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?