.

LSU fair catches at their 9.

LSU seems to be starting a drive. I have a feeling that if they score that will be it.

LSU moves to 4th and 4 on our 47.  Auburn ball but what can we do with it?

The Tigers convert third and 25.

We have an open receiver on almost every play if the pass is accurate and caught.

We mover to fourth and 10.  We for it rather than a long FG attempt but the pass is incomplete.

LSU picks up a quick first down to our 45.

First down LSU to our 35.  to our 20.

Touchdown run from the 20 on missed tackles.

Auburn 17  LSU 24

Okay either our offense responds right here or this game is over.

Good passing first down from the 25 first play on this possession.

Quickly into LSU territory.

As the quarter winds down we move to fourth down.  We go for it and fortunately there is a penalty on LSU.  First down run as the quarter ends Auburn driving.

FOURTH QUARTTER

The Tigers convert a 4th and one inside the ten.

Bad play on first down.

On second and goal handoff to a receiver who floats an interception inside the LSU five.  Personal foul on LSU but still their ball.  Only in the LSU game would something like this happen.  The offense cannot close the deal.

11:58 left.

10 minutes left with Georgia punting from their end and we get the ball back around midfield.

The offense no can go and we are punting on 4th and 13 with 8:19 left.  LSU on their 14.  We are certainly down to cases.

We force a punt but JJ clearly muffs the punt---it goes fight thru him.   That's that with five minutes to but on the next play their RB fumbles and we recover but a long way to go to win this game from our 32

Big run on first down from Bigsby across midfield.    First down on the 35 with 3 minutes left.  Minimal gain from Bigsby.  On second down Ashford throws the interception as it looks like their defender took the ball away from receiver with 2:18 left.  LSU will win.

The strain shows on Harsin's face on TV.

FINAL SCORE

24-17 LSU

  

The Missouri Game - 3

 "You get into SEC play, it's going to be every single week," Harsin said. "And it's really like that. You're playing good opponents every week that are well coached, that have great players. And sometimes, you've got to find a way. And we did that. We found a way to win the game. And I'm really proud of our guys for that."

Correction, Coach Harsin.  Missouri found a way to improbably lose this game.

The Missouri Game - 2

In the end, it was two bad teams playing a close game and two coaches making head-scratching  decisions. Yes, Auburn is 3-1 and 1-0. Is there hope? Sure there is. There is always hope until there is not. But the Auburn team on the field Saturday looked nowhere close to being ready for the real tests that are to come.

-Philip Marshall 

9/24/22 The Missouri Game

 The Missouri Game

9/24/22

FIRST QUARTER

Missouri receives goes three and out including a big sack.

Auburn starts on our five.

First down after making 4th and a yard.  Hard running by Tank Bigsby.

Center Tate Johnson is down on the field.

Auburn converts a third and 12 as Ashford runs for the first down.

Bigsby runs for the first down to the 23.

First down to the 11.

Next play Ashford on the the QB draw to the end zone.

59 yd drive all on the ground.

Auburn 7 Missouri 0

After one first down Derrick Hall intercepts.  The Tigers on the Misosouri 24

First takeaway of the year.

First down then second down at the three and Bigsby powers in.

Auburn 14 Missouri 0

Missouri starts a drive first down to their 32.

4th and 9 at the Auburn 49.

Auburn will start the second quarter first and ten at their 18.

SECOND QUARTER

The Tigers go three and out.

Missouri fair catches at their 46.

Missouri to the Auburn 39.

First down to the AU 20.

Touchdown Missouri running play from just inside the 10.

Auburn 14  Missouri 7

From our 34 Ashford sneaks for the 4th and one first down.  third 4th down first down.

Third and 13 fortunately we recover Ashford’s fumble.

The punt goes 61 yds to the Missouri 21 with five minutes left in the half.

Long pass completion to the Auburn 40.

First down Missouri to the 26.

Down to the Auburn 10.

To the four.

Fourth and goal from inside the one and Missouri is going for it as the clock winds down.

QB sneak to the end zone.

Auburn dominated the first quarter but Missouri completely dominates the second.

Auburn 14  Missouri 14

Auburn to the Missouri 33 with 6 seconds left.

Missouri is offsides after Carlson misses the 50 yd attempt.

The 45 yd attempt is also no good.

THIRD QUARTER

Will Auburn fold in the second half like it did last week with Penn Statr?  This is a precarious game.  You have two very mediocre teams here.

THIRD QUARTER

Auburn starts three and out.  This is ominous.

Missouri from their 26.

Missouri is three and out.

Auburn starts backed up at heir six.

Completion to Shenker to the 23.

To midfield.

Freshman QB on the field.

Ashford may be hurt.  

Loss back to the 36.

Punt from there,

Missouri at their 11.

Missouri goes three and out.

Auburn  starts atits 34 after a long return is called for holding.

Third down completion to the 47 to Shenker.

Auburn is punting.

1:03 left

QB sack on the Missouri five.

A scoreless third quarter ends with Missouri facing third down from their 17.

FOURTH QUARTER

Missouri is punting.  Long punt Auburn starts on its 15.

Auburn tries to run the ball but no success.

Auburn is three and out.  Field position is becoming a factor.

Fair catch at the Missouri 40 with 13:28 to go.

Since the first quarter our offense has been nil.

Missouri is quickly to the Auburn 42.

Third and 14 from the Auburn 46.

4th and 14.

Punt to the end zone.

10:58 to go.

From the 20 the Tigers go three and out.

Absolutely no offense.  No running game.

Good punt.  Missouri starts from their 32

Our defense is going to have to find some way to win this game because we have NO offense.

Three and out for Missouri punting from their 39.

Auburn from their 24.

Pass completion of 23 yds on first down to hear midfield.

We move to third and 13.

Missouri stacks the line of scrimmage and we can’t pass them out of it.

We are punting from from the 48.

Missouri fair catches at the 13 with 5:41 to go.

Missouri goes three and out.

Auburn will start at their 42 with 3:35 to go.

First down completion to the Missouri 38.

1:43 left Auburn 4th and one.

Auburn goes for it but  Bigsby loses s yard.  Missouri wins the line of scrimmage.

Missouri has first and ten at their 29.

Missouri first down to their 43.  1:30 left.

Their PK is good.

To the AU 49.

To the AU 40.

Yikes completion to the three.  Here’s the game.  50 seconds left.

45 seconds left with Auburn’s last timeout taken.

Missouri runs the clock down and tries to kick the winning FG with 2 seconds left.

BUT THE CHIP SHOT IS PUSHED RIGHT!

OVERTIME

Stan White is incredulous.

Auburn ball first.  On third and 12 the pass is intercepted but the call on the field is reversed.

Carlson misses the 44 yarder but Missouri is offsides.

Now the 39 yarder is GOOD!

Auburn 17  Missouri 14

The Missouri running black fumbles the ball into the end zone and Auburn recovers in the end zone.  The call is reviewed and the call on the field is upheld.  

What a game.  Never seen one like this before.  Auburn is lucky.  We are lucky rather than good today.

9/17/22 The Penn State Game

 The first big game at Jordan-Hare as Auburn continues to open the season with five straight home game.  It's an orange-out game after Penn State's white-out home game last year.  It galls me that Penn State is minus 2.5.  We should never be underdogs at home!  The Nittany Lions seem figured to win this game.  They have a 6th hear senior at QB who passed us to death last year.  Our offense is inconsistent.  Our pass rush is nonexistent.  We can't seem to defend short passes, and this will likely be what we will see all day.  2:30 slot on CBS.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn kicks off.  After two first downs Auburn gets a stop on 4th and short.  Their QB was loose but he took a vicious hit and fumbled the ball out of bounds and our defense held on fourth.

Can our offense move the ball from their 47?  Bigsby for a good gain to start.  Tank rumbles between the tackles for the first down to the Lion 36.  We move to third and 7.  First down pass to the 8,  We move to third and goal.  We desperately need the six.

Alas, Finley is saved on third and goal from the nine.  Our offensive line gets pushed around on that play.  We do get the FG.

Auburn 3  Penn State 0

First play their #24 running back is on the turf.  The Lions move almost to our 40.  Completion to our seven.  On second down their QB finds an open lFroane right up the middle like we didn't have people at the line of scrimmage.

Auburn 3  Penn State 7

Already I have an uneasy feeling.  The long completion that set up this drive was a great throw and catch especially a catch by a receiver who seemed to be covered.

One AU first down and then another but called back for holding.  We move to third and long.  First down completion by Finley.  From the Lion 43 Bigsby ramble for nine yards.  Short completion to Shenker for the first down.  Last play of the quarter as the clock expires Finely rolls right and puts up a stupid pass picked off.  We start the second quarter a promising Auburn drive leading to another Finley interception.  Finley makes bad decisions.  Should never have snapped the ball to start with.

SECOND QUARTER

Lion ball to start the quarter.  Three and out and the Lions are punting.   Auburn returns close to their 30.

Our offense has absolutely no rhythm.  But on third hand eight there's a great throw and completion to the Lion 46.  Loss of one on the first play from there absolutely no blocking.  Incompletion with a receiver who wasn't looking for the ball.  Illegal procedure so now third and 14.  Finley runs for the first down.  At the Lion 34.  A sweep around the right for another first down.  From the 22 Hunter runs for another first down to the 10.  Now and third and goal from the 7.  We come to 4th and goal from the give.  FG is good.

Auburn 6  Penn State 7

The Lions convert a third and six and go to midfield as the clock winds down to five minutes.  We move to third and 2.  Just enough for the first down across the Auburn 40.  From the 35 the Lions do a nifty double pass to the Tiger 10.  To the 6.  To the three with third and goal with 1:50 left.  On third and goal from the three the rush to the end zone is clear sailing.

Auburn 6  Penn State 14

1:46 left in the second quarter.

After one first down on the first play thereafter our receiver Shedrick fumbles and they have the ball back at midfield. with 1:01 left.

Somehow we get the ball back when I run to the car and we get to midfield with seconds when Finley loses the ball, gets it back, but the half ends.  

Unlikely we will win this game.  Our offense is so inconsistent.  Two turnovers.  Two first and goals but only six points.  

HALFTIME

Auburn receives and is quickly third and twelve.  Now fourth and long.  The offense does not show up to start the third quarter.  This game could get out of hand.  Good punt to their forty.

First play from scrimmage their RB almost takes it the distance  from 60 yards.  Two plays and they gash us running the ball.  Three plays six points.  Penn State comes out to play.  Auburn comes out befuddled.

Auburn 6  Penn State 21

If our offense doesn't respond right here and now this game is over and I do not see it happening.

We get a first down on an interference penalty.  Next play Finely is immediately pressured and throws the ball away.  Next play we get a delay of game.  On third and 13 Finley is pressured, drops the ball and PS recovers.  This is bad, bad, bad, awful.  That's three turnovers for the afternoon.  Finley is awful.

PS goes to 4th and 11 to try a long field goal.  It's good.

Auburn 6  Penn State 24

Ashford enters the game.  The Tigers move to the Lions 37.  But now a third and 7 from the 34.   We convert 4th and two.  We move to first and goal from the eight.  We are pushed back.  Our line cannot protect Ashford.  Now Ashford throws the pick after we are pushed back from the 8 to beyond the 20.    Penn State is destroying us totally and simply.  This is ridiculous.

The Lions start at our 48.  This is pathetic.

I am going to let this account go and will eventually post the final score.

41-12

9/10/22 The San Jose Game

 6:30 kickoff on ESPNU from Jordan-Hare.  Coach Harsin is continuing with the 2 QB strategy from last week.  Talk is that our receivers need to improve.  More defensive linemen need to get into the rotation.  Finley threw two interceptions last week.  That would cost us a game against stronger competition.  The Tigers are -24.

FIRST QUARTER

After two first downs SJS punts.  First possession our offense looks awful.  Finley is out of sorts.  Ashford will be coming in soon.  I mean our offense looks bad first possession.  The punt is barely over midfield.

Second series Ashford is alrready in the game. Shenker has incurred two penalties already.  But on the next play Finley is back.On third and two Ashford is back.  Ashford runs for the first down,  Finley throws another lazy interception.  Yikes!

SJS goes three and out.  Again our offense no can go.  Penalties we look awful.

The Spartans drive to a missed 40 yd

 FG attempt as the first quarter winds down

Finley throws another interception.  SJS is in business as the quarter ends.

SECOND QUARTER

From inside the Auburn one great defense.  Defense pushes them back to a 33yd FG.

Auburn 0 San Jose State 3

Drmari Alston breaks a big run across midfield.  The Tigers convert a fourth down.  First down at the 22.  On second down procedure.  First and goal to the six.  Hunter runs it in with 6:31 left in the half.

Auburn 7 San Jose state 3

The Spartans drive completing short passes.  First down to the Auburn 17.   Interference call on Simpson just outside the goal line.  First and goal on the three.  58 seconds left and SJS takes the lead.

Auburn 7 San Jose State 10

HALF

The Tigers come out in the third quarter and march smartly down the field looking like a completely different offense mixing running and short passing.  Bigsby runs it in from the one.

Auburn 14 San Jose State 10

After one first down SJS is punting from midfield.  AU starts at their 40.

Auburn has about 86 yards in penalties. 

Carlson knocks in a 45 yarder.

Auburn 17 San Jose State 10

The Spartans first down to their 38.  Their short passing is killing us.  We can't stop it.

Down the field they and we can't stop them.

First down at the 12.

We go to the 4th quarter SJS facing third and 9 just outside the Auburn 10.

FOURTH QUARTER

We hold them to a short FG.

Auburn 17 San Jose State 13

14:49 left

Long run by Ashford across midfield.  

First down pass to the 4.  Finley on the keeper into the end zone.

Auburn 24  San Jose State 13

12:45 left

SJS punts to our 15.

A promising drives ends outside their 45 on fourth down.

SJS starts around their five after a dynamic punt.

SJS gets a long completion.

To our 49.

Spartans driving close play at the sideline reviewed.  Pass incomplete.  

First down power run on third and four.

To the 20.

4th and 10 from the 20.

FG good.

Auburn 24 San Jose State 16

2:11 left

Ashford runs around right end for the first down on third and seven.

Now comes the prettiest play in football victory formation.

FINAL SCORE

AUBURN 26 SJS 16

WE'LL TAKE IT!